good modern epitaph on a great man ought to be the very essence of all that the literature of his time will say about him; something to circulate in a compact form, like his likeness on a medal. Let me give examples of what I mean. Does not Dr. Johnson beautifully hit off Goldsmith's felicity of natural genius when he says, that he "touched nothing which he did not adorn?" Or, look at the line from Franklin, "He snatched the lightning from Heaven, and the sceptre from Kings." This is the poetry of his life's action in a line. If posterity, again, knew nothing of Ben Jonson but that somebody expressed the general feeling about him, by “O rare Ben Jonson," they would carry away a capital idea of him. These are strict epitaphs. You cannot write a detailed narrative of a man's exploits and character on his tombstone. Neither in the case of a notable man is it needful. it is right and natural that the place where his bones lie should have an appropriate inscription. The epitaph gathers, as it were, the very honey out of the flowers that compose his crown, and gives it to the world. So, to my mind, the writer of a fine epitaph not only does a graceful literary performance, but does a service of importance to the world. It is impossible to calculate the good done to society at large, by the circulation of brief, terse sayings, carrying

But

wisdom in them. And if wisdom is in its place anywhere, surely it is on a monument. An epitaph which preserves a man's memory embalmed in its beauty, should be written with the care and the reverence becoming the spot and the object for which it is intended.

With respect to the epitaphs in this volume, they have been collected by the Author during a series of years from the various cemeteries. named; and although in such a large collection there may be many faulty compositions, there are also many of great beauty, and appropriate for every occasion where an epitaph is required. To those gentlemen who have favoured him with original compositions for this work his sincere thanks are due, and also to his numerous friends and subscribers for their kind patronage to this his fifth published work, which he trusts will meet their approval.

1, Stafford Terrace,

Derby, August, 1859.

Epitaphs.

BIRMINGHAM CHURCH OF ENGLAND

CEMETERY.

1.

Her opening charms from day to day
Inspired a growing love;

But He who gave called her away
To dwell with Him above.

2.

Silent be all my anxious fears,

My heart no more repine;
Since Jesus in his bosom wears

The Flower that once was mine.

3.

All that are young behold and see,
How quickly death hath conquer'd me;

Repent in time-make no delay,

For no one knows their dying day.

4.

As a Mother, a Wife, and a Christian, she exhibited a character worthy of imitation.

5.

Oh God, it seemeth hard so soon to part
from all held dear;

A Husband's love, the ties of youth, of home,
so cherished here;

But thine Almighty Providence, all wise,
saw best should be,

To take the loving wife, the daughter dear,
to dwell with thee,

Stay then our sorrows; in thine own good time
we know full well

The spirits of the just made perfect
will together dwell.

6.

No verse of praise write on my tomb,
Know there's a judgment yet to come;
Leave all to God, who justly knows,

And more than we deserve bestows.

7.

And all wept and bewailed her; but He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.-Luke viii. 52.

BIRMINGHAM GENERAL CEMETERY.

8.

Sweet Babe, it was a Saviour's love
Which called thee to the realms above;
How can we murmur or repine

That such felicity is thine?

9.

When from the dust of Death I rise,
To take my mansion in the skies;
Even then shall this be all my plea,
"Jesus hath lived and died for me."

10.

Here sleeps a man who while he lived on earth,
Possess'd a character of priceless worth,
Patient and humble, virtuous in mind,
Sincere in friendship, generous and kind.

No wild ambition ever reached his breast; But calm content there dwelt a constant guest, "Free from reproach, his course through life he ran, The noblest work of God, an honest man."

11.

The flowers that smile in morning light,
Close at the touch of chilling night,
Yet bloom more fair in next day's sun,
So will this dear-this lovely one.

12.

Since 'tis Thy will that we should part
With the sweet treasure of our heart,
We humbly do this babe resign,
To be, O Lord, for ever thine.

13.

God kindly gave as bright a gem
As e'er to human hope was given,

But saw it was too fair for earth,

He spoke and now it shines in heaven.

14.

Little darling fare thee well,

Hence removed in heaven to dwell,

Almost cherub here below,

Altogether angel now.

Happy infant! I resign

All in thee that once was mine,
On the Saviour's tender breast,
Thou art gone to endless rest.