the landlady for the loss of his pall, which had lately cost him 40_l._ Another very costly item in funerals was the giving of mourning rings. We see[64] the number of rings given at Pepys' funeral in 1703, and their value, 20_s._ and 15_s._, especially when we consider the extra value of the currency at that period, must have been a sore burden to the survivors. Thoresby[65] shows to what a prodigal extent this custom might be carried. 'Afternoon, at the Funeral of my excellent and dear friend, Dr. Thomas Gale, Dean of York, who was interred with great solemnity: lay in state, 200 rings (besides scarfs to bearers and gloves to all) given in the room where I was, which yet could not contain the company.' [Footnote 64: Appendix.] [Footnote 65: _Diary of Ralph Thoresby_, April 15, 1702.] Naturally, a great many must have come to a man in the course of his life, as we may see by the contents of a box lost out of a waggon between Stamford and London: '3 Hair Rings, 6 with a Death's Head, about 2 penny weight apiece the Posie (Prepared be to follow me); 3 other mourning rings with W. C. ob. 18 Dec. 1702; 1 Ennamelled Ring, 3 Pennyweight twelve grains. W. Heltey, ob. 5 July, Æt. 61.' And their value may be guessed from 'Lost on Thursday, the 8th Instant one of the late Lord Huntingdon's Funeral Rings. Whoever brings it to Mr. White's at the Chocolate House in St. James's shall have two Guineas reward.' Besides the rings, hatbands, scarves, and gloves, there was another tax; for Evelyn,[66] noting Pepys' death and burial, says, 'Mr. Pepys had been for neare 40 years so much my particular friend that Mr. Jackson sent me _compleat mourning_, desiring me to be one to hold up the pall at his magnificent obsequies, but my indisposition hinder'd me from doing him this last office.' [Footnote 66: _Diary_, May 26, 1703.] The pomp of funerals was outrageous. Gay, observant as he always was, notes this in 'Trivia,' book 3:-- Why is the Herse with 'Scutcheons blazon'd round, And with the nodding Plume of Ostrich crown'd? No, the Dead know it not, nor profit gain: It only serves to prove the Living vain. How short is Life! how frail is human Trust! Is all this Pomp for laying Dust to Dust?