" A PRIEST WHO CAN FIDDLE "
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—My attention has been drawn to an article in the Spectator of March 19th, entitled " A Spring Holiday in the New Forest:' The writer gives a wrong version of the " Hey diddle diddle" lines. The squire of Brockenhurst advertised in the Guardian for a clergyman for the parish. " Wanted for Brockenhurst, Hants, an Incumbent in Priest's Orders ; must be young and musical, violoncello preferred." The advertisement was shown to my father, the Rev. R. E. Bartlett, who wrote the rhyme,
" Hey diddle diddle A Priest who can fiddle Is wanted for Brockenhurst, Hants, So if any young fellow Plays the violoncello Let him call in at Johnny Morant's."
He never thought of it getting into print, but it appeared in American as well as English papers.—I am, Sir, &c.,
8 Lansdowne Crescent, W. 11. GRACE BARTLETT.
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