The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 12, No. 332, September 20, 1828 by Various
page 20 of 54 (37%)
page 20 of 54 (37%)
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_sepulchre_, being engraved on tombs, in honour or memory of the deceased,
and generally containing some eloge of his virtues or good qualities. Among the Lacedaemonians, epitaphs were only allowed to men who died bravely in battle; and to women, who were remarkable for their chastity. The Romans often erected monuments to illustrious persons whilst living, which were preserved with great veneration after their decease. In this country, according to Sir Henry Chauncy, "Any person may erect a tomb, sepulchre, or monument for the deceased in any church, chancel, chapel, or churchyard, so that it is not to the hindrance of the celebration of divine service; that the defacing of them is punishable at common law, the party that built it being entitled to the action during his life, and the heir of the deceased after his death." Boxhornius has made a well chosen collection of Latin epitaphs, and F. Labbe has also made a similar one in the French language, entitled, "_Tresor des Epitaphes_." In our own language the collection of Toldewy is the best; there are also several to be found among the writings of Camden and Weaver, and in most of the county histories. In epitaphs, the deceased person is sometimes introduced by way of prosopopaeia, speaking to the living, of which the following is an instance, wherein the defunct wife thus addresses her surviving husband:-- "Immatura peri; sed tu, felicior, annos Vive tuos, conjux optime, vive meos." The following epitaphs, out of several others, are worth preserving. That of Alexander:-- |
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