The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-03-06
THE TOMB OF BYRON.

Mr.. Carter, in one Of his Letters from
Europe. gives the following account of his
visit TO "the tomb of the noble poet -
AT 8 O'Clock in the afternoon we took a
poStchaist and set out for Hucknall, the
tombs Of the ByIons. II was a dark and
gloomy day, cloud after cloud rising in RAJ
pld succession from the south west and The
ram at intervals pouring in torrents. Our
ride was 10y cross road, and much the
worst NE have seen since landing. 1t il
the one over which Byron's remains we're
carried, and from appearances n carriage
has not been that way since. In some pla-
c.s the grass was green along the pathway !:
and in others, the sand was washed into
deep gulllrs. The horses walked nearly
the Whole distance, and revived the image
of fnnerHI procession. Such a snaiI-Gke
pace, however, Afforded fue opportunity
Tor reflection and The aspect Of the skies
was III slI'ct accordance with our feelings.
We did not arrive I'LL abolt O'Clock. -
hnehnail Is humble, lonely little village,
upon sandy PLAIN, 10 the midst of Sher-
wood Forest, out Of the "ay ufesery bn-
dy aud every thing. The sight Of car
rage Is 80 u"usual, that all the villagers
mustered en- masse to look at our post
chase. There as a throug of hundie I'd
around 1t, IN ten minutes after our arrival.
In dress aud manners, they have the ap-
prarance ct primitive simplicity, with some
degree of poverty. The huusps are mean
the Inn small aud incon,nodinns aud e.
ven the church is of the humblrst kind, be
ing low routed, with little Gothic tower
al the end, but without Que interesting f.a
tune, either externally or internally, except
the cemetry of the Byron family.
After much inquiry and search, the clerk
was tonnd, who conducted us tn the church.
1t would he difficult tn describe precisely
my feelings, as he unlocked the only door,
and pointing to a grey stone just ON thr
right ot the entrance, cody rcmarked,-
Byron rests there" Each Of Us stood
gazing in silence; and not a word was ut
tered, TIL the guide voluntarily commenced
cifcumstantiai detail of the funeral ritrs.
informing MS how many carriages were in
the procession g. what crowds were at the
burial. The vault was sealed land could
MOI, OF course, be entered. Eight or ten
persons comprising most Of the family, re-
pose IN It. ByTon's coffin was placed near
his mothers. On plate upon its lid, is
the following inset iption George Cor
don Noel Byron, Lord Byron of Rochdale,
born IN London, January 20, 1888; died
Al Missolonghi, in Western Greece, April
10th, 1894" At the head eff the coffin
s'ands the urn, containing his heart and
brains, Ia horrible idea,) With a statement OF
the fact eugraven upon il.
monument 10 his memory has lately
been erected by his sister. NJ Hobhouse.
his freud, superintendent the work, and
has been several times at the tomb. II is a
PLAIN white marble slab, Of small dimpn-
slons. placed against the wall Of the church.
upon black ground. There is nothing OF
elegance about lt-scsrcely neatne,s, the
upper part IF the stone being ola frrrugin-
Gus colour, which was stained before IT " az
wrought. II was made at Nottingham.-
The inscription is az follows -" In the vault
heneath, where many of his ancestors. and
his mother are buried, lie the remains OF
dfnrSe Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron
OF hoehdaie in the county of Lancaster.
the author of Childe Harnide's Pilgrimage ..
tie was born in London on the 22d jam.
airy, l788-he died at Mssolonghi, in IVES
tern Greece, on the 10th of April, / 1914 en-
saSrd IN the glorious attempt 10 restore
that country to her ancient freedom and
reno"n. His sister. the Honorable Augns.
Ia May Leigh, placed this tablet 10 hi,
memory"
On the right of the monument are the
oYfen arms, with the mot,o, Cress By.