The gift of the most beloved and most distinguished author, HENRY PURCELL, Priest of the Muses, who in the year of our Lord 1695, the day before the feast of St. Cecilia, died with many tears, to none more tearfully than to his friend and admirer, JACOB TALBOT. Jacob Talbot was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the author of the words of an "Ode for the Consert at York Buildings, upon the death of Mr. Purcell," which will be found in the _Orpheus Britannicus_, 1698. Purcell was buried on the 26th of November in Westminster Abbey, beneath the organ which had so often responded to his skilful touch. The anthems he had composed for Queen Mary's funeral only a few months before were again performed, so that Purcell had rehearsed and inaugurated his own dirge. Doubtless the remembrance of this would bring home to the mourners the intense pathos of the music with double force. On the grave-stone the following lines were inscribed: Plaudite, felices superi, tanto hospite; nostris Præfuerat, vestris additur ille choris: Invida nec vobis Purcellum terra reposcat, Questa decus sedi deliciasque breves. Tam cito decessisse, modos cui singula debet Musa, prophana suos, religiosa suos, Vivit, Io et vivat, dum vicina organa spirant, Dumque colet numeris turba canora Deum. _Translated thus_: Applaud so great a guest, celestial pow'rs, Who now resides with you, but once was ours; Yet let invidious earth no more reclaim Her short-lived fav'rite and her chiefest fame; Complaining that so prematurely died Good-nature's pleasure and devotion's pride. Died? no, he lives, while yonder organs sound And sacred echoes to the choir rebound. Even in 1722 the inscription had become almost illegible from the wear of passing feet, and soon was entirely obliterated. The grave-stone remained in this condition until 1876, when, by the exertions of Mr. Henry F. Turle, son of the respected organist of the Abbey, a private subscription was made which provided funds for placing another stone and restoring the inscription. By permission of the Dean, the following lines were added:-- FRANCISCA HENRICI PURCELL Uxor, Cum conjuge sepulta est. XIV. Feb. MDCCVI. On the pillar adjacent to the grave there is a tablet with the inscription:-- Here lies Henry Purcell, Esq., who left this life, and is gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded. Obiit 21 mo die Novembris, anno ætates suæ 37ᵐᵒ. Annoq. Domini 1695. This memorial was erected by the Lady Elizabeth Howard, whom Hawkins, and others, have supposed to have been the wife of Dryden, and a pupil of Purcell. Hawkins also inferred that it was Dryden who wrote the inscription for the memorial, and further, that the dedication of the _Orpheus Britannicus_ to Lady Elizabeth Howard was intended for Dryden's wife.