Warner

WARNER, Reverend Richard (1763-1857).Biblio.com

Excursions from Bath.

1801ref. 3865A scarce book of country excursions taking in some of the most striking landscapes and great houses within a day's journey of Bath. Three excursions are presented in the course of four letters with each excursion illustrated with a small part-page engraved map. The author describes in detail the landscapes cities and great houses along the way with plentiful information about the history of the towns gardens and architecture visited. Of particular note are Longleat Stourhead Fonthill and Wardour Castle. 'I am now to introduce you to one of the most splendid mansions in the kingdom Fonthill the seat of Mr. Beckford; where expence has reached its utmost limits in furniture and ornaments; where every room is a gold mine and every apartment a picture-gallery' p. 119. The description of Beckford's library is alas rather brief: 'The library is a large room filled with choice and expensive books; and decorated with appropriate paintings on the ceiling' p. 126. Warner also visits 'new' Wardour Castle - it was built in the 1770s - and gives a room by room commentary of the architecture furniture and paintings. Or particular interest is his description of the chapel: 'From this apartment we are carried into the western gallery of the chapel; a structure that displays superlative taste and magnificence. Crimson furniture and gilded ornaments produce an immediate striking coup d' œil; but when the decorations are examined individually the splendour and expence become more perceptible. Three immense pictures by Rubens cover the southern wall of the chapel; and one by this artist and another by Guido of the same majestic size are their opposite companions. The altar-piece is a Dead Christ by Cades. A large gallery is constructed at the western end superbly fitted up for Lord Arundel and his party; a second at the east end of the north side for the choir; and a third at the east end of the north side for the accommodation of visiters sic. Benches occupy the middle of the chapel for the reception of the domestics and such of the villagers as profess the Romish faith; for there is a Catholic seminary here the pupils of which punctually attend at morning and evening prayers. The eastern end of the chapel recedes into a semi-circular form through the windows of which light is admitted; but as these are placed high and consist of coloured glass the effect is extremely striking and solemn. The central window exhibits Angels and the awful Tetragrammaton from which is an emanation of glory. Brought forward from the eastern end sufficiently to allow the processions around it stands the Altar a most costly piece of workmanship fixed on a splendid sarcophagus of ebony; and constructed of porphyry agate and amber. A magnificent crucifix of silver surmounts the altar; and two censers of solid gold embossed with silver suspended over it pour through the chapel odiferous clouds of ever-burning frankincense. Every thing around indeed evinces that the Romish ritual is observed here with the utmost vigour and magnificence; and doubtless the celebration of its higher offices amid such seducing objects must act with infinite force upon the imagination. The effect produced by the externals of worship every man experiences who attends our Cathedral service which has not been stripped of so much of its lace as the common parochial ritual; how much then must this be increased when aided by exquisite examples of sculpture and painting; amid the strains of angelical music the glare of unnumbered lights and the Hallelujahs of numerous multitudes! The tamest fancy must be roused by such a scene and the coldest heart warmed into transport … It is but proper to add that the attendance of strangers at the service in Wardour chapel is considered as a compliment and every convenience provided for their accommodation' pp. 137-141. Richard Warner was an antiquary and an Anglican clergyman originally from the coastal town of Lymington in Hampshire. He became curate to Wililam Gilpin whose influence can be clearly seen in the present work dedicated to walking and the natural beauties of the west country. Warner obtained his first position in Bath in 1794 and remained there for some years writing a number of topographical works and a gothic novel Netley Abbey 1795 inspired by local ruins. He was a friend of Wordsworth who collected Warner's picturesque writings alongside those of Gilpin and who is known to have dined with him in Bath. In his lifetime Warner was mostly known for his controversial pacifist sermons and writings: it is thought that Blake was referring to Warner in the lines 'ask him if he is Bath or if he is Canterbury' in Jerusalem as claimed by David Erdman. Although this copy is in a later nineteenth century binding and was bound without the half-title a previous owner - possibly from the 1840s or 1850s perhaps contemporaneous with the binding and the newspaper cutting - has added an engraved portrait a Latin celebration of Bath an engraving of Farleigh Castle and a newspaper cutting referring to Paul Methuen of Corsham. OCLC lists BL University of Edinburgh the Natural History Museum and the Rubenianum in Antwerp only. Crutwell & G.G. and J. Robinson

Amanda Hall Rare Books · United Kingdom$2,400.00≈ €2,144.20

Warner

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