In Search of Gravestones Old and Curious | Page 6

as a rule they are overgrown with lichen, which has to be rubbed off before the lines are visible. It may safely be averred, on the other hand, that the majority of the old stones when found of this shape contain or have contained these remarkable figures, and in some places, particularly in Kent, they literally swarm. There is a numerous assortment of them at Meopham, a once remote hamlet, now a station on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. I have copied only one--an early attempt apparently to produce a cherub resting with outstretched wings upon a cloud, but there are a good many of the same order to keep it in countenance.
FIG. 18.--AT MEOPHAM.
"To Sarah Edmeades, died 1728, aged 35 years."
In the churchyards of Hawkhurst, Benenden, Bodiam, Cranbrook, Goudhurst, and all through the Great Weald these incised stones are to be discovered by hundreds, very much of one type perhaps, but displaying nevertheless some extraordinary variations. I know of no district so fruitful of these examples as the Weald of Kent.
Even when the rude system of cutting into the stone ceased to be practised and relief carving became general, grossness of idea seems to have survived in many rural parishes. One specimen is to be seen in the churchyard of Stanstead in Kent, and is, for relief work, childish.
FIG. 19.--AT STANSTEAD.
"To William Lock, died 1751, aged 16 years."
However, the vast number of gravestones carved in relief are, on the whole, creditable, especially if we consider the difficulty which met the workmen in having to avoid giving to their crossbones and other ornaments the appearance of horns growing out of their skulls.
[Illustration: FIG. 18. MEOPHAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 19. STANSTEAD.]
[Illustration: FIG. 20. OLD ROMNEY.]
[Illustration: FIG. 21. CRAYFORD.]
[Illustration: FIG. 22. SHOREHAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 23. LEWISHAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 24. HOBNSEY.]
FIG. 20.--AT OLD ROMNEY.
"To William Dowll, died 1710, aged 40 years."
The winged skull probably typifies flight above.
FIG. 21.--AT CRAYFORD.
"To John Farrington, died Dec. 8, 1717, aged above fourty years."
In the appropriate design from Shoreham the same idea is better conveyed both by the winged head and by the torch, which when elevated signifies the rising sun, and when depressed the setting sun. The trumpet in this case would seem to mean the summons. The two little coffins are eloquent without words.
FIG. 22.--AT SHOREHAM.
"The children of Thomas and Jane Stringer, died Sept'r 1754, aged 10 and 7 years."
In Lewisham Churchyard is one of the death's head series almost sui generis.
FIG. 23.--AT LEWISHAM.
"To Richard Evens, died May 18, 1707, aged 67 years."
The chaplet of bay-leaves or laurel doubtless indicates "Victory." Not only is this an early and well-accomplished effort, but it is remarkable for the presence of a lower jaw, which is seldom seen on a gravestone. The skull turned up by the sexton is usually the typical object, and to that we may presume the nether jaw is not often attached. It is found, however, on a headstone of a somewhat weak design in Old Hornsey Churchyard.
FIG. 24.--AT HORNSEY.
"To Mr John Gibson, whipmaker, died Oct. 30, 1766, aged 44 years."
The hand seems to be pointing to the record of a well-spent life which has won the crown of glory.
There is another of the lower jaw series at Teddington, which is also, in all probability, the only instance of a man's nightcap figuring in such gruesome circumstances.
FIG. 25.--AT TEDDINGTON.
"To Sarah Lewis, died June 11, 1766, aged 63 years."
The emblem of Death was quite early crowned with laurel to signify glory, and associated with foliage and flowers in token of the Resurrection. One at Finchley is, for its years, well preserved.
FIG. 26.--AT FINCHLEY.
"To Richard Scarlett, died July 23, 1725."
Another at Farnborough is, considering the date, of exceptional merit.
FIG. 27.--AT FARNBOROUGH.
"To Elizabeth Stow, died 1744, aged 75 years."
[Illustration: FIG. 25. TEDDINGTON.]
[Illustration: FIG. 26. FINCHLEY.]
[Illustration: FIG. 27. FARNBOROUGH.]
[Illustration: FIG. 28. CHISELHURST.]
[Illustration: FIG. 29. HARTLEY.]
[Illustration: FIG. 30. WEST WICKHAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 31. HORNSEY.]
A few others of the skull pattern with various additaments may conclude this chapter. The cup in the Chiselhurst case is somewhat uncommon.
FIG. 28.--AT CHISELHURST.
Name obliterated; date Nov. 1786.
The conventional symbols in the next example are clearly to be read.
FIG. 29.--AT HARTLEY.
"To Eliza Andersen, died 1771, aged 70 years."
The West Wickham specimen has its prototype in the old churchyard at Hackney, and in other places.
FIG. 30.--AT WEST WICKHAM.
"To Richard Whiffen, died 1732, aged 3 years."
In Fig. 31, from Hornsey, the two skulls present the appearance of having been pitched up from the grave.
FIG. 31.--AT HORNSEY.
"To William Fleetwood, died Jan. 30, 1750, aged 15 months."

CHAPTER III
.
ARTISTIC GRAVESTONES.
In the later half of the eighteenth century greater pains and finer workmanship appear to have been bestowed upon the symbolic figurement of the gravestone, and the more elaborate allegorical representations of which a few sketches have been given came into vogue and grew in popular favour until the century's end. Nor did the opening of