The Mysterious Maid-Servant

Author’s NoteThe descriptions of Cheltenham in 1816 are as historically accurate as possible. The Montpellier Pump Room was pulled down and rebuilt the following year. The Weighing Machine from William’s Library is now in the Cheltenham Museum. The Duke of Wellington paid three more visits to Cheltenham in the post-war years, but he was not the only illustrious visitor to the beautiful Gloucestershire Spa. In 1823 the visitors included four Dukes, three Duchesses, six Marquises, ten Earls, fifty-three Lords and seventy Ladies! The Duc d’Orléans stayed for three months and later became Louis Philippe, King of France. Colonel Berkeley lived with Maria Foote for several years. She bore him two children. Always flamboyant in his behaviour, when the Editor of the Cheltenham Chronicle criticised his conduct, he was furious and, when the newspaper went on to make uncomplimentary remarks about the ladies of the Berkeley Hunt, the Colonel with two friends proceeded to the Editor’s house. While his friends guarded the door, the Colonel horsewhipped the wretched man. But Colonel Berkeley was a great benefactor to the town. He helped start the Cheltenham Races and he was later made Lord Seagrave and then 1st Earl Fitzhardinge. Berkeley Castle is still one of the most beautiful castles in England. To find money for its preservation and to restore it to its former grandeur, Berkeley Square and the estate in the heart of Mayfair were sold in 1919. Thomas Newell became Surgeon Extraordinary to King George IV.