Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-21
THE ROCK OF AGES.
Curious Statement as to Where tA3 Writer of the Famous Hymn Got
 His Inspiration.

Writer or the Famous Hymn Got
 His Inspiration.
 In a 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 great deal of in- 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 is as follows: During the reading of some old documents recently I came across a statement in regard to Top lady's inspiration for his famous hymn which seems to prove that the original Rock of Ages is in Burlington Goombe. which is on the edge of my place, and after careful investigation of the mat ter 1 am satisfied that the story is true in every particular 1t appears that one day the distinguished author was caught in heavy thunderstorm in Burlington Coombe, and there taking shelter between two massive piers of our native limestone rock, he penned his famous hymn that has immortal ized him." In all England there is probably no more beautiful, weird, or romantic spot than Harrington 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 a con- spieuous crag of mountain limestone seventy or eighty feet in height, a prominent object on the right hand to any one approaching from Bladgon road. Right down the center of this mass of stone is a deep Assure, in the recess of which grows many 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 cleft" and this rock which suggested the central idea of his beautiful hymn.
 DID" THE OTHER REPORTER. After Getting n Capital Interview with
 tle Governor.
 4 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 a secret polit- ical mission, says the Argonaut. He learned to his disgust that Jackson. the star reporter of a rival sheet. also proposed to call in an hour. Acting on inspiration. he sent Up a card bear ing Jacksons name and was promptly admitted. When he had learned all he wanted he asked, with gross inten- tional impudence, whether the infor. nation was really true. The governor turned purple. by question my word?9 he said "Oh, don't get gayr' replied Jones airily Common gov ernors cut no ice with my office" The old man loaned at the mouth. You insoIent scoundrel," <" he 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- pired. "The blankety- -blanked infa- nous Yillainis he sputtered. T never heard of such blanketY-blanked ef frontery in my life. Tell that miscre- ant that if he or anybody else from his internal paper comes Up here I'll kill 'emi9 The word was carried to Jack son, who went away raYing. Next day the paper intimated the governor was in town on bender Jones paper had capital interview and a big scoop.
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