Part 5 (2/2)
The church is a curious structure, having its tower in the centre: but the objects of greatest interest are within. In the centre of the chancel floor lies the full-sized effigy of an ecclesiastic, habited in the gorgeous sacerdotal vestments of the Roman church; this is Sire Adam Bacon, presbyter. Ives supposes this to be the oldest and most magnificent sepulchral bra.s.s, placed to an ecclesiastic, now remaining in England.
On a large stone near the chancel door are the effigies of John Fastolf, Esq., and Katherine his wife, which were placed there in 1479.
Gillingwater, page 275, discovers a relations.h.i.+p between these Fastolfs and the redoubtable Knight of the ”Merry wives of Windsor,” and ”Henry IV.”
Close to the church is the Hall, now the property of George Borrow, Esq., whose pleasant and retired residence is a little to the right of it, overlooking the Oulton Broad.
On the road from Oulton church to Lowestoft is the house of E. Leathes, Esq., at Normanstone, which has a fine view of the Railway and Lake Lothing, with the parish of Kirtley in the distance.
The road to Beccles-though in some parts of it pleasing-is less attractive than others in the neighbourhood, in consequence of the marshes on one side of it; but midway between Lowestoft and Beccles is Cove Hall, the residence of William Everitt, Esq. and nearer Beccles is the beautiful seat of the Earl of Gosford, with its park and grounds.
The town of Beccles and its neighbourhood present several attractions-its fine old church with its detached tower; its nursery grounds and several gentlemen's seats; not to mention other objects worthy of notice, will all repay examination.
To the south of the harbour, and through Kirtley, is the village of Pakefield, which may be approached either by the sea-side, or by the turnpike road. The church has a double nave and is neat and carefully preserved. The font and several bra.s.ses deserve attention. Beyond Pakefield is Kessingland, and between the two villages, on the beach, is a neat and new Light-house: the walk along the cliff here is very pleasant; several coins and other curiosities have been found at different times, specimens of which may be obtained of an old man who lives close by.
Through Kessingland lies Covehithe; the ruins of its church covered with ivy, and venerable in its decay, are thus described by Davy in his architectural antiquities. ”These splendid ruins attest the former wealth and populousness of a place, which now ranks among the poorest and meanest parishes in the county. All the ancient part of this once stately pile is now in complete decay; but divine service is performed in a small edifice erected within the nave of the old one, though it does not occupy one half of it. This, as appears from an inscription on a stone in the north wall, was completed in the year 1672. The three grand arches at the east, still retain their position, though much mutilated, and, for magnitude and form, may vie with the n.o.blest specimens of the kind in the county. The tower, which appears of a more ancient date than the rest of the ruined fabric, still remains as a landmark for travellers.”
Miss Agnes Strickland, who resides at Reydon hall, not many miles distant, has thus sung the melancholy fate of Covehithe:-
”On gray Covehithe mild eve has cast A soft and mellow ray; But o'er its glories time has pa.s.s'd With dark destroying sway.
”All roofless now, the stately pile, And rent, the arches tall, Through which, with bright departing smile, The western sunbeams fall.
”The ivy wreaths unheeded twine In wild profusion there, And oft with summer flowers combine To crown the oriel fair.
”The choir is hush'd, and silent now The organ's thrilling sigh; Yet swells at eve, from many a bough, The linnet's lullaby.
”The gra.s.s-grown aisle all green and lone, No musing footsteps tread; And even o'er the altar stone The mantling brambles spread.
”Tradition's voice forgets to tell Whose ashes sleep below, And fancy here unchecked may swell And bid the story flow.”
But we are trenching now upon the proper domain of Southwold, which is a pleasant watering place beyond Covehithe, to which, if the visiter should wish to rove, we advise that, on his return, he should take the road to Wrentham, thence proceed along the turnpike road past Benacre Hall, the seat of Sir T. S. Gooch, and so through Kessingland to Lowestoft again.
We have now performed our task, and heartily wish our readers health and happiness through the season, in the enjoyment of which they cannot fail to appreciate the pleasures afforded by the works of Him whose is the sea, for he made it; whose hand also fas.h.i.+oned the dry land.
THE END.
<script>