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, Ignorance and error are incident to human nature. 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, To these so mourn'd in death, so lov'd in life, 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. Life is a jest, and all things show it: Underneath are these verses by Mr. POPE- Of manners gentle, of affections mild, With native humour tempering virtuous rage, And uncorrupted e'en among the great: Unblam'd through life, lamented in thy end; 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, IN MEMORY OF An honest man, a constant friend, JOHN, THE GREAT DUKE OF ARGYLE 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, His Grace was born October the 10th, 1689, and died 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. |