8 DECEMBER 1906, Page 15

[TO THU EDITOR Or TRH "SPECTATOR:1 Sin,—The recent ceremony at

Bromham in honour of Thomas Moore brings back to my memory after a lapse of sixty years an incident which I venture to record. At that time-1845- I was a pupil of the late Rev. Henry Drury, well known as the editor of "Arundines Cami," and afterwards Chaplain to the House of Commons, &c., &c. In 1844 he was appointed rector of Bremhill, near Calne. A few years earlier he had held the living of Bromham, and had become a friend of Thomas Moore. These two parishes were a few miles apart. One of my fellow-pupils was Lord Fitzgibbon, who fell in the Balaclava charge. Mr. Drury was familiar with the history of Moores early life, and with the difficulties which had arisen with the Earl of Clare, Lord Fitzgibbon's grandfather. One day he requested Fitzgibbon to ride to Bromham, and to deliver a letter to Moore. This letter merely introduced the messenger, who was not aware of its purport, to the grandson of an ancient enemy. I can, even now, remember the incident and the pleasure given to the bearer by Moore's cordial and

friendly reception.—I am, Sir, &c., DUCIE.