It would seem, indeed, that a doubly keen perception of the ludicrous had need to befriend any one who essays epitaph writing, lest he should be led to perorations like that which concludes an in memoriam to certain deceased members of / the ball family, / in Nuneaton churchyard: / When death shall strike, great will be your falls, / For you will be like these poor Balls. / No doubt a great deal must depend upon the propinquity, and also on the sincerity of the epitaphologist.