On a punster the following was written :

Beneath the gravel and these stones,

Lies poor JACK TIFFEY'S skin and bones;
His flesh I oft have heard him say,

He hoped in time would make good hay;
Quoth I, "How can that come to pass ?"
And he replied, "All flesh is grass!"

S

Mangland Epitaphs.

EVERAL of the churchyards in the Isle of

Man contain monuments of more than local interest, and will repay a careful inspection. The ancient graveyard of Kirk Braddan, surrounded with beautiful trees, and situated in a secluded spot not far distant from the busy town of Douglas, is the most celebrated. It not only

contains numerous modern tombstones of unusual interest, but some Runic monuments of importance which have given rise to some strange stories, and suggested a theme for the poet and a study for the antiquary.

An old time-worn stone near the chief door of the church attracts much attention. It states:

Here underlyeth ye body of ye Reverend Mr. PATRICK THOMPSON, minister of God's word forty years, at present Vicar of Kirk Braddan. Aged 67 anno 1678. Deceased ye 24th of April 1689.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the stone was prepared eleven years prior to the death of the vicar.

Some of the gravestones bear records of

longevity, the most important being the following :

In memory of PATRICK M'CARREY of Douglas, who departed this life the 9th December 1851, aged 102 years; also in memory of JANE M'CARREY, alias Leech, wife of the above-named PATRICK M'CARREY, who departed this life the 19th December 1851, aged 100 years. They lived together upwards of 70 years.

It will be noticed that although the pair had lived together as man and wife for three score years and ten, the widow only lived ten days after the death of her husband. On many of the tombstones the maiden name of the wife is given, and preceding it is the word alias.

Major Wilks, on his retirement from the Governorship of St. Helena, where he had the charge of the Emperor Napoleon, settled in the Isle of Man. He brought with him a black servant, who died a few years after leaving his native country. He was buried in this graveyard, and over his remains Major Wilks erected a stone bearing an inscription as follows:

SAMUEL ALLEY,

An African, and native of St. Helena,
Died 28th May 1822, aged 18 years,
Born a slave, and exposed

In early life to the corrupt influence

Of that unhappy state, he became
A model of Truth and Probity, for
The more fortunate of any country
Or condition.

This stone is erected by a grateful
Master to the memory of a faithful
Servant, who repaid the boon of

Liberty with unbounded attachment.

Governor Wilks was a gentleman of high character, personable and courtier-like manners. He was a writer of some ability, and was the author of a "History of the Mahratta War," which Napoleon read and admired. The exEmperor greatly esteemed the Governor, and his departure from St. Helena, where it is said that he made many wise and lasting improvements, was much regretted. Shortly prior to leaving the island, Governor Wilks introduced his daughter to Napoleon, who, it is reported, looked at her with a pleasing smile and said, “I have long heard from various quarters of the superior elegance and beauty of Miss Wilks; but now I am convinced from my own eyes that report has scarcely done her sufficient justice," and concluded by most politely bowing to Miss. Wilks. In course of conversation he said, "You will be very glad to leave this island." She replied "Oh no, sire; I am very sorry to go away." "Oh!

Mademoiselle, I wish I could change places with you." He presented her with a bracelet in memory of her visit. She subsequently became Lady Buchan, and died in May, 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-one years; and at the time of her death it was stated that "she was one of the last surviving persons who had a distinct recollection of the first Napoleon."

There is a curious bit of lore connected with the estate of Governor Wilks in the Isle of Man ; it is situated not far from Kirk Braddan, and called Kirby, a name corrupted from two Manx words, “Cur Bee,” meaning “Give food." In the olden days the owner of the estate had to provide bed and board to the Bishop on his journey to and from England, and from this circumstance is derived its name.

In the churchyard rest the mortal remains of the brother of Mrs. William Wordsworth, Captain Henry Hutchinson. The poet Wordsworth wrote the epitaph which appears on his tombstone. The inscription can only be read with great difficulty, and in a few years will be effaced by the effects of the weather on the tender stone. The following is a literal copy of the epitaph, and perhaps the only one which has been printed :