S t o w e  G a r d e n s

T h e   C o n g r e v e  M o n u m e n t

The Congreve Monument stands on a small island where the Upper river becomes the Octagon Lake. It is dedicated to William Congreve, the dramatist and playwright, by his very close friend and drinking companion, Lord Cobham. Congreve had published four comedies during his life, perhaps the most renowned being "The Way of the World", around 1700.

William Congreve died aged just 59, in 1729. This monument is another of William Kent's buildings, finished by 1736. It is a pyramid, atop which sits a beautifully carved monkey peering into a mirror. The "front" or Northern side of the pyramid, is decorated with a large relief of a half urn, on which are 3 smiling faces, panpipes and a quiver of arrows.

We see the monkey gazing into his mirror at his own reflection. This may suggest that Congreve was trying to tell his audiences they were making monkeys of themselves, as below the monkey is a small inscription: "Comedy is the imitation of life and the mirror of society."

The Southern face of the pyramid also bears an inscription by Lord Cobham to his departed friend, translated into English it could read:

"To the sprightly, entertaining and elegant wit, and to the polished and candid easy manners of William Congreve. This, in some sort of a consolation and a memorial of his affectionate regret, was erected by Cobham 1736."

The monkey atop on his pyramid is a charming monument, and is a very fitting tribute to Cobham's friend.

Below: The view across the Octagon Lake to Hawkwell Field.

 

 

 

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