The-Late-Right Revd. Dr Samuel Horsley, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph.

The enormously stout figure of Dr. Samuel Horsley (1733-1806), walks in profile to the right, wearing his episcopal apron and gaiters. He carries a thick cane in one hand and his cocked hat in the other. A member of the Royal Society, a scholar and able mathematician, Horsley had been translated from Rochester to St. Asaph in 1802. He spent money thoughtlessly, and was deep in debt. His coach was always drawn by four horses. He insured his life for £5,000 but allowed the policy to lapse two days before his death. In July 1806 he visited his diocese. Intending to visit Lord Thurlow at Brighton, he arrived there on 20th Sept., having heard on the way the news of Thurlow’s death on the 12th . On 30th Sept. he was seized with dysentery; it appears from a letter written that day, that his brain was affected and that he expected Napoleon to set up as Messiah ! He died at Brighton on 4th Oct. 1806. A funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey; he was buried under the altar at St. Mary’s, Newington Butts; the Latin inscription on his monument was written by himself. BM 11402.