Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-03-11
For the Spirit Of Age.
Some Remarks on Epitaphs.

- a 9VAA9
In reading the account of the death of
Moses, as recorded in Deuteronomy, / was
led into a quiet train of thought upon the
nature and peculiarities of epitaphs. 1t
struck me at the first glance as singular,
that = person 90 distinguished and great
as Moses was, should have been buried in
.Sayalley in the land of Moab, over against
Beth-pear y and that 9 no man knoweth
Of, his sepulchre unto this .day.D That he
whovas q minister to Gods glory; Of whom
CID Himself bare witness thathe was faith
full in all Gods house; who was known to
the Lord Hfaee 10 face who was selected
asstbo instrument Of God to perform such
signs and wonders who was admitted to
frequent intercourse with the Most High,
and empowered BY Him to work signal
mirAeles--I repeat it appeared at first
strange that so great and SO favored a per-
sonage should lie buried in a land, with no
stone TO mark his last resting place. Why
was this the case, was my first iuquiry?-
Perhaps his true epitaph was to be found
in his recorded deeds aud works. Or per-
haps his sepulchre was not permitted to be
known lest il should become an object of
superstithu us alteration or idolatrous wor-
ship. Tho children of Israel greatly loved
Moses, and wept for him for thirty days,
and yet they reared to bis memory no
stately cenotaph or imposing mausoleum.
Moses had disobeyed the Lord. Was it
for that d~isobedience, that his beloved fol-
lowers we're mot permitted to commemorate
bis death, and to perpetuate forever the
place where he was laid in last repose? If
the fate Of Moses were typical of that fate
which all the sons Of fallen Adam shall in.
herit, them no one would beallowed a stone
tostsllto those who follow, where he sleeps
his last sleep. For all, since Adam hbroughi
death into the world and all our woe" have
.disobeyed the Lord. l do not draw the
conclusion though from the peculiar neg
lect Of Moses, that monuments are no
appropriate but l gather the useful ant
cheering lesson rather, that he whose IF
Is yirtaous and pure, leaves when life i
over, = mohument in the sublime record
of that life, far more noble than the mos
elaborate ~fustian, whether engraved O.
acankering brass or perishable marble.
I do not object by any means to til
seastomo Of placing monuments OF slabs owe
the remains Of the dead. This should
done, and fitting inscriptions carved upc
them. But ! do object to the style
(which epitaphs are SO often written. L
ssbead Of being simple and touching, tn,
ssre toe frequently bat mere strains of e
.trayagznt eulogy and fulsome adulation,-
Byron, whose heart was calcined, and who
nature was deeply saddeued and nlisanthl
pic, uttered a bitter, truthful satire ia tho
singing lines
e.sWHen some proud son of man returns
earth,
Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,
The seulptor's art exhausts the pomp Of w
And Storied urns record who rest below
When all is done, upon the tomb is seen,
Not chat lie soas, out schdt he should h
6eea.uAt
How often in wandering amid the gu
scenes ola grave-yard--"the city of silenc
as il has been apply called-our feelil
s~oftoned and soothed by the peace &