Tradition tells us that this vegetarian lived mainly on ‘dump,’ in various forms. Usually he ate ‘plain dump;’ when tired of plain dump, he changed his diet to ‘hard dump;’ and when he was in a special state of exhilaration, he added the variety ‘apple dump’ to his very moderate fare.”

On Saturday, the 2nd May, 1800, the remains of William Cowper were interred in that part of Dereham Church known as St. Edmund’s Chapel. He died without a will, but Lady Hesketh consented to administer his estate, and eventually placed a tablet to his memory on the wall of the chancel, near his grave. It is constructed of white marble, and over the top are represented two volumes, labelled respectively “Holy Bible” and “The Task.” The inscription as follows was written by Cowper’s friend, Hayley:—

In memory of
William Cowper, Esq.,
Born in Hertfordshire in 1731,
Buried in this Church in 1801.
Ye who with warmth the public triumph feel
Of talents, dignified by sacred zeal,
Here, to devotion’s bard devoutly just,
Pay your fond tribute due to Cowper’s dust!
England, exulting in his spotless fame,
Ranks with her dearest sons his fav’rite name;
Sense, fancy, wit, suffice not all to raise
So clear a title to affection’s praise;
His highest honours to the heart belong;
His virtues form’d the magic of his song.

Charles and Mary Lamb are buried in the churchyard of Edmonton, and a white headstone, marks the spot, on which is recorded, in bold black letters, the following inscription written by Lamb’s friend, the Rev. Henry Francis Cary, the translator of Dante:—

To the memory
of
Charles Lamb,
died 27th December 1834, aged 59.
Farewell, dear friend, that smile, that harmless mirth,
No more shall gladden our domestic hearth;
That rising tear, with pain forbid to flow,
Better than words no more assuage our woe;
That hand outstretched from small but well-earned store,
Yield succour to the destitute no more,
Yet art thou not all lost, thro’ many an age
With sterling sense of humour shall thy page
Win many an English bosom pleased to see
That old and happier vein revived in thee.
This for our earth, and if with friends we share
Our joys in heaven we hope to meet thee there.
Also Mary Anne Lamb,
Sister of the above.
Born 3rd December 1767, Died 20th May 1847.

In the church is a memorial to Lamb and Cowper. It occupies a good position at the west end of the north wall, and consists of two inscribed white marble panels, enshrined in a graceful freestone design, the arches of which are supported by veined marble pilasters. In the upper portion of each panel is carved a portrait in relief, the one on the right showing the head of Cowper, while on the left the features of Lamb are characteristically depicted.

The following are the inscriptions contained on the memorial:—

(Left panel.)
In memory of
Charles Lamb
“The Gentle Elia” and author of
Tales from Shakespeare, etc.
Born in the Inner Temple 1775
educated at Christ’s Hospital
died at Bay Cottage Edmonton 1834
and buried beside his sister Mary
in the adjoining churchyard.

At the centre of his being lodged
A soul by resignation sanctified
O, he was good if e’er a good man lived!
Wordsworth.

(Right panel.)
In memory of
William Cowper, the Poet
Born in Berkhampstead 1731
Died and buried at East Dereham 1800.
He was the author of
The Diverting History of “John Gilpin.”