BIOGRAPHICAL.
ON THE MONUMENT OF A DROPSICAL LADY.
Here lies Dame Mary Page,
Relict of Sir Gregory Page, Bart.
She departed this life, March 4th, 1728,
In the 56th year of her age.
In 67 months she was tapped 66 times, and
Had taken away 240 gallons of water.
AT THE OLD MEN’S HOSPITAL, NORWICH, ENG.
In Memory of Mrs. Phebe Crewe, who died May 28, 1817, aged 77 years; who, during forty years’ practice as a midwife in this city, brought into the world nine thousand seven hundred and thirty children.
IN THE ABBEY CHURCH OF CONWAY.
Here lyeth the body of Nichlas Hooker, who was the one and fortieth child of his father by Alice his only wife, and the father of seven and twenty children by one wife. He died March 20th, 1637.
AT WOLSTANTON.
Mrs. Ann Jennings.
Some have children, some have none:
Here lies the mother of twenty-one.
IN THE CHURCHYARD OF HEYDON.
Here lieth the body of William Strutton, of Paddington, buried May 18th, 1734, who had by his first wife, 28 children, and by a second wife, 17; own father to 45, grandfather to 86, great-grandfather to 97, and great-great-grandfather to 23; in all, 251.
IN THE CHURCHYARD OF PEWSEY, WILTSHIRE.
Here lies the body of Lady O’Looney, great-niece of Burke, commonly called the sublime. She was bland, passionate, and deeply religious; also, she painted in water-colors, and sent several pictures to the exhibition. She was first cousin to Lady Jones; and of such is the kingdom of heaven.
IN CRAYFORD CHURCHYARD, KENT.
Here lieth the body of Peter Snell, thirty-five years clerk of the parish. He lived respected as a pious and faithful 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 was just threescore and ten,
Nearly half of which time he had sung out Amen.
In his 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 sang out Amen.
On the horn he could blow as well as most men,
So “his horn was exalted” in blowing Amen.
But he lost all his wind after threescore and ten,
And here with his wives he waits till again
The trumpet shall rouse him to sing out Amen.
AT WREXHAM, WALES.
Elihu Yale, (founder of Yale College,) ob. 1721, æt. 73.
Born in America, in Europe bred,
In Afric travelled, and in Asia wed;
Where long he lived and thrived, in London dead.
Much good, some ill, he did; so hope all’s even,
And that his soul through mercy’s gone to Heaven.
You that survive, and read this tale, take care,
For this most certain exit to prepare,
Where, blest in peace, the actions of the just
Smell sweet, and blossom in the silent dust.