American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-06
From the Winchester Republican.
THE EPITAPH.

There is nothing in which greater or more use.
less osentation is exhibited than in the decorations
Of the tomb AS if The spirits OF the dead, though
dvested Of the dross and impertectons OF the body
still delighted in that vain and empty pageantry
which once gralified their animal appees as if
the condition OF the soul, arrived al its hna
destination, were affected by the humility of It's
(orsaken tenement on earth, and regarded with sa
tisfaction the feeble efforts that are making 10 res
cue its relinquished epihet IRON oblivion. - he
sculptor has reared the ornA Amental marble, and the
poet has furnished the elaborate inscription, 10 per
oetuate the memory oi the depa.ted dead" TO
grace This trsnstory spell with trophied SNOW"
know NOT but that this venerallon Tor the dead
and this religious care with which we cherish their
remans, is perfectly natural There Is something
,readful in The idea that the foot of the stranger
81 al tread heetlessly the turi which covers the
relics OF ole we love, when no sculptured stone
hail mark the spot where they lie, aud the heasng
ea,lh Shall bear longer memorial OF its dear
deposle: and yet how manifest Is human trallty IN
all this empty show--lhs gaudy decoration Of the
gloomy sepuichre.
.As freely will the unincumbered SD
BE cleft asunder at the trunptts sound
AS fcyali $ magnificent abode
AS free lis inmate rise and stand before its God"
These reflections remind me Of an affecting ex
ample of remarkable simplicity in a sepuchral
inscription, which | regard as infinitely more elo
quent than all the efusions OF iiauery which have
ever tinselled the monuments of the great and dc
serves more 10 he admired than all The studied orna
ments Of pride and osentation. On an obscure
and humble lab are carved the solitary words,
ny morHER!n This simple epitaph contains
at once history Of The dead-her eulogy; his
tory Of the living-th their lamentations. We read
and fancy portrays all the endearing relations o.
mother and child and we behold her In all the at
fectng attitudes Of loves we see her rearing the
infant intellect, and mpaiing 10 the docility OF tht
youthful heart principles OF virtue: we see mel
supporting their precarious steps IN the season Q
infancy and imbeclly, and conducting Them through
the devious wanderings of youthful improdence Sc
cursly to manhood. In the midst OF these scene
ol domestic ehdearment, and these Offices OF hea
yenIy kindness, we her arrested by The hand o
Death, and hurried TO the tomb Then tor tn
6rst time the smile which was wont TO beam ON IN
features OF childhood, is sued BY tear; the
6rst the gseiy OF youth and Innocence is interrupt
ed = the orphan shrieks disconsoate-i can lmagin
hear the lltte innocent eaciaming, IN all the ter
dernrss of hliai affection, and all the anxiety {
deserted helplessness, I" My Mother!' When
tread on the consecrated ground which entomos IN
ashes Of the parent, maternal soliciude seems
cry trom the humble mansion, "Oh, protect III
orphan 20 When stroll careless and thoughtie'
over the village church yard the impressive inscril
ton catches my sight, and hear the orphans solf
exclaimng, Stop, Stranger honor this sacfs
spot with tear, here sleep the relics Of n,y mother