THE BATTLE OF WORCESTER."
The Library, Cheltenham 21st May 1856. Sat—In your review of the " Memoirs of the late Mr. Thomas Moore " in your last week's paper, you say—" The following is one of the beet un- intentional sells on record " • and then you quote the anecdote. I now merely write to correct the locus in quo, and to give the anecdote as told by me when I had the honour of dining with the poet, at the hospitable board of his excellent and much-respected friend James Corry, Esq. The then Bishop of Worcester, (Dr. Can,) invited an antiquarian friend from London to pay him a visit during the summer. This gentleman, without apprizing the Bishop of the time of his visit, arrived in Worcester, and at once proceeded to the palace at Hartlebury ; where be found, to his great disappointment, that the Bishop was at the sea-side, and not expected home for some time. On his return to Worcester, ho put up at the Hop- Pole inn ; where there was a celebrated sporting waiter-guide, a privileged man with the sporting gentlemen of the county. Having told this man of the Bishop's absence from home, he asked (should he rein.ain in Worcester a few days) as to what was worth seeing. The waiter mentioned all the lions, —the cathedral, the china and glove manufactories, &c. &c. At the expira- tion of two or three days, he inquired how far from the city was the field of the celebrated " battle of Worcester." The waiter replied, " A very short distance." The antiquarian would pay a man half-a-crown to guide him to the place. The waiter said he was disengaged that morning, and would have great pleasure in accompanying him. Arrived at Pitchcroft, (the race- course,) immediately opposite the Grand Stand, the waiter said, "This is the exact spot." The antiquarian was delighted : he then stood on the celebrated " field of Worcester " ! ! He viewed the city walls, the cathe- dral, the bridge, the Severn, ere. &c. After a few minutes spent in deep contemplation, he exclaimed, " It was a bloody fight ! " " I believe you!" said the waiter : " yes, indeed it was ; and nothing but Spring's wind could have brought him through it." The antiquarian was so perfectlydisgusted, that he immediately walked back alone to the hotel, packed up, and was off for London. The good Bishop used often with great glee to tell this anec- dote to his friends.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, GEOROE ARTHUR WILLIAMS.
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