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PREFACE.

HAVING always derived a particular pleasure from a walk among the tombs, the Author became in early life a collector of Epitaphs. A recent tour through GREAT BRITAIN, and the ISLE of MAN, enabled him to enlarge the collection, by the insertion of several inscriptions of great merit, that convey fine moral thoughts in the style and spirit of genuine poetry; many of them were never before published, and are correctly copied from the monuments on which they are inscribed: a few are taken from the works of our most popular Poets, which certainly do no discredit to the authors whose names they bear.

If some pieces of inferior merit, as far as regards poetic composition, have been admitted into the collection, they are, at least, entitled to the praise of being moral and instructive, however they may offend

JOHN SHEFFIELD, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM,

Died Feb. 24, 1720, in the 74th year of his age.

I liv'd doubtful, not dissolute,
I die unresolv'd, not unresign'd.

Ignorance and error are incident to human nature.
I trust in an Almighty and all good God.
O! thou Being of Beings, have compassion on me.
For my king often, for my country forever.

TO THE MEMORY OF

NICHOLAS ROWE, Esq.

Who died in 1718, aged 45;

And of Charlotte, his only Daughter, wife of Henry Fane, Esq. who inherited her father's spirit, and amiable in her own innocence and beauty, died in the 23d year of her age, 1739.

Thy reliques Rowe! to this sad shrine we trust,
And near thy Shakspeare place thy honor'd bust.
Oh! next him skill'd to draw the tender tear,
For never heart felt passion more sincere ;
To nobler sentiments to fire the brave,
For never Briton more disdain'd a slave.
Peace to thy gentle shade and endless rest,
Blest in thy genius, in thy love too blest!
And blest, that timely from our scene remov'd
Thy soul enjoys that liberty it lov'd!

To these so mourn'd in death, so lov'd in life,
The childless parent, and the widow'd wife,
With tears inscribe this monumental stone,
That holds their ashes, and expects her own.

Mr. Rowe was Poet Laureat and author of several fine Tragedies.

JOHN GAY,

Died December 4, 1732, aged 45.

The short Epitaph on the front was written by himself.

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Life is a jest, and all things show it:
I thought so once, but now I know it.

Underneath are these verses by Mr. POPE-

Of manners gentle, of affections mild,
In wit a man, simplicity a child;

With native humour tempering virtuous rage,
Form'd to delight at once, and lash the age;
Above temptation in a low estate,

And uncorrupted e'en among the great:
A safe companion and an easy friend,

Unblam'd through life, lamented in thy end;
These are thy honors ;-not that there thy bust
Is mix'd with heroes, or with kings thy dust;
But that the worthy and the good shall say,
Striking their pensive bosoms-here lies Gay!

TO THE MEMORY OF

MARY HOPE,

Who died at Brook-Hall,

In the County of Northampton,

On the 25th of June, 1767,

Aged 25 years,

And whose remains lie in the neighbouring church at Norton; this stone, an unavailing tribute of affection, is by her husband erected and inscribed.

She was the only daughter of Eliab Breton, of Torty-Hall, Middlesex, Esq. and was married to John Hope, of London, Merchant, to whom she left three infant sons, Charles, John, and William.

Tho' low on earth, her beauteous form decay'd,
My faithful wife, my lov'd Maria's laid,
In sad remembrance, the afflicted raise
No pompous tomb inscrib'd with venal praise.
To statesmen, warriors, and to kings belong
The trophy'd sculpture and the poet's song;
And these the proud expiring often claim,
Their wealth, bequeathing to record their name.
But humble virtue, stealing to the dust,
Heeds not our lays, or monumental bust.
To name her virtues ill befits my grief;
What was my bliss can now give no relief;
A husband mourns-the rest let friendship tell;
Fame spread her worth--a husband knew it well.

IN MEMORY OF

An honest man, a constant friend,

JOHN, THE GREAT DUKE OF ARGYLE
AND GREENWICH,

A General and Orator,

Exceeded by none in the age he lived. Sir Henry Fearmer, Bart. by his last Will and Testament, left the sum of £500 towards erecting this Monument, and recommended the following Inscription :

Britons hehold! if patriot worth be dear,
A shrine that claims a tributary tear;
Silent that tongue admiring senates heard,
Nerveless that arm opposing legions fear'd.
Nor less, O Campbell! thine the power to please,
And give to grandeur all the grace of ease.
Long from thy life let kindred heroes trace,
Arts which ennoble till the noblest race;
Others may owe their future fame to me,
I borrow immortality from thee.

His Grace was born October the 10th, 1689, and died
October the 4th, 1743.

IN MEMORY OF

GRACE SCOTT, .

Eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Mauleverer, of Alerton Mauleverer, in Yorkshire, Bart. born 1622, married to Colonel Scott, a member of the honorable House of Commons, 1644, and died February 24, 1645.

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