The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-08 00:00:00

MR. FA nt2 (MAR.

Mr: Farquhar was one of the many distinguished in-
stances of the advantages which Scotland enjoys from its
admirable system of education, which, from its cheapness,
is accessible to all. Mr. Farquhar was a native of Aber-
deen, and went out early in life to India as a Cadet on the
Bombay establishment, where he was a chum of the late
General Kerr. While at Bombay, he received a dan-
gerous wound in his hip,which caused lameness, and affected
his health so much that he was recommended to remove
to Bengal. Mr. Farquhar's mind was ever occupied in
study, and chemical research was his favourite pursuit:
from its practical application the foundation of his present
immense fortune was leid. There was some defect in the
mode of manufacturing gunpowder in the interior, and
Mr. Farquhar was selected to give his assistance. By
degrees he got the management of the concern, and finally
became the sole connector to the Government. In this
way wealth and distinction rapidly poured in upon him,
and be attained the particular favour and confidence of the
late Mr. Warren Ilestings. In Bengal he was remarkable
for the closeness of his application, unabating per/meet-ince
and extraordinary mental vigour, and also for his habits of
penuriousness. Alter years of labour he came home from
India, with a fortune estimated at half a million of money,
the principal part of which was invested, through Mr.
Hoare, in the funds, at the rate of .531. for three per cent.
Consols. On landing at Gravesend, r. Farquhar got on
the outside of the coach to London, 1N d his first visit very
naturally was to his hanker. Full of dust and dirt, with
clothes not worth a guinea, he presented himself at the
counter, and asked to see Mr. Hoare. The clerks disre-
pried hie application, and he was sufered to wait in the
cash-office as a poor petitioner, until Mr. Hoare, passing
through it, after some explanation recognised his Indian
customer—the man whom he expected to see with a nabob's
pomp. Mr. Farquhar requested 231. and took his leave.
After leaving the banking-house, he went to a relation's,
a baronet, with whom he for some time resided. About
Christmas a grand rout was to be given by the relation of
Mr. Farquhar, in consequence of his return. One evening,
a week previous, Mr. Farquhar received a hint from his
relation that his clothes were not of the newest fashion, and
recommended a Bond-street tailor to him. Mr. Fat Titter
asked him if that really was his opinion ; the answer was
given in a way with which Mr. Farquhar did not feel
pleased ; be went to his bed-room, packed up his trunk,
requested the servant to call a coach, in which he set out,
and never associated with his titled relative after-
wards. He then settled in Upper Baker-street, where
his house was to be distingriished by its dingy ap-
pearance, uncleane I windows, and general neglect. An
old woman was his sole attendant, and his apartment,
to which a brush or Mom was never applied, was kept sa-
cred from her care. Books and papers were strewed on the
floor; the spot where the book was concluded, there it was
thrown, and never removed. His neighbours were not at
all aeqnainted with his character ; and there have been in-
stances of some of them offering him money as an object of
charity, or as a reduced gentleman. Ile became a partner in
the great agency house in the city, of Basset, Farquhar,
and Co., and also purchased the late Mr. Whitbread's share
in the brewery. Part of his wealth was devoted to the
purchase of estates, but the great bulk was invested in
stock, and suffered to increase on the principle of compound
interest. Every half year he regularly drew his dividends,
his mercantile profits, and his rents, and purchases in the
fun Is. In this manner his wealth had accumulated. Mr.
Farquhar was deeply read in ancient and modern li-
terature: his mind was one of extraordinary vigour
and originality—his conversation of a superior order,
impressive and animated on every subject. His sen-
timents were liberal, and strangely contrasted with his
habits. His avarice may he considered as a disease which
he could not control. His religious opinions were pe-
culiar, and seemed to be influenced by an admiration of
the purity of the livcaand moral principles of the Bramins.
It is said that he offered to appropriate 100,000/. to found
• college in Aberdeen, on the most enlarged plan of educa-
tion, with a reservation on points of religion; to which,
however, the sanction of the Legislature could not be pro-
cured, and the plan was dropped. He went afterwards to
reside in one of his own houses to Gieweeseer-place, Port- '
man-square. a hich lie furnished in a style of modern
elegance. He also set up a handsome chariot, and so far as
appearances were concerned; indulged in several luxuries ;
but his domestic habits were still the same, and his table
seldom laboured with the pressure of heavy dishes. Ile
had one nephew, to whom he allowed 3001. a year. Ile
had few other claims of family. Those who were well
acquainted with Mr. Farquhar considered him as a sordid
miser, who had scraped money together by lucre labour
and saving; but the few with whom lie associated recog-
nised a powerful and enterprising mind, a cultivated and
discerning taste, and an intellectual refinement totally op-
posite to that penury which he seems to have at first im-
posed on himself as a duty, but which habit had made
second nature. Ile was diminutive in person, and by no
means prepossessing in appearance; his dress had all the
<viatica of the antique to recommend it; and his domestic
t xpenditure did not, till lately, exceed 2001. a year, although
his possessions, money in the funds, and capital in trade,
are said to amount to a million and a half.

On the 2Gth of last month, the cloth manufactory of M.
Lclan, burgomaster of Cherattes, in the province of Lige,
was totally destroyed by fire, with all the machinery, wool,
cloth, and all that it contained. A hundred workmen are
thrown out of mployment by this event, which is attributed
t t nitlistence.

Yeaterday morning, in Blackfriars-road, a hackney-
caach and light cart came in contact with such a violent
concussion, that both vehicles were upset, and the person
driving the cart was much hurt; while the mar, who drove
the coach, and from whose carelessness the accident hap-
pened, and a gentleman inside, escaped without injury.
On Wednesday last, John Bullock, a young man about
24 year of age, undertook, for a few sliillings raised by
subscription, to run nine miles in one hour. lie started
from the Bull Inn, Downham-tnarket (half a mile out and
back), at 20 minutes before eight on Wednesday evening,
and accomplished his arduous undertaking, with apparent
ease, in the short space of 55 minutes.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.—On the evening of Sunday,
2.5 th June, a dreadful accident happened at the baths of
Linhaeli, near Bonne. The youth of the neighbourhood
nue dancing in the meadow, and a crowd of curious per-
sons, placed on the houses belonging to the baths, were
amusing themselves looking at the rural festivity. Sud-
denly the middle gallery, vieltling to the weight, fell into
the interior, and dragged them along with it; and almost
at the. same time the upper gallery, which hall nothing to
support it after the middle one was gone, fell down in the
same way. Twenty persons, in consequence of thii event,
had their arms and legs broken ; a still greater number
have dangerous wounds, but no one as yet has been found
to have lost his life.

A gang of tour swindlers, taking advantage of the air-
s t.c.! of the Highland gentlemen at the markets, succeeded
last week is uttering forged notes to an amount hitherto
unequalled in this part of the kingdom, and at the same
time •isiting with distress and ;ruin many small farmers in
Skye and on the west coast. Having hired a youth from
Strathpelier to accompany them, the swindlers commenced
purchasing cattle anti horses, at prices from Ws. to 30s.
a-heed higher than the market rates, from the small far-
mers in Strati), Broadford, ike. whom they paid in forged
boles. In one strath 130/. were passed. 'I o avoid detec-
tion, they shunned respectable farmers; and on being in-
sited to examine some stock at the offices of the minister
of the parish, they declined. In the evening they quar-
tered at the Inn, but about midnight effected their escape
unperceived, carrying with them the whole of the cattle.
Ihi the following morning, suspicion led to the examina-
tion of the notes, which were, without exception, found 'to
be forgeries. The Sheriff of Skye despatched a party of
twelve men, by the route of the Black-mount, in pursuit of
the fugitives, and we sincerely hope they will succeed in
recapturing this modern foray. The forgeries consisted of
small notes, on the Batik of Scotland, British Linen Com-
pany, Sir William Forbes and Co., the Commercial Bank,
anti the Montrose and Paisley Banks. These notes are
said to be pretty well executed, the impression rather pale,
upon strong paper, anti with the new coloured Government
stamp, in imitation of the more recent issues from the
Banks; they arc likewise described as quite new, though
Purposely soiled and creased.—lnverness Courier.