EPITAPH ON THOMAS BENTLEY. 267 



The monument bears the names " Stuart Inv*. Scheemaker 

 Sculpt." 



It is pleasant to add to this inscription two other epitaphs 

 on Mr. Bentley the one written by Mr. Rasbotham and 

 the other by Dr. Percival, which were communicated to me, 

 not long before his lamented death, by the late Dr. James 

 Markland, F.S.A., of Bath, whose literary and antiquarian 

 labours are so well known. The epitaphs, which have 

 never till now appeared in print, speak volumes as to the 

 character of the man whom Wedgwood chose as his friend 

 and partner. They are as follows : 



AN EPITAPH ON MR. BENTLEY, BY ME. RASBOTHAM.* 



Sacred to the Memory 



of 

 THOMAS BENTLEY, 



late of 

 Turnham Green, 



in 

 this Parish. 



Reader, 

 If thou hast a taste formed to relish the Elegancies 



of the Politer Arts ; 

 If a mind unwarped by prejudice, and steady in 



the pursuit of Truth ; 



If a soul capable of the most extensive benevolence, 

 warm in its friendships, and susceptible of the endear- 

 ments of conjugal affection j 

 here pause a moment ! 

 The real Critic, 

 The Philosopher, 

 The Man The Friend The Husband, 



Beneath this lies buried. 

 He died in the year of his age. 



* Doming Rasbotham, Esq., a magistrate, " distinguished for his pro- 

 bity, sound judgment, and juridicial skill." Works of Thomas Percival, 

 Esq.. M.D., vol ii. 290. 



