In very early times the epitaphs were always written in Latin or Norman French; and if that practice had continued, it would not much matter to persons generally even if they were absurd, as few could read them: but about the year 1400 they began to be written in English, and then of course these foolish inscriptions must have been distracting to the thoughts of those who attended the church. But it very often happened that persons had their brasses put down some time before their decease, as is evident from the circumstance that in many cases the dates have never been filled in. This custom would much tend to prevent foolish and flattering inscriptions. "I have noticed that there is in nearly all brasses a solemn or serious expression in the countenance suitable to their presence in God's House. They were frequently _portraits_ of the persons commemorated[45]. This was no doubt the case in later brasses, and I think in the earlier also. Latterly the faces were sometimes coloured, no doubt to represent the originals more exactly. It seldom happens that the age of the person is otherwise than pretty faithfully portrayed. "I must next tell you something of the dresses of the clergy, the soldiers, and the civilians, as we see them engraved upon the pavements of our churches." _CHAPTER IX_ THE PAVEMENT "It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it." John xi. 38. "On the floor beneath Sepulchral stones appear'd, with emblems graven And footworn epitaphs, and some with small And shining effigies of brass inlaid." Wordsworth's _Excursion_. "The warrior from his armed tent, The seaman from the tide-- Far as the Sabbath chimes are sent, In Christian nations wide,-- Thousands and tens of thousands bring Their sorrows to His shrine, And taste the never-failing spring Of Jesus' love Divine. "If at the earthly chime, the tread Of million million feet Approach whene'er the Gospel's read In God's own temple-seat; How blest the sight, from death's dark sleep To see God's saints arise, And countless hosts of angels keep The Sabbath of the skies!" _Lyra Sacra._ Illustration: Chancel of Whippingham Church THE PAVEMENT Illustration: Brass of Sir Roger de Trumpington