_Rhymes connected with Places_ (Vol. v., pp. 293. 374.).--The following
has been printed in the late John Dunkin's _History of Dartford_; but as
topographical works have but a limited circulation, and the above-named
author was fond of printing but few impressions of his works, I have
taken the liberty of forwarding the lines to you:
"Sutton[8] for mutton,
Kirby[9] for beef,
South Darne[10] for gingerbread,
Dartford[11] for a thief."
All four of the parishes are situate upon the river Darent, and adjoin.
[Footnote 8: Sutton at Hone--fine pastures.]
[Footnote 9: Horton Kirby, the same.]
[Footnote 10: South Darenth, celebrated for its old church, and
(probably when the lines were composed) for its baker.]
[Footnote 11: Dartford: the bridewell of the district was formerly
in this parish, in Lowfield Street.]
Αλφρεδ.
_Burial, Law respecting_ (Vol. v., p. 320.).--Though not a lawyer, I
venture to express the opinion that, if preferred, burial may take place
in unconsecrated ground. The law exacts the registering of the death,
and inhibits a clergyman from officiating except within the consecrated
boundary. Indeed the burying-ground of dissenters is not consecrated
according to law, although it may have to be licensed. But, supposing a
person to have the fancy to lie "in some loved spot, far away from other
graves," there seems to be no legal difficulty. In the shrubbery of
Brush House, the residence of my friend and neighbour John Booth, Esq.,
M.D., there is a mausoleum over the remains of his uncle, from whom he
inherited the property.
"Here," says Hunter, in his _History of Hallamshire_, "Mr. Booth
spent the latter part of an active life in mathematical and
philosophical studies; and, indulging a natural (?) and
patriarchal desire, prepared his own sepulchre amidst the shades
his own hand had formed, in which his remains are now reposing."
Was not Mrs. Van Butchell preserved many years after death in a glass
case by her husband?