Collector's Curious Hobby

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1914, Page 2

Collector's Curious Hobby

Two important ways for a woman to avoid disappointment axe never to fall in love, or put anything in the oven. Ie a kiss & blunder or a crime ?

j The present is certainly the age of ithe "collector," and there is hardly ai.y article, ranging from old furniture to the proverbial button, which has not nowadays its devoj tees, whose general ambition apj pears to be to possess something different to their fellow enthusiasts. In spite of the -wide field, however, covfi't-d by these collectors, ■it would, p.-rhups, be difficult to fiiid one with such a curious bent ■as ihat 'displayed by Sir Thomas rVrkyns, of Bunny Lark, Xot'.:j, who died March 2'J, 17-11. | A noted wre.ul-r in hi:; day, thi-r. 'baronet conceived the < Lr:\nge idea. ,of forming a collection of stor.e ; collhis many examples of which he

kept in Bunny Churchx ard, his object being that those around him phould read a moral in these sepulchral emblems. To carry this impression of humility still further. Sir Thomas caused his own monument to be erected opposite his pew in the parish church, in order that he might look upon it when worshipping there. The memorial itself was carved by the baronet's own domes lie chaplain, and. v'epicts Sir Thomas standing in his wrestling dress, postured, ready for a bout in this pastime, whilst underneath is the following inscription :— "At length by conquered Time subdued, Lo ! here Britannia's wrestler lies ; Till now he still unshaken stood Where'er he strove, and gained the prize." Upon his death, this eccentric s ;uire bequeathed his collection of stone Collins to such parishioners of Bunny as might choose to be interred therein, so that probably all trace of them has long since vanished.