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

PARISH OF MELROSE. 257
was elected Principal of the United College, St. Andrews; in 1859
he was preferred to the principalship of Edinburgh University.
He died at Allerly, near Melrose, on the 11th February, 1869, aged
eighty-eight. Sir David was an extensive contributor to periodical
literature, and author of many scientific publications.
A tombstone, erected by Sir Walter Scott, commemorates Tom
Purdie, forester at Abbotsford. By Sir Walter it was thus
inscribed : —
" In grateful remembrance of the faithful and attached services
of twenty-two years, and in sorrow for the loss of an humble but
sincere friend, this stone was erected by Sir Walter Scott, Bart., of
Abbotsford."
A former keeper of the abbey is thus celebrated : —
" The precious dust beneath this stone
Once showed that ancient pile.
And formed an Israelite indeed
In whom there was no guile."
On the tombstone of his deceased wife the Rev. Edward Young
has inscribed these lines : —
" And where is that spirit ? Washed white in the Fountain,
Presented unblameably, pure at the throne.
The love and the favour of Jesus recounting
To souls that are stirring on joy like her own.
She came to the cross while her young cheek was blooming.
And raised to the Lord the bright glance of her eye.
And when o'er her features death's darkness was glooming.
The cross did uphold her, the Saviour was nigh.
As I saw the black pall o'er her extended,
I wept, but they were not the teardrops of woe,
And the prayer of my soul that in fervour ascended
Was, Lord, when Thou callest, like her I may go."
These lines are inscribed on a modern tombstone : —
" Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour ?
What though we wade in wealth, or fortune frown.