Epitaphiana, or, the Curiosities of Churchyard Literature

by William Fairley

Here lies I and my three daughters
Kill'd by drinking Cheltenham waters;
Had we a'stuck to Epsom-salts
We'd not a bin lyin in these 'ere vaults What do you want on your tombstone? Chances are, it might not be the sort of inscriptions gathered in this delightful collection! Epitaphiana brings together more than 300 "churchyard curiosities" - epitaphs from graves in British churchyards and from around the world. It's a democratic collection, representing the high and the low, from such great names as Shakespeare and Byron to the humble village blacksmith and baker. In this collection you'll find warm sentiments, cold regards, and some downright ghoulish puns! It's as entertaining today as when it was first presented more than 100 years ago - and a reminder that, perhaps, the best eulogy of all is a life well lived...

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2011