MEMENTO MORI
REMEMBER TO DIE
SIR.
You are desired to Accompany the Corps of Mr. Thomas Newborough, from his late Dwelling-House in St. Paul's Church-Yard, to the Burial-place of St Gregory's, on Wednesday the 29th of this Instant January, 1704 at Five of the Clock in the Afternoon.
INVITATION TO A FUNERAL.
No affidavit to be necessary for a person dying of the plague. It imposed a fine of 5l. for every infringement, one half to go to the informer, and the other half to the poor of the parish.
This Act was only repealed by 54 Geo. III. c. 108, or in the year 1815.
The material used was flannel, and such interments are frequently mentioned in the literature of the time, and Luttrell mentions in his diary (Oct. 9, 1703) that the Irish Parliament had just brought in bills 'for encouraging the linnen manufacture, and to oblige all persons to bury in woollen.'
'Odious! in woollen! 'twould a saint provoke,'
Were the last words that poor Narcissa spoke;
'No, let a charming chintz and Brussels lace
Wrap my cold limbs and shade my lifeless face:
One would not, sure, be frightful when one's dead—
And, Betty, give this cheek a little red.'[62]
Funeral invitations were sent out—ghastly things, such as the foregoing.