This monument was erected by contribution, in ye year 1743, to ye memory of HENRY JENKINS.
In the church, on a mural tablet of black marble, is inscribed the following epitaph, composed by Dr. Thomas Chapman, Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge:--
Blush not, marble, to rescue from oblivion the memory of HENRY JENKINS: a person obscure in birth, but of a life truly memorable; for he was enriched with the goods of nature, if not of fortune, and happy in the duration, if not variety, of his enjoyments: and, tho' the partial world despised and disregarded his low and humble state, the equal eye of Providence beheld, and blessed it with a patriarch's health and length of days: to teach mistaken man, these blessings were entailed on temperance, or, a life of labour and a mind at ease. He lived to the amazing age of 169; was interred here, Dec. 6, (or 9,) 1670, and had this justice done to his memory 1743.
This inscription is a proof that learned men, and masters of colleges, are not always exempt from the infirmity of writing nonsense. Passing over the modest request to the _black_ marble not to blush, because it may _feel_ itself degraded by bearing the name of the plebeian Jenkins, when it ought only to have been appropriated to kings and nobles, we find but questionable philosophy in this inappropriate composition.
The multitude of great events which took place during the lifetime of this man are truly wonderful and astonishing. He lived under the rule of nine sovereigns of England--Henry VII.; Henry VIII.; Edward VI.; Mary; Elizabeth; James I.; Charles I.; Oliver Cromwell; and Charles II. He was born when the Roman Catholic religion was established by law. He saw the dissolution of the monasteries, and the faith of the nation changed--Popery established a second time by Queen Mary--Protestantism restored by Elizabeth--the Civil War between Charles and the Parliament begun and ended--Monarchy abolished--the young Republic of England, arbiter of the destinies of Europe--and the restoration of Monarchy under the libertine Charles II. During his time, England was invaded by the Scots; a Scottish King was slain, and a Scottish Queen beheaded in England; a King of Spain and a King of Scotland were Kings in England; three Queens and one King were beheaded in England in his days; and fire and plague alike desolated London. His lifetime appears like that of a nation, more than an individual, so long was it extended and so crowded was it with such great events."