A few of these memorials are to be found in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Some also exist in France, Germany, Russia, Prussia, Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden. In these countries, however, they have never been numerous. But now I must say a few words about their origin. The oldest memorials of the dead to be found in our churches are the stone coffin-lids, with plain or floriated crosses carved upon them. The stone coffins were buried just below the level of the pavement, so their lids were even with the floor of the church. Afterwards, similar crosses were graven on slabs of stone above the coffin; then the faces of the deceased were represented; and at length whole figures, and many other devices, were carved on the stone, and around the stone was sometimes an inscription consisting of letters of _brass_ separately inlaid. Then the figures and inscriptions were either altogether made of brass, or were partly graven in stone and partly in brass; specimens of both, I see, Ernest has provided for us. The earliest of these incised slabs are probably of the ninth century, but the faces of the deceased were not carved on them till about 1050. The earliest brass of which we have any account is that of Simon de Beauchamp, 1208; and the most ancient brass figure now remaining is that of Sir John Daubernoun, 1277. "The form of the brass has evidently been often suggested by the stone and marble effigies we see on altar-tombs. For we find that not only the costume and position of the figures are closely copied, but also the canopies above them, the cushions or helmets on which their heads rest, and the lions, dogs, or other animals on which the feet are placed. I have something more to say on the subject generally, before I come to speak particularly about Ernest's copies; so after the general interval of ten minutes I will resume the subject. _CHAPTER VIII_ THE PAVEMENT "They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever." 2 Chron. vii. 3. "This is the abode where God doth dwell, This is the gate of Heaven, The shrine of the Invisible, The Priest, the Victim given. "O holy seat, O holy fane, Where dwells the Omnipotent! Whom the broad world cannot contain, Nor Heaven's high firmament. "Here, where the unearthly Guest descends To hearts of Innocence, And sacred love her wing extends Of holiest influence; "Let no unhallow'd thought be here, Within that sacred door; Let nought polluted dare draw near, Nor tread the awful floor; Or, lo! the Avenger is at hand, And at the door doth stand." _The Child's Christian Year._ Illustration: Heywood Church THE PAVEMENT Illustration: Brass of Henry Sever, at Merton College, Oxford