6 FEBRUARY 1932, Page 19

EPITAPH ON A GRAVEDIGGER

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—As I see that one of your competitions is for an epitaph on an undertaker I thought it might amuse some of your readers to see the following epitaph on a gravedigger, the undertaker's associate, Which I copied from a tablet in a Yorkshire church.

" Near to this stone lies Archer (John), Late Sexton (I aver), - Who without tears thirty,four years Did carcases inter.

But death at last, his labour past, Unto old John did say ;

'Leave off thy trade, be not afraid, But come forthwith away.'

Without reply, nor asking ' Why ? ' The summons he obeyed. In !too & 68

Itesiglicid.his life and spade."