66 6 'Emigravit' is the inscription on the tombstone where he lies; LONGFELLOW. LONDON: W. KENT & CO. (LATE D. BOGUE), 86, FLEET STREET. MDCCCLIX. PREFACE. PILGRIMAGES to the birthplaces and last homes of men of genius have ever been sources of refined interest, as well to the general wayfarer as to the visitor of a more reflective turn of mind. This feeling has, doubtless, its degrees of intensity; but there is no being within the pale of civilisation who is insensible to the delights of Poetry, Painting, and the Dramatic Art, or indifferent to the fates and fortunes of their professors. They contribute more largely to our just appreciation of the better things of life than its mere enjoyment their lives are full of vicissitudes, and are "constant in nothing but perpetual change;" and the recital of the salient points of their histories, it is reasonable to infer, must prove attractive to a large portion of readers. The passion for visiting the burial-places of eminent persons has distinguished all ages. Our school-day *The notices in this volume are mostly confined to Poets, Painters, and Players; but incidentally are mentioned other distinguished dead near whom they lie sleeping. reminiscences carry us back to Cicero finding the tomb of Archimedes, in Sicily, covered with weeds; and our reading of yesterday tells us how the ruler of the Russian empire paid homage to the remains of the discoverer of the art of curing herrings, by commanding a monument to be erected over his grave. In like manner we venture to predict that all who are moved by a Poem, a Picture, or a Play, will feel interested in the contents of the present volume; and, should our vaticination be correct, a very numerous class of patrons will be the result. Of the general interest of its subjects there can be no doubt, more especially as it relates, almost exclusively, to the genius of our own country. The object of our pilgrimage is to persuade the reader to accompany us to the depositories of the distinguished dead, commencing with the hallowed and stately Abbey and Cathedral of our metropolis; next to such of its churches or cemeteries as hold these venerated remains; and then ranging into the provinces, and far away to the picturesque abbey ruins, amid which sleeps the great master-mind of Scotland. Our plan is, first, to sketch the edifice or locality; then, standing by the tombs or graves, to glance at the busy lives of those who there lie sleeping, and thus to present to the reader their first and last :— "O Death, all eloquent! you only prove |