Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

216 HAUDLXGTONSPIIRE.
" Anonynii, saltern quoad me.
Lfeta domus patriae tunc spes, nunc incola coeli ;
Oderat hie quicquid virtus amare negat."
" William Matthesou here lies,
Whose age was forty-one ;
February seventeenth he flies,
His Is'bel Mitchell from,
Who was his marri'd wife,
The fourth part of his life.
The soul it cannot die,
Tho' th' body be turn'd to clay ;
Yet meet again must they,
At the last day :
Trumpets shall sound, archangels cry,
Come forth Is'bel Mitchell, and meet Will Mattheson in the sky."
In a small enclosure to the N.W. of the parish churchyard a
pillared statue in honour of Thomas Alexander, C.B., Director-
General of the Medical Department of the Army has the following
inscription : —
" In memory of Thomas Alexander, C.B., Director-General of
the Medical Department of the Britisli Armv, born at Prestonpans.
6th May, 1812, died 1st February, 1860." Throughout a long
military career he laboured incessantly to elevate the condition of
the soldier, and during the Crimean war his indefatigable efforts
as principal medical officer of the Light Division to alleviate the
sufferings of the troops were of inestimable value in stimulating
others to foUow his example. The improved sanitary condition of
the British army, as well as the elevation in rank and consideration
of its medical officers are mainly due to his exertions. His high
professional attainments and his great administrative powers were
wholly devoted to the service of his country and to the cause of
humanity."
Adjoining the enclosure containing Mr. Alexander's monument
a marble obelisk has lately been erected in memory of his parents.
It bears the following inscription : —
" In memory of William Alexander, salt manufacturer, Preston-
pans, died 26th Feb., 1865, aged seventy-nine ; his wife Helen
Kemp, died 21.st May, 1865, aged eighty ; and their infant children.