The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-06 00:00:00

A MODERN HERMIT.

A very extraordinary circumstance has recently oc-
curred at Farnham, which has created a great sensa-
tion in that town and neighbourhood. Some brief
particulars have already been made public, but
the following statement may be relied upon :
It appears that a short time ago a man in
most miserable and emaciated condition was picked
up by some labourers, in Moor Park, in an appa
rently dying state, and he was conveyed to the work-
house at Farnham, where he died in about two
hours, without being able to give any account of
himself. From some incoherent exclamations which
escaped him, however, it was considered right that a
search should be made in an extensive cave, cele-
brated in this part of the country as having been in
ancient times the residence of Mother Ludlam, a noted
" witch," and from the appearances exhibited it seemed
clear that the cave had been the unfortunate man's re-
sidence for a very considerable time. The bottom of
the cave was strewed with fern, which constituted his
bed, and upon searching the place minutely, a large
portmanteau, carpet bag, and other articles, were dis-
covered. The portmanteau was found to contain frock
and dress coats, a quantity of beautiful linen, ten pair
of white and black silk stockings, and a very handsome
accordion. A document was also found, which led to
a communication to a person in London, who went
down to Farnham, and recognised the deceased. Very
little satisfactory information could, however, be ob-
tained respec.ing him, and the following particulars were
all that cou!d be collected. The deceased's name, it
appeared was William James Foot, and he was a native of
Ashburton, in Devonshire. He had carried on the
business of a tailor and a brewer in London, and amassed
a considerable sum of money. Upon the death of his
wife, which took place about twelve years ago, a very
great change was observed in his manner, and a general
impression prevailed among his friends that his mind
was affected. The malady had latterly increased, and
he was frequently heard to declare that he was John
the Baptist, and Elijah the Prophet, that he was des-
tined by God to live and die in a cave like a wild beast,
and dot he should do so the moment he could find a
place suited for his purpose. About four years ago his
friends lost sight of him, and they had reason to believe
that 4s had been during that period wandering about
the country,
An inquest was subsequently held by Mr. fierily
Woods, the Coroner for the western division of Surrey,
but no person connected with the deceased came for-
ward to give any information respecting him. The fol-
lowing c4ditional facts were, however, ascertained :
The landlord pf the Seven Stars Inn, Farnham, deposed
that about the middle of the month of September
in last yeai, the deceased came to the house and
remained there several days, during which period he
appeared quite rational, and he (the witness) had no
sopicion that he was not in his right senses. Just be-
fore tee )eft the deceased told him that he had found a
place that lie bad been in search of for many years, and
shortly after this he rP(.3 uestcd that his luggage might be
carried to a spot he directed in Moor Park, near the
cave in question. He there paid the man who carried
it, and stet him away. Witness saw no more of the
deceased until he was found as above described ; and
there was no doubt that daring the interval he had lived
in the cave. After a full inquiry, the Jury returned a
verdict of " Died by starvation."