The initial design was for a plain obelisk, and for an Ionic column on a pedestal. This last crowned by a thyrsus (wand tipped with a pine-cone, usually associated with Bacchus) entwined by two snakes (symbol of Prudence, Minerva). The most familiar symbol embraced by a pair of snakes is the caduceus, with its winged staff (Medicine, Eloquence, Peace).

This design was discarded or rejected for design SM volume 41/70 recto, a column with a simple base (clasped by an ouroboros), fluted in its upper two-thirds with a Doric dosseret (detached section of an entablature) supporting a strigilated altar with 'a flame'. Overall, the combined elements were 56 or 57 feet high (see dimensions given on drawings SM volume 41/56 recto and SM volume 41/70 recto). Design SM 65/3/6 shows an improved design for the dosseret: the cornice and abacus made larger and more crisply defined.

The monument cost £268.11.0 (SM Ledger A pp.30-31)

Dorothy Stroud (Sir John Soane, architect, 2nd ed., 1996, p.243) wrote that 'After standing at Felbridge until 1927 the column was sold to Sir Stephen Aitchison of Lemmington Hall, Northumberland. It was then transported, probably by sea, to form a feature in his park where it still stands.' Miss Stroud's typescript list of 'Soane's works' (in the Soane Museum) notes that: ' 2 drawings by Soane for the column, dated Aug. 12 1785 are in the Manuscript Room of the British Museum (Add MS. 3840, f. 3724 and 375)'. The same source states that James Evelyn ' had already rebuilt Felbridge Hall on the site of an older mansion called Heath Hatch. The column was to perpetuate the memory of his parents, Edward and Julia Evelyn.... The base of the column was ... inscribed with [Joseph] Addison's [1712] Hymn of Praise beginning "When all thy mercies, O my God ...". '

In the Soane Museum's collection is a design for an Ionic columnar monument at Colne Park for Philip Hills, 1790 (65/3/5) that re-uses the thrysus with entwined snakes motif shown in this drawing.

Christopher Woodward's typescript catalogue of entries for the Felbridge monument in Soane's Ledger A, Order Book II and Box 12 NB 17 are filed with his SM 'Catalogue of Soane Drawings' (noted August 2011 JL)

Jill Lever, April 2011