Notes and Queries: …. …. St. Michael’s Hill, Montacute: A correspondent signing himself “M.M.” writes: “The most interesting extract from Professor Freeman’s speech on this subject, which appeared in your last week’s issue, reminds me that in the long ago, I read an excellent poetical description of St. Michael’s Hill, at Montacute. It was written, I believe, by Thomas Shoel, a native of the village. Some of your readers may have a copy, and it would be well worth re-publishing, if it has not already appeared in your columns.” We wonder if the following are the lines to which our reader refers. If so, we believe they were written by the Rev. – Middleton and not by Thos. Shoel: – “Enchanting hill, whose sylvan cone, Delights the bard and wand’rer lone; Still thy retreat, and blest they shade. For sober musing, kindly made …. (etc) … (includes) … “Dwelling awhile on Pynsent’s grove, Where Chatham’s spirit yet may rove, My ken veers westward and descries, Where Cambria’s distant mountains rise…”
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.