e only his Harmony
Can be exceeded.
Obiit 21 die Novembris
Anno AEtatis suae 37
Annoque Domini 1695.

Among more modern inscriptions, those on the great engineers, Watt and
Telford, are particularly worthy of notice. The former is from the pen of
Lord Brougham:

Not to perpetuate a name,
Which must endure while the peaceful arts flourish,
But to show
That mankind have learned to know those
Who best deserve their gratitude,
The King,
His ministers, and many of the nobles
And commoners of the realm
Raised this monument to
JAMES WATT,
Who, directing the force of an original genius,
Early exercised in philosophic research,
To the improvement of the Steam Engine,
Enlarged the resources of his country,
Increased the power of man,
And rose to eminent place
Among the most illustrious followers of science,
And the real benefactors of the world.

The inscription on Telford's monument is equally chaste and beautiful. It
presents this noble summary of his life and character:

The orphan son of a shepherd, self-educated,
He raised himself,
By his extraordinary talents and integrity,
From the humble condition of an operative mason,
And became one of the
Most eminent Civil Engineers of the age.
This marble has been erected near the spot
Where his remains are deposited,
By the friends who revered his virtues,
But his noblest monuments are to be found amongst
The great public works of his country.

Every visitor will reverently pause before the magnificent cenotaph of the
great Earl of Chatham, which, though somewhat too confused and elaborate
in its decorations, is not unworthy of the greatest of English ministers.
Having achieved a higher reputation as a statesman and orator than any
other public man which his country had produced, and having fallen, as it
were, in her service, the national gratitude was displayed in an
unprecedented manner by honors paid his memory. His body lay in state
three days in the painted chamber in the House of Lords--his public funeral
exceeded in splendor the obsequies of princes--his debts were paid by the
nation--and finally, the stately tomb to which we have drawn attention, was
placed over his remains. The inscription whilst exceedingly plain and
simple, is impressive and appropriate:

Erected by the King and Parliament
As a testimonial to
The Virtues and Ability
of
WILLIAM PITT, EARL OF CHATHAM,
Dur