" SUMMING'S UP "

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sur,—Your correspondent's reference to American epitaphs that contain advertisements reminds me of an inscription which is, or was, to be found in a Cornish churchyard :— •

" Here lies the landlord of the Lion : He's buried here in hope of Zion': His ivife, resigned to Heaven's will, Carries on the business still."

In the Historical Survey of the County of Cornwall, C. S. Gilbert records the following epitaph which was to be found,

at'St. Ewe :— •

" Here lies the body of Joan Carthew, Born at St. Mewan, died at St. Ewe : Children had she five ; .

Three is dead and two's alive— They that are dead choosin' rather To die 'with mother than live with father."

The following is one to be seen in Phillack churchyard :— •

"Here I lie, outside the door :•

Here I lie, because I'm poor : The farther in the more to pay, But here I lie as warm as they." -

In the churchyard of Egloshayle (Wadebridge) is an epitaph to the memory of Edward Hoblyn, Gent., Attorney-at-law, reading :—

•

Here lies Ned, I am glad he's dead.

If there must be another I wish 'twere his brother, And, for the good of the nation, His whole relation."

One more, and this from Mylor churchyard :-

" We have not a moment we can call our own.

In memory of Thomas James, aged 30 years, Who on the evening of the 7th of December 1814 on his return to Flushing from St. Mawes in a boat was shot by a Custom House officer and expired a few hours after. • Officious zeal in luckless hour laid wait.

And wilful sent the murderous ball of fate.

James to his home (which late in health he left) Wounded returns—of life is soon bereft."

Pen rhyndeudraeth, N. Wales.