nt is part of a pillar, descending
from the roof, with a conical base. It is said to be hollow, and has,
indeed, somewhat the appearance of a narrow chimney flue.

A biographical outline of Gower may not be unacceptable. He is said by
Leland to have descended from a family settled at Sittenham, in
Yorkshire. He was liberally educated, and was a member of the Inner
Temple; and some have asserted that he became Chief Justice of the Common
Pleas; but the most general opinion is that the judge was another person
of the same name. It is certain that Gower was a person of considerable
weight in his time; even had he not given such ample proofs of his wealth
and munificence in rebuilding the conventual church of St. Mary Ouvrie,
If he did not actually rebuild the church, as has been asserted, it is
well known that he contributed very largely to that undertaking. Perhaps
the only fact in detail which it is now possible to ascertain with
certainty is, that he founded a chantry in the chapel of St. John, now
the vestry.

Gower is supposed to have been born before Chaucer, who flourished in the
early part of the fourteenth century, and is believed to have contracted
an acquaintance with Gower during his residence in the Middle Temple.
Chaucer himself, after his travels on the continent, became a student of
the Inner Temple. The contiguity of these inns of court, the similarity
of their studies and pursuits, and particularly, as they both possessed
the same political bias; Chaucer attaching himself to John of Ghent, Duke
of Lancaster, by whom, as well as by the Duchess Blanche, he was greatly
esteemed; and Gower giving his influence to Thomas of Woodstock, both
uncles to King Richard II.--would naturally produce a considerable degree
of friendship and esteem between the two poets.

Gower did not long survive his friend Chaucer. In the first year of the
reign of Henry IV. he appears to have lost his sight; but whether from
accident or from old age (for he was then greatly advanced in years) is
not known. This misfortune happened but a short period before his death,
which took place in the year 1402, about nine years after he had
completed the "Confessio Amantis," a work from whence he derived the
honour of being ranked among the English poets.

The "Confessio" of Gower is said to have owed its origin to a request
made to the poet by King Richard II.; who, accidentally meeting Gower on
the Thames, called him into the royal barge,