Romantic Epitaphs.

last bed of sickness exhibited a scene truly affecting ancl interesting to the feelings of every tender heart . She that , was first taken ill had the misfortune to break her leg . When both were confined , each perceived the awful exit of one , if not both , was approaching ; and , as long as strength would permit , she that Avas most able went every day into the room of her friend to take a final adieu ! and when her strength was exhausted she was

carried by the attendants . At these affecting interviews they bathed each other ' s hands in tears , ancl expressed an heartfelt wish that it mi ght please God to permit them soon to meet again in a happy eternity . Heaven smiled and heard the pious prayer ; and the angel that took away the soul of her that first departed was , a few hours afterwards , despatched to release the struggling soul of her absent friend , and to unite them in bonds of love for ever . " A lover at York inscribed the following lines to his sweetheart , who was accdentally drowned , December 24 , 1796 : —

" Nigh to the river Ouse , in York ' s fair city , Unto this pretty maid death shew'd no pity ; As soon as she'd her pail Avith water fill'd Come sudden death , and life like water spill'd . " In the churchyard of Plumstead a gravestone contains an epitaph to the memory of James Darling , Avho died Jul y 25 th , 1812 : — " Weep not for me parents dear

, my , There is no witness wanted here , The hammer of death was given to me For eating cherries off a tree ; Next morning death to me was SAveet , My blessed Jesus for to meet . He did ease me of my pain , And I did join His holy train ;

The cruel one death can't shun , For he must go Avhen his glass is run , The hour of death he's sure to meet , And take his trial at the judgment seat . "

Respecting the foregoing , Ave may state that the boy was caught by the owner of a cherry tree stealing the fruit . The man obliged him to continue eating , and to such an excess as to cause his death . On the north wall of the chancel of Southam Church is a slab to the memory of" the Rev . Samuel Sands , who , being embarrassed in consequence of his extensive liberality , committed suicide in his study ( MAV the hall of the rectory ) . The peculiarity of the inscription , instead of suppressing enquiry , invariably raises curiosity respecting it : — " Near this place were deposited , on the 23 rd April , 1815 , the remans of S . S ., 38 years rector of this parish . "

A monument in BakeAA'ell church , Derbyshire , is a curiosity , blending in a remarkable manner business , loyalty , and reli gion : —• " To the memory of Matthew Strutt , of this town , farrier , long famed in these parts of veterinary skill . A good neighbour , and a staunch friend to Church and King . Being-Churchwarden at the time the present peal of bells were hung , through zeal for the house of God , and unremitting attention to the airy business of the belfry , he caught a cold , which terminated his existence May 25 , 1798 , in the 68 th year of his ao-e . "

We will next present particulars of an individual , knoAvn by those who were contemporary Avith him as Vin Eyre , by trade a needle-maker , and a notable character in Nottingham in his time . We are told that he was a firm ancl consistent Tory in politics , taking an active interest in all the party struggles of the period . His good nature ancl honesty made him popular among the poor classes , with whom he chiefly associated . A commendable trait in his character is worthy of special mention , namely , that , notwithstanding frequent temptations , he spurned to take a bribe from any one . In the