86 
LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
In deeds of charity, in the exercise of benevolence, and in the encouragement of industry* 
Lord Scudamore spent all the time he spared from his books. He educated and employed the 
poor and provided for the infirm and aged, and gained a degree of esteem that falls to the lot of 
few men to enjoy, or as Gibson hath it, “established him such an Interest and Respect in his 
native County, as without Detraction from or Disparagement of others, hardly any before him 
had, or hardly will ever have again.” (p . in.) 
Lord Scudamore had his full share of domestic affliction. His four eldest sons he lost in 
their early infancy ; one other son and a daughter also died in their first year : his fifth son James, 
and his last child, a daughter, Mary, were the only two who reached maturity. Lady Scudamore 
died in 1631. His brother Sir Barnabas Scudamore died in 1652. His son-in-law, Mr. Russell, the 
son of Sir William Russell, of Strensham, Worcestershire, died in 1657; and his only son died in 
1668, leaving however a son, who succeeded his grandfather, and became the 2nd Viscount 
Scudamore. (MSS. penes Sir H. E. C. Scudamore Stanhope , Bart). 
Lady Scudamore had delicate health and received great benefit from the Bath waters. At 
her death she left directions that ^200 should be paid to the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Bath, 
to purchase a rent charge of £\o yearly ; of which 40s. was to be paid to the Mayor for a dinner 
for himself and the Aldermen; and £8 to the Physician they were to appoint annually, to give 
advice free of charge to the sick poor. In conformity with this settlement, the Corporation regularly 
pay £8 a year to a physician, whom they annually appoint to attend the poor in Bellot’s Hospital. 
(Report of Charity Commissioners , Somerset, p. 297, 1820.) 
The publick notification of this benefaction is copied in Dingly’s “History from Marble” 
(I. xlix.) as follows : 
“ Ascending on the right hand to the Pump House, read this upon a brass monument, which is of such publick concerne 
that it ought to be printed and distributed for ye good of the diseas’d poor of the Nation : 
All poor persons not being conveniently able to maintaine themselvs and resorting to the bath for cure of 
diseases or infirmities, may take notice that there ought to be a Physitian yeerly nominated and appoynted by the Mayor 
and Aldermen of Bath, who is to give his best advice from time to time to the sayd poor persons without any reward from them, 
there being a salary provided for that by the charitable guift of Dame Elizabeth Viscountess Scudamore. 
MDCLIII. 
This plate is now attached to the wall on the left hand side of the entrance to the King and 
Queen’s Private Bath, from Stall Street, and is still in good preservation (1879). * 1 
all its great conveniences, its fine archways and its picturesque effects : pulled down the chapel, and the remaining part of the 
old house, to build the west wing; dwarfed the roof by raising a stone ballustrade around it; put Bath stone architraves to the 
windows, and added a large classic portico ; thus quite changing the character of the house. The approach is still very handsome 
with a broad terrace drive of considerable length ; and the situation of the mansion with the park surrounding it, is as varied 
and picturesque as a fine site, and magnificent timber can make them. 
The interior of the house is but little altered. The main plan of the rooms is unchanged, and it thus retains all the interest 
its old associations call forth. The beautiful carvings by Grinling Gibbons remain over the fireplaces; the birds, flowers and 
fruit they so faithfully represent forming characteristic and appropriate frameworks to the flower pieces by Baptiste and other 
distinguished artists. 
1 In consequence of this notice, and of Acts of Parliament passed to encourage the poor to go to Bath, and authorising 
them to demand assistance from the parishes through which they passed, the place became so infected with vagrants that it 
was soon found necessary to restrict the gratuitous advice to the inmates of the Hospital established by Sir Thomas Bellot in 
1609 for the reception of twelve of the poorest strangers who should come to Bath for the benefit of the waters; and this is 
done at the present time. 
