All went well with Harvey Berrow for some years, until 1753, when a rival printer, Richard Lewis, started a paper in opposition, which he called the New Worcester Journal, and published from the Bible and Crown, in High Street. After a few weeks, the title was changed to Lewis' Worcester Journal; a few weeks more, and it ceased, but not before a considerable verbal battle had been fought. Berrow poured ridicule on the idea of a paper appearing on Wednsday, when the London news only arrived on a Tursday. Lewis, he maintained, had no right to the art of printing, not having an apprenticeship. Besides, his paper, Berrow's Worcester Journal, had existed fifty years, and had a circulation not only in Worcestershire, but in the adjoining counties. However, in the weeks following, he protests at unfair obstruction, at what appears to have been an early form of 'blacking', for the men who distributed his journal declined his employ.
The battle was soon over, with Berrow keeping the monopoly, and on December 20, he addressed himself to his rival:
'To the New Printer (as he calls himself). Brother Lewis (I don't call you fellow now). 'If a Crown'd Head wrote to the French King, he'd make use of the same address; therefore don't be angry;' And as a parting shot, he breaks into verse. The last three lines went as follows;
'Since you're so candid to proclaim a Peace, And are inclined that Enmity should cease,
Lest , therefore, you may think that I am rude, I beg that I may decently conclude.
Grave as a Bishop, then Discord I'll expell, So, Peace be with you, Brother Dick. Farewell'.
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