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

364 AYRSHIRE.
posed, seconded, and recorded, thanks were voted to the chairman,
and a report of the meeting was printed and circulated. Within
two years the sum of £3,300 for the erection of the monument was
subscribed. Sir Alexander laid the foundation-stone on the 2oth
January, 1820.
PAEISH OF BEITH.
On a tombstone in the churchyard is the following inscrip-
tion : —
" This stone was erected by John Vicar, in gratitude to the
memory of his parents, INIargaret Smith, who died January 29th,
1808, aged sixty years ; William Vicar, who died May 7th, 1814,
aged seventy-two years.
" Meek and gentle were their spirits.
Prudence did their lives adorn ;
Modest, they disclaimed all merit,
Tell me — am I not forlorn ?
But I must and will resign them
They're in better hands than mine,
But I hope again to join them,
In the realms of love divine."
From other tombstones we have the following : —
" These children died when young indeed,
Which made their parents' hearts to bleed."
" Distress'd with grief, oppress'd with woe.
Bereaved of children ten.
Our only comfort here below,
We're near our journey's end."
" Since the last end
Of the good man is peace,
Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground.
Nor weary, worn-out words expire so soft."