The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-04-14

Grattan's grave without the aid Of a
guide book or inquiry of the vergers
who are on duty in the building. I
failed in my search, though I devoted
several hours to it. My second visit
vas equally fruitless. I did not know
on either occasion the exact section OF
the edifce III which the patriot is in
tered, and, as the Abbey is crowded
with graves and monuments Of all de-
signs and sizes, it was not, OF course, to
be wondered at that even under ordinary
circumstances-and ''ordinary circum-
stances do not prevail in relation to
Grattan's gravel should have failed
in discovering any particular grave Of
whose location I was ignorant. But,
as have said, these visits were merely
i'll the way of experiment.. was aware
that OF the thousands who VISIT the Alb
bey weekly throughout the entire year
not ten per cent provide themselves
with guide books Or trouble the yergers
to point out for them particular graves,
and desired to know from personal ex-
perience what chance the immense bulk
OF visitors have Of seeing the grave Of
Ireland>s greatest orator and one of the
MODEST OF her patriots. Ny experience,
then, is that to accidentally stumble
1xattans grave is impossible and that
indeed it would be just as difficult to
discover it without the assistance Of
guide as to find the piu in the bundle
OF straw.
On NY third visit / procured III the
Abbey a copy OF the Popular Guide to
Westminster Abbey Compiled by Miss
Bradley, daughter OF the present Dean
OF Westm1nster), in which, under the
heading; A ortiz TRANSCRIPT" read
Henry Grattan, died 1920; the impas-
stoned defender Of Ehe rights Of Ire
land. His first wish wps to be buried il
his native country, but he ultimately
consented to have his grave III the Alb
hey. A plain stone marks the spot at
the head Of the grave of Charles James
Fog whom in life he so dearly valued,
and near whom iii death it would have
been his pride to lie -
The North Transcript is now better
Known as s'Tne Statesmen's Aisle" be-
cause the monuments are with very few
exceptions those Of political leaders.
Tie door immediately leading to it from
Palaae-square is the main entrance to
the Abbey, or rather il is more popu-
larly used as a means of entrance and
exit from the building. I FASTENED
thither after consulting the guide book,
and first examined the two walls of tine
aisle for some tablet or inscription as
a finger post to the grave FOR which I
was in search but none could ind
among the monuments OF great n,en
which, crowd CHS portion OF the Abbey
There are pews running along
the aisle at each side with e
passage in the centre, and 1 examined
the flags along this passage for the
"plain stone' which, the guide book ill.,
formed me marks the spot where Graf
tan lies. Up at the beginning Of The
pews, and about yard in from the
glass porch Immediately inside the en-
trance TO the Abbey, the name ''Charles
James Fox" on Que of the flags catches
the eye; and after diligent search Of &
few minutes you will find close by the
"plaia stone" hidden away underneath
the pews on the right hand, Or vest side
Of the passage. The grave is completely
covered by the first aid second pews,
and by deal board which extends the
length OF the first pew, for the conven-
fence, presumably, OF worshippers WAC
wish to kneel during divine service. I
had to raise this board before I conld
see the lettering on the stone, and even
with that obstruction removed I had to
recourse to some awkard twistings and
turnings of my head underneath the
seats ere could read the simple in
scriptlon:-
HENRY GRATTAN.