Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-27
NO. 23O.
MIsCELLANEOUs READING.

BURIAL PLACE OF CAPT JOHN SMITH.
A correspondent Of the New Yoyk Evan
ge!l {, who has lately visited the church of
ST. Sepuichre Lrndon, where the remains
( OF Capt. John Smith, the Founder OF Virginia,
/ are inferred slys it is one of the Oldest !! not
the very oldest church edlfce in Londor.-
II STANDS opposite the famnus prison OF Oh
Bailey, and not Tar from St. Psui's Cathedral.
The church WAS partially destroyed, 10y the
great fire in L,ndon, but early rebuilt. lti
an immense edifce, with q very wealthy
parish The correspondent was told by the
sexton that in the great burial vaults beneath
the church, where intermsnts have been
made for many hundred years. there were
d teen hundred cofils now entire under the
building.
Tne Rev. Mr.. Magoon, former paster Of the
Second Baptist church, Of this city, visited
St. Sepuichre's when in London, and says be
saw the largest Sunday School there be had
seen In that metropolis. After service, be
found .ome interesting records. Among
other worthless there buried. the record goes
on to say: the famous Captain John Smith,
who perhaps underwent more romantic ad-
ventures aud deeds Of arms than any man
his turmoils. We refer to his history for
his wondrous acts of chvslry; for the kind
ness he experienced among the Turks, from
the beauteuus Calsmata, and the blessed
Pocahontas, the great king Of Flrginla's
daughter"
A gentleman of Albemarle, who visited the
same church some years ago gave al inter
esting notice of Capt. Smiths former monu-
ment, in letter to a friend in this city. lie
says that from Stones Survey of London"
printed in 1853, two years after the death OF
Capt John Smith, it appesrs there was
tablet erected 70 his mOmory, IN ST. SepuI-
chre'r: inscribed with his motto, "lmcere est
Tirere," and the following verses.
Here lies one conquer'd, that hath conquerd
Kings,
Subdud large Territories, ard done things
Which 10 the Woflde impossible would SCENE,
But that the truth is held In more eSteemei
Snail | report his former service done,
In honor OF God and Chrlstendome-
How that ne did divide from Pagans three,
Their H leads and Lives Types OF his Chlvalry;
For which great service in that Climate done,
Brave Slsismundus (kIug OF HungaronD
! Did give him as q coat oi arms 10 weaIe,
Those conquered heads got by his sword and
speae!
o. shall tell OF MS adventures since
Done III Virginia, that large Confluence;
How that he subdu'd Kings unto his Yoke,
And made those neatnen IDEAS "lnd doth smoke,
And aGe their land being OF so large station.
a habitaton Tor our Christian nation,
Where God Is gloried, their wants suppId,
WhIch Else Tor necessarIes might have Gl u.
But what avaIles his coEquests, now he lyes,
Inter'd IN Earth, prey Tor Worms and lies!
q may his soule, III sweet Ellzlum seepe,
Uutll the keeper that all soules dotu keepe,
Return o judgment, and that after thence,
With angels he may have his recomper ce.'
This tablet, the writer says, was destroyed
by the great fire 10 1866. together with most
OF the monumental antiquities Of the church;
and all now remaining to toe memory OF Capt.
Smith, is a large Hat stone, in front of the
Communion Table, engraved with his coat OF
arus. The three Turks heads are said to
be still distinguishable, but in few years
more they will be entirely efaced by tho
many feet which every Sunday, unconscious
ly, trample upon the tomb Of 30 famous
man.--Rich. DIS.