_Ballad of Dick and the Devil._--About the middle of the seventeenth
century, occasionally resided, on the large island in Windermere, a
member of the ancient but now extinct family of Philipson, of Crooke
Hall. He was a dashing cavalier, and, from his fearless exploits, had
acquired among the Parliamentarians the significant, though not very
respectable, cognomen of "Robin the Devil."
On one of these characteristic adventures, he rode, heavily armed, into
the large old church at Kendal, with the intention of there shooting an
individual, from whom he had received a deeply resented injury. His
object, however, was unaccomplished, for his enemy was not present; and
in the confusion into which the congregation were thrown by such a
warlike apparition, the dauntless intruder made his exit, though
subjected to a struggle at the church door. His casque, which was
captured in the skirmish that there took place, is yet to be seen in the
church, and the fame of this redoubtable attempt, which was long held in
remembrance through the country side, excited the poetic genius of a
rhymer of the day to embody it in a ballad, entitled "Dick and the
Devil," which is now rare and difficult to be met with.
As my endeavours to light on a copy have been unavailing, and my
opportunities for research are limited, perhaps some one of your
numerous readers who may be versed in the ballad poetry of the age of my
hero, will kindly take the trouble to inform me whether he has ever met
with the ballad in question, or direct me to where it may most likely be
found.
I trust that from the obliging communications of some of your valuable
literary correspondents, I may be so fortunate as to meet with the
object of my query.