Bristol Bells: A Story of the Eighteenth Century

THE MUNIMENT ROOM, S. MARY REDCLIFFE.
The budding floweret blushes at the light, The meads are dappled with the yellow hue, In daisied mantle is the mountain dight, The tender cowslip bendeth with the dew. Chatterton.
The incidents in the life of Thomas Chatterton which are introduced into this story are gathered chiefly from Mr Masson's exhaustive essay and a biography of the poet by Mr Chatterton Dix.
In these books full details may be found of the pathetic life, misdirected genius, and tragic death of the boy poet.
Several citizens of Bristol, who are connected with his sad history, appear in the following tale; the other characters are wholly imaginary.
Woodside Leigh Woods, Clifton, February 1892.

'Grandfather! I want to speak to you; please listen.'
'Well, who said I would not listen? But speak up, Biddy.'
The old man put his hand to his ear, and his granddaughter leaned over the back of his chair.
'Don't call me Biddy, grandfather. I am Bryda.'
'Bryda! Phew! Your poor mother was called Biddy, and you ain't better than she was that I know of.'