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A

GENERAL VOLUME

OF

EPITAPHS,

ORIGINAL AND SELECTED:

WITH A LARGE SELECTION OF STRIKING AND APPROPRIATE

TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE,

AND AN

HISTORICAL AND MORAL ESSAY,

ON THE SUBJECT.

BY A CLERGYMAN.

"Thus my churchyard became a book of instruction, and every grave-stone a
leaf of edification for my young disciples."-LEGH RICHMOND'S YOUNG COTTAGER."

LONDON: J. W, PARKER, WEST STRAND ;

PRICE FIVE SHILLINGS.

1840.

712.

J. DAVENPORT, PRINTER, LAWTON-STREET, LIVERPOOL.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

THOUGH the Writer has looked through many volumes, in quest of lines adapted for his little work, yet doubtless there are many books, in which may be found some of the brightest gems of poetry, to which he has not had access; and he cannot but think, that though widely scattered, there must be some existing Epitaphs, which, if they do not surpass, are at least equal to the very best which will be read in this volume. The Writer begs, therefore, to solicit of those, who may take an interest in his design, that they will do him the kindness to send him any Epitaphs which have been justly admired for their poetic beauty, and Scriptural sentiment; addressed for "The Author of a Volume of Epitaphs," Mr. PARKER'S, Bookseller, West Strand, London.

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ESSAY.

It is not the design of the Writer to preface this work with an essay on sepulchral customs in general, which have varied so much in different nations, and in successive ages. On such an extensive subject a considerable volume might be compiled. Not only have they varied in different countries, and at different periods, but it would require too much space even to describe all the rites and ceremonies which have obtained in England, through all their different grades, from the mummeries of a Popish funeral down to the unostentatious burial of a Quaker, or the silent and unceremonial interment of a Scotch Presbyterian.

The writer must, therefore, confine himself to a few customs mentioned in Scripture, and

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