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

296 DUMFRIESSHIRE.
"Eobert De Brus Coimte De Carrick et Seiaour De Val De
Annand. 1300."
In the parish churchyard an epitaph in Latin, intended to test
the ingenuity of the reader, proceeds thus : —
By a little attention these three lines may be converted into two
of intelligible Latinity.
John Irwin, of Gulielands, " Justice of the Peace and Bailie of
Annan," who died 19th July, 1822, is thus celebrated: —
" He thought it honour with all his might.
To preserve the ancient burgh's right ;
No man with bribes could for his blood
Tempt him to hurt the common good ;
Let every one that him succeeds
Think on his faithful words and deeds."
On her tombstone Mrs. Barbara Stewart, wife of John Eoom, in
Stewart-town, who died at Tordoch, 16th March, 1730, leaving six
children, is thus commended : —
" Beneath this stone in silent slumber sleeps
Her sacred dust, whose soul sweet Jesus keeps ;
Which wing'd its way thro' ether's regions high
To be united with saints above the sky.
In piety with virtue bright she shone,
A tender mother, wife, and friend in one ;
Lamented death, those children dear did cost.
Husband grief for what they had and lost."
A parochial incumbent has celebrated his deceased children in
these lines : —
"Dear children, ye were most sprightly and fair.
Of grace, love, and smartness, instances rare ;
But in health those deaths thou, Peggie, foretold,
And heaven much longed for, who then could withhold."