noon
Were the same custom now observed , the bells would seldom have a chance to cease . What seemed the most remarkable about this venerable old church , and what seemed the most barbarous , and grated upon the veneration with which I regarded this time-hallowed structure , was the condition of the grave-yard surrounding it . From its close vicinity to the haunts of the swarms of laborers about the docks , it is crossed and re-crossed by thoroughfares in all directions ; and the tomb-stones , not being erect , but horizontal -LRB- indeed , they form a complete flagging to the spot -RRB- , multitudes are constantly walking over the dead ; their heels erasing the death 's - heads and crossbones , the last mementos of the departed . At noon , when the lumpers employed in loading and unloading the shipping , retire for an hour to snatch a dinner , many of them resort to the grave-yard ; and seating themselves upon a tomb-stone use the adjoining one for a table . Often , I saw men stretched out in a drunken sleep upon these slabs ; and once , removing a fellow 's arm , read the following inscription , which , in a manner , was true to the life , if not to the death : -- `` HERE LYETH YE BODY OF TOBIAS DRINKER . '' For two memorable circumstances connected with this church , I am indebted to my excellent friend , Morocco , who tells me that in 1588 the Earl of Derby , coming to his residence , and waiting for a passage to the Isle of Man , the corporation erected and adorned a sumptuous stall in the church for his reception . And moreover , that in the time of Cromwell 's wars , when the place was taken by that mad nephew of King Charles , Prince Rupert , he converted the old church into a military prison and stable ; when , no doubt , another `` sumptuous stall '' was erected for the benefit of the steed of some noble cavalry officer .