Note 32 — LETTER LXXV.
Reading edition
As the notice for this sale is not less curious than the occasion, I have transcribed it from the city newspaper. One of the many conveniences attending the English coffee-houses is, that the newspapers are regularly filed in them, so that they may always be referred to:—
THE EAGLE,
FROM THE BRISTOL CATHEDRAL.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
At the Exchange Coffee-room, in this City,
On Thursday, the 2d of September, 1802, between the
hours of one and two o'clock in the afternoon,
(unless previously disposed of by private contract,)
A BEAUTIFUL
BRAZEN SPREAD EAGLE,
With a Ledge at the Tail,
Standing on a brass pedestal,
Supported by four lions, one at each corner.
This elegant piece of workmanship was sold, last June, by the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Bristol, or their agents or servants, as old brass, and weighed 6 cwt. 20lb. or 692lb. and has since been purchased at an advanced price, by a native of this city, in order to prevent it being broken up, and to give the inhabitants a chance of buying it.
It was given to the cathedral, in the reign of Charles II. by one of the prebendaries, who had been there 40 years; and is supposed, by the following Latin inscription, (which was engraved on the pillar or pedestal,) to have stood in the choir 119 years:
"Ex Dono Georgij Williamson, S. T. B. Hujus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Bristoll: Vice-Decani, 1683."
That is,
"The Gift of George Williamson, Bachelor of Divinity, Sub-Dean of this Cathedral Church of Bristol, 1683."
The whole of the inscription, except the figures 1683, has been taken off the pedestal, without the consent of the buyer; which he has since had re-engraved.
This piece of antiquity, which is of the most exquisite shape, is made of the best and purest brass, and well worth the attention of ministers and churchwardens, or any gentleman or lady who would wish to make a present of it to their parish church: traders, also, to foreign parts, may find it worth their while to purchase, as a like opportunity may never offer again.
Such a handsome bird would be, as it has hitherto been, a very great ornament to the middle aisle of a church. It for many years stood in the choir of the Bristol cathedral, and upheld with its wings the Sacred Truths of the Blessed Gospel. The minor-canons formerly read the lessons on it, and in most cathedrals the custom is kept up to this day.
This superb image is now at King-street Hall, and may be inspected three days previous to the day of sale.
N. B. The purchaser offered, previous to any advertisement, to re-sell the eagle at the price he paid for it, provided it were replaced in the choir; which offer was rejected.
THOMAS KIFT, Broker.