ART. I. The Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain, the Introduction to the Second Volume, which completes the Work. With Plates By Richard Gough, Efq. Folio. 61. 6s. Payne, and Longman.

THE first volume of this valuable work made its appearance previous to the, commencement of our literary labours. In our Review for July, 1798, we were happy to record its progrefs in a fecond volume; and we now, with increased pleafure, congratulate Mr. Gough on its completion. Various confiderations unite to diftinguifh this work, as peculiarly ferviceable to the caufe of Literature: and pofterity, we think, will readily acknowledge that, in this fplendid repofitory, Mr. G. has, at a vaft expence, erected to himself a Monument, far more honourable, and doubtlefs far more durable, than the moft coftly pile of marble.

The prefent volume is, in fact, but the first part of its predeceffor; whofe Preface, Introduction, &c. it contains.

"The period of our hiftory which it comprehends, is one of the moft interefting to minds who delight in contemplating the progress and

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revolutions of art. We behold fepulchral STATUARY advanced to fepulchral ARCHITECTURE; and, from tombs in the public chapels and other parts of churches, we proceed to tombs in their own appropriate chapels.

"Thus monuments fuggeft an history of GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE." Pref. p. 1.

Having briefly recited, in the Preface, the gradual improvements of Sepulchral Statuary, Painting, and Sculpture, and congratulated himself in having thus preferved the memory of fo many beautiful remains, Mr. G. with a true fpirit of antiquarianism, makes war on the present practice of beautifying, which he calls new-modelling our cathedrals. Under this idea, the alterations at Salisbury, admired by many competent judges as an admirable monument of taste, meet with his unqualified reprobation. We cannot, however, hesitate to prefer the genius and knowledge of a Wyatt to all the prejudices of the antiquary.

Here, as at the clofe of the former volume, Mr. Gough is fated to deplore the lofs of a valuable affociate, and congenial friend in these pursuits, in that able artist and antiquary, Mr. Jacob Schnebbelie. A literary monument is here erected to him, which Mr. G. thus clofes :

"I had planned a concluding view of monuments in England and Scotland, to have compared thofe of our own country, and even with thofe in France; but,

Oftendunt terris hunc tantum fata.

I hefitate not to fay, that in my favourite pursuit of antiquarian refearch, I have fuftained an irreparable lofs. I take the warning, and retire from the pleafing task of immortalizing former generations, those who have gone before me for centuries-to meditate on my own mortality, and with the good Abbot of St. Alban's, "recordans melius et memorans quomodo diei mei vitalis tam mane tranfierat quam meridies, ficque pene finitæ funt vefperæ, quod multum de prope inftat completorii, juberem fterni mihi lectum in quo paufando quiefcerem quoufque fol vitæ fecundæ iterum affurgeret, reducetque ad ortum*."

"I have witnessed in my own country that Antiquity is lofing her votaries. "Old things are paffing away, behold all things will become new." The pervading principle of equality is a greater leveller than Time itself. We are to forget old principles, and no wonder if old practices are to be forgotten alfo. Theoretically mad, we are to do away all our forefathers tranfmitted to us as fyftem, and every prejudice. We must throw away the ecclefiaftical history of England, as the nursery of bigotry, fuperftition, and idolatry; and the civil hiftory, as the picture of tyranny, ambition, and defpotifm. "I have

« Gefta Joħis Whetamstede Bibl, Cotton, Nero D. vii, f, 27.” 3

feen,"

feen," to quote once more the old neglected book, "fervants upon horfes, and princes walking as fervants upon earth." I may live to fee order reftored, or "confufion worfe confounded." I have feen, and I rejoice in the reflection, the Father of his People, and the Patron of Arts and Sciences, reftored to his health, and his fubjects rettored to their loyalty and duty, rallying round them in the important crifis. And may they have difinterefted firmnefs to perfevere through the longeft conteft, and to the lateft pofterity." Pref. p. 10.

Thus far have we confidered the Preface only, which contains many judicious remarks, and much ufeful information. It lays before the reader a clear and concife account of the general state of fepulchral science, its progress, its most remarkable defects, and chief improvements.

"The Introduction to this volume, fo much larger than that to the former, embraces a large field-the modes and rites of fepulture in general from the earliest periods of history, more particularly among the Greeks and Romans, to the primitive Chriftians, deducing the feveral Conformities. Somewhat of the old ground has been gone over again; with additions and corrections. There is much new matter, and fome light it is hoped has been thrown on our orthography and numerals, as connected with this fubject. If hints capable of tarther improvement have been fuggefted, the purpose will have been answered, and no apology may be thought neceffary." P. 10.

Having traced Sepulture, with its peculiar rites and ceremonies, from the darkest periods of hiftory, including all the infe rior honours paid to the deceafed previous to interment, Mr. G. proceeds (p. xxiv.) to the fimpleft and rudeft exifting monuments, when an artlefs hillock was all that marked the burial of a favourite chieftain. The firft barrow he refers to is that of Alyattes, king of Lydia, " father of Croefus, raifed 2358 years ago in Lydia, and feen by Dr. Chandler in 1764, five miles from Sart, the antient Sardis." He then notes their frequent occurrence in every quarter of the world (not omitting America, where barrows are the infeparable appendage to great fettlements) and concludes p. xlv. with thefe remarks.

"I agree with Mr. Douglas, that barrows are not neceffary proof of a battle: for our ancestors may be prefumed to have had cemeteries as well as ourselves. These collective modes of burying the dead are not peculiar to Chriftians, but have been annexed to temples in every age by every nation, except the Jews, among whom it would have been an act of the highest pollution. On the fame principle, the Chinese bury in mountains diftant from towns, and the monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Perfia are found in fuch remote places."

From Barrows he paffes to Tumuli of Stones, and then to the burning of the dead, a practice introduced among the "Danes by Odin, not long before the Chriftian era. Hence his enquiries

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