_Who died April 24, 1783, aged 76_.
May Heaven—through our merciful REDEEMER—receive his soul!
Reader! This rude and humble spot contains
The much lamented, much revered remains
Of one whose learning, judgment, taste, and sense,
Good-humour’d wit, and mild benevolence
Charm’d and enlighten’d all the hamlet round,
Wherever genius, worth,—or want was found.
To few it is that bounteous heaven imparts
Such depth of knowledge, and such taste in arts;
Such penetration, and enchanting powers
Of brightening social and convivial hours.
Had he, through life, been blest, by nature kind,
With health robust of body as of mind,
With skill to serve and charm mankind, so great
In arts, in science, letters, church, or state,
His fame the nation’s annals had enroll’d,
And virtues to remotest ages told.