The ghastly story is further supported by the fact that at the time the rifling of graves was a regular practice, and the Tyburn burying-ground was a favourite _locale_ for such depredations; so much so that only a few months before it had been guarded by watchers and a stout mastiff-dog. “This burial-ground,” says Mr. Hutton, in his useful _Literary Landmarks_, “is situated between Albion and Stanhope Streets. Sterne’s memorial, a high but plain flat stone, stands next the centre of the west wall, under a spreading, flourishing old tree, whose lower branches and leaves almost touch it.” The explorer will find in the burying-ground a headstone and flourishing inscription set up by strangers--for the widow and daughter were left in extreme poverty, and had to be relieved by a subscription made on the York racecourse. Two Freemasons, signing themselves “W. and S.” furnished this tribute: NEAR THIS PLACE LIES THE BODY OF THE REVEREND LAURENCE STERNE, A.M. DIED SEPTEMBER 13, 1768, Aged 53 years. _Ah! molliter ossa quiescant._ * * * * * If a sound head, warm heart, and breast humane, Unsullied worth and soul without a stain; If mental powers could ever justly claim The well-known tribute of immortal fame, Sterne was _the man_ who with gigantic stride Mowed down luxuriant follies far and wide, &c. And they added at foot, that although he “did not live to be a member of their society, yet, as all his incomparable performances evidently prove him to have acted by rule and square, they rejoice in this opportunity of perpetuating his high and irreproachable character to after ages.” Nearly every portion of this effusion is inaccurate or untrue. His body did not lie there; he was fifty-seven, not fifty-three; he died in March, not September, and on the 18th, not on the 13th. His head was not “sound”; his worth _was_ “sullied”; and acting “by rule and square” was about the last thing we would give our Shandean credit for. It will be noted that the words are “near this place,” so that it does not mark the spot of interment. Under these circumstances there would be a certain hollowness and uncertainty attending any form of memorial in this particular spot. On the other hand, it must be said that the existing stone--a wretched thing, with its wretched inscription--would not have been set up by the two Freemasons if such painful rumours were abroad. The very preparation of the stone would have occupied some weeks or months.