All within breathes the holy calm of eternal repose; no gloom, no mouldering damp, nothing to recall the dreadful images of decay.  An atmosphere of peace appears to pervade the place, and I could almost fancy that a voice from the tomb whispered, in the words of Dante’s Beatrice—­

  “Io sono in pace!”

The light of the sun, streaming through a glazed aperture above the door, fell like a ray of heavenly hope upon the symbol of man’s redemption—­a beautiful copy, in bronze, of Michael Angelo’s crucified Savior—­which is affixed to the wall facing the entrance.  A simple stone sarcophagus is placed on either side of the chamber, each one surmounted by two white marble tablets, incrusted in the sloping walls.  That to the left incloses the coffin of Lady Blessington—­that to the right is still untenanted; long may it remain so!

The affection she most valued, the genius and talent she most admired, have contributed to do honor to the memory of that gifted woman.  Her sepulchre is the creation of Alfred d’Orsay, her epitaphs are the composition of Barry Cornwall and Walter Savage Landor.  Upon the two tablets placed over her tomb, are inscribed the following tributary lines:—­

“In Memory of Marguerite Countess of Blessington, who died on the 4th of June, 1849.  In her lifetime she was loved and admired for her many graceful writings, her gentle manners, her kind and generous heart.  Men famous for art and science, in distant lands, sought her friendship; and the historians and scholars, the poets, and wits, and painters of her own country, found an unfailing welcome in her ever hospitable home.  She gave cheerfully, to all who were in need, help and sympathy, and useful counsel; and she died lamented by many friends.  They who loved her best in life, and now lament her most, have reared this tributary marble over her place of rest.  BARRY CORNWALL.”

* * * * *

  “Infra sepultum est
  Id omne quod sepeliri potest,
  Mulieris quondam pulcherrimae. 
  Ingenium suum summo studio coluit,
  Aliorum pari adjuvit. 
  Benefacta sua celare novit, ingenium non ita. 
  Erga omnes erat larga bonitate,
  Peregrinis eleganter hospitalis. 
  Venit Lutetiam Parisiorum Aprili mense,
  Quarto Junii die supremum suum obiit.”

      “WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR.”

* * * * *

Her last resting-place will not be neglected.  The eye of faithful affection watches over it as vigilantly as though the dust that sleeps within were conscious of his care.  But lately a sentiment of exquisite tenderness suggested the addition of its most touching and appropriate embellishment.  A gentleman in the County Tipperary[5] had been commissioned to send over to Chambourcy a root of ivy from Lady Blessington’s birthplace to plant near her grave.  He succeeded in obtaining an off-shoot from the parent stem that grows over the house in which she was born.  It has been transplanted to the foot of the railing that surrounds her monument—­it has taken root and spread—­and thus the same ivy that sheltered her cradle will overshadow her tomb!