26 MAY 1923, Page 13

AN IRISH BURIAL CUSTOM.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sra,—Recently, in the grounds of a neighbour's house, a man was shot by the police after curfew. Wandering home from a public-house, he had refused to halt when challenged, and thus lost his life—only one more of the daily happenings in this troubled country. The next day some members of his family, who may be ardent, but are not reputed to be very pious, members of the Roman Church, brought a spoon and paper and earefally scooped soil from beneath the tree where he was shot " to put on his coffin." Can anyone explain the underlying idea ?—I am, Sir, &e.,