By Rev. Chr. Wordsworth. 315 



Wilts, and, at one time, on St. Margaret's Farm (near Marlborough 

 railway station), for Mr. Daniel, the proprietor. Duck used all 

 means within his power to improve his education, and was en- 

 couraged by a friend who possessed some l)Ooks, and who had been 

 in service in London, and further by the Rev. Hoby Stanley, Eector 

 of Pewsey, 1729 — 36, whose family had for many years been patrons 

 of that benefice.^ A copy of Stephen Duck's earlier poems, " The 

 SMmamite," "Poverty," and the " 2'hrcsher's Labour," was sent to 

 the Earl of Tankerville at Windsor, where the Hon. Mrs. Clayton, 

 of Her Majesty's Bedchamber, happening to see it, immediately 

 presented it to Queen Caroline. 



The Queen allowed Duck thirty guineas a year, with a little 

 house at Richmond-on-Thames, until she could make him some 

 better provision. In 1733 she appointed him a " beef-eater," or 

 Yeoman of the Guard, and subsequently gave him the more con- 

 genial office of keeper of the library at " Merlin's Cave," Richmond. 

 In 1734, the then Lord Palmerston gave about an acre of land in 

 Eushall Field, subsequently exchanged, and known as Duck's Acre, 

 to provide an annual dinner for threshers on June 30th, at Charlton,- 

 in honour of Stephen Duck, the Thresher Poet. To this Duck 

 refers in his poem addressed to Lord Palmerston, and entitled "A 

 Description of a Journey to Marlhoronyh, Bath, Portsmouth, etc." 

 He seems to have been present at one of the anniversaries in his 

 honour, when the Viscount had to expostulate with the labourers 

 quarrelling over their cups, and to bid them 



"Desist from Blood, or else desist from Beer.'' 

 On his way he stopped at Hatford, was entertained by his 

 former master in Berkshire, and after breakfast took a turn with 

 the scythe among the mowers. At Pewsey he was disappointed not 

 to find the Rector at home. At Marlborough he was reminded of 

 Thomson, the poet, having composed part of his "*S'eftsons" (Spring) 

 here in 1728. He describes the Mount : — 



' Duck mentions specially a clergyman at "Winchester, who helped him at 

 the outset. This, I think, was Dr. Burton, the Head Master. 



- "June 30th." Duck's Poems, 4to, p. 211, n. Subsequently June 1st was 

 the day fixed. Charity Commission Report, 1836, p. 380=518. 



