The preceding [sketch] was made on the 17th instant. The well stands by the roadside. The covering stones, though heavy, were at that time laid as above represented, having just before been knocked over by some waggon. Although but a poor subject for the pencil, it is an object of interest from its connection with St. John of Beverley.
“St. John of Beverley may be challenged by this county (York) on a threefold title; because therein he had his
“1. Birth; at Harpham, in this county, in the East Riding.
“2. Life; being three and thirty years, and upwards, archbishop of York.
“3. Death; at Beverley, in this county, in a college of his own foundation.
“He was educated under Theodorus the Grecian, and archbishop of Canterbury. Yet was he not so famous for his teacher as for his scholar, Venerable Bede, who wrote this John’s life; which he hath so spiced with miracles, that it is of the hottest for a discreet man to digest into his belief.”
See “Fuller’s Worthies,” in which a lengthened account of St. John may be found.
Bridlington, July 30, 1827. T. C.
Respecting the subject of the [engraving], T. C. subsequently writes: “The stones over St. John’s Well were replaced when I passed it on the 9th of October, 1827.”