DORSETSHIRE MAIDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9874, 23 July 1923, Page 5

DORSETSHIRE MAIDS

PRINCE AT WISHING WELL.

A LITTLE APT ADVICE.

“WILL THINK ABOUT IT.”

(Per Press Association, Copyright) LONDON, July 21.

The Prince of Wales, after lunching with Mr Thomas Hardy, the novelist, motored to farms in the vicinity of Dorchester, whose occupants are his tenants. He stopped hig car at Maiden Castle (a famous old Roman stronghold of grass-covered earthworks on the main road between Dorchester and Weymouth), saying: “I think I’m twenty minutes ahead of time.” He flung himself on a grassy slope on the wayside for a rest, but a little girl on a Shetland pony came along. The Prince gat up and talked to her. Then he drove tWo miles further on, to the famous wishing well of Upwey, which is approached through a bower of crimson rambler and other roses. Here, in passing, was a gathering mainly composed of young women. The Prince drank water from the well, where one is supposed to wish, with a certainty of the wish being fulfilled. Then, as bidden by Mrs Smith (the aged custodian) he threw the remainder of the water in the glass over his left shoulder. . “Did you wish, sir?” asked a girl from a bevy of rosy faces. . “No I didn’t,” replied the Prince. “But you should,” said the girl, adding, “Wish for a happy Princess The Prince of Wales raised his hat and smiled as he seemed to detect a carefully prepared plot “Well,” he said, “I’ll think about it n The girls raised a cheer as the Prince drove off to catch the tram for London.