CHURCHYARD LITERATURE. 13 



poorest, dryost land, where if it gets possession it is extremely 

 difficult to eradicate. It is sometimes used as a hedge plant, 

 and for that purpose is planted thickly on high ridges. In 

 some parts of England, fuel is made of it, and when bruised 

 by powerful machines made for the purpose, it forms pala 

 table and nutritious food for horses and cattle. Hereabouts, 

 however, we could not learn that it was made of any use, or 

 regarded otherwise than as a weed. 



Church Stretton is a little village mostly made up of inns 

 on the main street. We chose the Stag s Head, a picturesque, 

 many-gabled cottage, part of it very old, and, as we were 

 told, formerly a manor-house of the Earl of Derby, who spent 

 one night (ever to be remembered!) in it. It was close by a 

 curiously-carved church and graveyard. From among a 

 great many &quot;improving&quot; epitaphs, I selected the following 

 as worthy of more extended influence. 



I. 



A &quot;NON SEQTJ1TTJR.&quot; 



&quot; Farewell, my wife 

 And children dear, in number seven, 

 Therefore prepare yourself for Heaven.&quot; 



II. 



&quot;AN HONEST MAN.&quot; 



&quot;Erected by the Curate of Church Stretton.&quot; 



III. 



&quot; Farewell, vain world, I have seen my last of thee ; 

 Thy smiles I court not, frowns I fear, 

 My cares are past, my head lies quiet here, 

 My time was short in this world, my work is done, 

 My rest I hope is in another, 

 In a quiet grave I lie, near my beloved mother.&quot; 



