CHAPTER IV – SCENES THAT SUGGEST THE POEMS OF DR. WATTS
THE HISTORIC ASSOCIATION OF MEN AND SCENES OF DR. ISAAC WATTS’ BIRTHPLACE THAT SUGGESTED TO HIS MIND HIS POEMS.

Space will forbid a very extended historical sketch of “Ye old town of Soten,” or its many noted and distinguished men and women who have taken a prominent place in the scholastic and commercial world. Possibly the Southampton of today enjoys a foremost place among the ports of Great Britian. The mercantile marine whose home port Southampton is, embraced many of the “crack ocean greyhounds” of many of the most widely known companies of the world. The flags of all nations can be seen flying at the masthead of a great number of “sea going craft.” Indeed, Southampton is only second in the race for the shipping ports of England, which at present writ ing means the world. Liverpool, her competitor in the Northwest of the Kingdom, does not enjoy the advantages enjoyed by Southampton; while her tonnage is greater, by considerable, her con venience for accommodating the “greyhounds” is not in anywise to be compared with South ampton. The “Mersey” is not the “Solent.” The far-famed Southampton waters, whose tides will admit of the biggest “craft afloat” to dock at any hour of the day or night, relieving the traveler of the worry and vexatious delays incidental to having to wait “for the tides.” There are no great “Sand Bars” to obstruct the “route to the sea.” Vessels are docked at all hours, and the train service right at the “Gang Plank” to carry the passenger to London direct without the loss of time, annoyance and expense in crossing the city to reach the train depot. This is an advan tage that the Trans-Atlantic and Continental travelers are appreciating as seen by the greatly increased growth of the passenger list both en tering and embarking from the port of South ampton. The Humtum of the past is known to the antiquarian and the historian for its past as sociations just as she is known today by the mar iner, for the splendid docks ; her history is inter woven with remote antiquity ; her history is con nected link by link in the chain of events of the historic past. Her story is largely a part of the history of England. The men of Humtum from remote days of yore have held a large place and took part in the affairs of the British Isles with the earliest beginning. They were among the first in the formative period of Britian, from the pre-historic flintage down the successive stages of human history, while the charter of the town dates from the time of King John. Its town rec ord is of far-reaching into the remote antiquity. Possibly the most interesting and familiar sight in the town is the Bar Gate, which is among the very finest specimens of early baronial architec ture in England. The old building recently put on a “new smile” because of the laborers of the local contractors who made some much-needed repairs and brushed up the venerable pile a “bit.” Portions of its walls were erected during the time of William the Conqueror. It was this old building, so much regarded and esteemed in the Eleventh Century, and has been in continuous use ever since; either for a court of justice or for meetings of “Ye Ancient Barons.” It is a very worthy and imposing structure, with its castleated buttments and massive Norman walls, which are in every sense a worthy competitor with “Ye Great Cathedral” whose Norman butt ments is the pride of “Ye City of Winchester,” and the proud boast of the citizens of “Ye An cient Place” of “Ye Great Churchman, William of Whickyam,” who claims for the Cathedral the first place in England for the fairest and finest Norman structure, with its long, nave and grace ful aisles. This old Bar Gate was much admired by “Leland.” Oh ! what changes have taken place since the sun first cast its shadow over the “sun dial,” the then time piece, where the warrior bold waited for “My Lady Fair” ; what heart aches, suffering and joy have been experienced while passing under its arches. The Bar Gate is very closely associated with the legend of “Ye Ancient Saxon King Asqupart” and “Ye Giant Bevois” of Humtum. This forms one of the most
interesting legends of Britain, and the old metrical romance of Sir Bevois is founded upon these ex ploits so exceedingly interesting alike to the his torian and antiquarian. It was the solidity of the Bar Gate that suggested the lines to the poet.

“Thy throne eternal ages stood, Ere seas or stars were made, Thou art the ever living God, Where all the nations dead.”

The Water Gate and Castle Hotel with its massive oaken beams, supported upon great arches of early English masonry, are worthy of note. The visitor can see in his mind’s eye the “Qual ity” of Ye Ancient Day seated at the fireside of this old structure. St. Michaels Church, with its lofty spire that served as the landmark to the sailor “while making their course” over the wa ters of the Solent and rejoiced to behold the gleam of light flickering high up from the lan tern, swung out from its topmost perch at night to welcome again the returned mariner. This ancient church, which is claimed to be among the earliest built in “Soten,” contains many inter esting ecclesiastical curios. The Font is of inter est and of great antiquity, of black Purback mar ble, one of the oldest of its kind in England. The Chained Bibles, the silent witnesses of the refor mation days, and many other items of historic interest are associated with this old parish Church of St. Michaels. And connected with this old church is an item, last but not least, for the pur pose of this little work in the church records reference is made to one Mary Watts, the beloved sister of Dr. Isaac Watts. The Chained Bibles before mentioned are very unique and are worthy of examination, possibly few who visit the “old Sanctuary” ever stop to think what those Chained Bibles meant to the English people and how many scenes have taken place ; what changes have come over the religious thought and life of England; what nations have risen and fallen; how inven tions have been brought forward from the fertile brain of the inventor; what changes of locomotion what constitutional liberties have been enjoyed, yes, and what changes have taken place in the moral and social life of the laborer and “Ye Quality” ; how the chains have fallen from the cruelly abused slaves ; this has all taken place since the days of the reformation of which these Chained Bibles are so positive, yet silent witnesses. Dr. Watts loved this old Sanctuary and the Bible which under God has been the keystone in the arch of British liberty, and occasioned him to pen the well known lines:

“O how I love Thy holy law, ‘Tis daily my delight, And thence my meditation draw, Divine advice by night.”

The Castle was erected by that sturdy Norman, William the Conqueror, and was very strongly fortified. This fortress is part of the great forti fication known as the “Mintionem Huntumin,” which is alone sufficient to attract the student and lover of Norman architecture, and further to attest to its early origin and construction. It is situated close by to where Dr. Watts was born and the familiar playground of his boyhood days, and the subject that suggested the verse:

“Give me the wings of faith to rise, Within the vale and see, The saints above, how great their joys, How bright their glories be.”

St. Mary’s Church, to which reference has already been made, is on the foundation of a very ancient structure. This church was the Mother Parish Church of the many churches of Southampton. Its history dates back to early events in English life. This building was taken down during the encumbancy of Canon Basil Wilberforce and the present structure erected. It is a beautiful building in every way worthy of the distinguished rector, who gave of his own pri vate means, liberally, towards its construction and his very best endeavor for its completion. This beautiful building is almost of cathedral proportions and of early English design. Orig inally this parish extended over a very wide ter ritory and enjoyed oversight over other parishes. It held a peculiar relation toward the diocese of Winchester. It was not a college church but en joyed many privileges similar to a college church. It also enjoyed the confidence of YVilliam of Whickyam. who donated monies to this parish in 1404. Very near by stood the Hermitage of the “Blessed Mary,” which in the time of Henry VI. was a very noted institution and the celebrated Hermit William Geoffery was the confessor, to whom great companies of devotees from the ad jacent parishes and countryside came for confes sion and absolution.

 

A still more ancient institution was also close to hand, the Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene for “weak folk” and lepers. This institution was of very great antiquity ; it was of prior origin to the Hermitage. The entire immediate location is of especial interest to the church historian and lover of ecclesiastical affairs. The Pope of Rome gave benediction and approval to this Hospital in the year 1179. This neighborhood, with its silent but convincing testimony of the changing condition in human affairs, suggested to Dr. Watts the lines :
“Life is the time to serve the Lord, The time to insure the great reward.” The Richard Taunton Charity was founded largely by a relative of Dr. Watts, showing that the family were among the substantial folk, and his connection were numbered among the “well to do.” This charitable institution was largely due to the philanthropic spirit of a cousin of Isaac Watts, who was much interested in the care of the poor. The name of this charity is well known in Southampton and vicinity.

 

Incidently the Ordinance Office is worthy of note. While historically considered it is of com parative recent date in Southampton, having been removed from the Tower of London in 1841 to its present location and, while being new to Southampton, the work performed here is of great value and in keeping with this historic town because of the antiquity of many of the docu ments which are reprinted, documents known to the Scholastic and Scientific World.

 

The manuscript, entrusted to this office for re production and retracing, are among the most valued and ancient in the kingdom. The Ordi nance Offices are situated about three-fourths of a mile northward from the Bar Gate and at the beginning of the far-famed Avenue, the pride of the town with its stately rows of elms, that line both sides of this lovely promenade, which ex tends for a considerable distance up through the “Common,” a favorite open space of country con taining from three to four hundred acres in ex tent and many charming “bits” of romantic scen ery. The Ordinance Survey Office is under gov ernmental control, the Royal Engineers being in charge, and the staff is among the best and most experienced in the world. This institution is in every sense worthy of the great Imperial Govern ment that supports it. It is the main office of the Government Surveys of the British Isles. The work executed here is of the very highest order. The reproduction of the most valued manuscript is performed here, the art of reproducing fac similes of a great variety of ancient documents, including such valued works as the Dooms-Day Book, Magna Charta, etc. The labor rendered in restoring and reproducing many of the Anglo Saxon manuscripts has been accomplished with rare credit and skill, affording incalculable assist ance to the historical scholastic and literary world. This institution Southamptonians might well be proud of. It is in the front rank of the engraving profession of our times and worthy of a visit.

 

The “Common,” already referred to, was no doubt often visited by the young poet, Watts, in his rambles with his friends, its bright green swarth so inviting to the joyous spirit of youth. It was this thought of days gone by that Dr. Watts remembered on his return visit from Lon don that suggested to the poet the lines :

“O, may these thoughts possess my breast, Where ‘ere I rove, where ‘ere I rest, Nor let my weaker passion dare, Consent to sin for God is there.”

This neighborhood would excite to poetical ex pression any person that possessed a spark of love for scenic beauty. Such a stretch of park-like landscape would or should appeal to saint and sinner alike. Even Voltaire, the French infidel, while visiting Lord Peterborough, whose stately mansion was in the immediate neighborhood, re ferred to the beauty of Southampton’s “Com mon.” And the poet, Southey, who once re sided at Bevois Mount, wrote a farewell sonnet on bidding goodbye to it. The old town walls are in keeping with its ancient and remarkable en vironment ; one can readily understand what they meant to the citizens for protection against the invaders. Leland refers to these old walls dur ing his day. They are splendid specimens of style of masonry used in the Norman period.

The Gate Ways are especially worthy of note, and several magnificent Norman buttresses are
still in good condition. It was the various Gate Ways that attracted the attention of the anti quarian Leland on his last visit to the town, when he wrote in 1536, stating that the ancient walls “be in fair, and right strong walls of Humtum eight gates.” The Bar Gate, to which reference has been made, was the most prominent because of its situation and its immense strength. The West Gate, also referred to, is a remarkable and interesting old building with its portcullises and the six square appurtenances are still seen where the occupants could throw misles and pour scald ing water and other matters down upon their opponents from their secure position.

God’s House Gate, Postern Gate, Blue Anchor Lane, and Ye Old Bridles Gate are unique and in a splendid state of preservation; those massive stone walls of old Southampton, with their tow ers and battlements, greatly impressed Isaac Watts, with the ivy clinging so fresh and green to the chinks of the wall suggested the lines :

“Begin my tongue some heavenly theme, And speak some boundless thing, The mighty works or mightier name, Of our Eternal King.”

A very quaint old spot known as Catch Cold Tower, so named from its bleak position to the weather, where “Ye Watchmen called ‘All’s Well,’ ” during the long winter nights. Again Arundle Tower was a very imposing structure with its massive walls that attracted the attention of military men who have visited “ye old town” at various times. These towers were especially regarded with favor by the warriors as the cen ters of strength, they were citadels of consecrated power, around them the fiercest combats raged ; here many a warrior met his Waterloo. These old memorials of battle appealed to the poetical mind of Isaac Watts when he beheld their solidity and massive, towering strength to protect the town. Dr. Watts spiritulized the thought and gave to the world the well known and ever popu lar verses :

“Great God, how infinite art Thou,
What worthless worms are we,
Let all the race of creatures bow,
And pay their praise to Thee.
Thy throne eternal ages stood,
Ere seas or stars were made,
Thou art the ever living God,
Were all the nations dead.”

Reference has already been made to the Above Bar Church where the sainted father of Isaac Watts was so closely identified with in an official capacity for over 40 years. While he was en gaged in securing his livelihood by conducting a private boarding school in the old town. Father and son were very companionable and in their going to and returning from the Above Bar Church from their home on French Street, they passed and repassed “Holy Rood,” a singularly interesting church of very ancient foundation, associated with many peculiar and antique cus toms, among them was what was known as the “Proclamation,” a long raised walk where “Ye Town Folk” gathered in times of war or peace to listen to “Ye Town Crier” proclaim in the name of “God and ye King” the latest news or when ye “Coach” from London had been attacked by “Ye Highwaymen” and the patient travelers had been relieved of their pelf by some “knight of the road” like ye “Tom Faggus” or “Dick Turpin.” This old “Proclamation” was the rendezvous of the gossip, “ne’er do wells” and idlers ; here they congregated to know “what was going on.” This old resort was a much favored spot in the town and young Watts was much impressed with this place ; from time to time as he passed by, noticing the groups that congregated, which suggested to
his acute imaginative mind what use he could suggest the “Proclamation” might serve, when the following lines were penned :

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come, Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare him room, And heav’n and nature sing.”

“Holy Rood Church” is worthy of the attention of the antiquarian, its foundation is of a very early date, said to be of Saxon origin and among the finest specimens of church architecture of mediaeval times. The spire with its chimes and metallic figures, which strike the hour, attract the passerby who invariably stop and look up at the little figures in their metallic garb of “men of old” come from and return to their post, and es pecially is this old corner of this busy thorough fare interesting on the Lord’s Day, or the holy days, when the chimes ring out to the passerby, “Ye are welcome to do ye service in ye house of God.” Young Watts’ mind was imbued with sa cred things and he loved the Sanctuary, hence the sound of the chimes to his ear suggested the lines :

“How did my heart rejoice to hear, My friends devoutly say, In Zion let us all appear, And keep the solemn day.”

“On the Common” is a very much used term in Southampton, “Ye Towns Folk” have to make a visit to the “Common,” the place and object of their Sunday afternoon’s walk which is a very general practice to this day, and “Ye young coy servant maidens” still keep up “Ye Ancient Cus tom” and will look with sharp eyes, for John, on her afternoon out,” for a wee stroll up past ye “Stag Gates,” and the “Cowherds” to the grassy walks on the “Common.” It was on this very “Common” one of the most interesting Courts known to the modern judiciary was held. The “Leet” Court, known everywhere to the legal fraternity, but especially of interest to the Eng lish and American lawyers. This ancient institu tion, the “Leet” Court, is among the earliest known Courts in Britain. Its sessions were held on this “Common” and here the proceedings, that to our times are both singular and interesting and that have held such a large place in the “practice of law,” were held. “Leet Day,” “Court Day” was a great day among the parties of interest who gathered on this day in ye ancient “Leet” Court which differed in many particulars from the “Pi powders Court” which followed the English “Fair” and tried petty offenders and sentenced them on the same day that they were tried. The “Leet” Court had larger powers and greater ju risdiction; it was somewhat, like the ancient Sher iff’s Court, that could seize both prisoner and property. Here “Leet” Court held its sessions and the visitor can see with his mind’s eye the litigants discussing their differences pro and con under canopy of the Heavens, surrounded by their friends and foes. Here many a fierce com bat raged between the representatives of the vari ous contending parties. All of this story was fa miliar to the young poet, Isaac Watts, and this scene with its association of the “Leet” Court brought forth the well known lines :

“Upward I lift mine eyes, From God is all my aid, The God who built the skies, And earth and nature made, God is the tower to which I fly, His grace is nigh in every hour.”

“Blue Anchor Lane,” a noted passageway from the palace and the King’s household, were accus tomed to use this old way, especially the Bailiff’s and personal attendants upon his majesty. This
old lane is in a remarkable state of preservation and the antiquarian will find in the walls of this old passageway parts of the old Royal Palace. “Blue Anchor Lane” is a “quaint, weird old lane,” said a writer of two centuries ago and modern writers might well describe it as a “quaint, weird old lane,” for such it is. What secrets could be told if the old lane could only speak. How many of the “Gay and Fair” have waited to pass up to see “Ye Majesty, the King,” through the “Blue Anchor Lane.” This old passageway was very near to Dr. Watts’ house, on French Street, and doubtless many times in his day he had been through “Blue Anchor Lane,” both coming and going down to the “Shore.” This “old way” sug gested the lines :

“That awful day will surely come, The appointed hour make haste, When I must stand before my judge, And pass the solemn test.”

During Dr. Watts’ ministry he was waited upon fay a young man who had been guilty of great moral sin and his conscience troubled him ; he felt the burden of his guilt so oppressive that he went to tell the story of his heart to the minister. After comforting the young man and telling him the “way of the cross” and there was “forgiveness with God,” Dr. Watts wrote the comforting and suggestive verses :

“Why should my passions mix with earth, And thus debase my heavenly birth, Why should I cleave to things below, And let my God and Saviour go.” Call me away from flesh and sin, One sovereign word can draw me thence I would obey the voice devine, And all inferior joy resign.”

The town Quay has been the place among others in ye town that have held a strong place in the affectionate esteem of the people. Here they can get a “Blow,” the breeze that sweeps up from the “Solent” is met here on the Quay. Here for cen turies people have gathered either for the social hour or evening stroll or to see their friends “Off” or welcome their returning from “Abroad.” To the local “folk,” this “Going Abroad” means much, it conveys all it implies, “Seeing Them Off.” At once there is wafted before the Southamp tonians mind’s eye visions of distant lands across the wide ocean with possibilities and probabilities of great change in the fortune of their “Going Abroad” and who are now, just “off” at the “Quay.” This was all a very familiar scene dur ing the time of Dr. Watts, so he with his fertile and imaginative brain, put the thought of “Going Abroad” into practical purpose, and wrote the lines :

“Come, sound this praise abroad, And hymns of glory sing, Jehovah is the sovereign God, The Universal King.”

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the priory of the Grey Friars, known as the “Franciscans,” was located in Southampton and they had a very extensive priory with splendid grounds. They were very intimately connected with the ecclesiastical life of the town, and their old “Friary” was the occasion of many a hotly contested dispute between their Abbots and “Ye Town Folk” concerning tithing and “barley corn” tithing. Their “Establishment” was situated in the neighborhood of what is today known as Gloucester Square, and many a remarkable story is told of ye “Gentlemen Friars,” “God Save Them,” and of their escapades