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Epitaph on Mrs. Mary Longley, in Rochester Cathedral, written by her Son, J. Longley, Esq.

If search of humble virtue's dear remains,
Reader, on this sad spot thine eye detains,
.Know that the dust, thou tread'st on, held a mind
Strict to its own, to faults of others kind.
She asks no praise from verse, from marble fame,
The poor, the weak, the blind record her name.
Her steady faith her useful life commends,
Tenderest of wives, of mothers, and of friends.
With early woe, with years of anguish prest,
Her patient piety sustain'd the test:

When torturing pangs her ebbing life-blood drain'd,
And not e'en utterance for a pray'r remain'd,
To Heaven, a firm, confiding look she threw,
Her spirit following, to its mansion flew.
Is this an envied end? the means prepare,
Go, and do likewise, and those mansions share!

Another.

The truth, long slighted, let these ashes teach,
Tho' cold, instruct you, and, tho' silent, preach,
Q! pause, reflect, repent, resolve, amend !
Life has no length, Eternity no end !

Another.

To this sad shrine, whoe'er thou art, draw near,
Here lies the friend most loved, the Son most dear;
Who ne'er knew joy, but friendship might divide,
Or gave his Father grief,-but when he died.

On a young Lady.

Youth, virtue, beauty; shall we mourn their doom,
And weep in sorrow o'er their early tomb?
No! vain regrets, unhallow'd murmurs cease,
Her life was holy, and her end was peace.

Another.

Say what is life? a passport to the skies.
And thou, blest Saint, to endless joys shåll rise.
Tho' sickness tried, yet sickness lost its power,
By faith subdued, in death's appalling hour,

Firm hope and holy joy to thee were given,

And, whilst on earth, thy soul was fixed on Heaven. NO. 41. VOL. IV.

L

Another.

Midst tedious sickness, heavenly faith arose,
And bore her spirit to its blest repose.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR,

As almost every traveller pays a visit to the village church-yard, the article which opens the March Number of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor, appears. deserving particular attention. Epitaphs should be records of the Christian's triumph; and will not the Christian soldier lean on these memorials of victory, and lift up his prayer for faith to render him victorious in the last combat?

In the cemetery of Melrose Abbey is the following inscription:

QUESTION.

"If a man die, shall he live again ?"-Job xiv. 14,

ANSWER.

He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."-St. John xi. 25.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

YOUR paper on Epitaphs in your March Number is very important. I have no doubt but it will bring you in many contributions, more probably than you may be able to make use of. And still, I should not be surprised if you found very great difficulty in making a good selection for a country church-yard. In fact, it is not very likely that a poet should give his thoughts so much to that subject as to write many Epitaphs; and, where a good poet does write an Epitaph, it is generally on an object of peculiar interest, either to himself indi

vidually, or from its own particular circumstances, which would prevent that Epitaph from being so applicable to any other person. Moreover, few poets write with that plainness and simplicity which is required in such a case, and fewer still with that devout and Christian feeling which should so peculiarly belong to the subject. It is difficult too, to make an Epitaph striking, and at the same time short enough.

Still, however, you may be able to furnish your readers with something both beautiful and profitable, though it may be either too long for a common grave-stone, or may only suit the particular person for whom it was written. Who will not be pleased with such lines as those on Mrs. Judith Rochford, in your last Number? X.

Epitaph on M. H. aged 85.

Come, well approv'd, my faithful servant come,
Thy Father calls thee to his heavenly home;
Through thy long day, in active duty spent,
Industrious, careful, sober, and content,
His arm supported, and his wisdom led,

And sent relief when health and strength were fled.
The night of age and weakness past away,
Rise! claim thy portion in eternal day,

Prove thy Redeemer's love and power to save,
And wake to bliss immortal from the grave.

Another.

So live, that death to thee may bring
The blessings of thy heavenly King.

Another.

Oh! pause, in folly's mad career,,
Think of the dust that's buried here.
To thee if longer date be given,
Repent; and seek the joys of heaven.

SIR,

REMARKS ON THE LION.

SEEING, in one of your first Numbers, a short account of the Lion, I have sent you the following remarks; by inserting which in your little Work, you will much oblige your constant reader,

THE LION.

M. I. D.

The pride and boldness of this formidable creature, are well known. His intrepidity is such that he never appears terrified by the number of his enemies, whether men or beasts. If he does not meditate an attack, he disdainfully passes by, and slowly continues his walk. If pressed by hunger, he throws himself indifferently on any animal that offers; and resistance only increases his rage. It is very dangerous to wound, without killing him. When compelled to retreat, he moves slowly backwards, with his face towards the foe, till he gains a place of safety.

"A Florentine Gentleman had a mule so vicious, that his grooms and servants could scarcely approach it, without receiving a bite or a kick. Its master, after employing in vain every means to render it more tractable, resolved to expose the creature to the wild beasts in the menagerie of the Grand Duke. A lion was accordingly let loose, whose roaring would have frightened any other animal; but the mule wisely retired, without showing any signs of fear, to a corner of the court, in which it could only be attacked from behind, where its greatest strength lies. In this situation he awaited the attack of his enemy, observing him all the while from the corner of his eye. The lion, who appeared sensible of the difficulty of the assault, employed all his address to catch his foe at a disadvantage. At length, the mule found an opportunity to give him so violent a kick, that nine or ten of his teeth were broken, the fragments of which flew up into the air.

The king of beasts perceived that he was no longer in fighting condition, and retreated backwards to his den, leaving the mule master of the field."

The lion is capable of supporting thirst for a long time; it is said that he only drinks once in three or four days, but then takes a large quantity of water. It is a vulgar error to believe that he dreads the crowing of the cock; it has been found, on the contrary, that he pays little attention to birds; but it is no less true, that he is fearful of serpents. The resource of a Moor, when pursued by a lion, is to take off his turban, and move it before him in the form of a serpent; this sight is sufficient to compel the enemy to hasten his retreat *

As the same people often meet with lions in hunting, it is remarkable that their horses, though celebrated for swiftness, are seized with such terror at the sight, that they become motionless; and that the dogs, with equal timidity, come creeping to the feet of their master, or his horse. The only expedient for the Moor, is to dismount, and abandon as a prey what he cannot defend. The lion, when not tormented by hunger, passes gravely on, as if satisfied with the respect shown to his presence. Sometimes the Moors will light fires to keep the lions, and other wild beasts, away; but if a lion comes upon them suddenly, the only resource is to lie down in profound silence; as it is said that the lion is of too bold a spirit to attack any thing that makes no resistance, and appears as if dead.

COTTAGE GARDEN DIRECTORY.-MAY.

Sow peas and beans in moist situations. Pinch off the tops of beans as soon as the lowest blossoms

* Q.—Is this account well authenticated? ED. ✨