Litchfield enquirer., 1831-08-25

ososseAe ~ tSAo ttVts tuo luutn ttatt ONt ttbe bank of the river. He occupied t about two months.
 On Friday, the 10th of June last he went twice to tho river to bathe, and was seen to go third time; Ut that time the ferryman saw him in the water. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon s--the ferFyman did not see him return, and his clothes were observed where he had de- posited them. An examination was imme- diately made, but his body could not be dis- covered. On the 2lst it was taken up at Fort Niagara, and on the next day it was removed to, and inferred decently at the burial ground at Niagara Falls.
 Thus has terminated the career of the unfortunate Francis Abbott -little indeed known to those near whom he has spent the last two years of his life. Some few glean- ings can alone be given. He was an Eng fish gentleman, of a respectable family, of highly cultivated mind and manners. He had n finished education, was not only master of the languages and deeply read in the arts and sciences, but possessed all the minor accomplishments of the gentleman colloquial powers in an eminent degree, and music and drawing in great perfection. Many years of his life had been spent in travelling. He had visited Egypt, and Palestine, had travelled through Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, and had resided for considerable periods of time in Rome, Naples and Paris. While at the Falls, business brought him in con- tact with some of the inhabitants with n few of those he would sometimes be socia- hle--to all others he was distant and re- served. At such times his conversation would be of the most interesting kind, and his descriptions of people and countries were highly glowing and animated. But at times even with those he would hold no conversation, but communicated his wishes on slate, and would request that nothing might be said to him. Sometimes for three or four months together he would go un- shaved. often with no covering on his head, his body enveloped ira blanket-shunning all, and seeking the deepest solitude of Iris Island. He composed much, generally in Latin; but destroyed his compositions as fast almost as he produced them. When his little cot was examined, hopes were en- tertained that some manuscripts or memo rial might be found of his own composition,
 but he had left nothing of the kind. His
 faithful dog guarded his door, and was with
 difficulty persuaded aside while it was O. pened. His cat occupied the place appro- priated as his bed. His guitar, his violin, and flutes, and music books, were scattered around in Confusion. There was port folio. and the leaves of a large book but not word, not even his name was written in any of them.
 Many spots on Iris Island are conse- crated to tho memory of Francis Abbott. On the upper end of the island he had es- tablished his walk and at one place it has become hard trod and well beaten, like that on which a sentinel performs his tour of duty. Between Iris Island and Moss Isle, there is embowered in seclusion and shade, one of the most charming waterfalls or cascades imaginable. This was his fla vorite retreat for bathing. Here he resort ed at all seasons of the year. In the cold est weather, even when there was snow on the ground and ice in the river, he contin- ned to bathe in the Niagara.
 At the lower extremity of the island is a bridge leading to what is called the Terra pin rocks from this bridge extends sin- gle piece of timber some twelve or fifteen feet over the precipice. On this bridge it was his daily practice to walk with a quick step he would pass the bridge, ad- vance on tho timber to the extreme point, turn quickly on his heel and walk back :; and continue thus to walk for hours togeth- CT. Sometimes he would lot himself down at the end of the timber, and hang under t by his hands and feet, over the terrific precipice for fifteen minutes at time. To the inquiry why he would thus expose himself, he would reply that in crossing the ocean he had frequently seen the sea oyperform far more perlous acts. and as he should probably again pass tue sea him- sell. ne wishedsto inure, himself to such dangers. If the nerves of others were dis- turbed, his were not. Intha widest hours of the night, he was often found walking alone and unfearing in the most dangerous places near the falls and at such times he would shun approach, us if he had dread of man. He had a stipend allowed him of about 30 week. He always attended to the state of his accounts very careFully: was economical in the expenditure of mon ey for his own immediate use-and was generous in paying for all favors and ser
 vices, never receiving any thing without
 making immediate payment. Hc had n deep and abiding senseof religious duty and |decorum; was mild in his behaviour. and 1SssSs& 4ss. L Lsm. Tn