[Illustration: FIG. 37. SWANSCOMBE.] [Illustration: FIG. 38. ASHFORD.] [Illustration: FIG. 39. COOLING.] [Illustration: FIG. 40. HENDON.] [Illustration: FIG. 41. EAST WICKHAM.] [Illustration: FIG. 42. SNARGATE.] [Illustration: FIG. 43. EAST HAM.] FIG. 37.--AT SWANSCOMBE. "To Elizabeth Hall, died 1779, aged 76 years." FIG. 38.--AT ASHFORD. "To Stephen Kennedy, died Sept. 1791, aged 61 years." In the latter illustration there are three stars to which I can give no signification. The snake-ring is, of course, eternity, and the book, as before surmised, may stand for the record of a good life. More ingenious, more didactic, and altogether more meritorious than these is another series of designs belonging to the same period of time. They are not only as a rule conceived in better taste, but are, almost consequently, better in their execution. The following example from Cooling, a small village in the Medway Marshes, is an excellent specimen of its class, and a very exceptional "find" for a spot so remote. FIG. 39.--AT COOLING. "To M'r Richard Prebble of Cliffe, died April 1775." One of later date at Hendon, Middlesex, is also to be commended. The lyre, cornet, and tambourine speak of music, and the figures of Fame and Hope are hardly to be misunderstood, but the large box in the background is not quite certain of correct interpretation. FIG. 40.--AT HENDON. "To Ludwig August Leakfield, Esq., died Nov. 22, 1810, aged 48 years." The following is rougher in form, but seems to have suffered from the weather. It needs no explanation. FIG. 41.--AT EAST WICKHAM. "To Thomas Vere of Woolwich, shipwright, died 10th August, 1789." The two next subjects are to be found in many variations. The angel with the cross in each case may represent salvation proclaimed. FIG. 42.--AT SNARGATE. "To Edward Wood, died Sept. 1779, aged 50 years." FIG. 43.--AT EAST HAM. "To Mr Richard Wright, died July 28, 1781, aged 39 years." The winged scroll in Fig. 44 is unfolded to display, we may suppose, a register of good and holy deeds done in an extended life. The scythes and the reversed torches may be taken at their usual significance, which is death. This is copied from a stone in the churchyard of Wilmington by Dartford Heath. [Illustration: FIG. 44. WILMINGTON.] [Illustration: FIG. 45. WANSTEAD.] [Illustration: FIG. 46. SOUTHFLEET.] [Illustration: FIG. 47. WILMINGTON.] [Illustration: FIG. 48. LEWISHAM.] [Illustration: FIG. 49. BUNHILL FIELDS.] FIG. 44.--AT WILMINGTON. "To Richard Barman, died 1793, aged 71 years." More elegant testimony is paid by the figure of a winged urn in Wanstead Old Churchyard, the flame which burns above indicating, it would seem, that though the body be reduced to ashes, the soul survives. FIG. 45.--AT WANSTEAD. "To William Cleverly, died 1780, aged 40 years."