Letter: Jester was John Gay

Sir: Either your correspondent Donald MacIntyre, or Norman Lamont (report, 4 October), is wrong in attributing

Life's a jest; and all things show it.

I thought so once; but now I know it.

to Shakespeare. It is from My Own Epitaph by John Gay, who was librettist for The Beggar's Opera.

Yours faithfully,

PHYLLIS McCALL

Weston-under-Redcastle,

Shrewsbury