12 JULY 1884, Page 13

A. CURIOUS EPITAPH.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—There is an interesting story in connection with the epitaph which you print this week related in Boswell's "John-

son." Garrick and Johnson were conversing, when the farmer mentioned the hard fate of a musician named Philip, and quoted the same words, I presume, as those mentioned by your corre- spondent. Johnson shook his head at the lines, and then wrote the following :—

" Philip, whose voice harmonious could remove The pangs of guilty power or hopeless love, Rest here, distressed by poverty no more; Here find that calm thou gayest so oft before ; Rest undisturbed within this peaceful shrine, Till angels wake thee with a note like thine."