20 SEPTEMBER 1884, Page 16

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

copied from the parish register at Yattendon, Berke, for 1770, the following memorandum in the handwriting of the then rector, Dr. Bellasis :—" recd. 5s. & 3d., being the Fee of Wm. Hutchins for leave to place a Monument against the Church in Memory of his Son, full of absurdity." The epitaph in question runs as follows :—

" Oh ! Death, thy call was soon, Thy pains were smart,

But I, prepared, was ready to depart In hopes to Heaven, there to sit with Saints and Angels bright, Singing Hallelujahs, In which I took delight."

I have also an old family paper with this inscription :— "Os A MR. PECK.

Here lies a Peck, which some men say Was first of all a Peek of clay ; This wrought with skill divine, while fresh, Became a curious Peck of flesh. Through various forms its Maker ran, Then adding breath made Peck a man ; Full fifty years Peck felt life's troubles, Till death reliev'd a Peck of troubles; Then fell poor Peck, as all things must, And here he lies,—a Peck of dust."

am, Sir, &c.,

College of Arms, September 15th. EDWARD BELLASIS, Lancaster Herald.