On the same wall is the monument of Sarah Colvile, daughter of Thomas Lawrence, Esq., and wife of Richard Colvile, of Newton, in the Isle of Ely. From small trusses, ornamented with human heads, rise two Doric pillars, with a curved entablature which supports a pediment. The soffit of the cornice is decorated with clouds, stars, and a dove; and on the edge of the cornice is a passage of Scripture (1 Cor. xv. 52). Between the pillars is a half-length figure of a female, wrapped in a winding sheet, with her hands in a supplicating posture, and as rising from the tomb. The inscription states she was the happy mother of eight sons and two daughters. She died in 1631, in the 40th year of her age.
There is also an inscription on the floor of this chapel to the memory of Henry, youngest son of Sir John Lawrence, who died in 1661, aged 30.
LADY JANE CHEYNE.—This stately monument is placed against the wall of the north aisle, but before we proceed to give a description of it, we will notice the inscription that was placed at the entrance to the vault of the Cheyne family, at the bottom of the chancel:—
“Charles Cheyne, Esq., Lord of this Manor of Chelsea, which was purchased by the rich dowry of his wife, erected this burial-place for his most excellent wife, the Lady Jane Cheyne, eldest daughter of William Duke of Newcastle, not long deceased, and for his own use, when he shall die. It was consecrated the 3rd day of November, 1669. I beseech thee, Almighty God, that she may quiety rest here till the resurrection of the flesh. Amen.”
The monument consists of a semi-circular temple, the façade supported by two Corinthian columns of Scagliola marble, rising from a plinth and pedestals, with a proper entablature, surmounted by an elliptical pediment, the tympanum of which is ornamented with scroll work and foliage, and the soffit of the upper cornice consists of panels, with rosettes and foliage, and dentals, with pendant guttæ placed alternately. To give the latter a resemblance of their original intention, the base of the pediment was justly decreased in width in the centre. From acrotini at the shoulders rise flaming urns, and in the centre is a richly ornamented cross. In the interior of this temple is a large black sarcophagus, resting on pedestals of Scagliola marble. On this sarcophagus is represented Lady Cheyne, in white marble, lying upon her left side, and reclining upon a tesselated cushion, holding a book; at her feet lies a coronet. This monument was executed by the celebrated Bernini, and cost £500. It is generally considered to be a _chef d’œuvre_ of art. Lady Cheyne died in 1669, aged 48.