42 THE TOMKINS' TOMB. 



and that those who were so compelled had at times heard 

 strange sounds and seen strange sights. Though thus lonely 

 and deserted, never, by all accounts, was resting-place so 

 unquiet ; and there was one tomb in particular, held in the 

 worst possible repute. This, which was by far the most ancient 

 and conspicuous monument of the whole mouldering assem- 

 blage, was that of a certain knight, who bore in the reign 

 of our eighth Harry, the unknightly appellation of Timothy 

 Tomkins. It had once stood within the body of the church ; 

 but after that had fallen, and been replaced by the little 

 modern substitute before mentioned, Sir Timothy and his 

 Lady at least their representatives lying in cold state outside 

 the tomb were fairly (or foully) turned out of doors. 



In revenge, perhaps, for this insult paid to their mortal 

 remains, strange pranks were said to be played at the midnight 

 hour by this ancient couple ; but, according to the legend of 

 the tomb, the disquietude of those to whom it was erected 

 had its origin in causes much deeper and more remote. 



If correctly represented in their monumental effigies, never 

 were pair worse matched (in outward figure) than Sir Timothy 

 Tomkins and his spouse. The knight was of size diminutive ; 

 except his head, absolutely dwarfish; and with a protube- 

 rant shoulder, which emulated the tuft of Prince Eiquet. 

 His lady, on the contrary, was carved in fair proportions, 

 showing, as the two lay together, like the smooth -felled 

 trunk of a poplar, "tall and straight," by the side of a 



