Newspapers / The New Bern Mirror … / Feb. 21, 1969, edition 1 / Page 1
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jbi»rn-(Hratii?n iHuuntji )lubiir {JtbrfiurD The NEW BEKN r PUBLISHID WIBKLY THB HIAIIT OP L__5^ NEW BERN, N. C„ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1969 NUMBER 46 ''Collecting epltaiAs Is an an cient ■ honorable, and rewarding hobby. My own adoption of this hobby grew out of an interest In American history and American literature, and specltically from a desire to visit the birth- places and the graves of our most distinguished men." So says Alonzo C. Hall- to explain the origin of his little book titled '‘Grave Humor." There's a copy in the Craven- Pamlico - Carteret Regional Llbrary.here. After persuing it, you may want to purchase the collection of tombstone InscrTp- Uons for your own bookshelf. Included are several gems credited to New Bern. Among those cited by the author is this one in Cedar Grove Ceme tery: “In memory of Mr.s. Martha Clark, wife of Wm. W. Clark, D. 1839 age 83. She was a member of the Baptist church for sixty years. There re- mainetlL therefore a rest to the people of God.** Also in Cedar Grove, and of fered by Hall as an example that hope springs enterhal in the hearts of.some spinsters, is the following: "Mary E. Oliverr daughter of .Tohn and Ell z Pear son Oliver. Died March 6,1836. Age 82 yrs. mni that cometh to me 1 Will in no wise cast out." Certainly the book would have been less complete, if its'pages didn't detail the ancient inscrip tion )n a tombstone in the churchyard of our Christ Episcopal chiirch that reads: "To the memory of Charles Elliott, An Attorney General for this province Who died Anno 1756. An Honest lawyer indeed." Likewise credited to New Bern is this one: "Malachi Haughton, Attorney at Law.BIO Dec. i790. D. Sept. 8, 1847. A wit's a feather. And a chief's a rod; An honest man's the Moblest work of God." The author of "Grave Humor" says this same inscription,pennedby Alexander Pope, is one the gravestone of George Washing- Urn's private secretary at Portsmouth, N. H. Still another epitaph that the author says is here, although we can't personally vouch fur it, reads: "Poor he lived. Poor he died. Poor he was binried. And nobody cried." Perhaps nobody did cry, but obviously .someone went to the time and trouble and expense to place an inscrib ed marker on his grave. New Bern isn't theonlyNorth Carolina town that gets frequent mention in the bonk.Noless than a half dozen epitaphs found in Beaufort's ancient cemetery are in the collection, which isn't surprising. This has to be one of the most intriguing graveyards in America. Slngl^ out by the author of "Graye Humor" as one of the most common epitaphs the world over, with its countless variations in wording, is the following inscription credited to Waynesville. "Come bloom ing youths, as you pass by, and on these lines do cast an eye. As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, so you must be; Prepare for death and fol low me." The version found in New Bern's Cedar Grove Cemetery, not referred to in the little book, reads this way: "Reflect, on man, while passing by, as you are now, so once was I, (Continued on Page 8) - THEY L()yE HER— Gaining the confidence of chil dren to the extent that they ignore the television camera, and join her in fun, is Patsy Bevill's major accomplishment on "Romper Room.*^ A native New Bernian, Miss Patsy in four short years on WNBE-TV. Channel 12, has attained the polish of a true profes sional without becoming case hardened. Wife of Billy Bevlll, Who set base stealing records for the New Bern Bears as a Coastal Plain Leaguer, Patsy ha.s youngsters of her own, and isn’t pretending when she displays affection for the small fry appearing on her OTOgram. As she ruefully admits, you have to expect the unexpected in dealing with children, and keeping Romper Room” on even keel isn’t recommended for a skipper who is faint hearted, or lacking in patience. The seemingly effortless way she steers to safe har bor each morning is remarkable.
The New Bern Mirror (New Bern, N.C.)
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Feb. 21, 1969, edition 1
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