Each duty there to such perfection wrought,
That, if the precepts fail'd, th' example taught.
W. Whitehead, P. L."

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. Both the design and workmanship of this monument are extremely elegant. The figure of Shakespeare, and his attitude, his dress, his shape, his genteel air, and fine composure, all so delicately expressed by the sculptor, cannot be sufficiently admired; and those beautiful lines of his that appear on the scroll, are very happily chosen.

The cloud-capp'd Towers, the gorgeous Palaces,
The solemn Temples, the great Globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherits, shall dissolve,
And, like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a wreck behind.

The heads on the pedestal, representing Henry V. Richard III, and Queen Elizabeth (three principal characters in his plays), are likewise proper ornaments to grace his tomb. In short, the taste that is here shewn does honour to those great names under whose direction, by the public favour, it was so elegantly constructed; namely, the Earl of Burlington, Dr. Mead, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Martin. It was designed by Kent, executed by Sheemakers, and the expence defrayed by the grateful contributions of the public.

JAMES THOMSON.-Next is a monument erected to the memory of James Thomson, author of the Seasons and other Poetical Works. It was the work of Michael Henry Spang, statuary, after a design of Mr. Adam, architect to his Majesty. The figure of Mr. Thomson leans its left arm upon a pedestal, holding a book in one hand, and the Cap of Liberty in the other. Upon the pedestal, in bas-relief, are the Seasons; to which a boy

points,

points, offering him a Laurel Crown, as the reward of his genius. At the feet of the figure is the Tragic Mask and the ancient Harp. The whole is supported by a projecting pedestal, and in a panel is the following inscription :

JAMES THOMSON.

Etatis 48, Obit 27 August, 1748.

Tutored by thee, sweet Poetry exalts her voice to ages, and informs the page with music, image, sentiment, and thought never to die! This monument was erected 1762.

NICHOLAS ROWE, Esq.-Next to Shakespeare is a very fine monument to the memory of this gentleman, and his only daughter. On the pedestal, about 20 inches high, which stands on an altar, is a most beautiful bust; near it is the figure of a lady in the deepest sorrow; and between both, on a pyramid behind, is a medallion, with the head of a young lady in relief. On the front of the pedestal is this inscription:

"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, inheriting her father's spirit, and amiable in her own innocence and beauty, died in the 23d year of her age, 1739."

Underneath, upon the front of the altar, is this epitaph :

Thy reliques, Rowe! to this sad shrine we trust,
And near thy Shakespeare place thy honour'd
bust.

Oh! next him skill'd to draw the tender tear,
For never heart felt passion more sincere ;
To nobler sentiments to fire the brave,
For never Briton more disdain'd a slave.

Peace

Peace to thy gentle shade and endless rest,
Blest in thy genius, in thy love too blest!
And blest, that timely from our scene remov'd,
Thy soul enjoys that liberty it lov'd!

To these so mourn'd in death, so lov'd in life,
The childless parent, and the widow'd wife,
With tears inscribe this monumental stone,
That holds their ashes, and expects her own.

Mr. Rowe was Poet Laureat, and author of several fine Tragedies; and just before his death had finished a translation of Lucan's Pharsalia.

JOHN GAY.-This fine monument was erected to the memory of the excellent person represented upon it, by the bounty and favour of the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, who were the great encouragers of his genius. The masks, tragedy dagger, and instruments of music, which are blended together in a group, are emblematical devices, alluding to the various ways of writing in which he excelled, namely, farce, satire, fable, and pastoral. The short epitaph on the front was written by himself. It is censured by some for its levity

Life is a jest, and all things shew it:

I thought so once, but now I know it.

Underneath are these verses by Mr. Pope, who
lived always in great friendship with Mr. Gay.
Of manners gentle, of affections mild;
In wit a man, simplicity a child;

With native humour temp'ring virtuous rage,
Form'd to delight at once, and lash the age;
Above temptation in a low estate,
And uncorrupted e'en among the great;
A safe companion, and an easy friend,
Unblam'd through life, lamented in thy end:

These

These are thy honours ;—not that here thy bust
Is mix'd with heroes, or with kings thy dust;
But that the worthy and the good shall say,
Striking their pensive bosoms-Here lies Gay!

He died Dec. the 4th, 1732, aged 45.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH, M. D.-On this neat monument is represented the portrait of the Doctor in profile. A festoon curtain, olive branches, and books, are the chief ornaments. Underneath is a Latin inscription, of which the following is the import :

"That he was eminent as a Poet, Philosopher, and Historian; that he scarcely left any species of writing unattempted, and none that he attempted, unimproved; that he was master of the softer passions, and could at pleasure command tears, or provoke laughter; but in every thing he said or did, good nature was predominant; that he was witty, sublime, spirited, and facetious; in speech pompous; in conversation elegant and graceful; that the love of his associates, the fidelity of his friends, and the veneration of his readers, had raised this monument to his memory. He was born in Ireland, Nov. 29, 1731, educated at Dublin, and died at London, April 14, 1774.”

JOHN Duke of ARGYLE and GREENWICH.This lofty and magnificent monument is enclosed with rails, and decorated with figures as large as life. On one side of the base is the figure of Minerva, and on the other of Eloquence: the one looking sorrowfully up at the principal figure, the other pathetically deploring the public loss at his death. Above is the figure of History, with one hand holding a book, with the other writing on a pyramid of finely-coloured marble, the titles of

the

the hero, whose actions are supposed to be contained in the book, on the cover of which, in letters of gold, are inscribed the date of his Grace's birth, October 10, 1689, and time of his death, October 4, 1743. The principal figure is spirited even to the verge of life. On the pyramid is this epitaph, said to be written by Paul Whitehead, Esq.

Britons, behold! if patriot worth be dear,
A shrine that claims a tributary tear;
Silent that tongue admiring senates heard,
Nerveless that arm opposing legions fear'd.
Nor less, O Campbell! thine the power to please,
And give to grandeur all the grace of ease.
Long from thy life let kindred heroes trace
Arts which ennoble still the noblest race;
Others may owe their future fame to me,
I borrow immortality from thee.

Underneath this, in great letters, is written, JOHN DUKE OF ARGYLE AND GR, at which point the pen of History rests.

On the base of the monument is this inscription :

"In memory of an honest man, a constant friend, John, the great Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, a General and Orator, exceeded by none in the age he lived, Sir Henry Fermer, Bart. by his last will, left the sum of £500 towards erecting this monument, and recommended the above inscription."

MARY HOPE.-In a table affixed to the wall is the following inscription :

"To the memory of Mary Hope, who died at Brockhall, in the county of Northampton, on the