Page:The life of Matthew Flinders.djvu/521

FLINDERS' MEMORIAL IN PARISH CHURCH AT HIS
BIRTHPLACE, DONINGTON, LINCOLNSHIRE.

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   In memory of
   Captain Matthew Flinders, R.N.
   Who died July 19th 1814,
   Aged 40 years.
   
   After having twice circumnavigated the globe, he was
   sent by the admiralty in the year 1801, to make
   discoveries on the coast of terra australis.
   returning from this voyage he suffered shipwreck,
   and by the injustice of the french government
   was imprisoned six years in the
   island of Mauritius.
   
   In 1810, he was restored to his native land, and not
   long after was attacked by an excruciating disease,
   the anguish of which he bore until death
   with undeviating fortitude.
   
   His country will long regret the loss of one whose
   exertions in her cause were only equalled by
   his perseverance:
   but his family will most deeply feel the
   irreparable deprivation.
   
   They do not merely lament a man of superior intellect.
   they mourn an affectionate husband,
   a tender father, a kind brother,
   and a faithful friend.

   (Wikisource contributor note)