Member of the Derbyshire Archæological and Natural History
Society.
Secretary of the Hull Literary Club.
Local Secretary of the National Society for Preserving the
Memorials of the Dead.
Author of "Historic Romance," "Historic Yorkshire,"
"Punishments in the Olden Time," "Book of Oddities,"
"History of the Dunmow Flitch," etc.
LONDON:
HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND COMPANY.
PRINTED BY
CHARLES HENRY BARNWELL, HULL.
TO
WILLIAM, DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G.,
ETC., ETC.,
THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
HIS GRACE'S KIND PERMISSION,
AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND
FAVOURS BESTOWED
WHEN THEY WERE MOST NEEDED.
W. A.
Preface.
For many years I have collected curious epitaphs, and in this volume I
offer the result of my gleanings. An attempt is herein made to furnish a
book, not compiled from previously published works, but a collection of
curious inscriptions copied from gravestones. Some of the chapters have
appeared under my name in _Chambers's Journal_, _Illustrated Sporting and
Dramatic News_, _Newcastle Courant_, _People's Journal_, (Dundee), _Press
News_, and other publications. I have included a Bibliography of Epitaphs,
believing that it will be useful to those who desire to obtain more
information on the subject than is presented here. I have not seen any
other bibliography of this class of literature, and as a first attempt it
must be incomplete. In compiling it I have had the efficient aid of Mr. W.
G. B. Page, of the Hull Subscription Library, who has also prepared the
Index.
I must tender my thanks to the following friends for their valued
assistance: Mrs. Geo. Linnæus Banks, author of the "Manchester Man," Mr.
W. G. Fretton, F.S.A., Mr. Walter Hamilton, F.R.G.S., Mr. Jno. H. Leggott,
F.R.H.S., Rev. R. V. Taylor, B.A., Mr. H. Vickery, and others whose names
appear in the following pages.
In conclusion, I hope that this book will merit from readers and reviewers
a similar welcome to that granted to my former works; in that case I shall
have every reason to be satisfied with my pleasant labour.