294 BRISTOL. LETTER VIII. BRISTOL; ITS ANTIQUITY AND HISTORY; ITS EXTENT, POPULA- DEAR SIR, BRISTOL is said to have been founded by Brennus, near four hundred years before the birth of Christ. It is also in the list of the fortified and eminent cities that were in Britain in the year 430, when the Romans abandoned the island. In history it makes a figure, particularly for its extent and population. In the year 1211, King John laid a tax upon all the Jews, throughout his dominions. One of the unfortunate race of Abraham, residing in Bristol, resisted the tax, for which he was fined 10,000 marks. This sum the Jew refused to pay, which so exasperated the king, that he commanded one of his teeth to be drawn every day till he complied. He had but eight, and suffered seven of them to be pulled out, when he paid the fine rather than part with the last tooth! We are also told that King Henry VII. with the Lord Chancellor, came to Bristol in the year 1490, and kept his court at St. Augustine's Back. The citizens, willing to shew his Majesty all the respect they could during his residence, arrayed themselves in their best clothes. The king, however, thinking some of their wives rather too finely dressed for their station, ordered every citizen who was worth twenty pounds in goods, to pay twenty shillings, because their wives went so sumptuously apparalled! In the reign of Charles I. this city was stormed and taken by the King's army; but afterwards Fairfax took it from Prince Rupert, which chagrined the royal party. Oliver Cromwell ordered its castle to be pulled down, and rased with the ground.* Bristol, on account of its size, trade, and populousness, has been reckoned the second city in the kingdom, though Liverpool is now thought to exceed it. It contains nineteen parish churches, besides chapels and various meeting-houses for protestant dissenters; that of the presbyterians is spacious, elegant, and of modern erection. The cathedral is a venerable pile, and contains several fine monuments. Here, on the tomb of Mrs. Mason, the wife of the poet, are some beautiful lines, written by her husband, which cannot be too much admired. Bristol has been long famed for the extent of its mercantile concerns; and its river, crowded with shipping, makes a commercial appearance. * See a copious and interesting History of the City of Bristol, in two octavo volumes embellished with plates by (my namesake but no relative) the Rev. John Evans, master of an academy, Kingsdown, Bristol. As a friend I wish to bear this testimony to his literary merit and persevering industry. Its quay is strewed with articles from almost every clime, though the trade most cultivated here belongs to the western world. Colston's School, is an admirable charity, and its scholars wear on their breast a figure of a dolphin, in brass; to which embellishment hangs this tale: -COLSTON, a rich West Indian merchant, was coming home with a ship which contained all his treasure: she sprung a leak, and after having pumped for a long time, day and night, those on board were on the brink of going to the bottom. At once, to their astonishment, they found the leak stopped, and bore on to the desired haven, when, upon examination, it was found that a dolphin had providentially squeezed itself into the hole, and thus saved them and their all from destruction! Colston, therefore, ordered this emblem of a dolphin to be worn as a signal of his gratitude. The Infirmary here is likewise a noble institution, and there are other buildings entitled to attention. In this city the Baptists have an institution, entitled the Education Society, where young men are educated for the ministry. It has been enriched by legacies, particularly by the valuable library of Dr. Lewellyn, as well as that of Dr. Gifford, for many years sub-librarian to the British Museum. Its curiosities, together with a painted window, are entitled to attention. The society flourished for many years under the superintendance of (my much respected relatives,) the Rev. Hugh Evans, A. M. and his son, the Rev. Caleb Evans, D. D. The Rev. Hugh Evans died multis bonis flebilis in 1781, having reached the 69th year of his age. Few men were so beloved through life, and so lamented at their decease, as was this good man, distinguished for his patriarchal simplicity and piety. The Rev. Dr. Evans succeeded him in the labours of the pastoral office, and in the arduous duties of the academy. He possessed a fund of good sense, a considerable share of learning, and a pleasing talent for public speaking. To these qualifications he added an enlightened zeal and a persevering activity. It will not, therefore, be a matter of surprise that his pulpit labours were very acceptable, and to the last he preserved his popu larity. This is mentioned to his praise, as he always preached to the understanding, and deemed vociferation, whatever charms it has with the multitude, unsuitable to the dignity of the Christian ministry. Beside Sermons and other miscellaneous publications, he distinguished himself in a controversy with John Wesley, at the commencement of the American war, for he was a warm friend of civil and religious liberty. His triumph over the founder of Methodism was decisive. Wesley's biographers, ashamed of the business, pass it over in silence. This excellent man died during the month of August, 1791, after a few months illness, in the 54th of his year His funeral was numerously and respectably attended. On that day (I well remember it) many tears were shed to his memory! age. Both Father and Son lie interred near each other, in the Baptist burying-ground, and each of the head-stones is covered with a Latin epitaph. Two years ago (July 1807) I visited this crowded cemetry, and strayed awhile among the tombs. There were many inscriptions; the following on the death of two infant grand-children of the Rev. H. Evans, (sons of Mr. Thomas Mullet,) who died in the year 1771, is worthy of being preserved; Inexorably calm with dread career See DEATH bas pass'd, with ruin marks his way. Without long tarriance in these dark retreats, A voice divine came issuing from the skies, They heard, and hail'd their SAVIOUR and their God! These lines are beautiful-I have not been able to ascertain their author, they form a fine contrast to the rubbish by which this and other repositories of the dead are disgraced. Mr. Thomas Mullet, son-in-law of the Rev. H, Evans, having married his eldest daughter, at this time and for many years after resided at Bristol in the mercantile line, and became partner of Henry Cruger, Esq. who was member along with the ce |