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diff --git a/39532.txt b/39532.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..82e1fb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/39532.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8359 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Curious Epitaphs, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Curious Epitaphs + +Author: Various + +Editor: William Andrews + +Release Date: April 25, 2012 [EBook #39532] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CURIOUS EPITAPHS *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + +CURIOUS EPITAPHS. + + + + +[Illustration: MARTYRS' MONUMENT, EDINBURGH.] + + + + + Curious Epitaphs + + Collected and Edited with Notes + + By William Andrews + + + LONDON: + WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C. + 1899. + + + + + THIS BOOK IS + DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF + CUTHBERT BEDE, B.A., + _Author of "Verdant Green," etc._, + AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR + LITERARY ASSISTANCE AND SYMPATHY + GIVEN IN YEARS AGONE, + BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. + W. A. + + + + +Preface. + + +This work first appeared in 1883 and quickly passed out of print. Some +important additions are made in the present volume. It is hoped that in +its new form the book may find favour with the public and the press. + +WILLIAM ANDREWS. + + THE HULL PRESS, + _May Day, 1899_. + + + + +Contents. + + + PAGE + + EPITAPHS ON TRADESMEN 1 + + TYPOGRAPHICAL EPITAPHS 24 + + GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS 35 + + EPITAPHS ON SOLDIERS AND SAILORS 49 + + EPITAPHS ON MUSICIANS AND ACTORS 73 + + EPITAPHS ON SPORTSMEN 92 + + BACCHANALIAN EPITAPHS 105 + + EPITAPHS ON PARISH CLERKS AND SEXTONS 119 + + PUNNING EPITAPHS 134 + + MANXLAND EPITAPHS 141 + + EPITAPHS ON NOTABLE PERSONS 149 + + MISCELLANEOUS EPITAPHS 209 + + INDEX 235 + + + + +CURIOUS EPITAPHS. + + + + +Epitaphs on Tradesmen. + + +Many interesting epitaphs have been placed to the memory of tradesmen. +Often they are not of an elevating character, nor highly poetical, but +they display the whims and oddities of men. We will first present a few +relating to the watch and clock-making trade. The first specimen is from +Lydford churchyard, on the borders of Dartmoor:-- + + Here lies, in horizontal position, + the outside case of + GEORGE ROUTLEIGH, Watchmaker; + Whose abilities in that line were an honour + to his profession. + Integrity was the Mainspring, and prudence the + Regulator, + of all the actions of his life. + Humane, generous, and liberal, + his Hand never stopped + till he had relieved distress. + So nicely regulated were all his motions, + that he never went wrong, + except when set a-going + by people + who did not know his Key; + even then he was easily + set right again. + He had the art of disposing his time so well, + that his hours glided away + in one continual round + of pleasure and delight, + until an unlucky minute put a period to + his existence. + He departed this life + Nov. 14, 1802, + aged 57: + wound up, + in hopes of being taken in hand + by his Maker; + and of being thoroughly cleaned, repaired, + and set a-going + in the world to come. + +In the churchyard of Uttoxeter, a monument is placed to the memory of +Joseph Slater, who died November 21st, 1822, aged 49 years:-- + + Here lies one who strove to equal time, + A task too hard, each power too sublime; + Time stopt his motion, o'erthrew his balance-wheel, + Wore off his pivots, tho' made of hardened steel; + Broke all his springs, the verge of life decayed, + And now he is as though he'd ne'er been made. + Such frail machine till time's no more shall rust, + And the archangel wakes our sleeping dust; + Then in assembled worlds in glory join, + And sing--"The hand that made us is divine." + +Our next is from Berkeley, Gloucestershire:-- + + Here lyeth THOMAS PEIRCE, whom no man taught, + Yet he in iron, brass, and silver wrought; + He jacks, and clocks, and watches (with art) made + And mended, too, when others' work did fade. + Of Berkeley, five times Mayor this artist was, + And yet this Mayor, this artist, was but grass. + When his own watch was down on the last day, + He that made watches had not made a key + To wind it up; but useless it must lie, + Until he rise again no more to die. + Died February 25th, 1665, aged 77. + +The following is from Bolsover churchyard, Derbyshire:-- + + Here + lies, in a horizontal position, the outside + case of + THOMAS HINDE, + Clock and Watch-maker, + Who departed this life, wound up in hope of + being taken in hand by his Maker, and being + thoroughly cleaned, repaired, and set a-going + in the world to come, + On the 15th of August, 1836, + In the 19th year of his age. + +Respecting the next example, Mr. Edward Walford, M.A., wrote to the +_Times_ as follows: Close to the south-western corner of the parish +churchyard of Hampstead there has long stood a square tomb, with a +scarcely decipherable inscription, to the memory of a man of science of +the last century, whose name is connected with the history of practical +navigation. The tomb, having stood there for more than a century, had +become somewhat dilapidated, and has lately undergone a careful +restoration at the cost and under the supervision of the Company of +Clock-makers, and the fact is recorded in large characters on the upper +face. The tops of the upright iron railings which surround the tomb have +been gilt, and the restored inscription runs as follows:-- + + In memory of Mr. JOHN HARRISON, late of Red Lion-square, London, + inventor of the time-keeper for ascertaining the longitude at sea. He + was born at Foulby, in the county of York, and was the son of a + builder of that place, who brought him up to the same profession. + Before he attained the age of 21, he, without any instruction, + employed himself in cleaning and repairing clocks and watches, and + made a few of the former, chiefly of wood. At the age of 25 he + employed his whole time in chronometrical improvements. He was the + inventor of the gridiron pendulum, and the method of preventing the + effects of heat and cold upon time-keepers by two bars fixed together; + he introduced the secondary spring, to keep them going while winding + up, and was the inventor of most (or all) the improvements in clocks + and watches during his time. In the year 1735 his first time keeper + was sent to Lisbon, and in 1764 his then much improved fourth + time-keeper having been sent to Barbadoes, the Commissioners of + Longitude certified that he had determined the longitude within + one-third of half a degree of a great circle, having not erred more + than forty seconds in time. After sixty years' close application to + the above pursuits, he departed this life on the 24th day of March, + 1776, aged 83. + +In an epitaph in High Wycombe churchyard, life is compared to the working +of a clock. It runs thus:-- + + Of no distemper, + Of no blast he died, + But fell, + Like Autumn's fruit, + That mellows long, + Even wondered at + Because he dropt not sooner. + Providence seemed to wind him up + For fourscore years, + Yet ran he nine winters more; + Till, like a clock, + Worn out with repeating time, + The wheels of weary life + At last stood still. + In Memory of JOHN ABDIDGE, Alderman. + Died 1785. + +We have some curious specimens of engineers' epitaphs. A good example is +copied from the churchyard of Bridgeford-on-the-Hill, Notts:-- + + Sacred to the memory of JOHN WALKER, the only son of Benjamin and Ann + Walker, Engineer and Pallisade Maker, died September 22nd, 1832, aged + 36 years. + + Farewell, my wife and father dear; + My glass is run, my work is done, + And now my head lies quiet here. + That many an engine I've set up, + And got great praise from men, + I made them work on British ground, + And on the roaring seas; + My engine's stopp'd, my valves are bad, + And lie so deep within; + No engineer could there be found + To put me new ones in. + But Jesus Christ converted me + And took me up above, + I hope once more to meet once more, + And sing redeeming love. + +Our next is on a railway engine-driver, who died in 1840, and was buried +in Bromsgrove churchyard:-- + + My engine now is cold and still, + No water does my boiler fill; + My coke affords its flame no more; + My days of usefulness are o'er; + My wheels deny their noted speed, + No more my guiding hand they need; + My whistle, too, has lost its tone, + Its shrill and thrilling sounds are gone; + My valves are now thrown open wide; + My flanges all refuse to guide, + My clacks also, though once so strong, + Refuse to aid the busy throng: + No more I feel each urging breath; + My steam is now condensed in death. + Life's railway o'er, each station's passed, + In death I'm stopped, and rest at last. + Farewell, dear friends, and cease to weep: + In Christ I'm safe; in Him I sleep. + +In the Ludlow churchyard is a headstone to the memory of John Abingdon +"who for forty years drove the Ludlow stage to London, a trusty servant, a +careful driver, and an honest man." He died in 1817, and his epitaph is as +follows:-- + + His labor done, no more to town, + His onward course he bends; + His team's unshut, his whip's laid up, + And here his journey ends. + Death locked his wheels and gave him rest, + And never more to move, + Till Christ shall call him with the blest + To heavenly realms above. + +The epitaph we next give is on the driver of the coach that ran between +Aylesbury and London, by the Rev. H. Bullen, Vicar of Dunton, Bucks, in +whose churchyard the man was buried:-- + + PARKER, farewell! thy journey now is ended, + Death has the whip-hand, and with dust is blended; + Thy way-bill is examined, and I trust + Thy last account may prove exact and just. + When he who drives the chariot of the day, + Where life is light, whose Word's the living way, + Where travellers, like yourself, of every age, + And every clime, have taken their last stage, + The God of mercy, and the God of love, + Show you the road to Paradise above! + +Lord Byron wrote on John Adams, carrier, of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, an +epitaph as follows:-- + + JOHN ADAMS lies here, of the parish of Southwell, + A carrier who carried his can to his mouth well; + He carried so much, and he carried so fast, + He could carry no more--so was carried at last; + For the liquor he drank, being too much for one, + He could not carry off--so he's now carri-on. + +On Hobson, the famous University carrier, the following lines were +written:-- + + Here lies old HOBSON: death has broke his girt, + And here! alas, has laid him in the dirt; + Or else the ways being foul, twenty to one + He's here stuck in a slough and overthrown: + 'Twas such a shifter, that, if truth were known, + Death was half glad when he had got him down; + For he had any time these ten years full, + Dodged with him betwixt Cambridge and the Bull; + And surely Death could never have prevailed, + Had not his weekly course of carriage failed. + But lately finding him so long at home, + And thinking now his journey's end was come, + And that he had ta'en up his latest inn, + In the kind office of a chamberlain + Showed him the room where he must lodge that night, + Pulled off his boots and took away the light. + If any ask for him it shall be said, + Hobson has supt and's newly gone to bed. + +In Trinity churchyard, Sheffield, formerly might be seen an epitaph on a +bookseller, as follows:-- + + In Memory of + RICHARD SMITH, who died + April 6th, 1757, aged 52. + + At thirteen years I went to sea; + To try my fortune there, + But lost my friend, which put an end + To all my interest there. + To land I came as 'twere by chance, + At twenty then I taught to dance, + And yet unsettled in my mind, + To something else I was inclined; + At twenty-five laid dancing down, + To be a bookseller in this town, + Where I continued without strife, + Till death deprived me of my life. + Vain world, to thee I bid farewell, + To rest within this silent cell, + Till the great God shall summon all + To answer His majestic call, + Then, Lord, have mercy on us all. + +The following epitaph was written on James Lackington, a celebrated +bookseller, and eccentric character:-- + + Good passenger, one moment stay, + And contemplate this heap of clay; + 'Tis LACKINGTON that claims a pause, + Who strove with death, but lost his cause: + A stranger genius ne'er need be + Than many a merry year was he. + Some faults he had, some virtues too + (the devil himself should have his due); + And as dame fortune's wheel turn'd round, + Whether at top or bottom found, + He never once forgot his station, + Nor e'er disown'd a poor relation; + In poverty he found content, + Riches ne'er made him insolent. + When poor, he'd rather read than eat, + When rich books form'd his highest treat, + His first great wish to act, with care, + The sev'ral parts assigned him here; + And, as his heart to truth inclin'd, + He studied hard the truth to find. + Much pride he had,--'twas love of fame, + And slighted gold, to get a name; + But fame herself prov'd greatest gain, + For riches follow'd in her train. + Much had he read, and much had thought, + And yet, you see, he's come to nought; + Or out of print, as he would say, + To be revised some future day: + Free from errata, with addition, + A new and a complete edition. + +At Rugby, on Joseph Cave, Dr. Hawksworth wrote:-- + + Near this place lies the body of + JOSEPH CAVE, + Late of this parish; + Who departed this life Nov. 18, 1747, + Aged 79 years. + + He was placed by Providence in a humble station; but industry + abundantly supplied the wants of nature, and temperance blest him with + content and wealth. As he was an affectionate father, he was made + happy in the decline of life by the deserved eminence of his eldest + son, + + EDWARD CAVE, + + who, without interest, fortune, or connection, by the native force of + his own genius, assisted only by a classical education, which he + received at the Grammar School of this town, planned, executed, and + established a literary work called + + _The Gentleman's Magazine_, + + whereby he acquired an ample fortune, the whole of which devolved to + his family. + + Here also lies + The body of WILLIAM CAVE, + + second son of the said JOSEPH CAVE, who died May 2, 1757, aged 62 + years, and who, having survived his elder brother, + + EDWARD CAVE, + + inherited from him a competent estate; and, in gratitude to his + benefactor, ordered this monument to perpetuate his memory. + + He lived a patriarch in his numerous race, + And shew'd in charity a Christian's grace: + Whate'er a friend or parent feels he knew; + His hand was open, and his heart was true; + In what he gain'd and gave, he taught mankind + A grateful always is a generous mind. + Here rests his clay! his soul must ever rest, + Who bless'd when living, dying must be blest. + +The well-known blacksmith's epitaph, said to be written by the poet +Hayley, may be found in many churchyards in this country. It formed the +subject of a sermon delivered on Sunday, the 27th day of August, 1837, by +the then Vicar of Crich, Derbyshire, to a large assembly. We are told that +the vicar appeared much excited, and read the prayers in a hurried manner. +Without leaving the desk, he proceeded to address his flock for the last +time; and the following is the substance thereof: "To-morrow, my friends, +this living will be vacant, and if any one of you is desirous of becoming +my successor he has now an opportunity. Let him use his influence, and who +can tell but he may be honoured with the title of Vicar of Crich. As this +is my last address, I shall only say, had I been a blacksmith, or a son of +Vulcan, the following lines might not have been inappropriate:-- + + My sledge and hammer lie reclined, + My bellows, too, have lost their wind; + My fire's extinct, my forge decayed, + And in the dust my vice is laid. + My coal is spent, my iron's gone, + My nails are drove, my work is done; + My fire-dried corpse lies here at rest, + And, smoke-like, soars up to be bless'd. + +If you expect anything more, you are deceived; for I shall only say, +Friends, farewell, farewell!" The effect of this address was too visible +to pass unnoticed. Some appeared as if awakened from a fearful dream, +and gazed at each other in silent astonishment; others for whom it was too +powerful for their risible nerves to resist, burst into boisterous +laughter, while one and all slowly retired from the scene, to exercise +their future cogitations on the farewell discourse of their late pastor. + +From Silkstone churchyard we have the following on a potter and his +wife:-- + + In memory of JOHN TAYLOR, of Silkstone, potter, who departed this + life, July 14th, Anno Domini 1815, aged 72 years. + + Also Hannah, his wife, who departed this life, August 13th. 1815, aged + 68 years. + + Out of the clay they got their daily bread, + Of clay were also made. + Returned to clay they now lie dead, + Where all that's left must shortly go. + To live without him his wife she tried, + Found the task hard, fell sick, and died. + And now in peace their bodies lay, + Until the dead be called away, + And moulded into spiritual clay. + +On a poor woman who kept an earthenware shop at Chester, the following +epitaph was composed:-- + + Beneath this stone lies CATHERINE GRAY, + Changed to a lifeless lump of clay; + By earth and clay she got her pelf, + And now she's turned to earth herself. + Ye weeping friends, let me advise, + Abate your tears and dry your eyes; + For what avails a flood of tears? + Who knows but in a course of years, + In some tall pitcher or brown pan, + She in her shop may be again. + +Our next is from the churchyard of Aliscombe, Devonshire:-- + + Here lies the remains of JAMES PADY, brickmaker, late of this parish, + in hope that his clay will be re-moulded in a workmanlike manner, far + superior to his former perishable materials. + + Keep death and judgment always in your eye, + Or else the devil off with you will fly, + And in his kiln with brimstone ever fry: + If you neglect the narrow road to seek, + Christ will reject you, like a half-burnt brick! + +In the old churchyard of Bullingham, on the gravestone of a builder, the +following lines appear:-- + + This humble stone is o'er a builder's bed, + Tho' raised on high by fame, low lies his head. + His rule and compass are now locked up in store. + Others may build, but he will build no more. + His house of clay so frail, could hold no longer-- + May he in heaven be tenant of a stronger! + +In Colton churchyard, Staffordshire, is a mason's tombstone decorated with +carving of square and compass, in relief, and bearing the following +characteristic inscription:-- + + Sacred to the memory of + JAMES HEYWOOD, + Who died May 4th, 1804, in the 55th + year of his age. + + The corner-stone I often times have dress'd; + In Christ, the corner-stone, I now find rest. + Though by the Builder he rejected were, + He is my God, my Rock, I build on here. + +In the churchyard of Longnor, the following quaint epitaph is placed over +the remains of a carpenter:-- + + IN + Memory of SAMUEL + BAGSHAW late of Har- + ding-Booth who depar- + ted this life June the + 5th 1787 aged 71 years. + + Beneath lie mouldering into Dust + A Carpenter's Remains. + A man laborious, honest, just: his Character sustains. + In seventy-one revolving Years + He sow'd no Seeds of Strife; + With Ax and Saw, Line, Rule and Square, employed his careful life. + But Death who view'd his peaceful Lot + His Tree of Life assail'd + His Grave was made upon this spot, and his last Branch he nail'd. + +Here are some witty lines on a carpenter named John Spong, who died 1739, +and is buried in Ockham churchyard:-- + + Who many a sturdy oak has laid along, + Fell'd by Death's surer hatchet, here lies JOHN SPONG. + Post oft he made, yet ne'er a place could get + And lived by railing, tho' he was no wit. + Old saws he had, although no antiquarian; + And stiles corrected, yet was no grammarian. + Long lived he Ockham's favourite architect, + And lasting as his fame a tomb t' erect, + In vain we seek an artist such as he, + Whose pales and piles were for eternity. + +Our next is from Hessle, near Hull, and is said to have been inscribed on +a tombstone placed over the remains of George Prissick, plumber and +glazier:-- + + Adieu, my friend, my thread of life is spun; + The diamond will not cut, the solder will not run; + My body's turned to ashes, my grief and troubles past, + I've left no one to worldly care--and I shall rise at last. + +On a dyer, from the church of St. Nicholas, Yarmouth, we have as +follows:-- + + Here lies a man who first did dye, + When he was twenty-four, + And yet he lived to reach the age, + Of hoary hairs, fourscore. + But now he's gone, and certain 'tis + He'll not dye any more. + +In Sleaford churchyard, on Henry Fox, a weaver, the following lines are +inscribed:-- + + Of tender thread this mortal web is made, + The woof and warp and colours early fade; + When power divine awakes the sleeping dust, + He gives immortal garments to the just. + +Our next epitaph, from Weston, is placed over the remains of a useful +member of society in his time:-- + + Here lies entomb'd within this vault so dark, + A tailor, cloth-drawer, soldier, and parish clerk; + Death snatch'd him hence, and also from him took + His needle, thimble, sword, and prayer-book. + He could not work, nor fight,--what then? + He left the world, and faintly cried, "Amen!" + +On an Oxford bellows-maker, the following lines were written:-- + + Here lyeth JOHN CRUKER, a maker of bellowes, + His craftes-master and King of good fellowes; + Yet when he came to the hour of his death, + He that made bellowes, could not make breath. + +The next epitaph, on Joseph Blakett, poet and shoemaker of Seaham, is said +to be from Byron's pen:-- + + Stranger! behold interr'd together + The souls of learning and of leather. + Poor Joe is gone, but left his awl-- + You'll find his relics in a stall. + His work was neat, and often found + Well-stitched and with morocco bound. + Tread lightly--where the bard is laid + We cannot mend the shoe he made; + Yet he is happy in his hole, + With verse immortal as his sole. + But still to business he held fast, + And stuck to Phoebus to the last. + Then who shall say so good a fellow + Was only leather and prunella? + For character--he did not lack it, + And if he did--'twere shame to Black it! + +The following lines are on a cobbler:-- + + Death at a cobbler's door oft made a stand, + But always found him on the mending hand; + At length Death came, in very dirty weather, + And ripp'd the soul from off the upper leather: + The cobbler lost his awl,--Death gave his last, + And buried in oblivion all the past. + +Respecting Robert Gray, a correspondent writes: He was a native of +Taunton, and at an early age he lost his parents, and went to London to +seek his fortune. Here, as an errand boy, he behaved so well, that his +master took him apprentice, and afterwards set him up in business, by +which he made a large fortune. In his old age he retired from trade and +returned to Taunton, where he founded a hospital. On his monument is the +following inscription:-- + + Taunton bore him; London bred him; + Piety train'd him; Virtue led him; + Earth enrich'd him; Heaven possess'd him; + Taunton bless'd him; London bless'd him: + This thankful town, that mindful city, + Share his piety and pity, + What he gave, and how he gave it, + Ask the poor, and you shall have it. + Gentle reader, may Heaven strike + Thy tender heart to do the like; + And now thy eyes have read his story, + Give him the praise, and God the glory. + +He died at the age of 65 years, in 1635. + +In Rotherham churchyard the following is inscribed on a miller:-- + + In memory of + EDWARD SWAIR, + who departed this life, June 16, 1781. + + Here lies a man which Farmers lov'd + Who always to them constant proved; + Dealt with freedom, Just and Fair-- + An honest miller all declare. + +On a Bristol baker we have the following:-- + + Here lie THO. TURAR, and MARY, his wife. He was twice Master of the + Company of Bakers, and twice Churchwarden of this parish. He died + March 6, 1654. She died May 8th, 1643. + + Like to the baker's oven is the grave, + Wherein the bodyes of the faithful have + A setting in, and where they do remain + In hopes to rise, and to be drawn again; + Blessed are they who in the Lord are dead, + Though set like dough, they shall be drawn like bread. + +On the tomb of an auctioneer in the churchyard at Corby, in the county of +Lincoln, is the following:-- + + Beneath this stone, facetious wight + Lies all that's left of poor JOE WRIGHT; + Few heads with knowledge more informed, + Few hearts with friendship better warmed; + With ready wit and humour broad, + He pleased the peasant, squire, and lord; + Until grim death, with visage queer, + Assumed Joe's trade of Auctioneer, + Made him the Lot to _practise_ on, + With "going, going," and anon + He knocked him down to "Poor Joe's gone!" + +In Wimbledon churchyard is the grave of John Martin, a natural son of Don +John Emanuel, King of Portugal. He was sent to this country about the year +1712, to be out of the way of his friends, and after several changes of +circumstances, ultimately became a gardener. It will be seen from the +following epitaph that he won the esteem of his employers:-- + + To the memory of JOHN MARTIN, gardener, a native of Portugal, who + cultivated here, with industry and success, the same ground under + three masters, forty years. + + Though skilful and experienced, + He was modest and unassuming; + And tho' faithful to his masters, + And with reason esteemed, + He was kind to his fellow-servants, + And was therefore beloved. + His family and neighbours lamented his death, + As he was a careful husband, a tender father, and an honest man. + + This character of him is given to posterity by his last master, + willingly because deservedly, as a lasting testimony of his great + regard for so good a servant. + + He died March 30th, 1760. Aged 66 years. + + For public service grateful nations raise + Proud structures, which excite to deeds of praise; + While private services, in corners thrown, + Howe'er deserving, never gain a stone. + + But are not lilies, which the valleys hide, + Perfect as cedars, tho' the valley's pride? + Let, then, the violets their fragrance breathe, + And pines their ever-verdant branches wreathe + + Around his grave, who from their tender birth + Upreared both dwarf and giant sons of earth, + And tho' himself exotic, lived to see + Trees of his raising droop as well as he. + + Those were his care, while his own bending age, + His master propp'd and screened from winter's rage, + Till down he gently fell, then with a tear + He bade his sorrowing sons transport him here. + + But tho' in weakness planted, as his fruit + Always bespoke the goodness of his root, + The spirit quickening, he in power shall rise + With leaf unfading under happier skies. + +The next is on the Tradescants, famous gardeners and botanists at +Lambeth. In 1657 Mr. Tradescant, junr., presented to the Ashmolean Museum, +Oxford, a remarkable cabinet of curiosities:-- + + Know, stranger, ere thou pass, beneath this stone + Lye JOHN TRADESCANT, grandsire, father, son; + The last died in his spring; the other two + Liv'd till they had travell'd art and nature through; + As by their choice collections may appear, + Of what is rare, in land, in sea, in air; + Whilst they (as Homer's Iliad in a nut) + A world of wonders in one closet shut; + These famous antiquarians, that had been + Both gard'ners to the ROSE AND LILY QUEEN, + Transplanted now themselves, sleep here; and when + Angels shall with trumpets waken men, + And fire shall purge the world, then hence shall rise, + And change this garden for a paradise. + +We have here an epitaph on a grocer, culled from the Rev. C. W. Bardsley's +"Memorials of St. Anne's Church," Manchester. In a note about the name of +Howard, the author says: "Poor John Howard's friends gave him an +unfortunate epitaph--one, too, that reflected unkindly upon his wife. It +may still be seen in the churchyard.--Here lyeth the body of John Howard, +who died Jan. 2, 1800, aged 84 years; fifty years a respectable grocer, +and an honest man. As it is further stated that his wife died in 1749, +fifty years before, it would seem that her husband's honesty dated from +the day of her decease. Mrs. Malaprop herself, in her happiest moments, +could not have beaten this inscription." + + + + +Typographical Epitaphs. + + +The trade of printer is rich in technical terms available for the writer +of epitaphs, as will be seen from the following examples. + +Our first inscription is from St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, placed +in remembrance of England's benefactor, the first English printer:-- + + To the memory of + WILLIAM CAXTON, + who first introduced into Great Britain + the Art of Printing; + And who, A.D. 1477 or earlier, exercised that art in the + Abbey of Westminster. + This Tablet, + In remembrance of one to whom the literature of this + country is so largely indebted, was raised, + anno Domini MDCCCXX., + by the Roxburghe Club, + Earl Spencer, K.G., President. + +In St. Giles' Cathedral Church, Edinburgh, is the Chepman aisle, founded +by the man who introduced printing into North Britain. Dr. William +Chambers, by whose munificence this stately church was restored, had +placed in the aisle, bearing Chepman's name, a brass tablet having the +following inscription:-- + + To the Memory of + WALTER CHEPMAN, + designated the Scottish Caxton, + who under the auspices of James IV. + and his Queen, Margaret, introduced + the art of printing into Scotland + 1507 [symbol] founded this aisle in + honour of the King, Queen, and + their family, 1513. Died 1532. + This tablet is gratefully inscribed by + WILLIAM CHAMBERS, LL.D. + +The next is in memory of one Edward Jones, _ob._ 1705, _aet._ 53. He was +the "Gazette" Printer of the Savoy, and the following epitaph was appended +to an elegy, entitled, "The Mercury Hawkers in Mourning," and published on +the occasion of his death:-- + + Here lies a Printer, famous in his time, + Whose life by lingering sickness did decline. + He lived in credit, and in peace he died, + And often had the chance of Fortune tried. + Whose smiles by various methods did promote + Him to the favour of the Senate's vote; + And so became, by National consent, + The only Printer of the Parliament. + Thus, by degrees, so prosp'rous was his fate, + He left his heirs a very good estate. + +It has been truthfully said that the life of Benjamin Franklin is stranger +than fiction. He was a self-made man, gaining distinction as a printer, +journalist, author, electrician, natural philosopher, statesman, and +diplomatist. The "Autobiography and Letters of Benjamin Franklin" has been +extensively circulated, and must ever remain a popular book; young men and +women cannot fail to peruse its pages without pleasure and profit. + +In collections of epitaphs and books devoted to literary curiosities, a +quaint epitaph said to have been written by Franklin frequently finds a +place. He was not, however, the original composer of the epitaph, but +imitated it for himself. Jacob Tonson, a famous bookseller, died in 1735, +and a Latin epitaph was written on him by an Eton scholar. It is printed +in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, February, 1736, with a diffuse paraphrase +in English verse. The following is at all events a conciser version:-- + + The volume + of + his life being finished + here is the end of + JACOB TONSON. + Weep authors and break your pens; + Your Tonson effaced from the book, + is no more, + but print the last inscription on the title + page of death, + for fear that delivered to the press + of the grave + the Editor should want a title: + Here lies a bookseller, + The leaf of his life being finished, + Awaiting a new edition, + Augmented and corrected. + +The following is Franklin's epitaph for himself: + + The body + of + BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, + Printer + (Like the cover of an old book, + its contents torn out, + And stript of its lettering and gilding), + Lies here, food for worms. + But the work itself shall not be lost, + For it will, as he believed, appear once more, + In a new and more elegant edition, + Revised and corrected + By + The Author. + +But it is not at all certain that Franklin was not the earlier writer, for +the epitaph was certainly a production of the first years of +manhood--probably 1727. There are other epitaphs from which he may have +taken the idea; that, on the famous John Cotton at Boston, for instance, +in which he is likened to a Bible:-- + + A living, breathing Bible; tables where + Both covenants at large engraven were; + Gospel and law in his heart had each its column, + His head an index to the sacred volume! + His very name a title-page; and, next, + His life a commentary on the text. + Oh, what a moment of glorious worth, + When in a new edition he comes forth! + Without errata, we may think 'twill be, + In leaves and covers of Eternity. + +There is a similar conceit in the epitaph on John Foster, the Boston +printer. Franklin would probably have seen both of these. + +On the 17th April, 1790, at the age of eighty-four years, passed away the +sturdy patriot and sagacious writer. His mortal remains rest with those of +his wife in the burial-ground of Christ Church, Philadelphia. A plain flat +stone covers the grave, bearing the following simple inscription:-- + + BENJAMIN } + AND } FRANKLIN. + DEBORAH } + 1790. + +This is the inscription which he directed, in his will, to be placed on +his tomb. We give a picture of the quiet corner where the good man and +his worthy wife are buried. English as well as American visitors to the +city usually wend their way to the last resting-place of the famous man we +delight to honour. + +[Illustration: FRANKLIN'S GRAVE.] + +A printer's sentiment inscribed to the memory of Franklin is worth +reproducing:-- + + BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, the * of his profession; the type of honesty; the ! + of all; and although the [symbol: pointing hand] of death put a . to + his existence, each Sec. of his life is without a ||. + +Dr. Franklin's parents were buried in one grave in the old Grancey +Cemetery, beside Park Street Church, Boston, Mass. He placed a marble +monument to their memory, bearing the following inscription:-- + + JOSIAH FRANKLIN + and + ABIAH, his wife, + Lie here interred. + They lived lovingly together, in wedlock, + Fifty-five years; + And without an estate, or any gainful employment, + By constant labour and honest industry + (With God's blessing), + Maintained a large family comfortably; + And brought up thirteen children and seven + grand-children + Reputably. + From this instance, reader, + Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling, + And distrust not Providence. + He was a pious and prudent man, + She a discreet and virtuous woman. + Their youngest son, + In filial regard to their memory, + Places this stone. + J. F., Born 1655; Died 1744 AET 89. + A. F., Born 1667; Died 1752 AET 85. + +It is satisfactory to learn that, when the stone became dilapidated, the +citizens of Boston replaced it with a granite obelisk. + +A notable epitaph was that of George Faulkner, alderman and printer, of +Dublin, who died in 1775:-- + + Here sleeps GEORGE FAULKNER, printer, once so dear + To humorous Swift, and Chesterfield's gay peer; + So dear to his wronged country and her laws; + So dauntless when imprisoned in her cause; + No alderman e'er graced a weighter board, + No wit e'er joked more freely with a lord. + None could with him in anecdotes confer; + A perfect annal-book, in Elzevir. + Whate'er of glory life's first sheets presage, + Whate'er the splendour of the title-page, + Leaf after leaf, though learned lore ensues; + Close as thy types and various as thy news; + Yet, George, we see that one lot awaits them all, + Gigantic folios, or octavos small; + One universal finis claims his rank, + And every volume closes in a blank. + +In the churchyard of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, is a good specimen of a +typographical epitaph, placed in remembrance of a noted printer, who died +in the year 1818. It reads as follows:-- + + Here lie the remains of L. GEDGE, Printer. + Like a worn-out character, he has returned to the Founder, + Hoping that he will be re-cast in a better and + more perfect mould. + +Our next example is profuse of puns, some of which are rather obscure to +younger readers, owing to the disuse of the old wooden press. It is the +epitaph of a Scotch printer:-- + + Sacred to the memory of + ADAM WILLIAMSON, + Pressman-printer, in Edinburgh, + Who died Oct. 3, 1832, + Aged 72 years. + All my stays are loosed; + My cap is thrown off; my head is worn out; + My box is broken; + My spindle and bar have lost their power; + My till is laid aside; + Both legs of my crane are turned out of their path; + My platen can make no impression; + My winter hath no spring; + My rounce will neither roll out nor in; + Stone, coffin, and carriage have all failed; + The hinges of my tympan and frisket are immovable; + My long and short ribs are rusted; + My cheeks are much worm-eaten and mouldering + away: + My press is totally down: + The volume of my life is finished, + Not without many errors; + Most of them have arisen from bad composition, and + are to be attributed more to the chase than the + press; + There are also a great number of my own; + Misses, scuffs, blotches, blurs, and bad register; + But the true and faithful Superintendent has undertaken + to correct the whole. + When the machine is again set up + (incapable of decay), + A new and perfect edition of my life will appear, + Elegantly bound for duration, and every way fitted + for the grand Library of the Great Author. + +The next specimen is less satisfactory, because devoid of the hope that +should encircle the death of the Christian. It is the epitaph which +Baskerville, the celebrated Birmingham printer and type founder, directed +to be placed upon a tomb of masonry in the shape of a cone, and erected +over his remains:-- + + Stranger + Beneath this cone, in unconsecrated ground, + A friend to the liberties of mankind + Directed his body to be inurned. + May the example contribute to emancipate thy mind + from the idle fears of superstition, and the + wicked arts of priestcraft. + +It is recorded that "The tomb has long since been overturned, and even the +remains of the man himself desecrated and dispersed till the final day of +resurrection, when the atheism which in his later years he professed will +receive assuredly so complete and overwhelming a refutation." + +In 1599 died Christopher Barker, one of the most celebrated of the +sixteenth century typographers, printer to Queen Elizabeth--to whom, in +fact, the present patent held by Eyre and Spottiswoode can be traced back +in unbroken succession. + + Here BARKER lies, once printer to the Crown, + Whose works of art acquired a vast renown. + Time saw his worth, and spread around his fame, + That future printers might imprint the same. + But when his strength could work the press no more + And his last sheets were folded into store, + Pure faith, with hope (the greatest treasure given), + Opened their gates, and bade him pass to heaven. + +We will bring to a close our examples of typographical epitaphs with the +following, copied from the graveyard of St. Michael's, Coventry, on a +worthy printer who was engaged over sixty years as a compositor on the +_Coventry Mercury_:-- + + Here + lies inter'd + the mortal remains + of + JOHN HULM, + Printer, + who, like an old, worn-out type, + battered by frequent use, + reposes in the grave. + But not without a hope that at some future time + he might be cast in the mould of righteousness, + And safely locked-up + in the chase of immortality. + He was distributed from the board of life + on the 9th day of Sept., 1827, + Aged 75. + Regretted by his employers, + and respected by his fellow artists. + + + + +Good and Faithful Servants. + + +Our graveyards contain many tombstones inscribed to the memory of old +servants. Frequently these memorials have been raised by their employers +to show appreciation for faithful discharge of duty and good conduct of +life. A few specimens of this class of epitaph can hardly fail to interest +the reader. + +Near to Chatsworth, Derbyshire, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, is the +model village of Edensor, with its fine church, from the design of Sir +Gilbert Scott, reared on the site of an old structure. The church and +graveyard contain numerous touching memorials to the memory of noblemen +and their servants. In remembrance of the latter the following are of +interest. The first is engraved on a brass plate near the chancel arch:-- + + Here lies ye Body of MR. IOHN PHILLIPS some- + time Housekeeper of Chatsworth, who de- + parted this life on ye 28th of May 1735, in ye + 73rd year of his age, and 60th of his service in + ye Most Noble family of His Grace the Duke + of Devonshire. + + Pray let my Bones together lie + Until that sad and joyful Day, + When from above a Voice shall say, + Rise, all ye dead, lift up your Eyes, + Your great Creator bids you rise; + Then do I hope with all ye Just + To shake off my polluted dust, + And in new Robes of Glory Drest + To have access amongst ye Bless'd. + Which God in his infinite Mercy Grant + For the sake & through ye merits of my + Redeemer Jesus Christ ye Righteous. + Amen. + +A tombstone in the churchyard to the memory of James Brousard, who died in +1762, aged seventy-six years, states:-- + + Ful forty years as Gardener to ye D. of Devonshire, + to propigate ye earth with plants it was his ful desire; + but then thy bones, alas, brave man, earth did no rest afoard, + but now wee hope ye are at rest with Jesus Christ our Lord. + +On a gravestone over the remains of William Mather, 1818, are the +following lines:-- + + When he that day with th' Waggon went, + He little thought his Glass was spent; + But had he kept his Plough in Hand, + He might have longer till'd the Land. + +We obtain from a memorial stone at Disley Church a record of longevity:-- + + Here Lyeth Interred the + Body of JOSEPH WATSON, Bur- + ied June the third 1753, + Aged 104 years. He was + Park Keeper at Lyme more + than 64 years, and was ye First + that Perfected the art of Dri- + ving ye Stags. Here also Lyeth + the Body of Elizabeth his + wife, Aged 94 years, to whom + He had been married 73 years. + Reader take Notice, the Long- + est Life is Short. + +On the authority of Mr. J. P. Earwaker, the historian of East Cheshire, it +is recorded of the above that "in the 103rd year of his age he was at the +hunting and killed a buck with the honourable George Warren, in his Park +at Poynton, whose activity gave pleasure to all the spectators there +present. Sir George was the fifth generation of the Warren family he had +performed that diversion with in Poynton Park." + +We have from Petersham, Surrey, the next example:-- + + Near the tomb of + a Worthy Family + lies the Body of + SARAH ABERY, + who departed this life + The 3rd day of August 1795 + Aged 83 Years. + Having lived in the Service + of that Family + Sixty Years. + She was a good Christian + an Honest Woman + and + a faithful Servant. + +At Great Marlow a stone states that Mary Whitty passed sixty-three years +as a faithful servant in one family. She died in 1795 at the age of +eighty-two years. + +Our next example is from Burton-on-Trent:-- + + Sacred + to the memory of + SAMPSON ADDERLY + An Honest, Sober, Modest Man + (A Character how rarely found;) + Whose peaceful Life a circle ran + More hallow'd makes this hallow'd ground + In Service thirty years he spent + And Dying left his well got gains; + To feed and cloth, a Mother bent + By Age's slow consuming pains: + A tender Master, Mistress kind, + And Friends, (for many a friend had he) + Lament the loss, but time will find + His gain through blest Eternity + He was near thirty Years + a Servant in the Cotton Family + and died in its attendance at Buxton + the 30th of September 1760 Aged 48. + Also adjoining to him + was laid his Aged Parent + who died the 21st of February following. + +From a gravestone at Sutton Coldfield we have a record of a long and +industrious life:-- + + Sacred + to the memory of + JOHN FISHER, day labourer, + who died May 17th in the Year 1806 + in the 91st Year of his Age, + having served two Masters at Moore Hall + in this Parish, upwards of fifty years, + Faithfully, Industriously, and Cheerfully. + He was in his Imployment + eight weeks before he died. + This Stone is inscribed to his Memory + by his last Master, as a pattern to Posterity. + +Our next inscription is from Eltham, Kent:-- + + Here + lie the Remains of + MR. JAMES TAPPY + who departed this life on the 8th of + September 1818, Aged 84. + After a faithful Service of + 60 years in one Family, + by each individual in which, + He lived respected, + And died lamented + by the sole Survivor. + +At Besford, Worcestershire, is a gravestone to the memory of Nathaniel +Bell and his wife, both of whom lived over sixty years each in the +Sebright family. + +At Kempsey, Worcestershire, is a tombstone on which appears the remarkable +record of seventy-seven years in the service of one family:-- + + To the Memory of + MRS. SARAH ARMISON, + who died on the 27th of April + 1817 + Aged 88 years. + 77 of which she passed in the + Service of the Family + of Mrs. Bell + Justly and deservedly lamented + by them, + for integrity, rectitude + of Conduct, and Amiable + Disposition. + +We have not noted a more extended period than the foregoing passed in +domestic service. + +At Tidmington, Worcestershire, is a gravestone to the memory of Sarah +Lanchbury, who died at the age of seventy-seven years; she was the servant +of one gentleman fifty-six years. + +A stone in the old abbey church at Pershore, in the same county, bears an +inscription as follows:-- + + To + the Memory + of + SARAH ANDREWS: a faithful Domestic + of + Mr. Herbert Woodward + of this Place + In whose Service she died + on the 10th Feby, 1814 + Aged 80 + having filled the Duties of her humble + Station with unblemished Integrity + for the long Period + of + 52 Years. + +From Petworth, Sussex, we have the following:-- + + In Memory + of SARAH BETTS, widow, + who passed nearly 50 Years in one Service + and died January 2, 1792 + Aged 75. + + Farewell! dear Servant! since thy heavenly Lord + Summons thy worth to its supreme reward. + Thine was a spirit that no toil could tire, + "When Service sweat for duty, not for hire." + From him whose childhood cherished by thy care, + Weathered long years of sickness and despair, + Take what may haply touch the best above, + Truth's tender praise! and tears of grateful love. + +In the year 1807, died, at the age of eighty-five years, Mary Baily. She +was buried at Epsom, and her gravestone says: "She passed sixty years of +her life in the faithful discharge of her duties in the service of one +family, by whom she was honoured, respected, and beloved." + +A gravestone at Beckenham, Kent, bears testimony to long and faithful +service:-- + + In memory + of + JOHN KING + who departed this Life 29th of + December 1774 aged 75 years. + He was 61 years Servant + to + Mr. Francis Valentine, + Joseph + Valentine, and Paul + Valentine, + from Father to Son, + without ever + Quitting their Service, + Neglecting + his Duty, or being + Disguised + in Liquor. + +From the same graveyard the next inscription is copied:-- + + Sacred to the Memory of + WILLIAM CHAPMAN + of this Parish, + who died December the + 25th 1793 + Aged 77 years. + + Sixty years of his life were passed under the Burrell Family, three + successive Generations of which he served with such Intelligence and + fidelity, as to obtain from each the sincerest respect and Friendship, + leaving behind him at his Death the Character of a truly Honest and + good Man. + +The poet Pope caused to be placed on the outside of Twickenham Church a +tablet bearing the following inscription:-- + + To the Memory of + MARY BEACH + Who died Nov. 5th 1725, + Aged 78. + Alexander Pope + whom she nursed in his infancy + and constantly attended for + 38 years, in gratitude + to a faithful old + servant + erected this Stone. + +When George III. was king, Jenny Gaskoin taught a Dames' School at Great +Limber, a rural Lincolnshire village. From the stories respecting her +which have come down to us it would appear that her qualifications for the +position of teacher were somewhat limited. It is related that in the +children's reading lessons words often occurred which the good lady was +unable to pronounce or explain. She was too politic, however, to confess +her ignorance on such occasions, and had resource to the artful evasion of +saying, "Never mind it, bairns; it is a bad word; skip it." + +Dame Gaskoin had a son who obtained the situation of a "helper" in the +royal stables. For a slight offence the youth was whipped by the Prince of +Wales, when in a momentary fit of anger. It would appear that the Prince +regretted his conduct, for he promoted the boy to give him redress for the +dressing he had bestowed. Young Gaskoin had the good fortune to be able to +introduce his sister Mary into the service of the princesses. By exemplary +conduct she obtained the esteem of the royal family. The maiden on one +occasion ventured to observe that the rye-bread of Lincolnshire, such as +her mother made, was far superior to that which was used at court. This +caused the request to be made, or rather a command given, that some of the +aforesaid bread should be forwarded as a specimen. The order was complied +with, and gave complete satisfaction. The good schoolmistress was +afterwards desired to send periodically up to town bread for the royal +table. + +During a visit to the metropolis to see her daughter the old lady had the +honour of an interview with the princesses. She wore a mob cap of simple +form, which took the fancy of the royal ladies to such a degree that it +was introduced at court under the name of "Gaskoin Mob-Cap." + +We have little to add, save that the daughter remained in the royal +service, attending especially upon the person of the Princess Amelia, and +the labour and anxiety she underwent in ministering to the princess in her +last illness, combined with sorrow for her death, caused her to follow her +royal mistress to the grave after a short interval. In the cloisters of +St. George's Chapel, Windsor, is a memorial creditable to the monarch who +erected it, and the humble handmaid whom it commemorates:-- + + KING GEORGE 3{d} + caused to be interred + near this place the body of + MARY GASKOIN, + Servant to the late P{ss} Amelia + And this tablet to be erected + In testimony of + His grateful sense of + the faithful services + And attachment of + An amiable young woman + to his beloved Daughter + Whom she survived + Only three Months + She died the 19th of February 1811 + Aged 31 years. + +Over the remains of freed slaves we have read several interesting +inscriptions. A running footman was buried in the churchyard of Henbury, +near Bristol. The poor fellow, a negro, as the tradition says, died of +consumption incurred as a consequence of running from London! + + "Here + Lieth the Body of + SCIPIO AFRICANUS + Negro Servant to ye Right + Honourable Charles William + Earl of Suffolk and Brandon + who died ye 21 December + 1720, aged 18 years." + +On the footstone are these lines:-- + + "I, who was born a Pagan and a Slave, + Now sweetly sleep, a Christian in my grave. + What though my hue was dark, my Saviour's sight + Shall change this darkness into radiant light. + Such grace to me my Lord on earth has given + To recommend me to my Lord in Heaven, + Whose glorious second coming here I wait + With saints and angels him to celebrate." + +Our next is from Hillingdon, near Uxbridge:-- + + Here lyeth + TOBY PLESANT + An African Born. + + He was early in life rescued from West Indian Slavery by a Gentleman + of this Parish which he ever gratefully remembered and whom he + continued to serve as a Footman honestly and faithfully to the end of + his Life. He died the 2d of May 1784 Aged about 45 years. + +Many visitors to Morecambe pay a pilgrimage to Sambo's grave. A +correspondent kindly furnishes us with the following particulars of poor +Sambo, who is buried far from his native land. Sunderland Point, he says, +a village on the coast near Lancaster, was, before the advent of +Liverpool, the port for Lancaster, and is credited with having received +the first cargo of West India cotton which reached this country. Some +rather large warehouses were built there about a century ago, now adapted +to fishermen's cottages for the few fisher folk who still linger about the +little port. Near the ferry landing on the Morecambe side there is a +strange looking tree, which tradition says was raised from a seed brought +from the West Indies, and the natives call it the cotton tree, because +every year it strews the ground with its white blossoms. Close to the +shore, with only a low stone wall dividing it from the restless sea, is a +solitary grave in the corner of a field, which is called "Sambo's grave." +Poor Sambo came over to this country with a cotton cargo, fell ill at +Sunderland Point, and died; and there being no churchyard near, he was +laid in mother earth in an adjoining field. The house is still pointed out +in which the negro died, and some sixty years afterwards it occurred to +Mr. James Watson that the fact of this dark-skinned brother dying so far +from home among strangers was sufficiently pathetic to warrant a memorial. +Accordingly he caused the following to be inscribed on a large stone laid +flat on the grave, which indicates that he was a slave of probably an +English master about a century before the days of negro emancipation in +the colonies:-- + + Here lies + POOR SAMBO, + A faithful negro, who + (Attending his master from the West Indies), + Died on his arrival at Sunderland. + + For sixty years the angry winter's wave + Has, thundering, dashed this bleak and barren shore, + Since Sambo's head laid in this lonely grave, + Lies still, and ne'er will hear their turmoil more. + Full many a sand-bird chirps upon the sod, + And many a moonlight elfin round him trips, + Full many a summer sunbeam warms the clod, + And many a teeming cloud upon him drips. + But still he sleeps, till the awakening sounds + Of the archangel's trump new life impart; + Then the Great Judge, His approbation founds + Not on man's colour, but his worth of heart. + H. Bell, del. (1796.) + + + + +Epitaphs on Soldiers and Sailors. + + +We give a few of the many curious epitaphs placed to the memory of +soldiers and sea-faring men. Our initial epitaph is taken from Longnor +churchyard, Staffordshire, and it tells the story of an extended and +eventful life:-- + + In memory of WILLIAM BILLINGE, who was Born in a Corn Field at + Fawfield head, in this Parish, in the year 1679. At the age of 23 + years he enlisted into His Majesty's service under Sir George Rooke, + and was at the taking of the Fortress of Gibralter in 1704. He + afterwards served under the Duke of Marlborough at Ramillies, fought + on the 23rd of May, 1706, where he was wounded by a musket-shot in his + thigh. Afterwards returned to his native country, and with manly + courage defended his sovereign's rights in the Rebellion in 1715 and + 1745. He died within the space of 150 yards of where he was born, and + was interred here the 30th January, 1791, aged 112 years. + + Billeted by death, I quartered here remain, + And when the trumpet sounds I'll rise and march again. + +On a Chelsea Hospital veteran we have the following interesting epitaph:-- + + Here lies WILLIAM HISELAND, + A Veteran, if ever Soldier was, + Who merited well a Pension, + If long service be a merit, + Having served upwards of the days of Man. + Ancient, but not superannuated; + Engaged in a Series of Wars, + Civil as well as Foreign, + Yet maimed or worn out by neither. + His complexion was Fresh and Florid; + His Health Hale and Hearty; + His memory Exact and Ready. + In Stature + He exceeded the Military Size; + In Strength + He surpassed the Prime of Youth; + And + What rendered his age still more Patriarchal, + When above a Hundred Years old + He took unto him a Wife! + Read! fellow Soldiers, and reflect + That there is a Spiritual Warfare, + As well as a Warfare _Temporal_. + Born the 1st August, 1620, + Died the 17th of February, 1732, + Aged One Hundred and Twelve. + +At Bremhill, Wiltshire, the following lines are placed to the memory of a +soldier who reached the advanced age of 92 years:-- + + A poor old soldier shall not lie unknown, + Without a verse and this recording stone. + 'Twas his, in youth, o'er distant lands to stray, + Danger and death companions of his way. + Here, in his native village, stealing age + Closed the lone evening of his pilgrimage. + Speak of the past--of names of high renown, + Or brave commanders long to dust gone down, + His look with instant animation glow'd, + Tho' ninety winters on his head had snow'd. + His country, while he lived, a boon supplied, + And Faith her shield held o'er him when he died. + +The following inscription is engraved on a piece of copper affixed to one +of the pillars in Winchester Cathedral:-- + + A MEMORIALL. + For the renowned Martialist RICHARD BOLES of y{e} + Right Worshypful family of the Boles, in + Linckhorne Sheire: Colonell of a Ridgment of Foot + of 1300, who for his Gratious King Charles y{e} First + did wounders at the Battell of Edge Hill; his last + Action, to omit all others was att Alton in the + County of Southampton, was surprised by five or + Six Thousand of the Rebells, who caught him there + Quartered to fly to the church, with near fourscore + of his men who there fought them six or seven + Houers, and then the Rebells breaking in upon them + he slew with his sword six or seven of them, and + then was slayne himself, with sixty of his men aboute + him + 1641. + His Gratious Sovereign hearing of his death, gave + him his high comendation in y{s} pationate expression, + Bring me a moorning scarffe, i have lost + One of the best Commanders in this Kingdome. + Alton will tell you of his famous fight + Which y{s} man made and bade the world good night + His verteous life feared not Mortality + His body must his vertues cannot Die. + Because his Bloud was there so nobly spent, + This is his Tomb, that church his monument. + + Ricardus Boles in Art. Mag. + Composuit, Posuitque, Dolens, + An. Dm. 1689. + +On one of the buttresses on the south side of St. Mary's Church, at +Beverley, is an oval tablet, to commemorate the fate of two Danish +soldiers, who, during their voyage to Hull, to join the service of the +Prince of Orange, in 1689, quarrelled, and having been marched with the +troops to Beverley, during their short stay there sought a private meeting +to settle their differences by the sword. Their melancholy end is recorded +in a doggerel epitaph, of which we give an illustration. + +In the parish registers the following entries occur:-- + + 1689, December 16.--Daniel Straker, a Danish trooper buried. + + " December 23.--Johannes Frederick Bellow, a Danish + trooper, beheaded for killing the other, + buried. + +"The mode of execution was," writes the Rev. Jno. Pickford, M.A., "it may +be presumed, by a broad two-handed sword, such a one as Sir Walter Scott +has particularly described in 'Anne of Geierstein,' as used at the +decapitation of Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, and which the executioner is +described as wielding with such address and skill. The Danish culprit was, +like the oppressive knight, probably bound and seated in a chair; but such +swords as those depicted on the tablet could not well have been used for +the purpose, for they are long, narrow in the blade, and perfectly +straight." + +[Illustration: TABLET IN ST. MARY'S CHURCH, BEVERLEY.] + +We have in the diary of Abraham de la Pryme, the Yorkshire antiquary, some +very interesting particulars respecting the Danes. Writing in 1689, the +diarist tells us: "Towards the latter end of the aforegoing year, there +landed at Hull about six or seven thousand Danes, all stout fine men, the +best equip'd and disciplin'd of any that was ever seen. They were mighty +godly and religious. You would seldom or never hear an oath or ugly word +come out of their mouths. They had a great many ministers amongst them, +whome they call'd pastours, and every Sunday almost, ith' afternoon, they +prayed and preach'd as soon as our prayers was done. They sung almost all +their divine service, and every ministre had those that made up a quire +whom the rest follow'd. Then there was a sermon of about half-an-houre's +length, all _memoratim_, and then the congregation broke up. When they +administered the sacrament, the ministre goes into the church and caused +notice to be given thereof, then all come before, and he examined them one +by one whether they were worthy to receive or no. If they were he admitted +them, if they were not he writ their names down in a book, and bid them +prepare against the next Sunday. Instead of bread in the sacrament, I +observed that they used wafers about the bigness and thickness of a +sixpence. They held it no sin to play at cards upon Sundays, and commonly +did everywhere where they were suffered; for indeed in many places the +people would not abide the same, but took the cards from them. Tho' they +loved strong drink, yet all the while I was amongst them, which was all +this winter, I never saw above five or six of them drunk." + +The diarist tells us that the strangers liked this country. It appears +they worked for the farmers, and sold tumblers, cups, spoons, etc., which +they had imported, to the English. They acted in the courthouse a play in +their own language, and realised a good sum of money by their +performances. The design of the piece was "Herod's Tyranny--The Birth of +Christ--The Coming of the Wise Men." + +A correspondent states that in Battersea Church there is a handsome +monument to Sir Edward Wynter, a captain in the East India Company's +service in the reign of Charles II., which records that in India, where he +had passed many years of his life, he was + + A rare example, and unknown to most, + Where wealth is gain'd, and conscience is not lost; + Nor less in martial honour was his name, + Witness his actions of immortal fame. + Alone, unharm'd, a tiger he opprest, + And crush'd to death the monster of a beast. + Thrice twenty mounted Moors he overthrew, + Singly, on foot, some wounded, some he slew, + Dispersed the rest,--what more could Samson do? + True to his friends, a terror to his foes, + Here now in peace his honour'd bones repose. + +Below, in bas-relief, he is represented struggling with the tiger, both +the combatants appearing in the attitude of wrestlers. He is also depicted +in the performance of the yet more wonderful achievement, the discomfiture +of the "thrice twenty mounted Moors," who are all flying before him. + +In Yarmouth churchyard, a monumental inscription tells a painful story as +follows:-- + + To the memory of GEORGE GRIFFITHS, of the Shropshire Militia, who died + Feb. 26th, 1807, in consequence of a blow received in a quarrel with + his comrade. + + Time flies away as nature on its wing, + I in a battle died (not for my King). + Words with my brother soldier did take place, + Which shameful is, and always brings disgrace. + Think not the worse of him who doth remain, + For he as well as I might have been slain. + +We have also from Yarmouth the next example:-- + + To the memory of ISAAC SMITH, who died March 24th, 1808, and SAMUEL + BODGER, who died April 2nd, 1808, both of the Cambridgeshire Militia. + + The tyrant Death did early us arrest, + And all the magazines of life possest: + No more the blood its circling course did run, + But in the veins like icicles it hung; + No more the hearts, now void of quickening heat, + The tuneful march of vital motion beat; + Stiffness did into every sinew climb, + And a short death crept cold through every limb. + +The next example is from Bury St. Edmunds:-- + + WILLIAM MIDDLEDITCH, + Late Serjeant-Major of the Grenadier Guards, + Died Nov. 13, 1834, aged 53 years. + + A husband, father, comrade, friend sincere, + A British soldier brave lies buried here. + In Spain and Flushing, and at Waterloo, + He fought to guard our country from the foe; + His comrades, Britons, who survive him, say + He acted nobly on that glorious day. + +Edward Parr died in 1811, at the age of 38 years, and was buried in North +Scarle churchyard. His epitaph states:-- + + A soldier once I was, as you may see, + My King and Country claim no more from me. + In battle I receiv'd a dreadful ball + Severe the blow, and yet I did not fall. + When God commands, we all must die it's true + Farewell, dear Wife, Relations all, adieu. + +A tablet in Chester Cathedral reads as follows:-- + + To the Memory of + JOHN MOORE NAPIER + Captain in Her Majesty's 62nd Regiment + Who died of Asiatic Cholera + in Scinde + on the 7th of July, 1846 + Aged 29 years. + + The tomb is no record of high lineage; + His may be traced by his name; + His race was one of soldiers. + Among soldiers he lived; among them he died; + A soldier falling, where numbers fell with him, + In a barbarous land. + Yet there was none died more generous, + More daring, more gifted, or more religious. + On his early grave + Fell the tears of stern and hardy men, + As his had fallen on the graves of others. + +A British soldier lies buried under the shadow of the fine old Minster of +Beverley. He died in 1855, and his epitaph states:-- + + A soldier lieth beneath the sod, + Who many a field of battle trod: + When glory call'd, his breast he bar'd, + And toil and want, and danger shar'd. + Like him through all thy duties go; + Waste not thy strength in useless woe, + Heave thou no sigh and shed no tear, + A British soldier slumbers here. + +[Illustration: A GRAVESTONE IN BRIGHTON CHURCHYARD.] + +The stirring lives of many female soldiers have furnished facts for +several important historical works, and rich materials for the writers of +romance. We give an illustration of the stone erected by public +subscription in Brighton churchyard over the remains of a notable female +warrior, named Phoebe Hessel. The inscription tells the story of her long +and eventful career. The closing years of her life were cheered by the +liberality of George IV. During a visit to Brighton, when he was Prince +Regent, he met old Phoebe, and was greatly interested in her history. He +ascertained that she was supported by a few benevolent townsmen, and the +kind-hearted Prince questioned her respecting the amount that would be +required to enable her to pass the remainder of her days in comfort. +"Half-a-guinea a week," said Phoebe Hessel, "will make me as happy as a +princess." That amount by order of her royal benefactor was paid to her +until the day of her death. She told capital stories, had an excellent +memory, and was in every respect most agreeable company. Her faculties +remained unimpaired to within a few hours of her death. On September 22nd, +1821, she was visited by a person of some literary taste, and the +following particulars were obtained respecting her life. The writer +states:--"I have seen to-day an extraordinary character in the person of +Phoebe Hessel, a poor woman stated to be 108 years of age. It appears +that she was born in March, 1715, and at fifteen formed a strong +attachment to Samuel Golding, a private in the regiment called Kirk's +Lambs, which was ordered to the West Indies. She determined to follow her +lover, enlisted into the 5th regiment of foot, commanded by General +Pearce, and embarked after him. She served there five years without +discovering herself to anyone. At length they were ordered to Gibraltar. +She was likewise at Montserrat, and would have been in action, but her +regiment did not reach the place till the battle was decided. Her lover +was wounded at Gibraltar and sent to Plymouth; she then waited on the +General's lady at Gibraltar, disclosed her sex, told her story, and was +immediately sent home. On her arrival, Phoebe went to Samuel Golding in +the hospital, nursed him there, and when he came out, married and lived +with him for twenty years; he had a pension from Chelsea. After Golding's +death, she married Hessel, has had many children, and has been many years +a widow. Her eldest son was a sailor with Admiral Norris; he afterwards +went to the East Indies, and, if he is now alive, must be nearly seventy +years of age. The rest of the family are dead. At an advanced age she +earned a scanty livelihood at Brighton by selling apples and gingerbread +on the Marine Parade. + +"I saw this woman to-day in her bed, to which she is confined from having +lost the use of her limbs. She has even now, old and withered as she is, a +characteristic countenance, and, I should judge from her present +appearance, must have had a fine, though perhaps a masculine style of head +when young. I have seen many a woman at the age of sixty or seventy look +older than she does under the load of 108 years of human life. Her cheeks +are round and seem firm, though ploughed with many a small wrinkle. Her +eyes, though their sight is gone, are large and well formed. As soon as it +was announced that somebody had come to see her, she broke the silence of +her solitary thoughts and spoke. She began in a complaining tone, as if +the remains of a strong and restless spirit were impatient of the prison +of a decaying and weak body. 'Other people die, and I cannot,' she said. +Upon exciting her recollection of former days, her energy seemed roused, +and she spoke with emphasis. Her voice was strong for an old person; and I +could easily believe her when, upon being asked if her sex was not in +danger of being detected by her voice, she replied that she always had a +strong and manly voice. She appeared to take a pride in having kept her +secret, declaring that she told it to no man, woman, or child, during the +time she was in the army; 'for you know, Sir, a drunken man and a child +always tell the truth. But,' said she, 'I told my secret to the ground. I +dug a hole that would hold a gallon, and whispered it there.' While I was +with her, the flies annoyed her extremely; she drove them away with a fan, +and said they seemed to smell her out as one that was going to the grave. +She showed me a wound she had received in her elbow by a bayonet. She +lamented the error of her former ways, but excused it by saying, 'When you +are at Rome, you must do as Rome does.' When she could not distinctly hear +what was said, she raised herself in the bed and thrust her head forward +with impatient energy. She said when the king saw her, he called her 'a +jolly old fellow.' Though blind, she could discern a glimmering light, and +I was told would frequently state the time of day by the effect of light." + +The next is copied from a time-worn stone in Weem churchyard, near +Aberfeldy, Perthshire:-- + + In memory of Captain JAMES CARMICHAEL, of Bockland's Regiment.--Died + 25th Nov. 1758: + + Where now, O Son of Mars, is Honour's aim? + What once thou wast or wished, no more's thy claim. + Thy tomb, Carmichael, tells thy Honour's Roll, + And man is born, as thee, to be forgot. + But virtue lives to glaze thy honours o'er, + And Heaven will smile when brittle stone's no more. + +The following is inscribed on a gravestone in Fort William Cemetery:-- + + Sacred + To the Memory of + Captain Patrick Campbell, + Late of the 42nd Regiment, + Who died on the xiii of December, + MDCCCXVI., + Aged eighty-three years, + A True Highlander, + A Sincere Friend, + And the best deerstalker + Of his day. + +A gravestone in Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, states:-- + + Here lies, retired from busy scenes, + A first lieutenant of Marines, + Who lately lived in gay content + On board the brave ship "Diligent." + Now stripp'd of all his warlike show, + And laid in box of elm below, + Confined in earth in narrow borders, + He rises not till further orders. + +The next is from Dartmouth churchyard:-- + + THOMAS GOLDSMITH, who died 1714. + + He commanded the "Snap Dragon," as Privateer belonging to this port, + in the reign of Queen Anne, in which vessel he turned pirate, and + amass'd much riches. + + Men that are virtuous serve the Lord; + And the Devil's by his friends ador'd; + And as they merit get a place + Amidst the bless'd or hellish race; + Pray then, ye learned clergy show + Where can this brute, Tom Goldsmith, go? + Whose life was one continued evil, + Striving to cheat God, Man, and Devil. + +We find the following at Woodbridge on Joseph Spalding, master mariner, +who departed this life Sept. 2nd, 1796, aged 55:-- + + Embark'd in life's tempestuous sea, we steer + 'Midst threatening billows, rocks and shoals; + But Christ by faith, dispels each wavering fear, + And safe secures the anchor of our souls. + +In Selby churchyard, the following is on John Edmonds, master mariner, who +died 5th Aug., 1767:-- + + Tho' Boreas, with his blustering blasts + Has tost me to and fro, + Yet by the handiwork of God, + I'm here enclosed below. + And in this silent bay I lie + With many of our fleet, + Until the day that I set sail + My Saviour Christ to meet. + +Another, on the south side of Selby churchyard:-- + + The boisterous main I've travers'd o'er, + New seas and lands explored, + But now at last, I'm anchor'd fast, + In peace and silence moor'd. + +In the churchyard, Selby, near the north porch, in memory of William +Whittaker, mariner, who died 22nd Oct., 1797, we read-- + + Oft time in danger have I been + Upon the raging main, + But here in harbour safe at rest + Free from all human pain. + +Southill Church, Bedfordshire, contains a plain monument to the memory of +Admiral Byng, who was shot at Portsmouth:-- + + To the perpetual disgrace of public justice, + The Honourable JOHN BYNG, Vice-Admiral of the Blue, + fell a martyr to political persecution, March 14, + in the year 1757; + when bravery and loyalty were insufficient securities for + the life and honour of a naval officer. + +The following epitaph, inscribed on a stone in Putney churchyard, is +nearly obliterated:-- + + Lieut. ALEX. DAVIDSON + Royal Navy has Caus'd this Stone + to be Erected to the Memory of + HARRIOT his dearly beloved Wife + who departed this Life Jan 24 1808 + Aged 38 Years. + + I have crossed this Earth's Equator Just sixteen times + And in my Country's cause have brav'd far distant climes + In Howe's Trafalgar and several Victories more + Firm and unmov'd I heard the Fatal Cannons roar + Trampling in human blood I felt not any fear + Nor for my Slaughter'd gallant Messmates shed A tear + But of A dear Wife by Death unhappily beguil'd + Even the British Sailor must become A child + Yet when from this Earth God shall my soul unfetter + I hope we'll meet in Another World and a better. + +Some time ago a correspondent of the _Spectator_ stated: "As you are not +one to despise 'unconsidered trifles' when they have merit, perhaps you +will find room for the following epitaph, on a Deal boatman, which I +copied the other day from a tombstone in a churchyard in that town:-- + + In memory of GEORGE PHILLPOT, + Who died March 22nd, 1850, aged 74 years. + + Full many a life he saved + With his undaunted crew; + _He put his trust in Providence_, + AND CARED NOT HOW IT BLEW. + +A hero; his heroic life and deeds, and the philosophy of religion, perfect +both in theory and practice, which inspired them, all described in four +lines of graphic and spirited verse! Would not 'rare Ben' himself have +acknowledged this a good specimen of 'what verse can say in a little?' +Whoever wrote it was a poet 'with the name.' + +"There is another in the same churchyard which, though weak after the +above, and indeed not uncommon, I fancy, in seaside towns, is at least +sufficiently quaint:-- + + Memory of JAMES EPPS BUTTRESS, who, in rendering assistance to the + French Schooner, "Vesuvienne," was drowned, December 27th, 1852, aged + 39. + + Though Boreas' blast and Neptune's wave + Did toss me to and fro, + In spite of both, by God's decree, + I harbour here below; + And here I do at anchor ride + With many of our fleet, + Yet once again I must set sail, + Our Admiral, Christ, to meet. + + Also two sons, who died in infancy, &c. + +The 'human race' typified by '_our fleet_,' excites vague reminiscences of +Goethe and Carlyle, and 'our Admiral Christ' seems not remotely associated +in sentiment with the 'We fight that fight for our fair father Christ,' +and 'The King will follow Christ and we the King,' of our grand poet. So +do the highest and the lowest meet. But the heartiness, the vitality, nay, +almost vivacity, of some of these underground tenantry is surprising. +There is more life in some of our dead folk than in many a living crowd." + +The following five epitaphs are from Hessle Road Cemetery, Hull:-- + + WILLIAM EASTON, + Who was lost at sea, + In the fishing smack Martha, + In the gale of January, 1865. + Aged 30 years. + + When through the torn sail the wild tempest is streaming; + When o'er the dark wave the red lightning is gleaming, + No hope lends a ray the poor fisher to cherish. + Oh hear, kind Jesus; save, Lord, or we perish! + + In affectionate remembrance of + THOMAS CRACKLES, + Humber Pilot, who was drowned off + The Lincolnshire Coast, + During the gale, October 19th, 1869. + Aged 24 years. + + How swift the torrent rolls + That hastens to the sea; + How strong the tide that bears our souls + On to Eternity. + + In affectionate remembrance of + DAVID COLLISON, + Who was drowned in the "Spirit of the Age," + Off Scarborough, Jan. 6th, 1864. + Aged 36 years. + + I cannot bend over his grave, + He sleeps in the secret sea; + And not one gentle whisp'red wave + Can tell that place to me. + + Although unseen by human eyes, + And mortal know'd it not; + Yet Christ knows where his body lies, + And angels guard the spot. + + ROBERT PICKERING, who was + Drowned from the smack "Satisfaction," + On the Dutch coast, May 7, 1869. + Aged 18 years. + + The waters flowed on every side, + No chance was there to save; + At last compelled, he bowed and died, + And found a watery grave. + + In affectionate remembrance of + WILLIAM HARRISON, + 53 years Mariner of Hull, + Who died October 5th, 1864. + Aged 70 years. + + Long time I ploughed the ocean wide, + A life of toil I spent; + But now in harbour safe arrived + From care and discontent. + + My anchor's cast, my sails are furled, + And now I am at rest. + Of all the parts throughout the world, + Sailors, this is the best. + +Our next example is from a stone in Castle Street burial-ground, Hull, +which is so fast decaying that already some parts of the inscription are +obliterated:-- + + Sacred + to the memory + of + WILLIAM WALKER, + . . . . . r of the Sloop Janatt, + . . . . . . . who was unfortunately + drowned off Flamborough Head, + 17th April, 1823. + Aged 41 years. + + This stone was Erected by + his Countrymen in + remembrance of his Death. + + I have left the troubled ocean, + And now laid down to sleep, + In hopes I shall set sail + Our Saviour Christ to meet. + +A gravestone in Horncastle churchyard, Lincolnshire, has this epitaph:-- + + My helm was gone, + My sails were rent, + My mast went by the board, + My hull it struck upon a rock, + Receive my soul, O Lord! + +On a sailor's gravestone in the burial-ground at Hamilton, we are told:-- + + The seas he ploughed for twenty years, + Without the smallest dread or fears: + And all that time was never known + To strike upon a bank or stone. + + + + +Epitaphs on Musicians and Actors. + + +A few epitaphs relating to music and the drama now claim our attention. +Our first example is to be found in the cathedral at Norwich:-- + + Here WILLIAM INGLOTT, organist, doth rest, + Whose art in musick this Cathedral blest; + For descant most, for voluntary all, + He past on organ, song, and virginall. + He left this life at age of sixty-seven, + And now 'mongst angels all sings St. in Heaven; + His fame flies far, his name shall never die, + See, art and age here crown his memorie. + _Non digitis, Inglotte, tuis terrestria tangis, + Tangis nunc digitis organa celsa poli._ + + Anno Dom. 1621. + + Buried the last day This erected the 15th + of December, 1621. day of June, 1622. + +In Wakefield Parish Church a tablet bears an inscription as follows:-- + + In memory of + HENRY CLEMETSHAW, + upwards of fifty years organist + of this church, who died + May 7, 1821, aged 68 years. + + Now, like an organ, robb'd of pipes and breath, + Its keys and stops are useless made by death, + Tho' mute and motionless in ruins laid; + Yet when re-built, by more than mortal aid, + This instrument, new voiced, and tuned, shall raise, + To God, its builder, hymns of endless praise. + +We copy the following from a monument in Holy Trinity Church, Hull:-- + + In memory of + GEORGE LAMBERT, + late Organist of this Church, + which office he held upwards of 40 years, + performing its duties with ability + and assiduity rarely exceeded, + affording delight to the lovers + of Sacred Harmony, + This Tablet is erected + by his Musical and private Friends, + aided by the brothers of the Humber + and Minerva Lodges of Free Masons of this Town + (being a member of the latter Lodge), + That they might place on record + the high sense they entertained + of his personal and professional merit. + He died Feb. 19th, 1838, aged 70 years, + And his Remains were interred at the + Parish Church of St. John in Beverley. + + Tho' like an Organ now in ruins laid, + Its stops disorder'd, and its frame decay'd, + This instrument ere long new tun'd shall raise + To God, its Builder, notes of endless praise. + +From a churchyard in Wales we obtain the following curious epitaph on an +organ blower:-- + + Under this stone lies MEREDITH MORGAN, + Who blew the bellows of our church organ. + Tobacco he hated, to smoke most unwilling, + Yet never so pleased as when _pipes_ he was filling. + No reflection on him for rude speech could be cast, + Though he gave our old organ many a blast! + No puffer was he, though a capital blower; + He could blow double G., and now lies a note lower. + +Our next epitaph records the death of a fiddler, who appears to have been +so much attached to his wife that upon the day of her death he, too, +yielded to the grim tyrant. Of this pair, buried in Flixton churchyard, it +may be truly said: "In life united, and in death not parted." The +inscription is as follows:-- + + To the Memory of JOHN BOOTH, of Flixton, who died 16th March, 1778, + aged 43 years; on the same day and within a few hours of the death of + his wife HANNAH, who was buried with him in the same grave, leaving + seven children behind them. + + Reader, have patience, for a Moment Stay, + Nor grudge the Tribute of a friendly tear, + For John, who once made all our Village gay, + Has taken up his Clay-cold Lodging here. + + Suspended now his fiddle lies asleep, + That once with Musick us'd to charm the Ear. + Not for his Hannah long reserv'd to weep, + John yields to Fate with his companion dear. + + So tenderly he loved his dearer part, + His Fondness could not bear a stay behind; + And Death through Kindness seem'd to throw the dart + To ease his sorrow, as he knew his mind. + + In cheerful Labours all their Time they spent, + Their happy Lives in Length of Days acquir'd; + But Hand in Hand to Nature's God they went, + And just lay down to sleep when they were tir'd. + + The Relicks of this faithful, honest Pair + One little Space of Mother Earth contains. + Let Earth protect them with a Mother's Care, + And Constant Verdure grace her for her pains. + + The Pledges of their tender love remain, + For seven fine children bless'd their nuptial State. + Behold them, neighbours! nor behold in vain, + But heal their Sorrows and their lost Estate. + +In the Old Cemetery, Newport, Monmouthshire, on a Scotch piper, the +following appears:-- + + To the memory of Mr. JOHN MACBETH late piper to His Grace the Duke of + Sutherland, and a native of the Highlands of Scotland: + + Died April 24th, 1852, Aged 46 years. + + Far from his native land, beneath this stone, + Lies JOHN MACBETH, in prime of manhood gone; + A kinder husband never yet did breathe, + A firmer friend ne'er trod on Albyn's heath; + His selfish aims were all in heart and hand, + To be an honour to his native land, + As real Scotchmen wish to fall or stand. + A handsome _Gael_ he was, of splendid form, + Fit for a siege, or for the Northern Storm. + Sir Walter Scott remarked at Inverness, + "How well becomes Macbeth the Highland dress!" + His mind was stored with ancient Highland lore; + Knew Ossian's songs, and many bards of yore; + But music was his chief, and soul's delight. + And oft he played, with Amphion's skill and might, + His Highland pipe, before our Gracious Queen! + 'Mong Ladies gay, and Princesses serene! + His magic chanter's strains pour'd o'er their hearts, + With thrilling rapture soft as Cupid's darts! + Like Shakespeare's witches, scarce they drew the breath, + But wished, like them, to say, "All hail, Macbeth!" + The Queen, well pleased, gave him by high command, + A splendid present from her Royal hand; + But nothing aye could make him vain or proud, + He felt alike at Court or in a crowd; + With high and low his nature was to please, + Frank with the Peasant, with the Prince at ease. + Beloved by thousands till his race was run, + Macbeth had ne'er a foe beneath the sun; + And now he plays among the Heavenly bands, + A diamond chanter never made with hands. + +In the church at Ashover, Derbyshire, a tablet contains this +inscription:-- + + To the Memory of + DAVID WALL, + whose superior performance on the + bassoon endeared him to an + extensive musical acquaintance. + His social life closed on the + 4th Dec., 1796, in his 57th year. + +The next is copied from a gravestone in Stoney Middleton churchyard:-- + + In memory of GEORGE, the son of GEORGE and MARGARET SWIFT, of Stoney + Middleton, who departed this life August the 21st, 1759, in the 20th + year of his age. + + We the Quoir of Singers of this Church have erected this stone. + + He's gone from us, in more seraphick lays + In Heaven to chant the Great Jehovah's praise; + Again to join him in those courts above, + Let's here exalt God's name with mutual love. + +The following was written in memory of Madame Malibran, who died September +23rd, 1836:-- + + "The beautiful is vanished, and returns not." + + 'Twas but as yesterday, a mighty throng, + Whose hearts, as one man's heart, thy power could bow, + Amid loud shoutings hailed thee queen of song, + And twined sweet summer flowers around thy brow; + And those loud shouts have scarcely died away, + And those young flowers but half forgot thy bloom, + When thy fair crown is changed for one of clay-- + Thy boundless empire for a narrow tomb! + Sweet minstrel of the heart, we list in vain + For music now; THY melody is o'er; + _Fidelio_ hath ceased o'er hearts to reign, + _Somnambula_ hath slept to wake no more! + Farewell! thy sun of life too soon hath set, + But memory shall reflect its brightness yet. + +Garrick's epitaph, in Westminster Abbey, reads:-- + + To paint fair Nature by divine command, + Her magic pencil in his glowing hand, + A SHAKESPEARE rose; then, to expand his fame + Wide o'er the breathing world, a GARRICK came: + Tho' sunk in death, the forms the poet drew + The actor's genius bade them breathe anew; + Tho', like the bard himself, in night they lay, + Immortal GARRICK call'd them back to day; + And till eternity, with power sublime, + Shall mark the mortal hour of hoary time, + SHAKESPEARE and GARRICK, like twin stars shall shine, + And earth irradiate with beams divine. + +A monument placed in Westminster to the memory of Mrs. Pritchard states:-- + + This Tablet is here placed by a voluntary subscription of those who + admired and esteemed her. She retired from the stage, of which she had + long been the ornament, in the month of April, 1768; and died at Bath + in the month of August following, in the 57th year of her age. + + Her comic vein had every charm to please, + 'Twas nature's dictates breath'd with nature's ease; + Ev'n when her powers sustain'd the tragic load, + Full, clear, and just, the harmonious accents flow'd, + And the big passions of her feeling heart + Burst freely forth, and show'd the mimic art. + Oft, on the scene, with colours not her own, + She painted vice, and taught us what to shun; + One virtuous track her real life pursu'd, + That nobler part was uniformly good; + Each duty there to such perfection wrought, + That, if the precepts fail'd, the example taught. + +On a comedian named John Hippisley, interred in the churchyard of Clifton, +Gloucestershire, we have the following:-- + + When the Stage heard that death had struck her John, + Gay Comedy her Sables first put on; + Laughter lamented that her Fav'rite died, + And Mirth herself, ('tis strange) laid down and cry'd. + Wit droop'd his head, e'en Humour seem'd to mourn, + And solemnly sat pensive o'er his urn. + +Garrick's epitaph to the memory of James Quin, at Bath, is very fine:-- + + That tongue, which set the table in a roar, + And charm'd the public ear, is heard no more; + Closed are those eyes, the harbingers of wit, + Which spoke, before the tongue, what Shakespeare writ; + Cold are those hands, which, living, were stretch'd forth, + At friendship's call, to succour modest worth. + Here is JAMES QUIN! Deign, reader, to be taught, + Whate'er thy strength of body, force of thought, + In Nature's happiest mould however cast, + "To this complexion thou must come at last." + +Several actors are buried in the churchyard of St. Peter of Mancroft, +Norwich. On Henrietta Maria Bray, who died in 1737, aged sixty years, is +the following epitaph:-- + + Here, Reader, you may plainly see, + That Wit nor Humour here could be + A Proof against Mortality. + +Anne Roberts died in 1743, aged thirty, and on her gravestone is a couplet +as follows:-- + + The World's a Stage, at Birth our Plays begun, + And all find Exits when their Parts are done. + +The Norwich actors, says Mr. James Hooper, were celebrated in their day, +and their services were in great request. They used to play annually at +the great Stourbridge Fair, at Cambridge, so vividly described by De Foe +in his "Tour through the whole Island of Great Britain" (1722). The +University Dons mustered in force to see the Norwich mummers, and part of +the pit, known as "The Critics' Row," was reserved for Dr. Farmer of +Emanuel, and his friends, George Stevens, Malone, and others, who never +thought it _infra dig._ to applaud rapturously--a circumstance which shows +Puritan Emanuel in a new light.[1] + +In St. Mary's Church, Beverley, a tablet is placed in remembrance of a +notable Yorkshire actor:-- + + In Memory of + SAMUEL BUTLER, + A poor player that struts and + frets his hour upon the stage, and + then is heard no more. + Obt. June 15th, 1812. + AEt. 62. + +Butler's gifted son, Samuel William, was buried in Ardwick Cemetery, +Manchester. A gravestone placed to his memory bears the following +eloquent inscription by Charles Swain:-- + + Here rest the + mortal remains of + SAMUEL WILLIAM BUTLER, + Tragedian. + In him the stage lost a highly-gifted and accomplished actor, + one by whose tongue the noblest creations + of the poet found truthful utterance. + After long and severe suffering he departed + this life the 17th day of July, in the year of + our Lord 1845. Aged 41 years. + + Whence this ambition, whence this proud desire, + This love of fame, this longing to aspire? + To gather laurels in their greenest bloom, + To honour life and sanctify the tomb? + 'Tis the Divinity that never dies, + Which prompts the soul of genius still to rise. + Though fades the Laurel, leaf by leaf away, + The soul hath prescience of a fadeless day; + And God's eternal promise, like a star, + From faded hopes still points to hopes afar; + Where weary hearts for consolation trust, + And bliss immortal quickens from the dust. + On this great hope, the painter, actor, bard, + And all who ever strove for Fame's reward, + Must rest at last: and all that earth have trod + Still need the grace of a forgiving God! + +An interesting sketch of the life of Butler, from the pen of John Evans, +is given in the "Papers of the Manchester Literary Club," vol. iii., +published 1877. + +In the Necropolis, Glasgow, is a monument representing the stage and +proscenium of a theatre, placed to the memory of John Henry Alexander, of +the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. He was a native of Dunse, Berwickshire, and +was born July 31st, 1796. At an early age, says Dr. Rogers, his parents +removed to Glasgow, where, in his thirteenth year, he was apprenticed to a +hosier. With a remarkable taste for mimicry he practised private +theatricals; and having attracted the notice of the managers of Queen +Street Theatre, he obtained an opportunity of publicly exhibiting his +gifts. In his sixteenth year he adopted the histrionic profession. For +some seasons he was employed in a theatre at Newcastle; he subsequently +performed at Carlisle, and afterwards in the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. At +Edinburgh his successful impersonations of Dandie Dinmont and other +characters of the Waverley novels gained him the friendship of Sir Walter +Scott. After some changes he accepted the managership of the Dunlop Street +Theatre, Glasgow, of which he became proprietor in 1829. He rebuilt the +structure in 1840; it was partially destroyed by fire on the 17th +February, 1849, when sixty-five persons unhappily perished. The shock +which he experienced on this occasion seriously affected his health, and +in 1851 he found it expedient to retire from his profession. He died on +the 15th December, 1851, aged fifty-five. On his tombstone are inscribed +these lines from the pen of Mr. James Hedderwick, the editor of the +_Glasgow Citizen_:-- + + Fallen is the curtain, the last scene is o'er, + The favourite actor treads life's stage no more. + Oft lavish plaudits from the crowd he drew, + And laughing eyes confessed his humour true; + Here fond affection rears this sculptured stone, + For virtues not enacted, but his own. + A constancy unshaken unto death, + A truth unswerving, and a Christian's faith; + Who knew him best have cause to mourn him most. + Oh, weep the man, more than the actor lost! + Unnumbered parts he play'd yet to the end, + His best were those of husband, father, friend. + +In many collections of epitaphs the following is stated to be inscribed on +a gravestone at Gillingham, but we are informed by the Vicar that no such +epitaph is to be found, nor is there any trace of it having been placed +there at any time:-- + + Sacred + To the memory of + THOMAS JACKSON, Comedian, + + Who was engaged 21st of December, 1741, to play a comic cast of + characters, in this great theatre--the world; for many of which he was + prompted by nature to excel. + + The season being ended, his benefit over, the charges all paid, and + his account closed, he made his exit in the tragedy of Death, on the + 17th of March, 1798, in full assurance of being called once more to + rehearsal; where he hopes to find his forfeits all cleared, his cast + of parts bettered, and his situation made agreeable, by Him who paid + the great stock-debt, for the love He bore to performers in general. + +The next epitaph was written by Swift on Dicky Pearce, who died 1728, aged +63 years. He was a famous fool, and his name carries us back to the time +when kings and noblemen employed jesters for the delectation of themselves +and their friends. It is from Beckley, and reads as follows:-- + + Here lies the Earl of Suffolk's Fool, + Men call him DICKY PEARCE; + His folly serv'd to make men laugh, + When wit and mirth were scarce. + Poor Dick, alas! is dead and gone, + What signifies to cry? + Dicky's enough are still behind + To laugh at by and by. + +In our "Historic Romance," published 1883, by Hamilton, Adams, and Co., +London, will be found an account of "Fools and Jesters of the English +Sovereigns," and we therein state that the last recorded instance of a +fool being kept by an English family is that of John Hilton's fool, +retained at Hilton Castle, Durham, who died in 1746. + +The following epitaph is inscribed on a tombstone in the churchyard of St. +Mary Friars, Shrewsbury, on Cadman, a famous "flyer" on the rope, +immortalised by Hogarth, and who broke his neck descending from a steeple +in Shrewsbury, in 1740. + + Let this small monument record the name + Of CADMAN, and to future times proclaim + How, by an attempt to fly from this high spire, + Across the _Sabrine_ stream, he did acquire + His fatal end. 'Twas not for want of skill, + Or courage to perform the task, he fell; + No, no,--a faulty cord being drawn too tight + Hurried his soul on high to take her flight, + Which bid the body here beneath, good-night. + +Joe Miller, of facetious memory, next claims our attention. We find it +stated in Chambers's "Book of Days" (issued 1869) as follows: Miller was +interred in the burial-ground of the parish of St. Clement Danes, in +Portugal Street, where a tombstone was erected to his memory. About ten +years ago that burial-ground, by the removal of the mortuary remains, and +the demolition of the monuments, was converted into a site for King's +College Hospital. Whilst this not unnecessary, yet undesirable, +desecration was in progress, the writer saw Joe's tombstone lying on the +ground; and being told that it would be broken up and used as materials +for the new building, he took an exact copy of the inscription, which was +as follows:-- + + Here lye the Remains of + Honest JO: MILLER, + who was + a tender Husband, + a sincere Friend, + a facetious Companion, + and an excellent Comedian. + He departed this Life the 15th day of + August 1738, aged 54 years. + + If humour, wit, and honesty could save + The humourous, witty, honest, from the grave, + The grave had not so soon this tenant found, + Whom honesty, and wit, and humour, crowned; + Could but esteem, and love preserve our breath, + And guard us longer from the stroke of Death, + The stroke of Death on him had later fell, + Whom all mankind esteemed and loved so well. + + S. DUCK, + + From respect to social worth, + mirthful qualities, and histrionic excellence, + commemorated by poetic talent in humble life. + + The above inscription, which Time + had nearly obliterated, has been preserved + and transferred to this Stone, by order of + Mr. Jarvis Buck, Churchwarden, + A.D. 1816. + +An interesting sketch of the life of Joe Miller will be found in the "Book +of Days," vol. ii., page 216, and in the same informing and entertaining +work, the following notes are given respecting the writer of the foregoing +epitaph: "The 'S. Duck,' whose name figures as author of the verses on +Miller's tombstone, and who is alluded to on the same tablet, by Mr. +Churchwarden Buck, as an instance of 'poetic talent in humble life,' +deserves a short notice. He was a thresher in the service of a farmer near +Kew, in Surrey. Imbued with an eager desire for learning, he, under most +adverse circumstances, managed to obtain a few books, and educate himself +to a limited degree. Becoming known as a rustic rhymer, he attracted the +attention of Caroline, queen of George II., who, with her accustomed +liberality, settled on him a pension of L30 per annum; she made him a +Yeoman of the Guard, and installed him as keeper of a kind of museum she +had in Richmond Park, called Merlin's Cave. Not content with these +promotions, the generous, but perhaps inconsiderate, queen caused Duck to +be admitted to holy orders, and preferred to the living of Byfleet, in +Surrey, where he became a popular preacher among the lower classes, +chiefly through the novelty of being the 'Thresher Parson.' This gave +Swift occasion to write the following quibbling epigram:-- + + The thresher Duck could o'er the queen prevail; + The proverb says,--"No fence against a flail." + From threshing corn, he turns to thresh his brains, + For which her Majesty allows him grains; + Though 'tis confest, that those who ever saw + His poems, think 'em all not worth a straw. + Thrice happy Duck! employed in threshing stubble! + Thy toil is lessened, and thy profits double. + +[Illustration: JOE MILLER'S TOMBSTONE, ST. CLEMENT DANES CHURCHYARD, +LONDON.] + +"One would suppose the poor thresher to have been beneath Swift's notice, +but the provocation was great, and the chastisement, such as it was, +merited. For though few men had ever less pretensions to poetical genius +than Duck, yet the Court party actually set him up as a rival--nay, as +superior--to Pope. And the saddest part of the affair was that Duck, in +his utter simplicity and ignorance of what really constituted poetry, was +led to fancy himself the greatest poet of the age. Consequently, +considering that his genius was neglected, and that he was not rewarded +according to his poetical deserts by being made the clergyman of an +obscure village, he fell into a state of melancholy, which ended in +suicide; affording another to the numerous instances of the very great +difficulty of doing good. If the well-meaning queen had elevated Duck to +the position of farm-bailiff, he might have led a long and happy life, +amongst the scenes and the classes of society in which his youth had +passed, and thus been spared the pangs of disappointed vanity and +misdirected ambition." + +Says a thoughtful writer, if truth, perspicuity, wit, gravity, and every +property pertaining to the ancient or modern epitaph, were ever united in +one of terse brevity, it was that made for Burbage, the tragedian, in the +days of Shakespeare:-- + + "Exit BURBAGE." + +Jerrold, perhaps, with that brevity which is the soul of wit, trumped the +above by his anticipatory epitaph on that excellent man and distinguished +historian, Charles Knight:-- + + "Good KNIGHT." + + + + +Epitaphs on Sportsmen. + + +The stirring lives of sportsmen have suggested spirited lines for their +tombstones, as will be seen from the examples we bring under the notice of +our readers. + +The first epitaph is from Morville churchyard, near Bridgnorth, on John +Charlton, Esq., who was for many years Master of the Wheatland Foxhounds, +and died January 20th, 1843, aged 63 years; regretted by all who knew +him:-- + + Of this world's pleasure I have had my share, + A few of the sorrows I was doomed to bear. + How oft have I enjoy'd the noble chase + Of hounds and foxes striving for the race! + But hark! the knell of death calls me away, + So sportsmen, all, farewell! I must obey. + +Our next is written on Mills, the huntsman:-- + + Here lies JOHN MILLS, who over the hills + Pursued the hounds with hallo: + The leap though high, from earth to sky, + The huntsman we must follow. + +A short, rough, but pregnant epitaph is placed over the remains of Robert +Hackett, a keeper of Hardwick Park, who died in 1703, and was buried in +Ault Hucknall churchyard:-- + + Long had he chased + The Red and Fallow Deer, + But Death's cold dart + At last has fix'd him here. + +George Dixon, a noted fox-hunter, is buried in Luton churchyard, and on +his gravestone the following appears:-- + + Stop, passenger, and thy attention fix on, + That true-born, honest, fox-hunter, GEORGE DIXON, + Who, after eighty years' unwearied chase, + Now rests his bones within this hallow'd place. + A gentle tribute of applause bestow, + And give him, as you pass, one _tally-ho_! + Early to cover, brisk he rode each morn, + In hopes the _brush_ his temple might adorn; + The view is now no more, the chase is past, + And to an earth, poor George is run at last. + +On a stone in the graveyard of Mottram the following inscription +appears:-- + + In the memory of GEORGE NEWTON, + of Stalybridge, + who died August 7th, 1871, + in the 94th year of his age. + + Though he liv'd long, the old man has gone at last, + No more he'll hear the huntsman's stirring blast; + Though fleet as Reynard in his youthful prime, + At last he's yielded to the hand of Time. + + Blithe as a lark, dress'd in his coat of green, + With hounds and horn the old man was seen. + But ah! Death came, worn out and full of years, + He died in peace, mourn'd by his offsprings' tears. + + "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." + +In the churchyard of Ecclesfield, may be read the following epitaph:-- + + In memory of THOMAS RIDGE, + the Ecclesfield huntsman, + who died 13th day of January, 1871, + Aged 77 years. + + Though fond of sport, devoted of the chase, + And with his fellow-hunters first in place, + He always kept the Lord's appointed day, + Never from church or Sunday-school away. + And now his body rests beneath the sod, + His soul relying in the love of God. + +Of the many epitaphs on sportsmen to be seen in Nottinghamshire, we cull a +few of the choicest. Our first is a literal copy from a weather-worn stone +in Eakring churchyard, placed to the memory of Henry Cartwright, senior +keeper to his Grace the Duke of Kingston for fifty-five years, who died +February 13th, 1773, aged eighty years, ten months, and three weeks:-- + + My gun discharged, my ball is gone + My powder's spent, my work is done, + those panting deer I have left behind, + May now have time to Gain their wind, + Who I have oft times Chass'd them ore + the burial Plains, but now no more. + +We next present particulars of a celebrated deer-stealer. According to a +notice furnished in the "Nottingham Date Book," the deeds of Tom Booth +were for many years after his death a never-failing subject of +conversational interest in Nottingham. It is stated that no modern +deer-stealer was anything like so popular. Thorsby relates one exploit as +follows:--"In Nottingham Park, at one time, was a favourite fine deer, a +chief ranger, on which Tom and his wily companions had often cast their +eyes; but how to deceive the keeper while they killed it was a task of +difficulty. The night, however, in which they accomplished their +purpose--whether by any settled plan or not is not known--they found the +keeper at watch, as usual, in a certain place in the park. One of them, +therefore, went in an opposite direction in the park, and fired his gun to +make the keeper believe he had shot a deer; upon which away goes the +keeper, in haste, to the spot, which was at a very considerable distance +from the place where the favourite deer was, and near which Tom Booth was +skulking. Tom, waiting a proper time, when he thought the keeper at a +sufficient distance for accomplishing his purpose, fired and killed the +deer, and dragged it through the river Leen undiscovered." Booth was a +stout man, and by trade a whitesmith. The stone marking the place of his +interment is still in good preservation, and stands in St. Nicholas' +burial-ground, against the southern wall of the church. It bears the +following inscription: + + Here lies a marksman, who with art and skill, + When young and strong, fat bucks and does did kill. + Now conquered by grim Death (go, reader, tell it!) + He's now took leave of powder, gun, and pellet. + A fatal dart, which in the dark did fly, + Has laid him down, among the dead to lie. + If any want to know the poor slave's name, + 'Tis old TOM BOOTH,--ne'er ask from whence he came. + +Old Tom was so highly pleased with the epitaph, which was written before +his death, that he had it engraved on the stone some months before its +services were required. In addition to the epitaph itself, the head-stone +was made to include Booth's name, etc., and also that of his wife, blank +places being left in each case for the age and time of death. Booth's +compartment of the stone was in due course properly filled up; but the +widow, disliking the exhibition of her name on a tombstone while living, +resolved that such stone should never indicate her resting-place when +dead; she accordingly left an injunction that her body be interred +elsewhere, and the inscription is incomplete to this day. + +Some time before Amos Street, a celebrated Yorkshire huntsman, died, a +stone was obtained, and on it engraved the following lines:-- + + This is to the memory of OLD AMOS, + Who was when alive for hunting famous; + But now his chases are all o'er + And here he's earth'd, of years four score. + Upon this tomb he's often sat + And tried to read his epitaph; + And thou who dost so at this moment + Shall ere long like him be dormant. + +Poor "Old Amos" passed away on October 3rd, 1777, and was buried in +Birstal churchyard. The foregoing inscription may still be read. + +The Rev. R. H. Whitworth tells us: "There is an old monument in the south +aisle of Blidworth Church, to the memory of Thomas Leake, Esq., who was +killed at Blidworth Rocking, in A.D. 1598. He may be regarded as the last +of the race who sat in Robin Hood's seat, if those restless Forest Chiefs, +typified under that name, can be supposed ever to have sat at all. Leake +held office under the Crown, but was as wild a freebooter as ever drew +bow. His character is portrayed in his epitaph:-- + + Here rests T. LEAKE, whose vertues weere so knowne + In all these parts that this engraved stone + Needs navght relate bvt his vntimely end + Which was in single fight: wylst youth did lend + His ayde to valor, hee wth ease orepast + Many slyght dangers, greater then this last + Bvt willfvlle fate in these things governs all + Hee towld ovt threescore years before his fall + Most of wch tyme he wasted in this wood + Mvch of his wealth and last of all his blood. + +The border of this monument is rudely panelled, each panel having some +forest hunting subject in relief. There are hounds getting scent, and a +hound pursuing an antlered stag; a hunting horn, ribboned; plunging and +flaying knives, a crossbow, a forest-bow, two arrows, and two hunters' +belts with arrows inserted. This is his register-- + + THOMAS LEAKE, esquire, buried the + 4th February, 1598. + +There is a captivating bit of romance connected with Leake's death, which +occurred at Archer's Water. Although somewhat 'provectus in aetate,' he had +won the affections of the landlady's daughter, much to the annoyance of +the mother. Archer's Water was on the old driftroad by Blidworth, from +Edinburgh to London, that by which Jeanie Deans travelled, and over which +Dick Turpin rode. Hundreds of thousands of Scotch cattle went by this way +to town, and there was a difficulty connected with a few of them in which +Leake was concerned, and a price being set upon his head, his +mother-in-law, that was to be, betrayed him to two young soldiers anxious +to secure the reward, one of whom was, in the mother's eyes, the more +favoured lover. Tom was always attended by two magnificent dogs, and went +well armed. Thrown off his guard he left his dogs in an outhouse, and +entering the inn laid aside his weapons, when he was set upon and +overpowered, and, like many better men before him, slain. The name of a +Captain Salmond of the now extinct parish or manor of Salterford is +connected with this transaction. The date of the combat is 2nd February, +being the festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, with which +the highly interesting and historical observance of Blidworth _Rocking_ is +connected. Within the memory of living men, a baby decked with such +flowers as the season afforded was placed in a cradle and carried about +from house to house by an old man, who received a present on the +occasion. As the church is dedicated to St. Mary in connection with the +Purification, the 2nd of February being the Feast Day, this is probably an +interesting reminiscence of some old species of Miracle Play, or +observance connected with the foundation. Anciently people from all +neighbouring counties used to attend this season. Forest games were +played, and amid the attendant licence and confusion, Leake came to his +last grief. Not only in this church does this Ranger of the Blidworth +Wood, for this was his office, possess a memorial. A large cross was +erected, now standing at Fountain Dale, thus inscribed:-- + + Hoc crucis fragmen + Traditum a sylvicolis monumentum + Loci ubi in singulari certamine + Gladiator ille insignis + THO. LEAKE + Mori occubui + Anno MDXCVIII. + Ab antiqua sede remotum + H. P. C. + Joannes Downall + Prid. Non Sext. MDCCCXXXVI. + +What became of the daughter tradition sayeth not. Doubtless she died, as +Tom Leake's intended bride ought, of grief, and was buried under some +grand old oak in Blidworth Forest." + +Let us direct attention to another class of sportsmen. At Bunney, a +monument is erected to Sir Thomas Parkyns, the well-known wrestler. It +bears four lines in Latin, which have been translated thus:-- + + At length he falls, the long contest's o'er, + And Time has thrown whom none e'er threw before; + Yet boast not (Time) thy victory, for he + At last shall rise again and conquer thee. + +The next is copied from a stone in St. Michael's churchyard, Coventry, on +a famous fencing master:-- + + To the memory of Mr. JOHN PARKES, + A native of this City + He was a man of mild disposition, + A Gladiator by profession; + Who after having fought 350 battles, + In the principal parts of Europe, + With honour and applause, + At length quitted the stage, sheathed his sword, + And with Christian resignation, + Submitted to the Grand Victor + In the 52nd year of his age + Anno Domini 1733. + +An old stone bearing the foregoing inscription was replaced by a new one +some years ago at the expense of the late S. Carter, Esq., formerly Member +of Parliament for Coventry. In the pages of the _Spectator_ honourable +mention is made of John Parkes. + +In the churchyard of Hanslope is buried Sandy M'Kay, the Scottish giant, +who was killed in a prize fight with Simon Byrne. A headstone bears the +following inscription:-- + + Sacred to the memory of + ALEX. M'KAY, + (Late of Glasgow), + Who died 3rd June, 1834, + Aged 26 years. + + Strong and athletic was my frame; + Far from my native home I came, + And manly fought with Simon Byrne; + Alas! but lived not to return. + Reader, take warning of my fate, + Lest you should rue your case too late; + If you ever have fought before, + Determine now to fight no more. + +We are informed that Byrne was killed shortly afterwards, whilst engaged +in fighting. + +From the prize-ring let us turn to the more satisfactory amusement of +cricket. In Highgate Cemetery, Lillywhite, the celebrated cricketer, is +buried, and over his remains is placed a monument with the significant +emblem of a wicket being upset with a ball. + +The following lines are said to be copied from a tombstone in a cemetery +near Salisbury:-- + + I bowl'd, I struck, I caught, I stopp'd, + Sure life's a game of cricket, + I blocked with care, with caution popp'd, + Yet Death has hit my wicket. + +The tennis ball is introduced in an epitaph placed in St. Michael's +Church, Coventry. It reads thus:-- + + Here lyes the Body of Captain GERVASE SCROPE, of the Family of + Scropes, of Bolton, in the County of York, who departed this life the + 26th day of August, Anno Domini, 1705. + + AN EPITAPH WRITTEN BY HIMSELF IN THE AGONY AND + DOLOROUS PAINES OF THE GOUT, AND DYED SOON + AFTER. + + Here lies an Old Toss'd Tennis Ball, + Was Racketted from Spring to Fall + With so much heat, and so much hast, + Time's arm (for shame) grew tyr'd at last, + Four Kings in Camps he truly seru'd, + And from his Loyalty ne'r sweru'd. + Father ruin'd, the Son slighted, + And from the Crown ne'r requited, + Loss of Estate, Relations, Blood, + Was too well Known, but did no good, + With long Campaigns and paines of th' Govt, + He cou'd no longer hold it out: + Always a restless life he led, + Never at quiet till quite dead, + He marry'd in his latter dayes, + One who exceeds the com'on praise, + But wanting breath still to make Known + Her true Affection and his Own, + Death kindly came, all wants supply'd + By giuing Rest which life deny'd. + +We conclude this class of epitaphs with a couple of piscatorial examples. +The first is from the churchyard of Hythe:-- + + His net old fisher George long drew, + Shoals upon shoals he caught, + 'Till Death came hauling for his due, + And made poor George his draught. + Death fishes on through various shapes, + In vain it is to fret; + Nor fish nor fisherman escapes + Death's all-enclosing net. + +In the churchyard of Great Yarmouth, under date of 1769, an epitaph runs +thus:-- + + Here lies doomed, + In this vault so dark, + A soldier weaver, _angler_, and clerk; + Death snatched him hence, and from him took + His gun, his shuttle, fish-rod, and hook, + He could not weave, nor fish, nor fight, so then + He left the world, and faintly cried--Amen. + + + + +Bacchanalian Epitaphs. + + +Some singular epitaphs are to be found over the remains of men who either +manufactured, dispensed, or loved the social glass. In the churchyard of +Newhaven, Sussex, the following may be seen on the grave of a brewer:-- + + To the memory of + THOMAS TIPPER who + departed this life May the 14th + 1785 Aged 54 Years. + + READER, with kind regard this GRAVE survey + Nor heedless pass where TIPPER'S ashes lay, + Honest he was, ingenuous, blunt, and kind; + And dared do, what few dare do, speak his mind, + PHILOSOPHY and HISTORY well he knew, + Was versed in PHYSICK and in Surgery too, + The best old STINGO he both brewed and sold, + Nor did one knavish act to get his Gold. + He played through Life a varied comic part, + And knew immortal HUDIBRAS by heart. + READER, in real truth, such was the Man, + Be better, wiser, laugh more if you can. + +The next, on John Scott, a Liverpool brewer, is rather rich in puns:-- + + Poor JOHN SCOTT lies buried here; + Although he was both hale and stout + Death stretched him on the bitter bier. + In another world he hops about. + +On a butler in Ollerton churchyard is the following curious epitaph:-- + + Beneath the droppings of this spout, + Here lies the body once so stout, + Of FRANCIS THOMPSON. + A soul this carcase once possess'd, + Which of its virtues was caress'd, + By all who knew the owner best. + The Ruffords records can declare, + His action who, for seventy year, + Both drew and drank its potent beer; + Fame mentions not in all that time, + In this great Butler the least crime, + To stain his reputation. + To envy's self we now appeal, + If aught of fault she can reveal, + To make her declaration. + Here rest good shade, nor hell nor vermin fear, + Thy virtues guard thy soul, thy body good strong beer. + He died July 6th, 1739. + +We will next give a few epitaphs on publicans. Our first is from Pannal +churchyard; it is on Joseph Thackerey, who died on the 26th of November, +1791:-- + + In the year of our Lord 1740 + I came to the Crown; + In 1791 they laid me down. + +The following is from the graveyard of Upton-on-Severn, and placed to the +memory of a publican. The lines, it will be seen, are a dexterous weaving +of the spiritual with the temporal:-- + + Beneath this stone, in hope of Zion, + Doth lie the landlord of the "Lion," + His son keeps on the business still, + Resign'd unto the Heavenly will. + +In 1789 passed away the landlady of the "Pig and Whistle," Greenwich, and +the following lines were inscribed to her memory:-- + + Assign'd by Providence to rule a tap, + My days pass'd glibly, till an awkward rap, + Some way, like bankruptcy, impell'd me down. + But up I got again and shook my gown + In gamesome gambols, quite as brisk as ever, + Blithe as the lark and gay as sunny weather; + Composed with creditors, at five in pound, + And frolick'd on till laid beneath this ground. + The debt of nature must, you know, be paid, + No trust from her--God grant _extent in aid_. + +On an innkeeper in Stockbridge, the next may be seen:-- + + In memory of + JOHN BUCKETT, + Many year's landlord of the King's + Head Inn, in this Borough, + Who departed this life Nov. 2, 1802. + Aged 67 years. + + And is, alas! poor Buckett gone? + Farewell, convivial, honest John. + Oft at the well, by fatal stroke, + Buckets, like pitchers, must be broke. + In this same motley shifting scene, + How various have thy fortunes been! + Now lifted high--now sinking low. + To-day thy brim would overflow, + Thy bounty then would all supply, + To fill and drink, and leave thee dry; + To-morrow sunk as in a well, + Content, unseen, with truth to dwell: + But high or low, or wet or dry, + No rotten stave could malice spy. + Then rise, immortal Buckett, rise, + And claim thy station in the skies; + 'Twixt Amphora and Pisces shine, + Still guarding Stockbridge with thy sign. + +From the "Sportive Wit; the Muses' Merriment," issued in 1656, we extract +the following lines on John Taylor, "the Water Poet," who was a native of +Gloucester, and died in Phoenix Alley, London, in the 75th year of his +age. You may find him, if the worms have not devoured him, in Covent +Garden churchyard:-- + + Here lies JOHN TAYLOR, without rime or reason, + For death struck his muse in so cold a season, + That JACK lost the use of his scullers to row: + The chill pate rascal would not let his boat go. + Alas, poor JACK TAYLOR! this 'tis to drink ale + With nutmegs and ginger, with a taste though stale, + It drencht thee in rimes. Hadst thou been of the pack + With Draiton and Jonson to quaff off thy sack, + They'd infus'd thee a genius should ne'er expire, + And have thaw'd thy muse with elemental fire. + Yet still, for the honour of thy sprightly wit, + Since some of thy fancies so handsomely hit. + The nymphs of the rivers for thy relation + Sirnamed thee the _water-poet_ of the nation. + Who can write more of thee let him do't for me. + A ---- take all rimers, JACK TAYLOR, but thee. + Weep not, reader, if thou canst chuse, + Over the stone of so merry a muse. + +Robert Burns wrote the following epitaph on John Dove, innkeeper, +Mauchline:-- + + Here lies JOHNNY PIGEON: + What was his religion? + Whae'er desires to ken, + To some other warl' + Maun follow the carl, + For here Johnny had none! + Strong ale was ablution-- + Small beer persecution, + A dram was _memento mori_; + But a full flowing bowl + Was the saving of his soul, + And port was celestial glory. + +We extract, from a collection of epitaphs, the following on a publican:-- + + A jolly landlord once was I, + And kept the Old King's Head hard by, + Sold mead and gin, cider and beer, + And eke all other kinds of cheer, + Till Death my license took away, + And put me in this house of clay: + A house at which you all must call, + Sooner or later, great or small. + +It is stated in Mr. J. Potter Briscoe's entertaining volume, +"Nottinghamshire Facts and Fictions," that in the churchyard of Edwalton +is a gravestone to the memory of Mrs. Freland, a considerable landowner, +who died in 1741; but who, it would appear from the inscription, was a +very free liver, for her memorial says:-- + + She drank good ale, strong punch and wine, + And lived to the age of ninety-nine. + +A gravestone in Darenth churchyard, near Dartford, bears the following +epitaph:-- + + Oh, the liquor he did love, but never will no more + For what he lov'd did turn his foe; + For on the 28th of January 1741, that fatal day, + The Debt he owed he then did pay. + +At Chatham, on a drunkard, good advice is given:-- + + Weep not for him, the warmest tear that's shed + Falls unavailing o'er the unconscious dead; + Take the advice these friendly lines would give, + Live not to drink, but only drink to live. + +From Tonbridge churchyard we glean the following:-- + + Hail! + This stone marks the spot + Where a notorious sot + Doth lie; + Whether at rest or not + It matters not + To you or I. + + Oft to the "Lion" he went to fill his horn, + Now to the "Grave" he's gone to get it warm. + + _Beered by public subscription by his hale and stout companions, who + deeply lament his absence._ + +From St. Peter's Mancroft, Norwich, are the following lines on Sarah +Byfield, who died in 1719, comparing life to a market:-- + + Death is a market where all must meet, + It's found in every city, town, and street. + If we our lives like merchandise could buy, + The rich would ever live, the poor alone must die. + +On a gravestone in the churchyard of Eton, placed to the memory of an +innkeeper, it is stated:-- + + Life's an inn; my house will shew it: + I thought so once, but now I know it. + Man's life is but a winter's day; + Some only breakfast and away; + Others to dinner stop, and are full fed; + The oldest man but sups and then to bed: + Large is his debt who lingers out the day; + He who goes soonest has the least to pay. + +Similar epitaphs to the foregoing may be found in many graveyards in this +country. In Micklehurst churchyard, an inscription runs thus:-- + + Life is an Inn, where all men bait, + The waiter, Time, the landlord, Fate; + Death is the score by all men due, + I've paid my shot--and so must you. + +In the old burial-ground in Castle Street, Hull, on the gravestone of a +boy, a slightly different version of the rhyme appears:-- + + In memory of + JOHN, the son of JOHN and + ANN BYWATER, died 25th January, + 1815, aged 14 years. + + Life's like an Inn, where Travellers stay, + Some only breakfast and away; + Others to dinner stay and are full fed; + The oldest only sup and go to bed; + Long is the bill who lingers out the day, + Who goes the soonest has the least to pay. + +The churchyard of Melton Mowbray furnishes another rendering of the +lines:-- + + This world's an Inn, and I her guest: + I've eat and drank and took my rest + With her awhile, and now I pay + Her lavish bill and go my way. + +The foregoing inscriptions, comparing life to a house, remind us of a +curious inscription in Folkestone churchyard:-- + + In memory of + REBECCA ROGERS, + who died Aug. 22, 1688, + Aged 44 years. + + A house she hath, it's made of such good fashion, + A tenant ne'er shall pay for reparation, + Nor will her landlord ever raise the rent, + Or turn her out of doors for non-payment; + From chimney money, too, this call is free, + To such a house, who would not tenant be. + +In "Chronicles of the Tombs," by Thomas Joseph Pettigrew, published in +1857, it is stated respecting the foregoing epitaph: "Smoke money or +chimney money is now collected at Battle, in Sussex, each householder +paying one penny to the Lord of the Manor. It is also levied upon the +inhabitants of the New Forest, in Hants, for the right of cutting peat and +turf for fuel. And from 'Audley's Companion to the Almanac,' page 76, we +learn that 'anciently, even in England, Whitsun farthings, or smoke +farthings, were a composition for offerings made in the Whitsun week, by +every man who occupied a house with a chimney, to the cathedral of the +diocese in which he lived.' The late Mr. E. B. Price has observed, in +_Notes and Queries_ (Vol. ii., p. 379), that there is a church at +Northampton, upon which is an inscription recording that the expense of +repairing it was defrayed by a grant of chimney money for, I believe, +seven years, temp. Charles II." + +[Illustration: SIGN OF THE BOAR'S HEAD.] + +In bygone times the "Boar's Head" was a common tavern sign, and this is +not surprising for the animal figures in English history, poetry, romance +and popular pastimes. The most famous inn bearing the title of the "Boar's +Head" was that in Eastcheap, London. The earliest mention of this tavern +occurs in the testament of William Warden in the days of Richard II., who +gave "all that tenement called the Boar's Head in Eastcheap to a college +of priests, or chaplain, founded by Sir William Walworth, the Lord Mayor, +in the adjoining church of St. Michael, Crooked Lane." It was here that +Prince Hal and "honest Jack Falstaff" played their pranks. At the door of +the house until the Great Fire were carved figures of the two worthies. In +the works of Goldsmith will be found a charming chapter called +"Reflections in the Boar's Head Tavern, Eastcheap"; anyone interested in +this old place should not fail to read it. In his pleasant day-dreams he +forgets the important fact that the original house perished in the Great +Fire. In the Guildhall Library is preserved the stone sign from the old +house, which was pulled down in 1831 to make way for the streets leading +to the new London Bridge. We give a picture of this old-time sign on the +opposite page. + +A famous waiter of this tavern was buried in the graveyard of St. +Michael's Church, hard by, and a monument of Purbeck stone was placed to +his memory bearing an interesting inscription. We give a picture of the +gravestone, which has been removed to the yard of St. Magnus the Martyr. + +[Illustration: PRESTON'S TOMBSTONE AT ST. MAGNUS THE MARTYR.] + +The next example from Abesford, on an exciseman, is entitled to a place +among Bacchanalian epitaphs:-- + + No supervisor's check he fears-- + Now no commissioner obeys; + He's free from cares, entreaties, tears, + And all the heavenly oil surveys. + +In the churchyard of North Wingfield, Derbyshire, a gravestone bears the +following inscription: + + In memory of THOMAS, son of John and Mary Clay, who departed this life + December 16th, 1724, in the 40th year of his age. + + What though no mournful kindred stand + Around the solemn bier, + No parents wring the trembling hand, + Or drop the silent tear. + + No costly oak adorned with art + My weary limbs inclose; + No friends impart a winding sheet + To deck my last repose. + +The cause of the foregoing curious epitaph is thus explained. Thomas Clay +was a man of intemperate habits, and at the time of his death was indebted +to the village innkeeper, named Adlington, to the amount of twenty pounds. +The publican resolved to seize the body; but the parents of the deceased +carefully kept the door locked until the day appointed for the funeral. As +soon as the door was opened, Adlington rushed into the house, seized the +corpse, and placed it on a form in the open street in front of the +residence of the parents of the departed. Clay's friends refused to +discharge the publican's account. After the body had been exposed for +several days, Adlington committed it to the ground in a _bacon chest_. + +We conclude this class of epitaphs with the following from Winchester +Cathedral yard:-- + + + In memory of + THOMAS THETCHER, + a Grenadier in the North Regiment of Hants Militia, + who died of a violent fever contracted by drinking small + beer when hot + the 12th of May, 1764, aged 26 years. + In grateful remembrance of whose universal goodwill + towards his comrades this stone is placed here at their expense, as + a small testimony of their regard and concern. + + Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier, + Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer; + Soldiers, be wise from his untimely fall, + And when ye're hot drink strong, or none at all. + + This memorial, being decayed, was restored by the officers of the + garrison, A.D. 1781:-- + + An honest soldier never is forgot, + Whether he die by musket or by pot. + + This stone was placed by the North Hants Militia, when disembodied at + Winchester, on 26th April, 1802, in consequence of the original stone + being destroyed. + + +[Illustration: THETCHER'S TOMBSTONE, WINCHESTER. + +_From a Photo by F. A. Grant._] + + + + +Epitaphs on Parish Clerks and Sextons. + + +Not a few of our old parish clerks and sextons were eccentric characters, +and it is not therefore surprising that their epitaphs are amongst the +most curious of the many strange examples to be found in the quiet +resting-places of the departed. + +In the churchyard of Crayford is a gravestone bearing the following +inscription:-- + + Here lieth the body + of + PETER ISNELL, + Thirty years clerk of this Parish. + He lived respected as a pious and mirthful man, and died on his + way to church to assist at a wedding, + On the 31st day of March, 1811, + Aged 70 years. + + The inhabitants of Crayford have raised this stone to his cheerful + memory, and as a tribute to his long and faithful services. + + The life of this clerk, just three score and ten, + Nearly half of which time he had sung out "Amen;" + In youth he was married, like other young men, + But his wife died one day, so he chanted "Amen." + A second he took, she departed--what then? + He married and buried a third with "Amen." + Thus his joys and his sorrows were treble, but then + His voice was deep bass, as he sung out "Amen." + On the horn he could blow as well as most men; + So his horn was exalted to blowing "Amen." + But he lost all his wind after three score and ten, + And here, with three wives, he awaits till again + The trumpet shall rouse him to sing out "Amen." + +In addition to being parish clerk, Frank Raw, of Selby, Yorkshire, was a +gravestone cutter, for we are told:-- + + Here lies the body of poor FRANK RAW, + Parish clerk and gravestone cutter, + And this is writ to let you know + What Frank for others used to do, + Is now for Frank done by another. + +The next epitaph, placed to the memory of a parish clerk and +bellows-maker, was formerly in the old church of All Saints', +Newcastle-on-Tyne:-- + + Here lies ROBERT WALLAS, + The King of Good Fellows, + Clerk of All-Hallows, + And maker of bellows. + +On a slate headstone, near the south porch of Bingham Church, +Nottinghamshire, is inscribed:-- + + Beneath this stone lies THOMAS HART, + Years fifty-eight he took the part + Of Parish Clerk: few did excel. + Correct he read and sung so well; + His words distinct, his voice so clear, + Till eighteen hundred and fiftieth year. + Death cut the brittle thread, and then + A period put to his Amen. + At eighty-two his breath resigned, + To meet the fate of all mankind; + The third of May his soul took flight + To mansions of eternal light. + The bell for him with awful tone + His body summoned to the tomb. + Oh! may his sins be all forgiv'n + And Christ receive him into heav'n. + +From the churchyard of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, we have a curious epitaph to the +memory of Robert Smith, who died in 1782, aged 82 years:-- + + Fifty-five years it was, and something more, + Clerk of this parish he the office bore, + And in that space, 'tis awful to declare, + Two generations buried by him were! + +In a note by Mr. Llewellyn Jewitt, F.S.A., we are told that with the +clerkship of Bakewell Church, the "vocal powers" of its holders appear to +have been to some extent hereditary, if we may judge by the inscriptions +recording the deaths and the abilities of two members of the family of +Roe, which are found on gravestones in the churchyard there. The first of +these, recording the death of Samuel Roe, is as under:-- + + To + The memory of + SAMUEL ROE, + Clerk + Of the Parish Church of Bakewell, + Which office + He filled thirty-five years + With credit to himself + And satisfaction to the Inhabitants. + His natural powers of voice, + In clearness, strength, and sweetness + Were altogether unequalled. + He died October 31st, 1792, + Aged 70 years. + + | died | aged + SARAH his third wife | 1811 | 77 + CHARLES their son | 1810 | 52 + +He had three wives, Millicent, who died in 1745, aged 22; Dorothy, who +died 1754, aged 28; and Sarah, who survived him and died in 1811, at the +age of 77. A gravestone records the death of his first two wives as +follows, and the third is commemorated in the above inscription. + + MILLICENT, + Wife of Saml Roe, + She died Sepr 16th, 1745, aged 22. + DOROTHY, + Wife of Saml Roe, + She died Novr 13th, 1754, aged 28. + +Respecting the above-mentioned Samuel Roe, a contributor to the +_Gentleman's Magazine_ wrote, on February 13th, 1794:-- + +"Mr. Urban, + +"It was with much concern that I read the epitaph upon Mr. Roe, in your +last volume, p. 1192. Upon a little tour which I made in Derbyshire, in +1789, I met with that worthy and very intelligent man at Bakewell, and, in +the course of my antiquarian researches there, derived no inconsiderable +assistance from his zeal and civility. If he did not possess the learning +of his namesake, your old and valuable correspondent, I will venture to +declare that he was not less influenced by a love and veneration for +antiquity, many proofs of which he had given by his care and attention to +the monuments in the church, which were committed to his charge; for he +united the characters of sexton, clerk, singing-master, will-maker, and +school-master. Finding that I was quite alone, he requested permission to +wait upon me at the inn in the evening, urging, as a reason for this +request, that he must be exceedingly gratified by the conversation of a +gentleman who could read the characters upon the monument of Vernon, the +founder of Haddon House, a treat he had not met with for many years. +After a very pleasant gossip we parted, but not till my honest friend had, +after some apparent struggle, begged of me to indulge him with my name." + +To his careful attention is to be attributed the preservation of the +curious Vernon and other monuments in the church, over which, in some +instances, he placed wooden framework to keep off the rough hands and +rougher knives of the boys and young men of the congregation. He also +watched with special care over the Wendesley tomb, and even took careful +rubbings of the inscriptions. + +While speaking of this Mr. Roe, it may be well to put the readers of this +work in possession of an interesting fact in connection with the name of +Roe, or Row. The writer above, in his letter to Mr. Urban, says, "If he +did not possess the learning of his namesake, your old and valued +correspondent," etc. By this he means "T. Row," whose contributions to the +_Gent.'s Mag._ were very numerous and interesting. The writer under this +signature was the Rev. Samuel Pegge, rector of Whittington, and the +letters forming this pseudonym were the initials of the words, T[he] +R[ector] O[f] W[hittington]. + +Philip Roe, who succeeded his father (Samuel Roe) as parish clerk of +Bakewell, was his son by his third wife. He was born in 1763, and +succeeded his father in full parochial honours in 1792, having, we +believe, for some time previously acted as his deputy. He died in 1815, +aged 52 years, and was buried with the other members of the family. The +following curious inscription appears on his gravestone:-- + + Erected + In remembrance of + PHILIP ROE + who died 12th September, 1815 + Aged 52 years. + + The vocal Powers here let us mark + Of Philip our late Parish Clerk + In Church none ever heard a Layman + With a clearer Voice say "Amen!" + Who now with Hallelujahs Sound + Like him can make the roofs rebound? + The Choir lament his Choral Tones + The Town--so soon Here lie his Bones. + "Sleep undisturb'd within thy peaceful shrine + Till Angels wake thee with such notes as thine." + + Also of SARAH his wife + who departed this life on the + 24th of January 1817 + aged 51 years. + +Cuthbert Bede, B.A., says, "As a boy I often attended the service at +Belbroughton Church, Worcestershire, where the parish clerk was Mr. +Osborne, tailor. His family had there been parish clerks and tailors since +the time of Henry the Eighth, and were lineally descended from William +FitzOsborne, who, in the twelfth century, had been deprived by Ralph +FitzHerbert of his right to the manor of Bellem, in the parish of +Belbroughton. Often have I stood in the picturesque churchyard of +Wolverley, Worcestershire, by the grave of its old parish clerk, whom I +well remember, old Thomas Worrall, the inscription on whose monument is as +follows:-- + + + Sacred to the Memory of + THOMAS WORRALL, + Parish Clerk of Wolverley for a period of forty-seven years. + Died A.D. 1854, February 23rd. + Aged 76 years. + + He served with faithfulness in humble sphere, + As one who could his talent well employ. + Hope that when Christ his Lord shall re-appear, + He may be bidden to His Master's joy. + + This tombstone was erected to the memory of the deceased by a few of + the parishioners in testimony of his worth. + + April, 1855. Charles R. Somers Cocks, vicar. + +It may be noted of this worthy parish clerk that, with the exception of a +week or two before his death, he was never once absent from his Sunday +and week-day duties in the forty-seven years during which he held office. +He succeeded his father, James Worrall, who died in 1806, aged +seventy-nine, after being parish clerk of Wolverley for thirty years. His +tombstone, near to that of his son, was erected 'to record his worth both +in his public and private character, and as a mark of personal +esteem--h.l.F.H.&W.C.p.c.' I am told that these initials stand for F. +Hurtle and the Rev. William Callow, and that the latter was the author of +the following lines inscribed on the monument, which are well worth +quoting:-- + + If courtly bards adorn each statesman's bust, + And strew their laurels o'er each warrior's dust + Alike immortalise, as good and great, + Him who enslaved as him who saved the state, + Surely the muse (a rustic minstrel) may + Drop one wild flower upon a poor man's clay; + This artless tribute to his mem'ry give + Whose life was such as heroes seldom live. + In worldly knowledge, poor indeed his store-- + He knew the village and he scarce knew more. + The worth of heavenly truth he justly knew-- + In faith a Christian, and in practice too. + Yes, here lies one, excel him ye who can; + Go! imitate the virtues of that man!" + +A memorial record on the church of Holy Trinity, Hull, is as follows:-- + + In memory of JOHN STONE + Parish Clerk 41 years + Excellent in his way + Buried here 26 May 1727 + Aged 78. + +First amongst notable sextons is the name of Old Scarlett, who died July +2, 1591, at the good old age of ninety-eight, and occupied for a long time +the position of sexton of Peterborough Cathedral. He buried two +generations of his fellow-creatures. A portrait of him, placed at the west +end of that noble church, has perpetuated his fame, and caused him to be +introduced in effigy in various publications. Says a writer in the "Book +of Days": "And what a lively effigy--short, stout, hardy, and +self-complacent, perfectly satisfied, and perhaps even proud, of his +profession, and content to be exhibited with all its insignia about him! +Two queens had passed through his hands into that bed which gives a +lasting rest to queens and to peasants alike. An officer of Death, who had +so long defied his principal, could not but have made some impression on +the minds of bishop, dean, prebends, and other magnates of the Cathedral, +and hence, as we may suppose, the erection of this lively portraiture of +the old man, which is believed to have been only once renewed since it +was first put up. Dr. Dibdin, who last copied it, tells us that 'Old +Scarlett's jacket and trunkhose are of a brownish red, his stockings blue, +his shoes black, tied with blue ribbons, and the soles of his feet red. +The cap upon his head is red, and so also is the ground of the coat +armour.'" + +[Illustration: OLD SCARLETT, THE PETERBOROUGH SEXTON.] + +The following lines below his portrait are characteristic of his age:-- + + You see OLD SCARLETT'S picture stand on hie; + But at your feet here doth his body lye. + His gravestone doth his age and death-time shew, + His office by heis token[s] you may know. + Second to none for strength and sturdy lymm, + A scare-babe mighty voice, with visage grim; + He had inter'd two queenes within this place, + And this townes householders in his life's space + Twice over; but at length his own time came + What he for others did, for him the same + Was done: no doubt his soule doth live for aye, + In heaven, though his body clad in clay. + +The first of the queens interred by Scarlett was Catherine, the divorced +wife of Henry VIII., who died in 1535, at Kimbolton Castle, in +Huntingdonshire. The second was Mary, Queen of Scots, who was beheaded at +Fotheringay in 1587, and first interred here, though subsequently +transported to Westminster Abbey. + +Our next example is from Bingley, Yorkshire:-- + + In memory of HEZEKIAH BRIGGS, who died August 5th, 1844, in + the 80th year of his age. He was sexton at this church + 43 years, and interred upwards of 7000 corpses. + +[Here the names of his wife and several children are given.] + + Here lies an old ringer, beneath the cold clay, + Who has rung many peals both for serious and gay; + Through Grandsire and Trebles with ease he could range, + Till death called a Bob, which brought round the last change. + + For all the village came to him + When they had need to call; + His counsel free to all was given, + For he was kind to all. + + Ring on, ring on, sweet Sabbath bell, + Still kind to me thy matins swell, + And when from earthly things I part, + Sigh o'er my grave, and lull my heart. + +An upright stone in the burial-ground at Hartwith Chapel, in Nidderdale, +Yorkshire, bears the following inscription:-- + + In memory of WILLIAM DARNBROUGH, who for the last forty + years of his life was sexton of this chapel. He died + October 3rd, 1846, in the one hundredth year + of his age. + + "Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried + in a good old age."--Genesis XV., 15. + + The graves around for many a year + Were dug by him who slumbers here,-- + Till worn with age, he dropped his spade, + And in the dust his bones were laid. + + As he now, mouldering, shares the doom + Of those he buried in the tomb; + So shall he, too, with them arise, + To share the judgment of the skies. + +An examination of Pateley Bridge Church registers proves that Darnbrough +was one hundred and two years of age. + +An epitaph from Saddleworth, Yorkshire, tells us:-- + + Here was interred the body of JOHN BROADBENT, Sexton, who departed + this life, August 3rd, 1769, in the 73rd year of his age. + + Forty-eight years, strange to tell, + He bore the bier and toll'd the bell, + And faithfully discharged his trust, + In "earth to earth" and "dust to dust." + Cease to lament, + His life is spent, + The grave is still his element; + His old friend Death knew 'twas his sphere, + So kindly laid the sexton here. + +At Rothwell, near Leeds, an old sexton is buried in the church porch. A +monumental inscription runs thus:-- + + In memory of THOMAS FLOCKTON, Sexton 59 years, buried + 23rd day of February, 1783, aged 78 years. + + Here lies within this porch so calm, + Old Thomas. Pray sound his knell, + Who thought no song was like a psalm-- + No music like a bell. + +At Darlington, there is a Latin epitaph over the remains of Richard +Preston, which has been freely translated as follows:-- + + Under this marble are depos'd + Poor PRESTON'S sad remains. + Alas! too true for light-rob'd jest + To sing in playful strains. + + Ye dread possessors of the grave, + Who feed on others' woe, + Abstain from Richard's small remains, + And grateful pity shew; + + For many a weighty corpse he gave + To you with liberal hand; + Then sure his little body may + Some small respect command. + +The gravestone bears the date of 1765. + +Further examples might be included, but we have given sufficient to show +the varied and curious epitaphs placed to the memory of parish clerks and +sextons. + + + + +Punning Epitaphs. + + +Puns in epitaphs have been very common, and may be found in Greek and +Latin, and still more plentifully in our English compositions. In the +French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and other languages, examples +occur. Empedocles wrote an epitaph containing the paronomasia, or pun, on +a physician named Pausanias, and it has by Merivale been happily +translated:-- + + PAUSANIAS--not so nam'd without a cause, + As one who oft has giv'n to pain a pause, + Blest son of AEsculapius, good and wise, + Here, in his native Gela, buried lies; + Who many a wretch once rescu'd by his charms + From dark Persephone's constraining arms. + +In Holy Trinity Church, Hull, is an example of a punning epitaph. It is on +a slab in the floor of the north aisle of the nave, to the memory of "The +Worshipful Joseph Field, twice Mayor of this town, and Merchant +Adventurer." He died in 1627, aged 63 years:-- + + Here is a Field sown, that at length must sprout, + And 'gainst the ripening harvest's time break out, + When to that Husband it a crop shall yield + Who first did dress and till this new-sown Field; + Yet ere this Field you see this crop can give, + The seed first dies, that it again may live. + _Sit Deus amicus, + Sanctis, vel in Sepulchris spes est._ + +On Bishop Theophilus Field, in Hereford Cathedral, ob. 1636, is another +specimen:-- + + The Sun that light unto three churches gave + Is set; this Field is buried in a grave. + This Sun shall rise, this Field renew his flowers, + This sweetness breathe for ages, not for hours. + +He was successively Bishop of Llandaff, St. Davids, and Hereford. + +The following rather singular epitaph, with a play upon the name, occurs +in the chancel of Checkley Church, Staffordshire:-- + + To the Memory of the Reverend JAMES WHITEHALL, Rector of this place + twenty and five years, who departed this life the second daie of + March, 1644. + + White was his name, and whiter than this stone. + In hope of joyfole resurrection + Here lies that orthodox, that grave divine, + In wisdom trve, vertve did soe clearly shine; + One that could live and die as he hath done + Suffer'd not death but a translation. + Bvt ovt of charitie I'll speake no more, + Lest his friends pine with sighs, with teares the poor. + +From Hornsea Church we have the epitaph of Will Day, gentleman; he lived +thirty-four years, died May 22nd, 1616:-- + + If that man's life be likened to a day, + One here interr'd in youth did lose a day, + By death, and yet no loss to him at all, + For he a threefold day gain'd by his fall; + One day of rest is bliss celestial. + Two days on earth by gifts terrestryall-- + Three pounds at Christmas, three at Easter Day, + Given to the poure until the world's last day, + This was no cause to heaven; but, consequent, + Who thither will, must tread the steps he went. + For why? Faith, Hope, and Christian Charity, + Perfect the house framed for eternity. + +On the east wall of the chancel of Kettlethorpe Church, co. Lincoln, is a +tablet to the memory of "Johannes Becke, quondam Rector istius ecclesiae," +who died 1597, with the following lines in old English characters:-- + + I am a BECKE, or river as you know, + And wat'rd here ye church, ye schole, ye pore, + While God did make my springes here for to flow: + But now my fountain stopt, it runs no more; + From Church and schole mi life ys now bereft, + But no ye pore four poundes I yearly left. + +We may add that the stream of his charity still flows, and is yearly +distributed amongst the poor of Kettlethorpe. + +Bishop Sanderson, in his "Survey of Lincoln Cathedral," gives the +following epitaph on Dr. William Cole, Dean of Lincoln, who died in 1600. +The upper part of the stone, with Dr. Cole's arms, is, or was lately, in +the Cathedral, but the epitaph has been lost:-- + + Reader, behold the pious pattern here + Of true devotion and of holy fear. + He sought God's glory and the churches good. + Idle idol worship he withstood. + Yet dyed in peace, whose body here doth lie + In expectation of eternity. + And when the latter trump of heaven shall blow, + Cole, now rak'd up in ashes, then shall glow. + +Here is another from Lincoln Cathedral, on Dr. Otwell Hill:-- + + 'Tis OTWELL HILL, a holy Hill, + And truly, sooth to say, + Upon this HILL be praised still + The Lord both night and day. + Upon this Hill, this HILL did cry + Aloud the scripture letter, + And strove your wicked villains by + Good conduct to make better. + And now this HILL, tho' under stones, + Has the Lord's Hill to lie on; + For Lincoln Hill has got his bones, + His soul the Hill of Zion. + +The _Guardian_, for 3rd Dec., 1873, gives the following epitaph as being +in Lillington Church, Dorset, on the grave of a man named Cole, who died +in 1669:-- + + Reader, you have within this grave + A Cole rak'd up in dust. + His courteous Fate saw it was Late, + And that to Bed he must. + Soe all was swept up to be Kept + Alive until the day + The Trump shall blow it up and shew + The Cole but sleeping lay. + Then do not doubt the Coles not out + Though it in ashes lyes, + That little sparke now in the Darke + Will like the Phoenyx rise. + +Our next example was inscribed in Peterborough Cathedral, to the memory of +Sir Richard Worme, ob. 1589:-- + + Does Worm eat Worme? Knight Worme this truth confirms, + For here, with worms, lies Worme, a dish for worms. + Does worm eat Worme? sure Worme will this deny, + For Worme with worms, a dish for worms don't lie. + 'Tis so, and 'tis not so, for free from worms + 'Tis certain Worme is blest without his worms. + +On a person named Cave, at Barrow-on-Soar, Leicestershire, we have the +following epitaph:-- + + Here, in this Grave, there lies a Cave. + We call a Cave a Grave: + If Cave be Grave, and Grave be Cave, + Then, reader, judge, I crave. + Whether doth Cave here lie in Grave, + Or Grave here lie in Cave; + If Grave in Cave here buried lie, + Then Grave, where is thy victory? + Go reader, and report, here lies a Cave, + Who conquers Death, and buries his own Grave. + +In Bletchley, ob. 1615, on Mrs. Rose Sparke:-- + + + Sixty-eight years a fragrant Rose she lasted, + Noe vile reproach her virtues ever blasted; + Her autumn past expects a glorious springe, + A second better life more flourishing. + + Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a Rose.--Eccles. + xxxix., 13. + +From several punning epitaphs on the name of Rose we give one more +specimen. It is from Tawton Church, ob. 1652, on Rose Dart:-- + + A Rose springing Branch no sooner bloom'd, + By Death's impartial Dart lyes here entombed. + Tho' wither'd be the Bud, the stock relyes + On Christ, both sure by Faith and Hope to rise. + +In Barnstaple Church, ob. 1627, on Grace Medford, is an epitaph as +follows:-- + + Scarce seven years old this Grace in glory ends, + Nature condemns, but Grace the change commends; + For Gracious children, tho' they die at seven, + Are heirs-apparent to the Court of Heaven. + Then grudge not nature at so short a Race; + Tho' short, yet sweet, for surely 'twas God's Grace. + +On a punster the following was written:-- + + Beneath the gravel and these stones, + Lies poor JACK TIFFEY'S skin and bones; + His flesh I oft have heard him say, + He hoped in time would make good hay; + Quoth I, "How can that come to pass?" + And he replied, "All flesh is grass!" + + + + +Manxland Epitaphs. + + +Several of the churchyards in the Isle of Man contain monuments of more +than local interest, and will repay a careful inspection. The ancient +graveyard of Kirk Braddan, surrounded with beautiful trees, and situated +in a secluded spot not far distant from the busy town of Douglas, is the +most celebrated. It not only contains numerous modern tombstones of +unusual interest, but some Runic monuments of importance which have given +rise to some strange stories, and suggested a theme for the poet and a +study for the antiquary. + +An old time-worn stone near the chief door of the church attracts much +attention. It states:-- + + Here underlyeth ye body of ye Reverend Mr. PATRICK THOMPSON, minister + of God's word forty years, at present Vicar of Kirk Braddan. Aged 67 + anno 1678. Deceased ye 24th of April 1689. + +It will be seen from the foregoing that the stone was prepared eleven +years prior to the death of the vicar. + +Some of the gravestones bear records of longevity, the most important +being the following:-- + + In memory of PATRICK M'CARREY of Douglas, who departed this life the + 9th December 1851, aged 102 years; also in memory of JANE M'CARREY, + alias Leech, wife of the above-named PATRICK M'CARREY, who departed + this life the 19th December 1851, aged 100 years. They lived together + upwards of 70 years. + +It will be noticed that although the pair had lived together as man and +wife for three score years and ten, the widow only lived ten days after +the death of her husband. On many of the tombstones the maiden name of the +wife is given, and preceding it is the word _alias_. + +Major Wilks, on his retirement from the Governorship of St. Helena, where +he had the charge of the Emperor Napoleon, settled in the Isle of Man. He +brought with him a black servant, who died a few years after leaving his +native country. He was buried in this graveyard, and over his remains +Major Wilks erected a stone bearing an inscription as follows:-- + + SAMUEL ALLEY, + An African, and native of St. Helena, + Died 28th May 1822, aged 18 years, + Born a slave, and exposed + In early life to the corrupt influence + Of that unhappy state, he became + A model of Truth and Probity, for + The more fortunate of any country + Or condition. + This stone is erected by a grateful + Master to the memory of a faithful + Servant, who repaid the boon of + Liberty with unbounded attachment. + +Governor Wilks was a gentleman of high character, personable and +courtier-like manners. He was a writer of some ability, and was the author +of a "History of the Mahratta War," which Napoleon read and admired. The +ex-Emperor greatly esteemed the Governor, and his departure from St. +Helena, where it is said that he made many wise and lasting improvements, +was much regretted. Shortly prior to leaving the island, Governor Wilks +introduced his daughter to Napoleon, who, it is reported, looked at her +with a pleasing smile and said, "I have long heard from various quarters +of the superior elegance and beauty of Miss Wilks; but now I am convinced +from my own eyes that report has scarcely done her sufficient justice," +and concluded by most politely bowing to Miss Wilks. In course of +conversation he said, "You will be very glad to leave this island." She +replied "Oh no, sire; I am very sorry to go away." "Oh! Mademoiselle, I +wish I could change places with you." He presented her with a bracelet in +memory of her visit. She subsequently became Lady Buchan, and died in May, +1888, at the advanced age of ninety-one years; and at the time of her +death it was stated that "she was one of the last surviving persons who +had a distinct recollection of the first Napoleon." + +There is a curious bit of lore connected with the estate of Governor Wilks +in the Isle of Man; it is situated not far from Kirk Braddan, and called +Kirby, a name corrupted from two Manx words, "Cur Bee," meaning "Give +food." In the olden days the owner of the estate had to provide bed and +board to the Bishop on his journey to and from England, and from this +circumstance is derived its name. + +In the churchyard rest the mortal remains of the brother of Mrs. William +Wordsworth, Captain Henry Hutchinson. The poet Wordsworth wrote the +epitaph which appears on his tombstone. The inscription can only be read +with great difficulty, and in a few years will be effaced by the effects +of the weather on the tender stone. The following is a literal copy of the +epitaph, and perhaps the only one which has been printed:-- + + In memory of + HENRY HUTCHINSON, + born at Penrith, Cumberland, + 14th June 1769. + At an early age he entered + upon a Seafaring life in the + course of which, being of a + thoughtful mind, he attained + great skill, and knowledge + of his Profession, and endured + in all climates severe + hardships with exemplary + courage & fortitude. The + latter part of his life, was + passed with a beloved Sister + upon this Island. He died at + Douglas the 23rd of May 1839, + much lamented by his Kindred + & Friends who have erected + this stone to testify their + sense of his mild virtues + & humble piety. + +Hutchinson wrote poetry of much merit, and one of his sonnets is included +in the works of Wordsworth. It is autobiographical in its character, and +is as follows:-- + + From early youth I ploughed the restless Main, + My mind as restless and as apt to change; + Through every clime and ocean did I range, + In hope at length a competence to gain; + For poor to Sea I went, and poor I still remain. + Year after year I strove, but strove in vain, + And hardships manifold did I endure, + For Fortune on me never deigned to smile; + Yet I at last a resting place have found, + With just enough life's comforts to procure, + In a snug Cove on this our favoured Isle, + A peaceful spot where Nature's gifts abound; + Then sure I have no reason to complain, + Though poor to Sea I went, and poor I still remain. + +Inside the church there is another monument of some literary interest, +placed to the memory of the Rev. John Kelly, LL.D., J.P., etc., Rector of +Copford, near Colchester. He was the compiler of a polyglot dictionary in +the Manx, Gaelic, and Erse languages. The work has quite a romantic +history. We are told, "whilst conveying the manuscript, on which he had +spent much time and care, to England, he was wrecked between Ramsey and +Whitehaven, but, with great fortitude, he supported himself on the sea, +and held the manuscript at arm's-length above the waters for the space of +five hours." Several other interesting tablets are inside the church. + +There is a striking monument in the churchyard to the memory of Lord Henry +Murray, fifth son of the Duke of Atholl. The inscription states--"This +sincere testimonial of affection and deep regret for their commander and +their friend is erected by the officers of the regiment." He was the +Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the Royal Manx Fencibles, and died in +1805, at the age of thirty-eight years. + +In the Kirk Braddan Cemetery, situated not far from the old churchyard, is +buried John Martin, the celebrated artist, and brother of the notorious +Jonathan Martin, who set fire to York Minster, and the eccentric William +Martin, the anti-Newtonian philosopher. Martin painted some remarkable +pictures, and was a man of genius. He was one of the most popular artists +of his day, although he was never a member of the Royal Academy. According +to the local guide-books, "his latest productions,--'The Great Day of His +Wrath,' 'The Day of Judgment,' and 'The Plains of Heaven,'--owe much of +their atmospheric grandeur and scenery to the residence of the painter on +this island." A marble slab on a large square vault bears the following +inscription:-- + + In memory of JOHN MARTIN, historical painter, born at Haydon Bridge, + Northumberland, 19th July 1789, died at Douglas, Isle of Man, 17th + February 1854. + +Martin was a man greatly esteemed, and did much to promote intercourse +between men and women devoted to literature, science, and art. Mr. Samuel +Carter Hall, in his pleasant "Memoirs of Great Men," supplies a genial +sketch of this artist. "Martin, like so many other artists," says Mr. +Hall, "had a terrible wrestle with adversity on his way to fame. I +remember his telling me that once he 'owned' a shilling; it was needful to +hoard it, but, being very hungry, he entered a baker's shop to buy a penny +loaf. To his shame and dismay, he found the shilling was a bad one. 'So +long afterwards,' added the painter, then at the realisation of his hopes +and aims, 'when I had a shilling, I took care to get it changed into +penny-pieces.'" + +A gravestone in the churchyard of Santon Parish Church contains the +following curious inscription:-- + + Here, friend, is little Daniel's tomb-- + To Joseph's age he did arrive. + Sloth killing thousands in their bloom, + While labour kept poor Dan alive. + How strange, yet true, full seventy years + Was his wife happy in her tears! + + DANIEL TEAR died 9th December 1707, aged 110 years. + + + + +Epitaphs on Notable Persons. + + +We have under this heading some curious graveyard gleanings on remarkable +men and women. Our first is from a tombstone erected in the churchyard of +Spofforth, at the cost of Lord Dundas, telling the remarkable career of +John Metcalf, better known as "Blind Jack of Knaresborough":-- + + Here lies JOHN METCALF, one whose infant sight + Felt the dark pressure of an endless night; + Yet such the fervour of his dauntless mind, + His limbs full strung, his spirits unconfined, + That, long ere yet life's bolder years began, + The sightless efforts mark'd th' aspiring man; + Nor mark'd in vain--high deeds his manhood dared, + And commerce, travel, both his ardour shared. + 'Twas his a guide's unerring aid to lend-- + O'er trackless wastes to bid new roads extend; + And, when rebellion reared her giant size, + 'Twas his to burn with patriot enterprise; + For parting wife and babes, a pang to feel, + Then welcome danger for his country's weal. + Reader, like him, exert thy utmost talent given! + Reader, like him, adore the bounteous hand of Heaven. + +He died on the 26th of April, 1801, in the 93rd year of his age. + +A few jottings respecting Metcalf will probably be read with interest. At +the age of six years he lost his sight by an attack of small-pox. Three +years later he joined the boys in their bird-nesting exploits, and climbed +trees to share the plunder. When he had reached thirteen summers he was +taught music, and soon became a proficient performer; he also learned to +ride and swim, and was passionately fond of field-sports. At the age of +manhood it is said his mind possessed a self-dependence rarely enjoyed by +those who have the perfect use of their faculties; his body was well in +harmony with his mind, for when twenty-one years of age he was six feet +one and a half inches in height, strong and robust in proportion. At the +age of twenty-five, he was engaged as a musician at Harrogate. About this +time he was frequently employed during the dark nights as a guide over the +moors and wilds, then abundant in the neighbourhood of Knaresborough. He +was a lover of horse-racing, and often rode his own animals. His horses he +so tamed that when he called them by their respective names they came to +him, thus enabling him to find his own amongst any number and without +trouble. Particulars of the marriage of this individual read like a +romance. A Miss Benson, the daughter of an innkeeper, reciprocated the +affections of our hero; however, the suitor did not please the parents of +the "fair lady," and they selected a Mr. Dickinson as her future husband. +Metcalf, hearing that the object of his affection was to be married the +following day to the young man selected by her father, hastened to free +her by inducing the damsel to elope with him. Next day they were made man +and wife, to the great surprise of all who knew them, and to the +disappointment of the intended son-in-law. To all it was a matter of +wonder how a handsome woman as any in the country, the pride of the place, +could link her future with "Blind Jack," and, for his sake, reject the +many good offers made her. But the bride set the matter at rest by +declaring: "His actions are so singular, and his spirit so manly and +enterprising, that I could not help it." + +It is worthy of note that he was the first to set up, for the public +accommodation of visitors to Harrogate, a four-wheeled chaise and a +one-horse chair; these he kept for two seasons. He next bought horses and +went to the coast for fish, which he conveyed to Leeds and Manchester. In +1745, when the rebellion broke out in Scotland, he joined a regiment of +volunteers raised by Colonel Thornton, a patriotic gentleman, for the +defence of the House of Hanover. Metcalf shared with his comrades all the +dangers of the campaign. He was defeated at Falkirk, and victorious at +Culloden. He was the first to set up (in 1754) a stage-waggon between York +and Knaresborough, which he conducted himself twice a week in summer, and +once a week in winter. This employment he followed until he commenced +contracting for road-making. His first contract was for making three miles +of road between Minskip and Ferrensby. He afterwards erected bridges and +houses, and made hundreds of miles of roads in Yorkshire, Lancashire, +Cheshire, and Derbyshire. He was a dealer in timber and hay, of which he +measured and calculated the solid contents by a peculiar method of his +own. The hay he always measured with his arms, and, having learned the +height, he could tell the number of square yards in the stack. When he +went out, he always carried with him a stout staff some inches taller than +himself, which was of great service both in his travels and measurements. +In 1778 he lost his wife, after thirty-nine years of conjugal felicity, in +the sixty-first year of her age. She was interred at Stockport. Four +years later he left Lancashire, and settled at the pleasant rural village +of Spofforth, not far distant from the town of his nativity. With a +daughter, he resided on a small farm until he died, in 1801. At the time +of his decease, his descendants were four children, twenty grandchildren, +and ninety great-grandchildren. + +In "Yorkshire Longevity," compiled by Mr. William Grainge, of Harrogate, a +most painstaking writer on local history, will be found an interesting +account of Henry Jenkins, a celebrated Yorkshireman. It is stated: "In the +year 1743, a monument was erected, by subscription, in Bolton churchyard, +to the memory of Jenkins: it consists of a square base of freestone, four +feet four inches on each side, by four feet six inches in height, +surmounted by a pyramid eleven feet high. On the east side is inscribed:-- + + This monument was + erected by contribution, + in ye year 1743, to ye memory + of HENRY JENKINS. + +On the west side:-- + + HENRY JENKINS, + Aged 169. + +In the church on a mural tablet of black marble, is inscribed the +following epitaph, composed by Dr. Thomas Chapman, Master of Magdalen +College, Cambridge:-- + + Blush not, marble, + to rescue from oblivion + the memory of + HENRY JENKINS: + a person obscure in birth, + but of a life truly memorable; + for + he was enriched + with the goods of nature, + if not of fortune, + and happy + in the duration, + if not variety, + of his enjoyments; + and, + tho' the partial world + despised and disregarded + his low and humble state, + the equal eye of Providence + beheld, and blessed it + with a patriarch's health and length of days; + to teach mistaken man, + these blessings were entailed on temperance, + or, a life of labour and a mind at ease. + + He lived to the amazing age of 169; + was interred here, Dec. 6, (or 9,) 1670, + and had this justice done to his memory 1743. + +This inscription is a proof that learned men, and masters of colleges, are +not always exempt from the infirmity of writing nonsense. Passing over the +modest request to the _black marble_ not to blush, because, it may _feel_ +itself degraded by bearing the name of the plebeian Jenkins, when it ought +only to have been appropriated to kings and nobles, we find but +questionable philosophy in this inappropriate composition. + +The multitude of great events which took place during the lifetime of this +man are truly wonderful and astonishing. He lived under the rule of nine +sovereigns of England--Henry VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, +Elizabeth, James I., Charles I., Oliver Cromwell, and Charles II. He was +born when the Roman Catholic religion was established by law. He saw the +dissolution of the monasteries, and the faith of the nation changed; +Popery established a second time by Queen Mary; Protestantism restored by +Elizabeth; the Civil War between Charles and the Parliament begun and +ended; Monarchy abolished; the young Republic of England, arbiter of the +destinies of Europe; and the restoration of Monarchy under the libertine +Charles II. During his time, England was invaded by the Scotch; a +Scottish King was slain, and a Scottish Queen beheaded in England; a King +of Spain and a King of Scotland were Kings in England; three Queens and +one King were beheaded in England in his days; and fire and plague alike +desolated London. His lifetime time appears like that of a nation, more +than an individual, so long was it extended and so crowded was it with +such great events. + +The foregoing many incidents remind us of the well-known Scottish epitaph +on Margery Scott, who died February 26th, 1728, at Dunkeld, at the extreme +age of one hundred years. According to Chambers's "Domestic Annals of +Scotland," the following epitaph was composed for her by Alexander +Pennecuik, but never inscribed, and it has been preserved by the reverend +statist of the parish, as a whimsical statement of historical facts +comprehended within the life of an individual:-- + + Stop, passenger, until my life you read, + The living may get knowledge from the dead. + Five times five years I led a virgin life, + Five times five years I was a virtuous wife; + Ten times five years I lived a widow chaste, + Now tired of this mortal life I rest. + Betwixt my cradle and my grave hath been + Eight mighty kings of Scotland and a queen. + Full twice five years the Commonwealth I saw, + Ten times the subjects rise against the law; + And, which is worse than any civil war, + A king arraigned before the subject's bar. + Swarms of sectarians, hot with hellish rage, + Cut off his royal head upon the stage. + Twice did I see old prelacy pulled down, + And twice the cloak did sink beneath the gown. + I saw the Stuart race thrust out; nay, more, + I saw our country sold for English ore; + Our numerous nobles, who have famous been, + Sunk to the lowly number of sixteen. + Such desolation in my days have been, + I have an end of all perfection seen! + +A footnote states: "The minister's version is here corrected from one of +the _Gentleman's Magazines_ for January, 1733; but both are incorrect, +there having been during 1728 and the one hundred preceding years no more +than six kings of Scotland." + +Rowland Deakin died in 1791, aged 95, and was buried in Astley churchyard, +near Shrewsbury. His epitaph is as follows:-- + + Many years I've seen, and + Many things I have known, + Five Kings, two Queens, + And a Usurper on the throne; + But now lie sleeping in the dust + As you, dear reader, shortly must. + +In Scott's "Tales of a Grandfather," there is an account of the Battle of +Lillyard's Edge, which was fought in 1545. The spot on which the battle +occurred is so called from an Amazonian Scottish woman, who is reported, +by tradition, to have distinguished herself in the fight. An inscription +which was placed on her tombstone was legible within the present century, +and is said to have run thus:-- + + Fair Maiden LILLYARD lies under this stane, + Little was her stature, but great was her fame; + Upon the English louns she laid mony thumps, + And when her legs were cutted off, she fought upon her stumps. + +The tradition says that a beautiful young lady, called Lillyard, followed +her lover from the little village of Maxton, and when she saw him fall in +battle, rushed herself into the heat of the fight, and was killed, after +slaying several of the English. + +In Bolton churchyard, Lancashire, is a gravestone of considerable +historical interest. It has been incorrectly printed in several books and +magazines, but we are able to give a literal copy drawn from a carefully +compiled "History of Bolton," by John D. Briscoe:-- + + JOHN OKEY, + + The servant of God, was borne in London, 1608, came into this toune in + 1629, married Mary, daughter of James Crompton, of Breightmet, 1635, + with whom he lived comfortably 20 yeares, & begot 4 sons and 6 + daughters. Since then he lived sole till the da of his death. In his + time were many great changes, & terrible alterations--18 yeares Civil + Wars in England, besides many dreadful sea fights--the crown or + command of England changed 8 times, Episcopacy laid aside 14 yeares; + London burnt by Papists, and more stately built againe; Germany wasted + 300 miles; 200,000 protestants murdered in Ireland, by the Papists; + this toune thrice stormed--once taken, & plundered. He went throw many + troubles and divers conditions, found rest, joy, & happines only in + holines--the faith, feare, and loue of God in Jesus Christ. He died + the 29 of Ap and lieth here buried, 1684. Come Lord Jesus, o come + quickly. Holiness is man's happines. + + [THE ARMS OF OKEY.] + +We gather from Mr. Briscoe's history that Okey was a woolcomber, and came +from London to superintend some works at Bolton, where he married the +niece of the proprietor, and died in affluence. + +Bradley, the "Yorkshire Giant," was buried in the Market Weighton Church, +and on a marble monument the following inscription appears:-- + + In memory of + WILLIAM BRADLEY, + (Of Market Weighton,) + Who died May 30th, 1820, + Aged 33 years. + He measured + Seven feet nine inches in Height, + and Weighed + twenty-seven stones. + +On exhibiting himself at Hull Fair, in 1815, he issued a hand-bill, and +the following is a copy of it:-- + + To be seen during the fair, at the house, No. 10, Queen Street, Mr. + Bradley, the most wonderful and surprising Yorkshire Giant, 7 feet 9 + inches high, weighs 27 stones; who has had the honour of being + introduced to their Majesties & Royal Family at Windsor, where he was + most graciously received. A more surprising instance of gigantic + stature has never been beheld, or exhibited in any other kingdom; + being proportionate in all respects, the sight of him never fails to + give universal gratification, & will fill the beholder's eyes with + wonder & astonishment. He is allowed by the greatest judges to surpass + all men ever yet seen. Admittance one shilling. + +In "Celebrities of the Yorkshire Wolds," by Frederick Ross, an interesting +sketch of Bradley is given. Mr. Ross states that he was a man of temperate +habits, and never drank anything stronger than water, milk, or tea, and +was a very moderate eater. + +In Hampsthwaite churchyard was interred a "Yorkshire Dwarf." Her +gravestone states:-- + + In memory of JANE RIDSDALE, daughter of George and Isabella Ridsdale, + of Hampsthwaite, who died at Swinton Hall, in the parish of Masham, on + the 2nd day of January, 1828, in the 59th year of her age. Being in + stature only 31-1/2 inches high. + + Blest be the hand divine which gently laid + My head at rest beneath the humble shade; + Then be the ties of friendship dear; + Let no rude hand disturb my body here. + +In the burial-ground of St. Martin's, Stamford, is a gravestone to +Lambert, a man of surprising corpulency:-- + + In remembrance of that prodigy in nature, + DANIEL LAMBERT, + a native of Leicester, + who was possessed of an excellent and convivial mind, and + in personal greatness had no competitor. + He measured three feet one inch round the leg, nine feet four + inches round the body, and weighed 52 stones 11 lbs. + (14 lb. to the stone). + He departed this life on the 21st of June, 1809, aged 39 years. + As a testimony of respect, this stone was erected by his + friends in Leicester. + +Respecting the burial of Lambert we gather from a sketch of his life the +following particulars: "His coffin, in which there was a great difficulty +to place him, was six feet four inches long, four feet four inches wide, +and two feet four inches deep; the immense substance of his legs made it +necessarily a square case. This coffin, which consisted of 112 superficial +feet of elm, was built on two axle-trees, and four cog-wheels. Upon these +his remains were rolled into his grave, which was in the new burial-ground +at the back of St. Martin's Church. A regular descent was made by sloping +it for some distance. It was found necessary to take down the window and +wall of the room in which he lay to allow of his being taken away." + +In St. Peter's churchyard, Isle of Thanet, a gravestone bears the +following inscription:-- + + In memory of Mr. RICHARD JOY called the + Kentish Samson + Died May 18th 1742 aged 67 + + Hercules Hero Famed for Strength + At last Lies here his Breadth and Length + See how the mighty man is fallen + To Death ye strong and weak are all one + And the same Judgment doth Befall + Goliath Great or David small. + +Joy was invited to Court to exhibit his remarkable feats of strength. In +1699 his portrait was published, and appended to it was an account of his +prodigious physical power. + +The next epitaph is from St. James's Cemetery, Liverpool:-- + + Reader pause. Deposited beneath are the remains of + SARAH BIFFIN, + + who was born without arms or hands, at Quantox Head, County of + Somerset, 25th of October, 1784, died at Liverpool, 2nd October, + 1850. Few have passed through the vale of life so much the child of + hapless fortune as the deceased: and yet possessor of mental + endowments of no ordinary kind. Gifted with singular talents as an + Artist, thousands have been gratified with the able productions of her + pencil! whilst versatile conversation and agreeable manners elicited + the admiration of all. This tribute to one so universally admired is + paid by those who were best acquainted with the character it so + briefly portrays. Do any inquire otherwise--the answer is supplied in + the solemn admonition of the Apostle-- + + Now no longer the subject of tears, + Her conflict and trials are o'er + In the presence of God she appears + + * * * * * + +Our correspondent, Mrs. Charlotte Jobling, from whom we received the +above, says: "The remainder is buried. It stands against the wall, and +does not appear to now mark the grave of Miss Biffin." Mr. Henry Morley, +in his "Memoirs of Bartholomew Fair," writing about the fair of 1799, +mentions Miss Biffin. "She was found," says Mr. Morley, "in the Fair, and +assisted by the Earl of Morton, who sat for his likeness to her, always +taking the unfinished picture away with him when he left, that he might +prove it to be all the work of her own shoulder. When it was done he laid +it before George III., in the year 1808; he obtained the King's favour +for Miss Biffin; and caused her to receive, at his own expense, further +instruction in her art from Mr. Craig. For the last twelve years of his +life he maintained a correspondence with her; and, after having enjoyed +favour from two King Georges, she received from William IV. a small +pension, with which, at the Earl's request, she retired from a life among +caravans. But fourteen years later, having been married in the interval, +she found it necessary to resume, as Mrs. Wright, late Miss Biffin, her +business as a skilful miniature painter, in one or two of our chief +provincial towns." + +The following on Butler, the author of "Hudibras," merits a place in our +pages. The first inscription is from St. Paul's, Covent Garden:-- + + BUTLER, the celebrated author of "Hudibras," was buried in this + church. Some of the inhabitants, understanding that so famous a man + was there buried, and regretting that neither stone nor inscription + recorded the event, raised a subscription for the purpose of erecting + something to his memory. Accordingly, an elegant tablet has been put + up in the portico of the church, bearing a medallion of that great + man, which was taken from his monument in Westminster Abbey. + +The following lines were contributed by Mr. O'Brien, and are engraved +beneath the medallion:-- + + A few plain men, to pomp and pride unknown, + O'er a poor bard have rais'd this humble stone, + Whose wants alone his genius could surpass, + Victim of zeal! the matchless "Hudibras." + What, tho' fair freedom suffer'd in his page, + Reader, forgive the author--for the age. + How few, alas! disdain to cringe and cant, + When 'tis the mode to play the sycophant, + But oh! let all be taught, from BUTLER'S fate, + Who hope to make their fortunes by the great; + That wit and pride are always dangerous things, + And little faith is due to courts or kings. + +The erection of the above monument was the occasion of this very good +epigram by Mr. S. Wesley:-- + + Whilst BUTLER (needy wretch!) was yet alive, + No gen'rous patron would a dinner give; + See him, when starv'd to death, and turn'd to dust, + Presented with a monumental bust! + The poet's fate is here in emblem shown, + He ask'd for bread, and he received a stone. + +It is worth remarking that the poet was starving, while his prince, +Charles II., always carried a "Hudibras" in his pocket. + +The inscription on his monument in Westminster Abbey is as follows:-- + + Sacred to the Memory of + SAMUEL BUTLER, + + Who was born at Strensham, in Worcestershire, 1612, and died at + London, 1680; a man of uncommon learning, wit, and probity: as + admirable for the product of his genius, as unhappy in the rewards of + them. His satire, exposing the hypocrisy and wickedness of the rebels, + is such an inimitable piece, that, as he was the first, he may be said + to be the last writer in his peculiar manner. That he, who, when + living, wanted almost everything, might not, after death, any longer + want so much as a tomb, John Barber, citizen of London, erected this + monument 1721. + +Here are a few particulars respecting an oddity, furnished by a +correspondent: "Died, at High Wycombe, Bucks, on the 24th May, 1837, Mr. +John Guy, aged 64. His remains were interred in Hughenden churchyard, near +Wycombe. On a marble slab, on the lid of his coffin, is the following +inscription:-- + + Here, without nail or shroud, doth lie + Or covered by a pall, JOHN GUY. + Born May 17th, 1773. + Died ---- 24th, 1837. + +On his gravestone these lines are inscribed:-- + + In coffin made without a nail, + Without a shroud his limbs to hide; + For what can pomp or show avail, + Or velvet pall, to swell the pride. + Here lies JOHN GUY beneath this sod, + Who lov'd his friends, and fear'd his God. + +This eccentric gentleman was possessed of considerable property, and was a +native of Gloucestershire. His grave and coffin were made under his +directions more than a twelvemonth before his death; the inscription on +the tablet on his coffin, and the lines placed upon his gravestone, were +his own composition. He gave all necessary orders for the conducting of +his funeral, and five shillings were wrapped in separate pieces of paper +for each of the bearers. The coffin was of singular beauty and neatness in +workmanship, and looked more like a piece of tasteful cabinet-work +intended for a drawing-room, than a receptacle for the dead." + +Near the great door of the Abbey of St. Peter, Gloucester, says Mr. Henry +Calvert Appleby, at the bottom of the body of the building, is a marble +monument to John Jones, dressed in the robes of an alderman, painted in +different colours. Underneath the effigy, on a tablet of black marble, are +the following words:-- + + JOHN JONES, alderman, thrice mayor of the city, burgess of the + Parliament at the time of the gunpowder treason; registrar to eight + several Bishops of this diocese. + +He died in the sixth year of the reign of King Charles I., on the first of +June, 1630. He gave orders for his monument to be raised in his lifetime. +When the workmen had fixed it up, he found fault with it, remarking that +the _nose was too red_. While they were altering it, he walked up and down +the body of the church. He then said that he had himself almost finished, +so he paid off the men, and died the next morning. + +The next epitaph from Newark, Nottinghamshire, furnishes a chapter of +local history:-- + + Sacred to the memory + Of HERCULES CLAY, Alderman of Newark, + Who died in the year of his Mayoralty, + Jan. 1, 1644. + On the 5th of March, 1643, + He and his family were preserved + By the Divine Providence + From the thunderbolt of a terrible cannon + Which had been levelled against his house + By the Besiegers, + And entirely destroyed the same. + Out of gratitude for this deliverance, + He has taken care + To perpetuate the remembrance thereof + By an alms to the poor and a sermon; + By this means + Raising to himself a Monument + More durable than Brass. + + The thund'ring Cannon sent forth from its mouth the devouring Flames + Against my Household Gods, and yours, O Newark. + The Ball, thus thrown, Involved the House in Ruin; + But by a Divine Admonition from Heaven I was saved, + Being thus delivered by a strength Greater than that of Hercules, + And having been drawn out of the deep Clay, + I now inhabit the stars on high. + Now, Rebel, direct thy unavailing Fires at Heaven, + Art thou afraid to fight against God--thou + Who hast been a Murderer of His People? + Thou durst not, Coward, scatter thy Flames + Whilst Charles is lord of earth and skies. + + Also of his beloved wife + MARY (by the gift of God) + Partaker of the same felicity. + + Wee too made one by his decree + That is but one in Trinity, + Did live as one till death came in + And made us two of one agen; + Death was much blamed for our divorce, + But striving how he might doe worse + By killing th' one as well as th' other, + He fairely brought us both togeather, + Our soules together where death dare not come, + Our bodyes lye interred beneath this tomb, + Wayting the resurrection of the just, + O knowe thyself (O man), thou art but dust.[2] + +It is stated that Charles II., in a gay moment, asked Rochester to write +his epitaph. Rochester immediately wrote:-- + + Here lies our mutton-eating king, + Whose word no man relied on; + Who never said a foolish thing, + Nor ever did a wise one. + +On which the King wrote the following comment:-- + + If death could speak, the king would say, + In justice to his crown, + His _acts_ they were the ministers's, + His words they were his own. + +Mr. Thomas Broadbent Trowsdale tells us: "In the fine old church of +Chepstow, Monmouthshire, nearly opposite the reading-desk, is a memorial +stone with the following curious acrostic inscription, in capital +letters:-- + + HERE SEPT. 9th, 1680, + WAS BURIED + A TRUE BORN ENGLISHMAN, + + Who, in Berkshire, was well known + To love his country's freedom 'bove his own: + But being immured full twenty years + Had time to write, as doth appears-- + + HIS EPITAPH. + + H ere or elsewhere (all's one to you or me) + E arth, Air, or Water gripes my ghostly dust, + N one knows how soon to be by fire set free; + R eader, if you an old try'd rule will trust, + Y ou'll gladly do and suffer what you must. + + M y time was spent in serving you and you, + A nd death's my pay, it seems, and welcome too; + R evenge destroying but itself, while I + T o birds of prey leave my old cage and fly; + E xamples preach to the eye--care then (mine says), + N ot how you end, but how you spend your days. + +"This singular epitaph points out the last resting-place of Henry Marten, +one of the judges who condemned King Charles I. to the scaffold. On the +Restoration, Marten was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment, Chepstow +Castle being selected as the place of his incarceration. There he died in +1680, in the twenty-eighth year of his captivity, and seventy-eighth of +his age. He was originally interred in the chancel of the church; but a +subsequent vicar of Chepstow, Chest by name, who carried his petty party +animosities even beyond the grave, had the dead man's dust removed, +averring that he would not allow the body of a regicide to lie so near the +altar. And so it was that Marten's memorial came to occupy its present +position in the passage leading from the nave to the north aisle. We are +told that one Mr. Downton, a son-in-law of this pusillanimous parson, +touched to the quick by his relative's harsh treatment of poor Marten's +inanimate remains, retorted by writing this satirical epitaph for the Rev. +Mr. Chest's tombstone:-- + + Here lies at rest, I do protest, + One CHEST within another! + The chest of wood was very good,-- + Who says so of the other? + +"Some doubt has been thrown on the probability of a man of Marten's +culture having written, as is implied in the inscription, the epitaph +which has a place on his memorial. + +"The regicide was a son of Sir Henry Marten, a favourite of the first +James, and by him appointed Principal Judge of the Admiralty and Dean of +Arches. Young Henry was himself a prominent person during the period of +the disastrous Civil War, and was elected Member of Parliament for +Berkshire in 1640. He was, in politics, a decided Republican, and threw in +his lot with the Roundhead followers of sturdy Oliver. When the tide of +popular favour turned in Charles II.'s direction, and Royalty was +reinstated, Marten and the rest of the regicides were brought to judgment +for signing the death warrant of their monarch. The consequence, in +Marten's case, was life-long imprisonment, as we have seen, in Chepstow +Castle." + +Next is a copy of an acrostic epitaph from Tewkesbury Abbey. + + Here lyeth the body of THOMAS MERRETT, of Tewkesbury, + Barber-chirurgeon, who departed this life the 22nd day of October, + 1699. + + T hough only Stone Salutes the reader's eye, + H ere (in deep silence) precious dust doth lye, + O bscurely Sleeping in Death's mighty store, + M ingled with common earth till time's no more, + A gainst Death's Stubborne laws, who dares repine, + S ince So much Merrett did his life resigne. + + M urmurs and Teares are useless in the grave, + E lse hee whole Vollies at his Tomb might have. + R est in Peace; who like a faithful steward, + R epair'd the Church, the Poore and needy cur'd; + E ternall mansions do attend the Just, + T o clothe with Immortality their dust, + T ainted (whilst under ground) with wormes and rust. + +In the churchyard of Irongray a table stone, reared by Sir Walter Scott, +commemorates Helen Walker, the prototype of Jeanie Deans, whose integrity +and tenderness are, in his "Heart of Midlothian," so admirably portrayed +by that great novelist. The following is the inscription:-- + + This stone was erected + by the author of Waverley + to the memory of + HELEN WALKER, + who died in the year of God 1791. + This humble individual practised in real + life the virtues + with which fiction has invested + the imaginary character of + Jeanie Deans; + refusing the slightest departure + from veracity, + even to save the life of a sister, + she nevertheless showed her + kindness and fortitude, + in rescuing her from the severity of the + law at the expense of personal + exertions which the time + rendered as difficult as the motive was + laudable. + Respect the grave of poverty + when combined with love of truth + and dear affection. + Erected October 1831. + +Robert Paterson, better known as "Old Mortality," rests in the churchyard +of Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire. We learn from Dr. Charles Rogers's +"Monuments and Monumental Inscriptions in Scotland" (1871) that Paterson +was born in 1715, and was the youngest son of Walter Paterson and Margaret +Scott, who rented the farm of Haggista, parish of Hawick. He some time +served an elder brother who had a farm in Comcockle-muir, near Lochmaben. +He married Elizabeth Gray, who, having been cook in the family of Sir +Thomas Kirkpatrick, of Closeburn, procured for him an advantageous lease +of a freestone quarry at Morton. Here he resided many years, labouring +with exemplary diligence. From his youth attached to the sect of the +Cameronians, he evinced a deep interest in the memory of those who had +suffered in the cause of Presbytery. Occasionally he restored their +tombstones. At length his zeal in the restoration of these stony memorials +acquired the force of a passion. In 1758 he began to travel from parish to +parish, ever working with hammer and chisel in renewing the epitaphs of +the martyrs. His self-imposed task no entreaties of wife or children could +induce him to abandon. Though reduced to the verge of poverty, he +persisted in his labours till the last day of his existence. He died at +Banpend village, near Lockerbie, on the 29th January, 1801, aged +eighty-six. At his death he was found possessed of twenty-seven shillings +and sixpence, which were applied to the expenses of his funeral. Sir +Walter Scott, who has made "Old Mortality" the subject of a novel, +intended to rear a tombstone to his memory, but was unable to discover his +place of sepulture. Since the discovery has been made, Messrs. Black, of +Edinburgh, who possess the copyright of the Waverley novels, have reared +at the grave of the old enthusiast a suitable memorial stone. It is thus +inscribed:-- + + Erected to the memory of ROBERT PATERSON, + the "Old Mortality" of Sir Walter Scott, + who was buried here February, 1801. + + "Why seeks he with unwearied toil + Through death's dim walk to urge his way + Reclaim his long asserted spoil, + And lead oblivion into day." + +Here is a picture of the stone placed over the grave of William +Shakespeare, at Stratford-on-Avon, with its well-known and frequently +quoted inscription:-- + +[Illustration: + + GOOD FREND FOR IESVS SAKE FORBEARE, + TO DICC THE DVST ENCLOASED HEARE, + BLESTE BE Y{E} MAN Y{T} SPARES THES STONES, + AND CVRST BE HE Y{T} MOVES MY BONES.] + +At Loddon, in Norfolk, is buried one who, like the bard of Avon, had a +great horror of his bones being removed. The epitaph is as follows:-- + + When on this spot affection's downcast eye, + The lucid tribute shall no more bestow; + When friendship's breast no more shall heave a sigh, + In kind remembrance of the dust below; + Should the rude sexton digging near this tomb, + A place of rest for others to prepare, + The vault beneath to violate presume; + May some opposing Christian cry "Forbear"-- + Forbear! rash mortal, as thou hop'st to rest + When death shall lodge thee in thy destined bed, + With ruthless spade, unkindly to molest + The peaceful slumbers of the kindred dead. + +In Tideswell churchyard, among several other singular gravestone +inscriptions, the following occurs, and is worth reprinting:-- + + In memory of + BRIAN, son of JOHN and MARTHA HAIGH, + who died 22nd December, 1795, + Aged 17 years. + + Come, honest sexton, with thy spade, + And let my grave be quickly made; + Make my cold bed secure and deep, + That, undisturbed, my bones may sleep. + Until that great tremendous day, + When from above a voice shall say,-- + "Awake, ye dead, lift up your eyes, + Your great Creator bids you rise!" + Then, free from this polluted dust, + I hope to be amongst the just. + +Under the shadow of the ancient church of Bakewell, Derbyshire, is a stone +containing a long inscription to the memory of John Dale, barber-surgeon, +and his two wives, Elizabeth Foljambe and Sarah Bloodworth. It ends +thus:-- + + Know posterity, that on the 8th of April, in the year of grace 1757, + the rambling remains of the above JOHN DALE were, in the 86th yeare + of his pilgrimage, laid upon his two wives. + + This thing in life might raise some jealousy, + Here all three lie together lovingly, + But from embraces here no pleasure flows, + Alike are here all human-joys and woes; + Here Sarah's chiding John no longer hears, + And old John's rambling Sarah no more fears; + A period's come to all their toylsome lives, + The good man's quiet; still are both his wives. + +On a slab affixed to the east wall of St. Mary's Church, Whitby, is an +inscription containing some remarkable coincidences:-- + + Here lie the bodies of FRANCIS HUNTRODDS and MARY his wife, who were + both born on the same day of the week month and year (viz.) Sepr ye + 19th 1600 marry'd on the day of their birth and after having had 12 + children born to them died aged 80 years on the same day of the year + they were born September ye 19th 1680, the one not one above five + hours before ye other. + + Husband and wife that did twelve children bear, + Dy'd the same day; alike both aged were + 'Bout eighty years they liv'd, five hours did part + (Ev'n on the marriage day) each tender heart + So fit a match, surely could never be, + Both in their lives, and in their deaths agree. + +The following is from St. Julian's Church, Shrewsbury:-- + + The remains of HENRY CORSER of this parish, Chirurgeon, who Deceased + April 11, 1691, and ANNIE his wife, who followed him the next day + after:-- + + We man and wife, + Conjoined for Life, + Fetched our last breath + So near that Death, + Who part us would, + Yet hardly could. + Wedded againe, + In bed of dust, + Here we remaine, + Till rise we must. + A double prize this grave doth finde, + If you are wise keep it in minde. + +In the church of Little Driffield, East Yorkshire, were placed in modern +times two inscriptions to the memory of Alfred, King of Northumbria. The +first states:-- + + In the chancel of this church lie the remains of ALFRED, King of + Northumbria, who departed this life in the year 705. + +The present one reads as follows:-- + + WITHIN THIS CHANCEL + LIES INTERRED THE BODY OF + ALFRED + KING OF NORTHUMBRIA + DEPARTED THIS LIFE + JANUARY 19TH A.D. 705 + IN THE 20TH YEAR OF HIS REIGN + STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS SEMIL MORI. + +In St. Anne's churchyard, Soho, erected by the Earl of Orford (Walpole), +in 1758, these lines were (or are) to be read:-- + + Near this place is interred + THEODORE, King of Corsica, + Who died in this Parish + December XI., MDCCLVI., + Immediately after leaving + The _Kings Bench Prison_, + By the benefit of the _Act of Insolvency_; + In consequence of which + He _registered his Kingdom of Corsica + For the use of his Creditors_! + + The grave--great teacher--to a level brings + Heroes and beggars, galley-slaves and kings! + But THEODORE this moral learned, ere dead; + Fate pour'd its lessons on his living head, + Bestow'd a kingdom, and denied him bread. + +In the burial-ground of the Island of Juan Fernandez, a monument states:-- + + In Memory of + ALEXANDER SELKIRK, + Mariner, + A native of Largo, in the county of Fife, Scotland, + Who lived on this island, in complete + solitude, for four years and four months. + He was landed from the Cinque Ports galley, 96 tons, + 18 guns, A.D. 1704, and was taken off in the + Duke, privateer, 12th February, 1709. + He died Lieutenant of H.M.S. Weymouth, + A.D. 1723, aged 47 years. + This Tablet is erected near Selkirk's look out, + By Commodore Powell and the Officers + of H.M.S. Topaze, A.D. 1868. + +It is generally believed that the adventures of Selkirk suggested to +Daniel Defoe the attractive story of "Robinson Crusoe." In the "Dictionary +of English Literature," by William Davenport Adams, will be found +important information bearing on this subject. + +In _Gloucester Notes and Queries_ we read as follows: "Stout's Hill is the +name of a house situated on high ground to the south of the village of +Uley, built in the style which, in the last century, was intended for +Gothic, but which may be more exactly defined as the 'Strawberry Hill' +style. In a house of earlier date lived the father of Samuel Rudder, the +laborious compiler of the 'History of Gloucestershire' (1779). He lies in +the churchyard of Uley, on the south side of the chancel, and his +gravestone has a brass-plate inserted, which records a remarkable fact:-- + + Underneath lies the remains of ROGER RUTTER, _alias_ RUDDER, eldest + son of John Rutter, of Uley, who was buried August 30, 1771, aged 84 + years, having never eaten flesh, fish, or fowl, during the course of + his long life. + +Tradition tells us that this vegetarian lived mainly on 'dump,' in various +forms. Usually he ate 'plain dump;' when tired of plain dump, he changed +his diet to 'hard dump;' and when he was in a special state of +exhilaration, he added the variety 'apple dump' to his very moderate +fare." + +On Saturday, the 2nd May, 1800, the remains of William Cowper were +interred in that part of Dereham Church known as St. Edmund's Chapel. He +died without a will, but Lady Hesketh consented to administer his estate, +and eventually placed a tablet to his memory on the wall of the chancel, +near his grave. It is constructed of white marble, and over the top are +represented two volumes, labelled respectively "Holy Bible" and "The +Task." The inscription as follows was written by Cowper's friend, +Hayley:-- + + In memory of + WILLIAM COWPER, Esq., + Born in Hertfordshire in 1731, + Buried in this Church in 1801. + + Ye who with warmth the public triumph feel + Of talents, dignified by sacred zeal, + Here, to devotion's bard devoutly just, + Pay your fond tribute due to Cowper's dust! + England, exulting in his spotless fame, + Ranks with her dearest sons his fav'rite name; + Sense, fancy, wit, suffice not all to raise + So clear a title to affection's praise; + His highest honours to the heart belong; + His virtues form'd the magic of his song. + +Charles and Mary Lamb are buried in the churchyard of Edmonton, and a +white headstone, marks the spot, on which is recorded, in bold black +letters, the following inscription written by Lamb's friend, the Rev. +Henry Francis Cary, the translator of Dante:-- + + To the memory + of + CHARLES LAMB, + died 27th December 1834, aged 59. + + Farewell, dear friend, that smile, that harmless mirth, + No more shall gladden our domestic hearth; + That rising tear, with pain forbid to flow, + Better than words no more assuage our woe; + That hand outstretched from small but well-earned store, + Yield succour to the destitute no more, + Yet art thou not all lost, thro' many an age + With sterling sense of humour shall thy page + Win many an English bosom pleased to see + That old and happier vein revived in thee. + This for our earth, and if with friends we share + Our joys in heaven we hope to meet thee there. + + Also MARY ANNE LAMB, + Sister of the above. + Born 3rd December 1767, Died 20th May 1847. + +In the church is a memorial to Lamb and Cowper. It occupies a good +position at the west end of the north wall, and consists of two inscribed +white marble panels, enshrined in a graceful freestone design, the arches +of which are supported by veined marble pilasters. In the upper portion of +each panel is carved a portrait in relief, the one on the right showing +the head of Cowper, while on the left the features of Lamb are +characteristically depicted. + +The following are the inscriptions contained on the memorial:-- + + (_Left panel._) + + In memory of + CHARLES LAMB + "The Gentle Elia" and author of + Tales from Shakespeare, etc. + Born in the Inner Temple 1775 + educated at Christ's Hospital + died at Bay Cottage Edmonton 1834 + and buried beside his sister Mary + in the adjoining churchyard. + + At the centre of his being lodged + A soul by resignation sanctified + O, he was good if e'er a good man lived! + WORDSWORTH. + + + (_Right panel._) + + In memory of + WILLIAM COWPER, THE POET + Born in Berkhampstead 1731 + Died and buried at East Dereham 1800. + He was the author of + The Diverting History of "John Gilpin." + + John Gilpin was a citizen + Of credit and renown, + A trainband captain eke was he + Of famous London town. + + John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, + Though wedded we have been + These twice ten tedious years, yet we + No holiday have seen. + + To-morrow is our wedding day, + And we will then repair + Unto "the Bell" at Edmonton, + All in a chaise and pair, etc. + + (_Along base of design._) + + This monument to commemorate the visit of the London and Middlesex + Archaeological Association/ to Edmonton church and parish on the 26th + July 1888/ was erected by the President of the Meeting Joshua W. + Butterworth, F.S.A. + +For some years we have been interested in the life and poetry of Mary +Pyper, "A Poet of the Poor," and in our "Literary Byways" have told at +length the story of her career. We there state, through the exertions of +Dr. Rogers in May, 1885, a handsome cross was erected over her remains in +Greyfriars' churchyard, Edinburgh, simply bearing her name, "Mary Pyper." +Such was the information we received from a friend whom we induced to see +the memorial and give us particulars of it, and to our surprise when we +visited her grave in April, 1899, we found on the cross the following +inscription, which we presume has been added since its erection:-- + + By admiring + Friends + Erected + in memory of + MARY PYPER, + who amidst + untoward + surroundings + cherished + her gift as a writer of + sacred verse. + Born 25th May, + 1795. + She died at + Edinburgh, + 25th May, 1870. + + Let me go! The day is breaking; + Morning bursts upon the eye; + Death this mortal frame is shaking, + But the soul can never die! + +The lines are from her poem entitled "The Christian's View of Death," +which finds a place in several standard works of poetry. Her best known +production is an "Epitaph: A Life," and often attributed incorrectly to +German sources. It is as follows:-- + + "I came at morn--'twas Spring, and smiled, + The fields with green were clad; + I walked abroad at noon, and lo! + 'Twas Summer--I was glad. + I sate me down--'twas Autumn eve, + And I with sadness wept; + I laid me down at night--and then + 'Twas Winter--and I slept." + +Among self-taught poets Mary Pyper is entitled to an honourable place. + +Mr. John T. Page furnishes us with the following inscriptions copied from +Hogarth's monument in Chiswick churchyard. It was erected, says Mr. Page, +in 1771, seven years after his death, and is a tall piece of masonry +crowned with a funeral urn. Beneath this, on the side facing the church, +are carved in low relief a mask, maul-stick, palette and brushes, a laurel +wreath and an open book bearing the title of his famous "Analysis of +Beauty." On the same side, on a small block of Aberdeen granite at the +foot of the memorial, is recorded the fact that it was + + Restored by + WILLIAM HOGARTH, + of Aberdeen, + in 1856. + +It has well stood the "storm and stress" since then, but is now beginning +to show signs of the need of another restoration, for, on the east side, +over the inscription, the combined armorial bearings of Hogarth and his +wife are as nearly as possible obliterated. + +The inscriptions are as follows:-- + + (_N. Side._) + + Farewell great Painter of mankind! + Who reach'd the noblest point of Art, + Whose _pictur'd Morals_ charm the Mind, + And through the Eye correct the Heart. + + If _Genius_ fire thee, Reader, stay; + If _Nature_ touch thee, drop a Tear; + If neither move thee, turn away, + For HOGARTH'S honour'd dust lies here. + D. GARRICK. + + + (_E. Side._) + + Here lieth the body + of WILLIAM HOGARTH, ESQR., + who died October the 26th 1764 + aged 67 years + MRS. JANE HOGARTH + wife of William Hogarth Esqr. + Obit. the 13th of November 1789 + AEtat 80 years. + + + (_W. Side._) + + Here lieth the Body + of MRS. ANNE HOGARTH Sister + to WILLIAM HOGARTH ESQR. + She died August the 13th 1771 + aged 70 years + Also the Body of + MARY LEWIS Spinster + died 25th March 1808 + Aged 88 years. + + + (_S. Side._) + + Here lieth the Body + of DAME JUDITH THORNHILL + Relict of SR JAMES THORNHILL KNIGHT + of Thornhill in the County of Dorset + She died November the 12th 1757 + aged 84 years. + +The lapse of one hundred and thirty years, says Mr. Page, has not served +to dim the ardour with which the works of William Hogarth are cherished by +the English nation. His "Harlot's Progress" not only served to reconcile +his father-in-law, Sir James Thornhill, to the runaway match the plebeian +Hogarth had contracted three years before with his daughter, but it is +still looked upon as his _chef d'oeuvre_ by many eminent critics; and +there is nearly always to be seen a crowd round his "Marriage a la Mode" +in the National Gallery. The virulent contest with Wilkes and Churchill, +with which his last days were embittered, has long ago been forgotten, and +the name of William Hogarth still lives, and will be popular for all time +through his admired series of paintings and engravings, which are prized +and hoarded with an ever-increasing love by their happy possessors. + +[Illustration: ETTY'S GRAVE.] + +Fairholt, in his "Homes, Works, and Shrines of English Artists"[3] gives +an interesting sketch of the career of William Etty, the son of a miller, +who for seven years was an apprentice to a printer in Hull, but devoted +all his spare time to art, and eventually after many struggles won a high +place amongst the painters of the period. He was buried in the churchyard +of St. Olave, York, where from the beautiful grounds of the Yorkshire +Philosophical Society, and through one of the arches of the ruined Abbey +of St. Mary, his tomb may be seen. The arch near his grave was closed, but +was opened to bring in sight his tomb. Mr. Fairholt is in error in saying +it bears the simple inscription:-- + + WILLIAM ETTY, ROYAL ACADEMICIAN. + +Some years ago from the other side of the tomb we copied the following +inscription from a crumbling stone:-- + + WILLIAM ETTY, ROYAL ACADEMICIAN, + Who in his brilliant works has left + an enduring monument of his exalted genius. + Earnestly aiming to attain that lofty position on which + his highly gifted talents have placed him, he throughout life + exhibited an undeviating perseverance in his profession. + + To promote its advancement in his beloved country he watched the progress + of those engaged in its study with the most disinterested kindness. + To a cultivated and highly poetical mind + Were united a cheerfulness and sweetness of disposition + With great simplicity and urbanity of manners. + He was richly endeared to all who knew him. + His piety was unaffected, his faith in Christ sincere, + and his devotion to God exemplary. + He was born at York, March 10th, 1787, and died + in his native city, November 13th, 1849. + "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"--Luke xxii., 5. + +Etty, says Fairholt, had that wisdom which few men possess, the wisdom of +a contented mind. He loved his quiet home, in his provincial birthplace, +better than the bustle of London, or the notoriety he might obtain by a +residence there. His character and his talent would ensure him attention +and deference anywhere, but he preferred his own nook by the old church at +York. He probably felt with the poet, that + + "The wind is strongest on the highest hills, + The quiet life is in the vale below." + +The remains of Cruikshank rest in the crypt in St. Paul's Cathedral, +London, and over his grave the following inscription appears:-- + + GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, + Artist, + Designer, Etcher, Painter. + Born at No. -- Duke Street, St. George's, Bloomsbury, London + on September 27th, 1792. + Died at 263, Hampstead Road, St. Pancras, London, + on February 1st, 1878. + Aged 86 years. + + In memory of his Genius and his Art, + His matchless Industry and worthy Work + For all his fellow-men, This monument + Is humbly placed within this sacred Fane + By her who loved him best, his widowed wife. + Eliza Cruikshank, + Feb. 9th, 1880. + +A sketch of his life has been written by Walter Hamilton, under the title +of "George Cruikshank, Artist and Humourist." (London: Elliot Stock, +1878.) William Bates, B.A., M.R.C.S., wrote "George Cruikshank, the +Artist, the Humourist, and the Man, with Some Account of his Brother +Robert." (Birmingham: Houghton & Hammond, 1878.) Blanchard Jerrold wrote +"The Life of George Cruikshank." (London: Chatto & Windus, a new edition +with eighty-four illustrations, 1883.) An able article contributed to the +_Westminster Review_, by William Makepeace Thackeray, has been reproduced +in book form by George Redway, London (1884). Some time ago the following +appeared in a newspaper:--One day while Dr. B. W. Richardson was engaged +at his house with an old patient who had been away many years in India, +George Cruikshank's card was handed to the doctor. "It must be the +grandson, or the son, at any rate, of the great artist I remember as a +boy," said the patient. "It is impossible that George Cruikshank of Queen +Caroline's trial-time can be alive!" The doctor asked the vivacious George +to come in. He tripped in, in his eighty-fourth year, and, when the old +officer expressed his astonishment, George exclaimed, "I'll show you +whether he is alive!" With this he took the poker and tongs from the +grate, laid them upon the carpet, and executed the sword dance before Dr. +Richardson's astonished patient. + +At the east end of the High Street, Portsmouth, and nearly opposite the +house before which the Duke of Buckingham was stabbed by Felton, in 1628, +stands the Unitarian Chapel. John Pounds habitually worshipped here on a +Sunday evening, and the place where he used to sit, in front of one of the +side galleries, just to the right of the minister, is still pointed out. +He lies buried in the graveyard, on the left-hand side of the chapel, near +the end of the little foot-path which leads round the building to the +vestries. Shortly after his death a tablet was placed in the chapel, +beneath the gallery, to his memory. Although his grave was dug as near as +possible to that part of the chapel wall opposite where he used to sit, +yet this tablet was, apparently without any reason, put some distance away +from the spot. In shape and material it is of the usual orthodox style--a +square slab of white marble, edged with black, and inscribed on it are the +words:-- + + Erected by friends + as a memorial of their esteem + and respect for + JOHN POUNDS, + who, while earning his livelihood + by mending shoes, gratuitously + educated, and in part clothed and fed, + some hundreds of poor children. + He died suddenly + on the 1st of January, 1839, + aged 72 years. + Thou shalt be blessed: for they + cannot recompense thee. + +Not long after this tablet was placed in position the idea was mooted that +a monument should be erected over his grave. The Rev. Henry Hawkes, the +minister who then had charge of the place, at once took the matter up, and +subscriptions came in so well that the monument was more than paid for. +The surplus money was wisely laid out in the purchase of a Memorial +Library, which still occupies one of the ante-rooms of the chapel. The +monument erected over the grave is of a suitable description, plain but +substantial, and is in form a square and somewhat tapering block of stone +about four feet high. On the front is the following inscription:-- + + Underneath this Monument + rest the mortal remains of + JOHN POUNDS, + the Philanthropic Shoemaker + of St. Mary's Street, Portsmouth, + who while + working at his trade in a very + small room, gratuitously + instructed in a useful education + and partly clothed and fed, + some hundreds of girls and boys. + He died suddenly, + on New Year's Day, MDCCCXXXIX, + while in his active beneficence, + aged LXXII years. + + "Well done thou good and faithful + servant, enter thou into the joy + of thy Lord." + + "Verily I say unto thee, inasmuch as + thou hast done it unto one of the + least of these My brethren, thou + hast done it unto Me." + +On the side facing the library door there are, in addition to the above, +the ensuing sentences:-- + + This Monument + has been erected chiefly + by means of Penny Subscriptions, + not only from the Christian + Brotherhood + with whom JOHN POUNDS + habitually worshipped + in the adjoining Chapel, + but from persons of widely + different Religious opinions + throughout Great Britain + and from the most distant parts + of the World. + + In connection with this memorial + has also been founded in like manner + within these precincts + a Library to his memory + designed to extend + to an indefinite futurity + the solid mental and moral usefulness + to which the philanthropic shoemaker + was so earnestly devoted + to the last day of his life. + Pray for the blessing of God to prosper it. + +Large trees overshade the modest monument, and the spot is a quiet one, +being as far as possible away from the street.[4] + +On the gravestone of Richard Turner, Preston, a hawker of fish, the +following inscription appears: + + Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of RICHARD TURNER, author + of the word Teetotal, as applied to abstinence from all intoxicating + liquors, who departed this life on the 27th day of October, 1846, aged + 56 years. + +In Mr. W. E. A. Axon's able and entertaining volume, "Lancashire +Gleanings" (pub. 1883), is an interesting chapter on the "Origin of the +Word 'Teetotal.'" In the same work we are told that Dr. Whitaker, the +historian of Whalley, wrote the following epitaph on a model publican:-- + + Here lies the Body of + JOHN WIGGLESWORTH, + More than fifty years he was the + perpetual Innkeeper in this Town. + Withstanding the temptations of that dangerous calling, + he maintained good order in his + House, kept the Sabbath day Holy, + frequented the Public Worship + with his Family, induced his guests + to do the same, and regularly + partook of the Holy Communion. + He was also bountiful to the Poor, + in private as well as in public, + and, by the blessings of Providence + on a life so spent, died + possessed of competent Wealth, + Feb. 28, 1813, + aged 77 years. + +The churchyard of Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, contains a gravestone +bearing an inscription as follows:-- + + As a warning to female virtue, + And a humble monument of female chastity, + This stone marks the grave of + MARY ASHFORD, + Who, in the 20th year of her age, having + Incautiously repaired to a scene of amusement, + Was brutally violated and murdered + On the 27th of May, 1817. + + Lovely and chaste as the primrose pale, + Rifled of virgin sweetness by the gale, + Mary! the wretch who thee remorseless slew + Avenging wrath, who sleeps not, will pursue; + For though the deed of blood was veiled in night, + Will not the Judge of all mankind do right? + Fair blighted flower, the muse that weeps thy doom, + Rears o'er thy murdered form this warning tomb. + +The writer of the foregoing epitaph was Dr. Booker, vicar of Dudley. The +inscription is associated with one of the most remarkable trials of the +present century. It will not be without interest to furnish a few notes on +the case. One Abraham Thornton was tried at the Warwick Assizes for the +murder of Mary Ashford, and acquitted. The brother and next of kin of the +deceased, not being satisfied with the verdict, sued out, as the law +allowed him, an appeal against Thornton, by which he could be put on his +trial again. The law allowed the appeal in case of murder, and it also +gave option to the accused of having it tried by wager of law or by wager +of battle. The brother of the unfortunate woman had taken no account of +this, and accordingly, not only Mr. Ashford but the judge, jury, and bar +were taken greatly aback, and stricken with dismay, when the accused, +being requested to plead, took a paper from Mr. Reader, his counsel, and a +pair of gloves, one of which he drew on, and, throwing the other on the +ground, exclaimed, "Not guilty; and I am ready to defend the same with my +body!" Lord Ellenborough on the bench appeared grave, and the accuser +looked amazed, so the court was adjourned to enable the judge to have an +opportunity of conferring with his learned brethren. After several +adjournments, Lord Ellenborough at last declared solemnly, but +reluctantly, that wager of battle was still the law of the land, and that +the accused had a right of appeal to it. To get rid of the law an attempt +was made, by passing a short and speedy Act of Parliament, but this was +ruled impossible, as it would have been _ex post facto_, and people waited +curiously to see the lists set up in the Tothill Fields. As Mr. Ashford +refused to meet Thornton, he was obliged to cry "craven!" After that the +appellor was allowed to go at large, and he could not be again tried by +wager of law after having claimed his wager of battle. In 1819 an Act was +passed to prevent any further appeals for wager of battle. + +The following is from a gravestone in Saddleworth churchyard, and tells a +painful story:-- + + Here lie interred the dreadfully bruised and lacerated bodies of + WILLIAM BRADBURY and THOMAS his son, both of Greenfield, who were + together savagely murdered, in an unusually horrible manner, on Monday + night, April 2nd, 1832, old William being 84, and Thomas 46 years old. + + Throughout the land, wherever news is read, + Intelligence of their sad death has spread; + Those now who talk of far-fam'd Greenfield's hills + Will think of Bill o' Jacks and Tom o' Bills. + + Such interest did their tragic end excite + That, ere they were removed from human sight, + Thousands upon thousands daily came to see + The bloody scene of the catastrophe. + + One house, one business, and one bed, + And one most shocking death they had; + One funeral came, one inquest pass'd, + And now one grave they have at last. + +The following on a Hull character is from South Cave churchyard:-- + + In memory of THOMAS SCRATCHARD, + Who dy'd rich in friends, Dec. 10, 1809. + Aged 58 years. + + That Ann lov'd Tom, is very true, + Perhaps you'll say, what's that to you. + Who e'er thou art, remember this, + Tom lov'd Ann, 'twas that made bliss. + +In Welton churchyard, near Hull, the next curious inscription appears on +an old gravestone:-- + + Here lieth He ould + Jeremy who hath + eight times maried + been but now in his + ould age he lies + in his cage under + the grass so green + which JEREMIAH SIMP- + SON departed this + Life in the 84 yeare + of his age in the + year of our Lord + 1719. + +According to "Shropshire Folk-Lore" (published 1883), Edward Burton, of +Longner, Shrewsbury, died in 1558, and in the garden of Longner Hall is a +plain altar-tomb, dated 1614. He was a zealous Protestant, and died +suddenly of excitement on hearing Shrewsbury bells ring for the accession +of Queen Elizabeth. The minister of St. Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, +refused to permit his body to be buried there; it was therefore taken home +again and laid in his garden:-- + + Was't for denying Christ, or some notorious fact, + That this man's body Christian burial lackt? + Oh no; his faithful true profession + Was the chief cause, what then was held transgression. + When Pop'ry here did reign, the See of Rome + Would not admit to any such, a tomb + Within their Idol Temple Walls, but he, + Truly professing Christianity, + Was like Christ Jesus in a garden laid, + Where he shall rest in peace till it be said, + "Come, faithful servant, come, receive with Me, + A just reward of thy integrity." + +Mr. J. Potter Briscoe favours us with an account of a Nottingham +character, and a copy of his epitaph. Vincent Eyre was by trade a +needle-maker, and was a firm and consistent Tory in politics, taking an +active interest in all the party struggles of the period. His good nature +and honesty made him popular among the poorer classes, with whom he +chiefly associated. A commendable trait in his character is worthy of +special mention, namely, that, notwithstanding frequent temptations, he +spurned to take a bribe from anyone. In the year 1727 an election for a +Member of Parliament took place, and all the ardour of Vin's nature was +at once aroused in the interests of his favourite party. The Tory +candidate, Mr. Borlase Warren, was opposed by Mr. John Plumtree, the Whig +nominee, and, in the heat of the excitement, Vin emphatically declared +that he should not mind dying immediately if the Tories gained the +victory. Strange to relate, such an event actually occurred, for when the +contest and the "chairing" of the victor was over, he fell down dead with +joy, September 6th, 1727. The epitaph upon him is as follows:-- + + Here lies VIN EYRE; + Let fall a tear + For one true man of honour; + No courtly lord, + Who breaks his word, + Will ever be a mourner. + In freedom's cause + He stretched his jaws, + Exhausted all his spirit, + Then fell down dead. + It must be said + He was a man of merit. + Let Freemen be + As brave as he, + And vote without a guinea; + VIN EYRE is hurled + To t'other world, + And ne'er took bribe or penny. + + True to his friend, to helpless parent kind, + He died in honour's cause, to interest blind. + Why should we grieve life's but an airy toy? + We vainly weep for him who died of joy. + +The following lines to the memory of Thomas Stokes are from his gravestone +in Burton churchyard, upon which a profile of his head is cut. He for many +years swept the roads in Burton:-- + + This stone + was raised by Subscription + to the memory of + THOMAS STOKES, + an eccentric, but much respected, + Deaf and Dumb man, + better known by the name of + "DUMB TOM," + who departed this life Feb. 25th, 1837, + aged 54 years. + + What man can pause and charge this senseless dust + With fraud, or subtilty, or aught unjust? + How few can conscientiously declare + Their acts have been as honourably fair? + No gilded bait, no heart ensnaring need + Could bribe poor STOKES to one dishonest deed. + Firm in attachment to his friends most true-- + Though Deaf and Dumb, he was excell'd by few. + Go ye, by nature form'd without defect, + And copy Tom, and gain as much respect. + +Next we deal with an instance of pure affection. The churchyard of the +Yorkshire village of Bowes contains the grave of two lovers, whose +touching fate suggested Mallet's beautiful ballad of "Edwin and Emma." +The real names of the couple were Rodger Wrightson and Martha Railton. The +story is rendered with no less accuracy than pathos by the poet:-- + + Far in the windings of the vale, + Fast by a sheltering wood, + The safe retreat of health and peace, + A humble cottage stood. + + There beauteous Emma flourished fair, + Beneath a mother's eye; + Whose only wish on earth was now + To see her blest and die. + + Long had she filled each youth with love, + Each maiden with despair, + And though by all a wonder owned, + Yet knew not she was fair. + + Till Edwin came, the pride of swains, + A soul devoid of art; + And from whose eyes, serenely mild, + Shone forth the feeling heart. + +We are told that Edwin's father and sister were bitterly opposed to their +love. The poor youth pined away. When he was dying Emma was permitted to +see him, but the cruel sister would scarcely allow her to bid him a word +of farewell. Returning home, she heard the passing bell toll for the death +of her lover-- + + Just then she reached, with trembling step, + Her aged mother's door-- + "He's gone!" she cried, "and I shall see + That angel face no more!" + + "I feel, I feel this breaking heart + Beat high against my side"-- + From her white arm down sunk her head; + She, shivering, sighed, and died. + +The lovers were buried the same day and in the same grave. In the year +1848, Dr. F. Dinsdale, F.S.A., editor of the "Ballads and Songs of David +Mallet," etc., erected a simple but tasteful monument to the memory of the +lovers, bearing the following inscription:-- + + RODGER WRIGHTSON, junr., and MARTHA RAILTON, both of Bowes; buried in + one grave. He died in a fever, and upon tolling of his passing bell, + she cry'd out My heart is broken and in a few hours expired, purely + thro' love, March 15, 1714-15. Such is the brief and touching record + contained in the parish register of burials. It has been handed down + by unvarying tradition that the grave was at the west end of the + church, directly beneath the bells. The sad history of these true and + faithful lovers forms the subject of Mallet's pathetic ballad of + "Edwin and Emma."[5] + +In Middleton Tyas Church, near Richmond, is the following:-- + + This Monument rescues from Oblivion + the Remains of the Reverend JOHN MAWER, D.D., + Late vicar of this Parish, who died Nov. 18, 1763, aged 60. + As also of HANNAH MAWER, his wife, who died + Dec. 20th, 1766, aged 72. + Buried in this Chancel. + They were persons of eminent worth. + The Doctor was descended from the Royal Family + of Mawer, and was inferior to none of his illustrious + ancestors in personal merit, being the greatest + Linguist this Nation ever produced. + He was able to speak & write twenty-two Languages, + and particularly excelled in the Eastern Tongues, + in which he proposed to His Royal Highness + Frederick Prince of Wales, to whom he was firmly + attached, to propagate the Christian Religion + in the Abyssinian Empire; a great and noble + Design, which was frustrated by the + Death of that amiable Prince; to the great mortification of + this excellent Person, whose merit meeting with + no reward in this world, will, it's to be hoped, receive + it in the next, from that Being which Justice + only can influence. + + + + +Miscellaneous Epitaphs. + + +We bring together under this heading a number of specimens that we could +not include in the foregoing chapters of classified epitaphs. + +An epitaph on a brass in the south aisle of Barton Church, in Norfolk, is +notable as being one of the oldest in existence in English, such memorials +being usually in Latin at the period from which it dates. The inscription +is as follows:-- + + Here are laid under this stone in the cley + THOMAS AMYS and his wyffe MARGERY. + Sometime we were, as you now be, + And as we be, after this so shall ye. + Of the good as God had, the said Thomas lent, + Did make this chapel of a good intent. + Wherefore they desire of you that be + To pray for them to the last eternity. + I beseach all people far and ner + To pray for me THOMAS AMYS heartily, + Which gave a mesbooke and made this chapel here, + And a suit of blew damask also gave I. + Of God 1511 and 5 yere + I the said Thomas deceased verily, + And the 4th day of August was buried here, + On whose soul God have mercy. + +In the churchyard of Stanton Harcourt is a gravestone bearing the +following inscription:-- + + Near this place lie the bodies of + JOHN HEWET and MARY DREW, + an industrious young Man + and virtuous Maiden of this Parish; + Who, being at Harvest Work + (with several others) + were in one instant killed by Lightning + the last day of July 1718. + + Think not, by rig'rous Judgment seiz'd, + A Pair so faithful could expire; + Victims so pure Heav'n saw well pleas'd, + And snatch'd them in celestial fire. + + Live well, and fear no sudden fate; + When God calls Virtue to the grave, + Alike 'tis Justice soon or late, + Mercy alike to kill or save. + + Virtue unmov'd can hear the call, + And face the flash that melts the ball. + +According to a letter from Gay, the poet, to Fenton, relating the death of +the pair, who were lovers, this epitaph was written by Pope, and the +memorial erected at the cost of Lord Harcourt on the condition that Gay or +Pope should write the epitaph. Gay gives the following as the joint +production of the two poets:-- + + When Eastern lovers feed the fun'ral fire, + On the same pile the faithful pair expire: + Here pitying Heav'n that virtue mutual found, + And blasted both, that it might neither wound. + Hearts so sincere th' Almighty saw well pleas'd, + Sent his own lightning, and the victims seiz'd. + +"But," wrote Gay, "my Lord is apprehensive the country people will not +understand this; and Mr. Pope says he'll make one with something of +Scripture in it, and with as little of poetry as Hopkins and Sternhold." +Hence the lines which appear on the tomb of the lovers. + +Our next example is from Bury St. Edmunds churchyard:-- + + Here lies interred the Body of + MARY HASELTON, + A young maiden of this town, + Born of Roman Catholic parents, + And virtuously brought up, + Who, being in the act of prayer + Repeating her vespers, + Was instantaneously killed by a + flash of Lightning, August 16th, + 1785. Aged 9 years. + + Not Siloam's ruinous tower the victims slew, + Because above the many sinn'd the few, + Nor here the fated lightning wreaked its rage + By vengeance sent for crimes matur'd by age. + For whilst the thunder's awful voice was heard, + The little suppliant with its hands uprear'd. + Addressed her God in prayers the priest had taught, + His mercy craved, and His protection sought; + Learn reader hence that wisdom to adore, + Thou canst not scan and fear His boundless power; + Safe shalt thou be if thou perform'st His will, + Blest if he spares, and more blest should He kill. + +From Bury St. Edmunds is the following inscription which tells a sad story +of the low value placed on human life at the close of the eighteenth +century:-- + + Reader, + Pause at this humble stone it records + The fall of unguarded youth by the allurements of + vice and treacherous snares of seduction. + + SARAH LLOYD + On the 23rd April, 1800, in the 22nd year of her age, + Suffered a just and ignominious death. + For admitting her abandoned seducer in the + dwelling-house of her mistress, on the 3rd of + October, 1799, and becoming the instrument in + his hands of the crime of robbery and + housebreaking. + These were her last words: + "May my example be a warning to thousands." + +A lover at York inscribed the following lines to his sweetheart, who was +accidentally drowned, December 24th, 1796:-- + + Nigh to the river Ouse, in York's fair city, + Unto this pretty maid death shew'd no pity; + As soon as she'd her pail with water fill'd + Came sudden death, and life like water spill'd. + +In Holy Trinity Church, Hull, is an elegant marble monument by Earle, with +figures of a mother and two children. The inscription tells a painful +story, and is as follows:-- + + OUR JOHN WILLIAM, + + In the sixteenth year of his age, on the night of January 19th, 1858, + was swept by the fury of a storm, from the pierhead, into the sea. We + never found him--he was not, for God took him; the waves bore him to + the hollow of the Father's hand. With hope and joy we cherished our + last surviving flower, but the wind passed over it, and it was gone. + + An infant brother had gone before, October 15th, 1841. In heaven their + angel does always behold the face of our Father. + + To the memory of these + + We, their parents, John and Louisa Gray erect this monument of human + sorrow and Christian hope. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in + thy sight!" + +The record of the death of the parents follows. + +An accidental death is recorded on a tombstone in Burton Joyce churchyard, +placed to the memory of Elizabeth Cliff, who died in 1835:-- + + This monumental stone records the name + Of her who perished in the night by flame + Sudden and awful, for her hoary head; + She was brought here to sleep amongst the dead. + Her loving husband strove to damp the flame + Till he was nearly sacrificed the same, + Her sleeping dust, tho' by thee rudely trod, + Proclaims aloud, prepare to meet thy God. + +A tombstone in Creton churchyard states:-- + + On a Thursday she was born, + On a Thursday made a bride, + On a Thursday put to bed, + On a Thursday broke her leg, and + On a Thursday died. + +From Kingsbridge, Devonshire, we have the following:-- + + Here I lie, at the chancel door, + Here I lie, because I'm poor: + The farther in, the more you pay, + Here I lie as warm as they. + +In the churchyard of Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire, a good specimen of a true +Englishman is buried, named Samuel Cleater, who died May 1st, 1811, aged +65 years. The two-lined epitaph has such a genuine, sturdy ring about it, +that it deserves to be rescued from oblivion:-- + + True to his King, his country was his glory, + When Bony won, he said it was a story. + +A monument in Bakewell Church, Derbyshire, is a curiosity, blending as it +does in a remarkable manner business, loyalty, and religion:-- + + To the memory of MATTHEW STRUTT, of this town, farrier, long famed in + these parts for veterinary skill. A good neighbour, and a staunch + friend to Church and King. Being Churchwarden at the time the present + peal of bells were hung, through zeal for the house of God, and + unremitting attention to the airy business of the belfry, he caught a + cold, which terminated his existence, May 25, 1798, in the 68th year + of his age. + + + +[Illustration: SHORTHAND EPITAPH IN OLD ST. MARY'S CHURCH, SCULCOATES. + +_From a Photo by Wellsted & Son, Hull._] + +The old church of St. Mary's, Sculcoates, Hull, contains several +interesting monuments, and we give a picture from a specially taken +photograph for this volume of a quaint-looking mural memorial, having on +it an inscription in shorthand. In Sheahan's "History of Hull," the +following translation is given:-- + + In the vault beneath this stone lies the body of Mrs. JANE DELAMOTH, + who departed this life, 10th January, 1761. She was a poor sinner, but + not wicked without holiness, departing from good works, and departed + in the faith of the Catholic Church, in full assurance of eternal + happiness, by the agony and bloody sweat, by the cross and passion, by + the precious death and burial, by the glorious resurrection and + ascension of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. + +We believe that the foregoing is a unique epitaph, at all events we have +not heard of or seen any other monumental inscription in shorthand. + +The following curious epitaph is from Wirksworth, Derbyshire:-- + + Near this place lies the body of + PHILIP SHULLCROSS, + + Once an eminent Quill-driver to the attorneys in this Town. He died + the 17th of Nov., 1787, aged 67. + + Viewing Philip in a moral light, the most prominent and remarkable + features in his character were his zeal and invincible attachment to + dogs and cats, and his unbounded benevolence towards them, as well as + towards his fellow-creatures. + + TO THE CRITIC. + + Seek not to show the devious paths Phil trode, + Nor tear his frailties from their dread abode, + In modest sculpture let this tombstone tell, + That much esteem'd he lived, and much regretted fell. + +At Castleton, in the Peak of Derbyshire, is another curious epitaph, +partly in English and partly in Latin, to the memory of an attorney-at-law +named Micah Hall, who died in 1804. It is said to have been penned by +himself, and is more epigrammatic than reverent. It is as follows:-- + + To + The memory of + MICAH HALL, Gentleman, + Attorney-at-Law, + Who died on the 14th of May, 1804, + Aged 79 years. + + Quid eram, nescitis; + Quid sum, nescitis; + Ubi abii, nescitis; + Valete. + +This verse has been rendered thus:-- + + What I was you know not-- + What I am you know not-- + Whither I am gone you know not-- + Go about your business. + +In Sarnesfield churchyard, near Weobley, is the tombstone of John Abel, +the celebrated architect of the market-houses of Hereford, Leominster, +Knighton, and Brecknock, who died in the year 1694, having attained the +ripe old age of ninety-seven. The memorial stone is adorned with three +statues in kneeling posture, representing Abel and his two wives; and also +displayed are the emblems of his profession--the rule, the compass, and +the square--the whole being designed and sculptured by himself. The +epitaph, a very quaint one, was also of his own writing, and runs thus:-- + + This craggy stone a covering is for an architector's bed; + That lofty buildings raised high, yet now lyes low his head; + His line and rule, so death concludes, are locked up in store; + Build they who list, or they who wist, for he can build no more. + + His house of clay could hold no longer + May Heaven's joys build him a stronger. + JOHN ABEL. + Vive ut vivas in vitam aeternam. + +In the churchyard of Walcott, Norfolk, the following cynical epitaph may +be seen:-- + + In memory of + WILLIAM WISEMAN, + who died 5th of August, 1834, aged 72 years. + + Under this marble, or under this sill, + Or under this turf, or e'en what you will, + Whatever an heir, or a friend in his stead, + Or any good creature, shall lay o'er my head, + Lies one who ne'er cared, and still cares not a pin + What they said, or may say, of the mortal within, + But who, living and dying, serene, still, and free, + Trusts in God that as well as he was he shall be. + +From Gilling churchyard, Richmondshire, is the following:-- + + Unto the mournful fate of young JOHN MOORE, + Who fell a victim to some villain's power; + In Richmond Lane, near to Ask Hall, 'tis said, + There was his life most cruelly betray'd. + Shot with a gun, by some abandon'd rake, + Then knock'd o' th' head with a hedging stake, + His soul, I trust, is with the blest above, + There to enjoy eternal rest and love; + Then let us pray his murderer to discover, + That he to justice may be brought over. + +The crime occurred in 1750, and the murderer was never discovered. + +From a gravestone in Patcham was copied the following inscription:-- + + Sacred to the memory of + DANIEL SCALES, + who was unfortunately shot on Tuesday evening, + Nov. 7, 1796. + + Alas! swift flew the fated lead, + Which pierced through the young man's head, + He instant fell, resigned his breath, + And closed his languid eyes on death. + And you who to this stone draw near, + Oh! pray let fall the pitying tear, + From this sad instance may we all + Prepare to meet Jehovah's call. + +The real story of Scales' death is given in Chambers's "Book of Days," and +is as follows: Daniel Scales was a desperate smuggler, and one night he, +with many more, was coming from Brighton heavily laden, when the Excise +officers and soldiers fell in with them. The smugglers fled in all +directions; a riding officer, as such persons were called, met this man, +and called upon him to surrender his booty, which he refused to do. The +officer knew that "he was too good a man for him, for they had tried it +out before; so he shot Daniel through the head." + +The following inscription copied from a monument at Darfield, near +Barnsley, records a murder which occurred on the spot where the stone is +placed:-- + + Sacred + To the memory of + THOMAS DEPLEDGE, + Who was murdered at Darfield, + On the 11th of October, 1841. + + At midnight drear by this wayside + A murdered man poor DEPLEDGE died, + The guiltless victim of a blow + Aimed to have brought another low, + From men whom he had never harmed + By hate and drunken passions warmed. + Now learn to shun in youth's fresh spring + The courses which to ruin bring. + +A stone dated 1853, the Minster graveyard, Beverley, is placed to the +memory of the victim of a railway carriage tragedy, and bears the +following extraordinary inscription:-- + + Mysterious was my cause of Death + In the Prime of Life I Fell; + For days I Lived yet ne'er had breath + The secret of my fate to tell. + Farewell my child and husband dear + By cruel hands I leave you, + Now that I'm dead, and sleeping here, + My Murderer may deceive you, + Though I am dead, yet I shall live, + I must my Murderer meet, + And then Evidence, shall give + My cause of death complete. + Forgive my child and husband dear, + That cruel Man of blood; + He soon for murder must appear + Before the Son of God. + +Near the west end of Holy Trinity Church, Stalham, Norfolk, may be seen a +gravestone bearing the following inscription:-- + + JAMES AMIES, 1831. + + Here lies an honest independent man, + Boast more ye great ones if ye can; + I have been kicked by a bull and ram, + Now let me lay contented as I am. + +The following singular verse occurs upon a tombstone contiguous to the +chancel door in Grindon churchyard, near Leek, Staffordshire:-- + + Farewell, dear friends; to follow me prepare; + Also our loss we'd have you to beware, + And your own business mind. Let us alone, + For you have faults great plenty of your own. + Judge not of us, now We are in our Graves + Lest ye be Judg'd and awfull Sentence have; + For Backbiters, railers, thieves, and liars, + Must torment have in Everlasting Fires. + +On a stone in the north aisle of the church of St. Peter of Mancroft, +Norwich, is the following pathetic inscription:-- + + SUSAN BROWNE, the last deceased of eleven children (the first ten + interr'd before the northern porch) from their surviving parents, John + and Susan his wife. She sought a city to come, and upon the 30th of + August departed hence and found it. + + A{o} AEt. 19. Dm. 1686. + + Here lies a single Flower scarcely blowne, + Ten more, before the Northern Door are strowne, + Pluckt from the self-same Stalke, only to be + Transplanted to a better Nursery. + +From Hedon, in Holderness, East Yorkshire, is the following:-- + + Here lyeth the body of + WILLIAM STRUTTON, of Patrington, + Buried the 18{th} of May 1734 + Aged 97. + Who had, by his first wife, twenty-eight children, + And by a second seventeen; + Own father to forty-five + Grand-father to eighty-six, + Great Grand-father to ninety-seven, + And Great, Great-Grand-father to twenty-three; + In all two hundred and fifty-one. + +In Laurence Lideard churchyard, says Pettigrew, is a similar one:-- + + The man that rests in this grave has had 8 wives, + by whom he had 45 children, and 20 grand- + children. He was born rich, lived and + died poor, aged 94 years, + July 30th, 1774. + Born at Bewdley in Worcestershire in 1650. + +According to the epitaph of Ann Jennings at Wolstanton:-- + + Some have children--some have none-- + Here lies the mother of twenty-one. + +The following quaint epitaph in Dalry Cemetery commemorates John +Robertson, a native of the United States, who died 29th September, 1860, +aged 22:-- + + Oh, stranger! pause, and give one sigh + For the sake of him who here doth lie + Beneath this little mound of earth, + Two thousand miles from land of birth. + +The Rev. William Mason, the Hull poet, married in 1765 Mary Sherman, of +Hull. Two years later she died of consumption at Bristol. In the Cathedral +of that city is a monument containing the following lines by her +husband:-- + + Take, holy earth! all that my soul holds dear: + Take that best gift which heaven so lately gave: + To Bristol's fount I bore with trembling care + Her faded form; she bow'd to taste the wave, + And died. Does youth, does beauty, read the line? + Does sympathetic fear their breasts alarm? + Speak, dead Maria! breathe a strain divine; + Ev'n from the grave thou shalt have power to charm. + Bid them be chaste, be innocent, like thee; + Bid them in duty's sphere as meekly move; + And if so fair, from vanity as free; + As firm in friendship, and as fond in love-- + Tell them, though 'tis an awful thing to die, + ('Twas e'en to thee) yet the dread path once trod, + Heav'n lifts its everlasting portals high, + And bids "the pure in heart behold their God." + +How different is the sentiment of the foregoing to the following, said by +Pettigrew and other compilers of collections of epitaphs to be inscribed +on a monument in a Cumberland church, but as a matter of fact it does not +exist on a memorial:-- + + Here lies the bodies + Of THOMAS BOND and MARY his wife. + She was temperate, chaste, and charitable; + BUT + She was proud, peevish, and passionate. + She was an affectionate wife, and a tender mother: + BUT + Her husband and child, whom she loved, + Seldom saw her countenance without a disgusting frown, + Whilst she received visitors, whom she despised, with an + endearing smile. + Her behaviour was discreet towards strangers; + BUT + Independent in her family. + Abroad, her conduct was influenced by good breeding; + BUT + At home, by ill temper. + She was a professed enemy to flattery, + And was seldom known to praise or commend; + BUT + The talents in which she principally excelled, + Were difference of opinion, and discovering flaws and + imperfections. + She was an admirable economist, + And, without prodigality, + Dispensed plenty to every person in her family; + BUT + Would sacrifice their eyes to a farthing candle. + She sometimes made her husband happy with her good + qualities; + BUT + Much more frequently miserable--with her many failings: + Insomuch that in thirty years cohabitation he often + lamented + That maugre of all her virtues, + He had not, in the whole, enjoyed two years of matrimonial + comfort. + AT LENGTH + Finding that she had lost the affections of her husband, + As well as the regard of her neighbours, + Family disputes having been divulged by servants, + She died of vexation, July 20, 1768, + Aged 48 years. + + Her worn out husband survived her four months and two days, + And departed this life, Nov. 28, 1768, + In the 54th year of his age. + WILLIAM BOND, brother to the deceased, erected this stone, + As a _weekly monitor_, to the surviving wives of this parish, + That they may avoid the infamy + Of having their memories handed to posterity + With a PATCH WORK character. + +In St. Peter's churchyard, Barton-on-Humber, there is a tombstone with the +following strange inscription:-- + + Doom'd to receive half my soul held dear, + The other half with grief, she left me here. + Ask not her name, for she was true and just; + Once a fine woman, but now a heap of dust. + +As may be inferred, no name is given; the date is 1777. A curious and +romantic legend attaches to the epitaph. In the above year an unknown lady +of great beauty, who is conjectured to have loved "not wisely, but too +well," came to reside in the town. She was accompanied by a gentleman, who +left her after making lavish arrangements for her comfort. She was proudly +reserved in her manners, frequently took long solitary walks, and +studiously avoided all intercourse. In giving birth to a child she died, +and did not disclose her name or family connections. After her decease, +the gentleman who came with her arrived, and was overwhelmed with grief +at the intelligence which awaited him. He took the child away without +unravelling the secret, having first ordered the stone to be erected, and +delivered into the mason's hands the verse, which is at once a mystery and +a memento. Such are the particulars gathered from "The Social History and +Antiquities of Barton-on-Humber," by H. W. Ball, issued in 1856. Since the +publication of Mr. Ball's book, we have received from him the following +notes, which mar somewhat the romantic story as above related. We are +informed that the person referred to in the epitaph was the wife of a man +named Jonathan Burkitt, who came from the neighbourhood of Grantham. He +had been _valet de chambre_ to some gentleman or nobleman, who gave him a +large sum of money on his marrying the lady. They came to reside at +Barton, where she died in childbirth. Burkitt, after the death of his +wife, left the town, taking the infant (a boy), who survived. In about +three years he returned, and married a Miss Ostler, daughter of an +apothecary at Barton. He there kept the "King's Head," a public-house at +that time. The man got through about L2,000 between leaving Grantham and +marrying his second wife. + +On the north wall of the chancel of Southam Church is a slab to the memory +of the Rev. Samuel Sands, who, being embarrassed in consequence of his +extensive liberality, committed suicide in his study (now the hall of the +rectory). The peculiarity of the inscription, instead of suppressing +inquiry, invariably raises curiosity respecting it:-- + + Near this place was deposited, on the 23rd April, 1815, the remains of + S. S., 38 years rector of this parish. + +From St. Margaret's, Lynn, on William Scrivenor, cook to the Corporation, +who died in 1684, we have the following epitaph:-- + + Alas! alas! WILL. SCRIVENOR'S dead, who by his art, + Could make Death's Skeleton edible in each part. + Mourn, squeamish Stomachs, and ye curious Palates, + You've lost your dainty Dishes and your Salades: + Mourn for yourselves, but not for him i' th' least. + He's gone to taste of a more Heav'nly Feast. + +The next was written by Capt. Morris on Edward Heardson (thirty years cook +to the Beefsteak Society):-- + + His last _steak_ done; his fire rak'd out and dead, + _Dish'd_ for the worms himself, lies _honest Ned_: + _We_, then, whose breasts bore all his _fleshly toils_, + Took all his _bastings_ and shared all his _broils_; + Now, in our turn, _a mouthful carve_ and _trim_, + And _dress_ at Phoebus' _fire_, one _scrap_ for him:-- + His heart which well might grace the noblest grave, + Was grateful, patient, modest, just and brave; + And ne'er did earth's wide maw _a morsel_ gain + Of _kindlier juices_ or more tender _grain_; + His tongue, where duteous friendship humbly dwelt, + Charm'd all who heard the faithful zeal he felt; + Still to whatever end his _chops_ he mov'd, + 'Twas all _well season'd_, _relish'd_, and approv'd; + This room his heav'n!--When threat'ning Fate drew nigh + The closing shade that dimm'd his ling'ring eye, + His last fond hopes, betray'd by many a tear, + Were--That his life's last _spark_ might glimmer here; + And the last words that choak'd his parting sigh-- + "Oh! at your feet, dear masters, let me die!" + +In St. John's churchyard, Chester, is an inscription as follows:-- + + Under this stone lieth the Broken + Remains of STEPHEN JONES who had + his leg cut off without the Consent of + Wife or Friends on the 23rd October, + 1842, in which day he died. Aged 31 years. + Reader I bid you farewell. May + the Lord have mercy on you in the + day of trouble. + +An inscription in St. Michael's churchyard, Macclesfield, illustrates the +weakness for the love of display of the poor at a funeral:-- + + MARY BROOMFIELD + dyd 19 Novr., 1755, aged 80. + + The chief concern of her life for the last twenty years was to order + and provide for her funeral. Her greatest pleasure was to think and + talk about it. She lived many years on a pension of ninepence a week, + and yet she saved L5, which, at her own request, was laid out on her + funeral. + +We give as the frontispiece to this volume a picture of the Martyrs' +Monument, in Greyfriars' churchyard, Edinburgh. The graves of the martyrs +are in that part of the burial-ground where criminals were interred, and +an allusion is made to this fact in the inscription that follows:-- + + Halt, passenger, take heed what you do see, + This tomb doth shew for what some men did die. + Here lies interr'd the dust of those who stood + 'Gainst perjury, resisting unto blood; + Adhering to the covenants and laws; + Establishing the same: which was the cause + Their lives were sacrific'd unto the lust + Of prelatists abjur'd; though here their dust + Lies mixt with murderers and other crew, + Whom justice justly did to death pursue. + But as for them, no cause was to be found + Worthy of death; but only they were found + Constant and steadfast, zealous, witnessing + For the prerogatives of Christ their King; + Which truths were seal'd by famous Guthrie's head, + And all along to Mr. Renwick's blood: + They did endure the wrath of enemies: + Reproaches, torments, deaths and injuries. + But yet they're those, who from such troubles came, + And now triumph in glory with the Lamb. + + From May 27th, 1661, that the most noble Marquis of Argyle was + beheaded, to the 17th February, 1688, that Mr. James Renwick suffered, + were one way or other murdered and destroyed for the same cause about + eighteen thousand, of whom were executed at Edinburgh about an hundred + of noblemen, gentlemen, ministers and others, noble martyrs for JESUS + CHRIST. The most of them lie here. + + The above monument was first erected by James Currie, merchant, + Pentland, and others, in 1706; renewed in 1771. + + Rev. vi. 9.--And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the + altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for + the testimony which they held. + + 10.--And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy + and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell + on the earth? + + 11.--And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was + said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until + their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed + as they were, should be fulfilled. + + Chap. vii. 14.--These are they which came out of great tribulation, + and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the + Lamb. + + Chap. ii. 10.--Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a + crown of life. + +The following is stated to have been added to the monument at a subsequent +date, but at the present time there is not any trace of it:-- + + Yes, though the sceptic's tongue deride + Those martyrs who for conscience died-- + Though modern history blight their fame, + And sneering courtiers hoot the name + Of men who dared alone be free, + Amidst a nation's slavery;-- + Yet long for them the poet's lyre + Shall wake its notes of heavenly fire; + Their names shall nerve the patriot's hand + Upraised to save a sinking land; + And piety shall learn to burn + With holier transports o'er their urn. + JAMES GRAHAME. + Peace to their mem'ry! let no impious breath + Sell their fair fame, or triumph o'er their death. + Let Scotia's grateful sons their tear-drops shed, + Where low they lie in honour's gory bed; + Rich with the spoil their glorious deeds had won, + And purchas'd freedom to a land undone-- + A land which owes its glory and its worth + To those whom tyrants banish'd from the earth. + + For the accomplishment of this resolution, the three kingdoms lie + under no small debt of gratitude to the Covenanters. They suffered and + bled both in fields and on scaffolds for the cause of civil and + religious liberty; and shall we reap the fruit of their sufferings, + their prayers and their blood, and yet treat their memory either with + indifference or scorn? No! whatever minor faults may be laid to their + charge, whatever trivial accusations may be brought against them, it + cannot be but acknowledged that they were the men who, "singly and + alone," stood forward in defence of Scotland's dearest rights, and to + whom we at the present day owe everything that is valuable to us + either as men or as Christians. + +[Illustration: THE PUZZLE. + +_Reproduced from a picture published in 1796._] + +It is an easy matter to arrange words forming a simple sentence in English +to appear like Latin. This was successfully done in 1796, when a print was +published under the title of "The Puzzle." "This curious inscription is +humbly dedicated," says the author, "to the penetrating geniuses of +Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, and the learned Society of Antiquaries." The +words have every appearance of a Latin inscription, but if the stops and +capital letters or division of the words are disregarded, the epitaph may +easily be read as follows:-- + + Beneath + this stone reposeth + CLAUD COSTER, + tripe-seller, of Impington, + as doth his consort Jane. + + +Ye Ende + + + + +Index. + + + Abdidge, John, 5 + + Abel, John, 216 + + Abery, Sarah, 37 + + Abingdon, John, 7 + + Acrostic, 170, 172, 173 + + Actors and Musicians, Epitaphs on, 73-91 + + Adderly, Sampson, 38 + + Alexander, J. H., 83 + + Alfred, King of Northumbria, 179 + + Aliscombe, 14 + + Alley, Samuel, 142 + + Amelia, Princess, 45 + + Amies, James, 220 + + Amputation, Death from, 228 + + Amys, Thomas, 209 + + Andrews, Sarah, 41 + + Appleby, H. C., quoted, 167 + + Architect, 216 + + Armison, Sarah, 40 + + Ashford, Mary, 199 + + Ashover, 77 + + Atholl, Duke of, 146 + + Attorney-at-Law, 216 + + Ault Hucknall, 93 + + Axon, W. E. A., quoted, 198 + + + Bacchanalian Epitaphs, 105-118 + + Bagshaw, Samuel, 15 + + Baily, Mary, 41 + + Baker, 19 + + Bakewell, 121-125, 117, 214 + + Ball, H. W., quoted, 225 + + Barber-surgeons, 172-173, 177 + + Bardsley, Rev. C. W., 22 + + Barker, Christopher, 33 + + Barnstaple, 139 + + Barrow-on-Soar, 138 + + Barton, Norfolk, 209 + + Barton-on-Humber, 225 + + Barwick-in-Elmet, 65 + + Baskerville, 33 + + Bassoon player, 77 + + Bath, 80 + + Battersea, 55 + + Battle, wager of, 199-201 + + Beach, Mary, 43 + + Becke, Rev. J., 136 + + Beckenham, 42 + + Beckley, 85 + + Bede, Cuthbert, quoted, 125 + + Bedworth, 97 + + Beefsteak Society, 227 + + Belbroughton, 126 + + Bell, Nathaniel, 39 + + Bellow, J. F., 52 + + Bellows-maker, 17 + + Berkeley, 3 + + Besford, 39 + + Betts, Sarah, 41 + + Beverley, 52, 58, 81, 219 + + Biffin, Sarah, 162 + + Bill o' Jacks and Tom o' Bills, 201 + + Billinge, Wm., 49 + + Bingham, 120 + + Bingley, 130 + + Birmingham, 33 + + Birstal, 97 + + Blackett, Joseph, 17 + + Blacksmith, 11 + + Bletchley, 139 + + Blind Jack, 149-153 + + Bloomfield, Mary, 228 + + Boar's Head, 114-116 + + Bodger, Samuel, 56 + + Boles, Richard, 51 + + Bolsover, 3 + + Bolton, Lancashire, 158 + + Bolton, Yorkshire, 153 + + Bond, Thomas and Mary, 223 + + "Book of Days," quoted, 86, 128, 218 + + Booker, Dr., quoted, 199 + + Bookseller, 9 + + Booth, Jno., 75 + + Booth, Tom, 94-97 + + Boston, America, 28, 30 + + Botanist, 22 + + Bowes, 205 + + Bradbury, William and Thomas, 201 + + Bradley, William, 159 + + Bray, Henrietta M., 80 + + Bremhill, 50 + + Brewer, 105 + + Brickmaker, 14 + + Bridgeford-on-the-Hill, 5 + + Briggs, Hezekiah, 130 + + Brighton, 59 + + Briscoe, John D., quoted, 158 + + Briscoe, J. Potter, quoted, 110, 203 + + Bristol, 19, 222 + + Broadbent, Jno., 132 + + Bromsgrove, 6 + + Brousard, James, 36 + + Browne, Susan, 221 + + Buckett, Jno., 107 + + Builder, 14 + + Bullen, Rev. H., 7 + + Bullingham, 14 + + Bunney, 101 + + Burbage, 91 + + Burkitt, Jonathan, 226 + + Burned to death, 213 + + Burns, Robert, quoted, 109 + + Burton, 205 + + Burton, Edward, 202 + + Burton, Joyce, 213 + + Burton-on-Trent, 38 + + Bury, St. Edmunds, 31, 57, 211, 212 + + Butler, a, 106 + + Butler, Samuel, 81, 164-166 + + Butler, Samuel William, 82 + + Buttress, J. E., 69 + + Byfield, Sarah, 111 + + Byng, John, 67 + + Byron, Lord, 8, 17 + + Bywater, Jno., 112 + + + Cadman, 86 + + Caerlaverock, 174 + + Campbell, Patrick, 65 + + Carmichael, Jas., 65 + + Carpenter, 15 + + Carrier, 8 + + Cartwright, Hy., 94 + + Cary, Rev. H. F., quoted, 183 + + Castleton, 216 + + Cave, of Barrow-on-Soar, 138 + + Cave, Edward, 11 + + Cave, Jos., 10 + + Cave, William, 11 + + Caxton, William, 24 + + Chambers, Dr. Wm., 24, 25 + + Chancel door, buried at the, 214 + + Chapman, Dr. T., 154 + + Chapman, Wm., 42 + + Charles I., 51 + + Charles II., epitaph on, 169 + + Charlton, Jno., 92 + + Chatham, 110 + + Chatsworth, 35 + + Checkley, 135 + + Chelsea Hospital veteran, 49 + + Chepman, William, 24-25 + + Chepstow, 170 + + Chester, 13, 57, 228 + + Clay, Hercules, 168 + + Clay, Thomas, 117 + + Cleater, Samuel, 214 + + Clemetshaw, Hy., 73 + + Cliff, Elizabeth, 213 + + Clifton, 80 + + Clockmakers, 1-5 + + Cloth-drawer, 17 + + Coachdriver, 7 + + Coffin, curious, 166 + + Coincidences, remarkable, 178 + + Cole, Dean, 137 + + Cole, of Lillington, 138 + + Collison, D., 70 + + Colton, 14 + + Cooks, 227 + + Corby, 20 + + Corporation cook, 227 + + Corser, Henry, 178 + + Coster, Claude, 232-233 + + Cotton, John, 28 + + Coventry, 34, 101, 103 + + _Coventry Mercury_, 34 + + Cowper, Wm., 182, 184-185 + + Crackles, Thos., 70 + + Crazford, 119 + + Creton, 213 + + Crich, Vicar of, 12 + + Cricketer, 102, 103 + + Cruikshank, George, 192-194 + + Cruker, Joseph, 17 + + Currie, James, 230 + + Cynical epitaph, 216 + + + Dalamoth, Jane, 215 + + Dale, John, 177 + + Dalry, 222 + + Danish soldiers, 52-55 + + Darenth, 110 + + Darfield, 219 + + Darlington, 132 + + Darnborough, Wm., 131 + + Dart, Rose, 139 + + Dartmouth, 66 + + Davidson, Alex., 67 + + Day, Will., 136 + + Deaf and dumb man, 205 + + Deakin, Rowland, 157 + + Deal, 68, 69 + + Deal boatman, 68 + + Deans, Jeanie, 173-174 + + Death from political excitement, 204 + + Defoe, Daniel, 181 + + Depledge, Thomas, 219 + + Dereham, 182 + + Devonshire, Duke of, 35 + + Dinsdale, Dr. F., 207 + + Disley, 36 + + Dixon, Geo., 93 + + "Domestic Annals of Scotland," quoted, 156 + + Dove, John, 109 + + Drew, Mary, 210 + + Drowned, 212-213 + + Drunkard, 110 + + Dublin, 30 + + Duck, S., 87-90 + + Dunkeld, 156 + + Dunse, 83 + + Dunton, 7 + + Dwarf, Yorkshire, 160 + + Dyer, 16 + + + Eakring, 94 + + Early English epitaph, 209 + + Earthenware, dealer in, 13 + + Earwaker, J. P., 37 + + Easton, Wm., 70 + + Ecclesfield, 94 + + Edensor, 35, 36 + + Edinburgh, 24, 32, 186, 229 + + Edmonds, Jno., 66 + + Edmonton, 183 + + Edwalton, 110 + + "Edwin and Emma," 206 + + Eltham, 39 + + Engine-driver, 6 + + Engineer, 6 + + Epitaphs on Soldiers and Sailors, 49-72 + + Epsom, 41 + + Eton, 111 + + Etty, Wm., 190-192 + + Exciseman, 116 + + Eyre, Vincent, 203-205 + + + Fairholt, F. W., 190 + + Families, large, 221-222 + + Fatal prize-fights, 102 + + Faulkner, George, 30 + + Female soldiers, 58 + + Fiddler, 75 + + Field, Bishop, 135 + + Field, Joseph, 134 + + Fisher, Jno., 39 + + Flixton, 75 + + Flockton, Thomas, 132 + + Folkestone, 112 + + Fools, 85 + + Fort William, 65 + + Franklin, Abiah, 30 + + Franklin, Benjamin, 26-30 + + Franklin, Josiah, 30 + + Freland, Mrs., 110 + + + Garden, burial in, 202 + + Gardener, 36 + + Garrick, David, 78; + quoted, 80, 188 + + Gaskoin, Jenny, 43-45 + + Gaskoin, Mary, 45 + + Gay, 210 + + Gedge, L., 31 + + _Gentleman's Magazine_, quoted, 123 + + George III., 43 + + George IV., 61 + + Giant, Yorkshire, 159 + + Gilling, 218 + + Gillingham, 84 + + Gladiator, 101 + + Glasgow, 83-84 + + Gloucester Abbey, 167 + + _Gloucester Notes and Queries_, 181 + + Goldsmith, Dr. O., 115 + + Goldsmith, Thomas, 66 + + Good and Faithful Servants, 35-43 + + Grainge, Wm., quoted, 153 + + Gray, Catherine, 13 + + Gray, John William, 213 + + Gray, Robert, 18 + + Great events, 155 + + Great Limber, 43 + + Great Marlow, 38 + + Greenwich, 107 + + Griffiths, George, 56 + + Grindon, 220 + + _Guardian_, quoted, 137 + + Guy, John, 166-167 + + + Hackett, Robert, 92 + + Haigh, Brian, 177 + + Hall, Micah, 216 + + Hamilton, 72 + + Hampstead, 4 + + Hampsthwaite, 160 + + Hanslope, 102 + + Harrison, John, 4-5 + + Harrison, Wm., 71 + + Hart, Thomas, 120 + + Hartwith, 131 + + Haselton, Mary, 211 + + Hawksworth, Dr., 11 + + Hayley, quoted, 11, 182 + + Heardson, Edward, 227 + + Hedderwick, James, quoted, 84 + + Hedon, 221 + + Henbury, 46 + + Hessel, Phoebe, 58-64 + + Hessle, 16 + + Hewet, John, 210 + + Heywood, James, 15 + + High Wycombe, 5, 166 + + Hill, Dr. Otwell, 137 + + Hillingdon, 46 + + Hilton Castle, fool at, 86 + + Hindle, Thomas, 4 + + Hippisley, Jno., 79 + + Hiseland, Wm., 49 + + Hobson, carrier, 8 + + Hogarth, Wm., 187-190 + + Honest man, 220 + + Horncastle, 72 + + Hornsea, 135 + + Howard, John, 22 + + "Hudibras," author of, 164-166 + + Hughenden, 166 + + Hull, 70, 71, 72, 74, 112, 127, 134, 212, 215, 223 + + Hull Fair, giant at, 160 + + Hulm, John, 34 + + Huntrodds, Francis, 178 + + Huntsman, 92, 93, 94, 97 + + Hutchinson, Henry, 144-5 + + Hythe, 104 + + + Innkeeper, 106-110 + + Irongray, 173 + + Island of Juan Fernandez, 180 + + Isnell, Peter, 119 + + + Jackson, Thomas, 84 + + Jenkins, Henry, 153-156 + + Jennings, Ann, 222 + + Jewitt, L., quoted, 121 + + Jobling, Mrs. C., quoted, 163 + + Jones, Alderman J., 167 + + Jones, Edward, 25 + + Jones, Stephen, 228 + + Joy, Richard, 162 + + + Keeper, 92, 94 + + Kelly, Rev. John, 145 + + Kempsey, 40 + + Kentish Samson, 162 + + Kettlethorpe, 136 + + King, John, 42 + + Kingsbridge, 214 + + Kirk Braddan, 140-148 + + Kirk Hall, 214 + + Knight, Charles, 91 + + + Lackington, James, 9 + + Lamb, Charles and Mary, 183-185 + + Lambert, Daniel, 161 + + Lambert, George, 74 + + Lambeth, 22 + + Lanchbury, Sarah, 40 + + Large families, 221-222 + + Laurence Lideard, 222 + + Leake, Thomas, 97-100 + + Lightning, killed by, 210-211 + + Lillington, 137 + + Lillyard, Maiden, 158 + + Lincoln, 137 + + Little Driffield, 179 + + Liverpool, 105, 162 + + Lloyd, Sarah, 212 + + Loddon, 176 + + Logner Hall, 202 + + London, 7, 49, 86, 102, 108, 115, 192 + + Longevity, 37 + + Longnor, 15, 49 + + Low value of human life, 212 + + Ludlow, 7 + + Luton, 93 + + Lydford, 1 + + Lynn, 227 + + + Macbeth, Jno., 76 + + Macclesfield, 228 + + Malibran, Madame, 78 + + Manchester, 22 + + Manxland Epitaphs, 140-148 + + Market Weighton, 159 + + Marrying man, 222 + + Marten, Henry, 170-172 + + Martin, John, 20, 147 + + Martyrs' monument, 229 + + Mason, 14 + + Mason, Mrs. Mary, 222 + + Mason, Rev. Wm., 222 + + Master of foxhounds, 92 + + Mather, Wm., 36 + + Mauchline, 109 + + Mawer, Rev. John, 207 + + Maxton, 158 + + M'Carrey, P., 142 + + M'Kay, Alex., 102 + + Medford, Grace, 139 + + Melton Mowbray, 112 + + Merivale, 134 + + Merrett, Thomas, 172 + + Metcalf, John, 149-153 + + Micklehurst, 112 + + Middleditch, Wm., 57 + + Middleton Tyas, 207 + + Miller, 19 + + Miller, Joe, 86-91 + + Miscellaneous Epitaphs, 209-233 + + Mob-Cap, 45 + + Model publican, 198 + + Moore, John, 217 + + Morecambe, 47 + + Morris, Captain, quoted, 227 + + Morville, 92 + + Mottram, 93 + + Murdered men, 218-220 + + Musicians and Actors, Epitaphs on, 73-91 + + + Napier, J. M., 57 + + Napoleon, Emperor, 142 + + Negro servants, 46, 47-48, 142 + + Newark, 168 + + Newcastle-on-Tyne, 120 + + Newhaven, 105 + + Newport, Mon., 76 + + Newton, George, 93 + + North Scarle, 57 + + North Wingfield, 117 + + Norwich, 73, 80, 111, 221 + + Notable Persons, Epitaphs on, 149-208 + + _Notes and Queries_, quoted, 113 + + Nottingham, 95, 203 + + Nottingham Date-Book, quoted, 95 + + + Ockham, 16 + + Okey, John, 158 + + "Old Mortality," 174-176 + + Ollerton, 106 + + Orange, Prince of, 52 + + Organ blower, 74 + + Organist, 73, 74 + + Oxford, 17 + + + Pady, James, 14 + + Page, Jno. T., quoted, 187, 189, 194-197 + + Pannal, 106 + + Parish Clerks and Sextons, Epitaphs on, 119-133 + + Parkes, Jno., 101 + + Park-keeper, 37 + + Parkyns, Sir Thomas, 101 + + Parr, Edward, 57 + + Patcham, 218 + + Paterson, Robert, 174-176 + + Patrington, 221 + + Pearce, Dicky, 85 + + Peirce, Thomas, 3 + + Pennecuik, A., 156 + + Pershore, 40 + + Peterborough, 128, 138 + + Petersham, 37 + + Pettigrew, T. J., quoted, 113, 222 + + Petworth, 41 + + Philadelphia, 28 + + Phillips, John, 35 + + Phillpot, Geo., 68 + + Pickering, Robt., 71 + + Pickford, Rev. Jno., quoted, 52 + + Piper, Scotch, 76 + + Piscatorial epitaphs, 104 + + Pleasant, Toby, 46 + + Plumber, 16 + + Pope, 210 + + Portsmouth, 67, 194 + + Portugal, King of, 20 + + Potter, 13 + + Pounds, John, 194-197 + + Poynton, 37 + + Preston, 197 + + Preston, Richard, 132 + + Preston, Robt., 116 + + Prissick, George, 16 + + Pritchard, Mrs., 79 + + Protestant, a zealous, 202 + + Pryme, Abraham de la, 53 + + Punning Epitaphs, 134-140 + + Punster, 140 + + Putney, 67 + + Puzzle, the, 232 + + Pyper, Mary, 186-187 + + + Quill-driver, 215 + + Quin, James, 80 + + + Ragged Schools, founder of, 194-197 + + Railton, Martha, 206 + + Ratcliffe-on-Soar, 120 + + Raw, Frank, 120 + + Regicide, 170-172 + + Ridge, Thos., 94 + + Ridsdale, Jane, 160 + + Ringer, 130 + + Roberts, Anne, 80 + + Robertson, John, 222 + + "Robinson Crusoe," 181 + + Rochester on Charles II., 169 + + Roe, Philip, 125 + + Roe, Samuel, 122 + + Rogers, Dr. Charles, quoted, 174, 176 + + Rogers, Rebecca, 113 + + Ross, Frederick, quoted, 160 + + Rotherham, 19 + + Rothwell, Leeds, 132 + + Routleigh, George, 1 + + Rudder, Samuel, 181 + + Rugby, 10 + + Running footman, 46 + + + Saddleworth, 132, 201 + + Sailors and Soldiers, 49-72 + + Salisbury, 102 + + Sambo's grave, 47-48 + + Samson, Kentish, 162 + + Sands, Rev. Samuel, 227 + + Santon, 148 + + Sarnesfield, 216 + + Saving money for a funeral, 228 + + Scales, Daniel, 218 + + Scarlett, Old, 128-130 + + Scatchard, Thomas, 202 + + Scipio Africanus, 46 + + Scotland, printing introduced into, 24 + + Scott, Jno., 105 + + Scott, Margery, 156 + + Scott, Sir Walter, 173 + + Scrivenor, Wm., 227 + + Scrope, Capt. G., 103 + + Sculcoates, 215 + + Seaham, 17 + + Seizing the dead for debt, 117 + + Selby, 66, 67, 120 + + Selkirk, Alexander, 180 + + Servants, Good and Faithful, 35-43 + + Sextons and Parish Clerks, 119-133 + + Shakespeare, Wm., 176 + + Sheffield, 9 + + Sherman, Mary, 222 + + Shoemaker, 17 + + Shorthand epitaph, 215 + + Shrewsbury, 86, 157, 178 + + Sign of the Boar's Head, 114 + + Silkstone, 13 + + Simpson, Jeremiah, 202 + + Skullcross, Philip, 215 + + Slaves freed, 46 + + Slater, Joseph, 2 + + Sleaford, 17 + + Smith, Isaac, 56 + + Smith, Robt., 121 + + Smoke money, 113 + + Smuggler, 218-219 + + Soldiers and Sailors, 49-72 + + South Cave, 201 + + Southam, 227 + + Southill, 67 + + Southwell, 8 + + Spalding, Jos., 66 + + Sparke, Rose, 139 + + _Spectator_, quoted, 68 + + Spofforth, 149 + + Spong, John, 16 + + Sportsmen, Epitaphs on, 92-104 + + Stalham, 220 + + Stamford, 161 + + Stanton Harcourt, 210 + + St. Helena, 142 + + St. Peter's, Isle of Thanet, 162 + + Stockbridge, 107 + + Stokes, Thomas, 205 + + Stone, John, 128 + + Stoney Middleton, 77 + + Strange farewell sermon, 12 + + Street, Amos, 97 + + Straker, Daniel, 52 + + Stratford-on-Avon, 176 + + Strutt, Matthew, 214 + + Strutton, Wm., 221 + + Suffolk, Earl of, 46 + + Sunderland Point, 47 + + Sutton Coldfield, 39, 198 + + Swain, Charles, quoted, 82 + + Swair, Edward, 19 + + Swift, quoted, 85, 90-91 + + Swift, Geo., 77 + + + "Tales of a Grandfather," 157 + + Tappy, Jas., 39 + + Taunton, 18 + + Tawton, 139 + + Taylor, John, 13 + + Taylor, Jno., quoted, 108 + + Tear, Daniel, 148 + + Teetotal, author of the word, 197 + + Tennis ball, 103 + + Tewkesbury Abbey, 172 + + Thackerey, Jos., 106 + + Theodore, King of Corsica, 180 + + Thetcher, Thomas, 118 + + Thompson, Francis, 106 + + Thompson, Rev. Patrick, 140 + + Thornton, Abraham, 199 + + Thorsby Park, 95 + + Thursday, events on, 214 + + Tideswell, 177 + + Tidmington, 40 + + Tiffey, Jack, 140 + + _Times_, quoted, 3 + + Tipper, Thomas, 105 + + Tonbridge, 111 + + Tonson, Jacob, 26 + + Tradescants, 21-22 + + Tradesmen, Epitaphs on, 1-23 + + Trowsdale, T. B., quoted, 170 + + Turar, T., 19 + + Turner, Richard, 197 + + Twickenham, 43 + + Typographical Epitaphs, 24-34 + + + Uley, 181 + + Upton-on-Severn, 107 + + Uttoxeter, 2 + + + Vegetarian, 181 + + + Wager of battle, 199-201 + + Wakefield, 73 + + Walcott, 217 + + Wales, Prince of, 44 + + Walford, Edward, 3 + + Walker, Helen, 173 + + Walker, John, 5 + + Wall, David, 77 + + Wallas, Robt., 120 + + Warren, Sir George, 37 + + Watchmakers, 1-5 + + Watson, Jos., 36 + + Waverley novels, 175 + + Weaver, 17 + + Weem, 64 + + Welton, 202 + + Westminster, 24, 78, 79, 165 + + Weston, 17 + + Whalley, 198 + + Whitaker, Dr., 198 + + Whitby, 178 + + Whitehall, Rev. J., 135 + + Whittaker, Wm., 67 + + Whitty, Mary, 38 + + Whitworth, Rev. R. H., quoted, 97 + + Wigglesworth, John, 198 + + Wilks, Major, 142 + + Williamson, Adam, 32 + + Wimbledon, 20 + + Winchester Cathedral, 51, 118 + + Windsor, St. George's Chapel, 45 + + Wirksworth, 215 + + Wiseman, Wm., 217 + + Wolstanton, 222 + + Woodbridge, 66 + + Wordsworth, Wm., 144 + + Worme, Sir Richard, 138 + + Worrall, Thomas, 126 + + Wrestler, 101 + + Wright, Joe, 20 + + Wrightson, Rodger, 206 + + Wynter, Sir Edward, 55 + + + Yarmouth, 16, 56, 104 + + York, 191, 212 + + Yorkshire dwarf, 160 + + Yorkshire giant, 159 + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Hooper's "Notes on the Church of St. Peter of Mancroft, Norwich" +(1895). + +[2] "Annals of Newark-upon-Trent," by Cornelius Brown, published 1879. + +[3] London, 1873. + +[4] Jno. T. Page, in "Bygone Hampshire" (1899). + +[5] Black's "Guide to Yorkshire." + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_. + +Superscripted characters are indicated by {superscript}. + +The original text includes a variety of symbols. 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