Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-23
THE ROCK OF AGES.
Curious Statement as to Where sAs Writer of the Famous Hymn Got
 His Inspiration.

o%HioaS otaSsmSnt AS to Where sAs Writer of the Famous Hymn Got
 His Inspiration.
 In recent letter written to Dean Le Froy by Sir William Willis, a mem- Der of parliament for Bristol, he made very curious statement which has naturally excited a great deal of in- 1 terest in the ecclesiastical world Sir Williams writing was In relation to the strange circumstances connected with the first inspiration of the famous hymn, Rock of Ages Cleft for Me" 1 The story which has just been brought out by Sir William in his own words l is as follows: During the reading of some old documents recently I came across statement in regard to Top l2dy's inspiration for his famous hymn which seems to prove that the original Rock of Ages Is in Harrington Coombe, which is on the edge of my place, and after careful investigation of the mat ter l am satisfied that the story Is true In every particular. It appears that one day the distinguished author was caught in a heavy thunderstorm in Harrington Coombe. and there taking ] shelter. between two massive piers of our native limestone rock, he penned 1 his famous hymn that has immortal ized him." In all England there is probably no more beautiful, weird, or romantic spot than Burlington Coombe "a deep indenture in the dark, swell ing hill known as Black Down. which, rising to the height of HOO feet, forms the summit of the Mendip Range. The road winds through Burlington Coombe, between lofty, and in some places, preeipitous slopes, where the gray rock shows boldly among the bracken. At one point there is con- spicuous erag of mountain limestone | seventy or eighty feet in height, 8 prominent object on the right hand to any one approaching from Bladgon l road. Right down the center of this mass of stone Is deep Assure, in the recess of which grows many a fern, while on the hillside around are trees whose stunted growth and wind-worn appearance tell Of the scanty soil and the exposed situation This was the Assure in which Toplady took refuge, and it was this "clett" and this rock which suggested the central idea of bis beautiful hymn.
 DID" THE OTHER REPORTER. After Getting 8 Capital Interview with
 the Governor.
 A reporter named Jones on a daily in St. Louis was detailed to interview the governor Of another state, who had slipped into the city on secret polit- ical mission. says the Argonaut. He learned to his disgust that Jackson, the star reporter of rival sheet, also proposed to call in an hour. Acting on inspiration, he sent up a card bear Ing JacksoH's name and was promptly admitted. When he had learned all he wanted he asked, with gross inten- tional impotence. whether the infor. nation was really true. The governor turned purple. "D'y' question my word?" he said. "Oh. don't get gay!' replied Jones airily Common gov ernors cut no ice with my office.' The old man loaned at the mouth. "You i insolent scoundrel." be roared, "get out of my rooms!" That was exactly what Jones wanted, and he went. Pres ent Jackson showed up. Here, boy" he said pompously, take my card to the governor. When the old man looked at the pasteboard he nearly ex- ptred. ''Ths blankety- -bianked infa- nous villain!' he spluttered. "I never heard of such blankety- blanked eg- frontery in my life. Tell that mlscre- ant that if he or anybody else from hls internal paper comes up here I'll kill em!" The word was carried to Jack son, who went away raving. Next day the paper intlmated the governor was in town on bender. Jones paper had capital interview and big scoop"