The Sun.
London, England, 1804-12-07 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'4 Dietiqzg, 6.

if AMILTON de. taNGI4/64) EXCCUTOR OF EVANS.
Mr. Etsxine, in 'stating the circumstances of
this case, said, it -Would afford a lamentable proof
that the sordid passion of avarice would, if en:
eouraged, deitroy every generous feeling of the
human heart'; and not only that, but it woulasalso
swallow up the source of every moral duty. . The
man of whbm he was about to make mention was
dead; but while living,
.he was an instance unri.
valled In the annals of parsimony and avarice. The
alion was brought to recover fool. on a bill of
exchange, given under the following circumstances
A son of old Evans, a bookseller in • Paternoster.
row, had married a sister of the Plaintiff': and they
being distressed, the father was applied to ; but
upon that, as upon all other occasions, he refused
to put his hand in his pocket. The friends of the
young man being anxious to serve him, and having
it in contemplation to send him to America, it
was agreed that a Mr. Wilkie should borrow
soot. of Longman, on the understanding, that
although the father : would not then let his son
have the money, he ,had, half promised to repay
it if it were advanced by any, body else.—Long-
man acctirdingly advanced the money, upon the
Plaintiff agreeing to indorse the note,' and Long.
man agreed that he would take the value nut in
printing work, as Hamiltonused•to print for him.
The tnntley being, thus raised, .the young man was
tent to America. Failing in his objett he returned
to this copntry ; but his - father would ,never either
see or assist him, and fled from his son and hid
himself from :an the worlds, lie continually re.
fured all intercession made in behalf of him, and
suffered him literally-to wander a beggar through
the street, anti from no other motive but his sordid
avarice, because he 'would not spare him any money.
The young man, c;hauated with fatigue and hunger,
one day fell down in the street near Shoreditch
Church, having only just strength.enough to articti-
-1 late 6. No. 32, Paternoster-row." He was put in a
coach and carried there,: when the father 'Finset! his,
son admittance. lie was accordingly turned Irons
the coach, and agairi•Arictered the streets all night.
The next day some' one gave him sixpence and
procured him admittance to Bartholomew's Hon.
'Vital, •where the wretched being shortly expired.
At the.time he behaved with this inhumanity to his
son, he, was possessed of 7 or 80001. all of which,
instead of leaving to.his grandchildren, he bequeath.
ed to ashopman. . • : i •- •
Mr. Wilkie was called, 'who proved his inter-
view with old - Evans, and his •endeavours to get.
the 1001. from .him for his son. :He used to do any
thing to put Off lhei.evil day of parting from his
money ; but he seemed inclined to make himself an-
' towable, if ' any . body would; •rsise- the Money for
the present moment. He, clidAtot, .however, pro.
anise him absolutely that he would pay it. ' After
the ton's return he 'could never 'get- access to' the
old man, he hid himself front all the world.
'Robert Butters said htf.knew old Evans. The
son called on him when he Was: ino ,starving state,
and was literally eating,the leaves from off the trees.
He repeatedly called. on old Evans- on his behalf,
but hc.neverenstl4l ger.isn rthing from him7,', The
old man always complained of poverty, and said he
must shortly go to'the workhouse. . He would bear
nothing about the boy, for ha could not aiSist him.
He spoke to him about the notnin.question, and.
about two others of Sri.; - the latter he said he
knew nothing abctut, but that the tool. was a just
debt, and he would pay it' when he vas able.
The note was not produced in'evidence, it being
admitted to be burned in the fire- at Mr. Hamilton's
house' in Fleet-street.. --• . .• - -
Lord ELLemeottotion observed to the Jiffy, that
they must do justice by the ruleS of law, what-
ever their feelings might be, The last witness had
proved, old h:vans's 'acknowledgment; but at the
same time, Mr. L. the Defendant, as Executor, was
bound not to pay any sum out of the estate that was
not legally proved, and, therefore, not blameable in
defending the ailion.—Vertliet lot Plaintiff for tool.