Sacred to the Memory of
SAMUEL BUTLER,
Who was born at Strensham, in Worcestershire, 1612, and died at
London, 1680; a man of uncommon learning, wit, and probity: as
admirable for the product of his genius, as unhappy in the rewards of
them. His satire, exposing the hypocrisy and wickedness of the rebels,
is such an inimitable piece, that, as he was the first, he may be
said to be the last writer in his peculiar manner. That he, who, when
living, wanted almost everything, might not, after death, any longer
want so much as a tomb, John Barber, citizen of London, erected this
monument 1721.
Here are a few particulars respecting an oddity, furnished by a
correspondent: "Died, at High Wycombe, Bucks, on the 24th May, 1837, Mr.
John Guy, aged 64. His remains were interred in Hughenden churchyard, near
Wycombe. On a marble slab, on the lid of his coffin, is the following
inscription:--
Here, without nail or shroud, doth lie
Or covered by a pall, JOHN GUY.
Born May 17th, 1773.
Died ---- 24th, 1837.