7 AUGUST 1999, Page 24

Sting in the tail

From Mr Tom Benyon Sir: I believe that the epitaph Peter Chadlington quotes ('How to rest in peace', 31 July):

Remember, friends, as you pass by, As you are now so once was I.

As I am now, so you must be Prepare yourself and follow me

has a scrawl under it which reads:

To follow you I'll not consent, Until I know which way you went.

Tom Benyon

The Old Rectory, Church End, Adstock, Buckinghamshire