Literature Network » Oliver Goldsmith

Is that the drink talking? No, it's the pub ghost A tour of haunted London, accompanied by 25 accountants, sounds pretty creepy. Peter Chapman puts on a brave face and comfortable shoes

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From: The Independent on Sunday
Date: 20031026
Author:Peter Chapman

When Oliver Goldsmith, a writer and carouser of epic proportions, died in 1774 he left behind debts of pounds 2,500, mostly accumulated in the pubs dotted along Fleet Street. He was buried to the rear of Ye Olde Cock Tavern, one of his regular haunts. Two hundred odd years later, an Australian barmaid opened the back door of the self-same pub to find herself confronted by a disembodied head floating in mid air. It was grinning at her. Screaming, she ran inside the pub to be comforted by the landlady who suggested she go upstairs to lie down. As she reached the first floor the barmaid let out ...

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