Gents Mag 1855 part 1 p.145

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1855 part 1 p.145 [na]tion's joy, while that of his death is felt with a nation's regret; and the tower beneath will, it is to be hoped, stand as a monument of the events of a life passed in the service of his country, and extending over every hemisphere, honoured and appreciated by all classes of his fellows. To this we may add that the armorial bearings of the family have lately been placed above the doorway, beatifully sculpted in bold relief by Mr. Young of Ulverston; who has also executed a handsome centre stone in the ceiling of the lower apartment, of a rich rose pattern, with this motto round the outer circle - VIVAT POST FUNERA VIRTUS. Over the arched windows of the same apartment the family crest - a squirrel cracking a nut - with the appropriate motto PARUM SUFFICIT, richly sculpted by the same clever hand, will not escape the notice of visitors. The tower stands at the very entrance of the mountain range of Westmerland and Cumberland. To the north, the large form of Coniston Old Man appears, lifting his pointed peak into the sky; while around him on either hand, but at a greater distance, the mountains of Westmerland and Cumberland - a banded brotherhood - stretch their vast proportions over many miles of the distant landscape. Nearer at hand are hills of inferior altitude, between which, like opening vistas into fairy land, the eye runs up long defiles, catching in its course the smile of many white-washed cottages, standing in the midst of pleasant meadows and verdant valleys. To the east, appear the waters of the Bay of Morecambe, confined between the shores at Greenodd on the one hand, and the Cartmel chain of hills on the other, the opposite shore fringed with trees - a glorious mirror with a foliated frame; while on the south, the waters of the same bay gleam over an ampler area, between indented shores, and bordered by luxuriant meadows, like the queen of beauty with a zone of emeralds, its shining surface reflecting a lustre as unspotted and untarnished as the silver shield of Oberon. The cost of building the Tower by the original contract was 800l.; but including the expenses incurred on the day of its foundation, and other incidental charges, the total outlay hasexceeded 1200l.* The injury it sustained from lightning before a month had elapsed from the removal of the scaffolding, occasioned an expense of 136l. for repairs. Directions had been given by the Committee two months before for fitting one of Sir Wm. Snow Harris's Lightning Conductors; but the order had not been carried out. At that season of the year (January) no risk was suspected: but the event proved otherwise, and may serve as a caution in similar undertakings, to provide temporary conductors during the progress of buildings so much exposed to injury. Since the lightning conductor has been fixed no damage has happened, although the lightning has been frequently seen to play around the Tower, and little fear need now be felt for its security, whilst protected with one of those simple contrivances, the general introduction of which into the Royal Navy Sir John Barrow at all times most strongly advocated.
	* The sum of 100l. was contributed towards the cost of the Monument by the Corporation of Trinty House. Among the subscribers were, The Queen Dowager 25l.; Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Peel 10l.; Lrd Viscount Melville 20l.; the Earl of Minto 10l.; Rt. Hon. Sir James Graham 10l. 10s.; Rt. Hon. Sir George Cockburn 10l.; Adm. Sir Wm. Parker 20l.; Adm. Sir W. H. Gage 10l. 10s.; Adm. Sir Francis Beaufort 10l.; Rt. Hon. J. W. Croker 10l.; the Earl of Howe 25l.; the Earl of Haddington 20l.; the Marquis of Northampton 10l. 10s.; the Earl of Burlington 20l.; Capt. Sir John Franklin (through Lady Franklin) 25l.; Capt. Beechey 5l.; Lady Barrow, 50l.; Sir George Barrow 50l.; John Barrow, esq. F.R.S. 82l.; Miss Barrow 35l. &c. &c.
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	-- Sir John Barrow Monument

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