Litchfield enquirer., 1837-11-23

| of his immense property. Search was made l for Matters, by the late Peter Hemsen of New | York. the American agent, he was found at the nlace above stated. He then removed to l Newtown, where he built a fine house. The
 possession of SO much wealth deprived him of repose and peace of mind-and being beset 1 bY various charitable and religious institu- tions, he squandered his wealth according to his whims, rather than the exercise of any good judgment. He became weary and dis gusted; and without taking leave of his friends, suddenly embarked for Europe. His intention was to find out some solitary abode, where he might conceal himself and his rich es from mankind, for he had become com plete misanthrope. He avoided going to England, and sought refuge first in France, and afterwards in Switzerland. He lived a long time retired near Yverdon, and then re- moved to Goldenberg, a remote country seat in the district of Andeningen, in Zurich, where he at last found and enjoyed the soli- tude he had been so long in quest of. Matters, although a man-hater, was, nevertheless, charitable to prodigality. He lavished his fortune indiscriminately on every body a. round him, and his munificeHce was attended with such deplorable consequences, that the authorities of Zurich were at last obliged to require him to confine his benevolence with in limits which would render it truly benefi- cial. Matters acceded to their invitation, and from that day he placed yearly at the disposal of Government, considerable sum, to be di- yided, in proportion to their wants, among the public establishments of Zurich, such as the libraries, the deaf and dumb and blind insti- tutions, sc. On arriving in the Canton of Zurich, in 1923, he dropped the name of Ma ters and took that of Van Mater. In return for his unbounded charity, the Government conferred on him the right of naturalization, with all the privileges and immunities ari- sing from it. He quilted his country seat at GoIdensberg but once, and then on journey to Havre. ,a 5 s
 The tidings of his death have lately been received in this country. This is another instance of singular freaks of fortune. r
 His will was found concealed ina portman- teau, locked up in closet next to his bed room, into which he allowed no one to enter. It was read on the 28th October, 1886, before twelve witnesses, and it was discovered that he had constituted as his universal legatee, Mir, William Mather, of Newcastle-upon- .Tyne-a distant relative of the friend whose wealth Mir. Matters had inherited. # 2
 It seems that some differences have arisen between the British minister and the govern ment of Zurich, respecting the claims to the property of MT. Matters. 5.
 A Pensioner one hundred and sir gears old.-- John Davis still continues to call on Uncle Sam semi-annually, for his pension, though he numbers whole century and six years over. I saw him few days since when he attended here to prove his identity, and his right to be counted among the living.
 The aged veteran was born ill Prince Will liam county, Virginia, and for some time liv- ,l ,,ao,e +l,n roc;1or,0o snf (Npn Wachinufon with whom he served in Braddock's war; He afterwards served through the whole pe- riod of the Revolutionary struggle. His ap- pearance does not betoken such extreme age -his step is quite active and firm, and he, rode on horseback to this place (eleyer miles) and returned the same day. His hearing is but little impaired, and his vision such that he writes his na,s.ez ss,itkou4 saocfacle6. He observed that his faculties were failing, espe- cially his memory-though sometimes his recollection was very perfect in recalling the past events of by gone days but again he found himself frequently bewildered in sto- ry, and indeed, says he, begin to feel the effects of old age.9 The last 20years he has not tasted of ardent spirits, and what is most singular in this mans history. is his conver- and still continues constant member of the Baptist Church. SOuthern (Geo) Bonner.
 A startling incident occurred at an Exhibit tion of Animals in this village last week. It appears that the keeper, whose business il was to enter the cage of the lioness, had imbibed a little too much of the 70 be joyful' for a rational use of his faculties, and that soon af- ter he had entered the cage he lost the raw hide, by the use of which her Queenship was kept in state of subjection. ainong the straw and rubbish on the bottom of the cage. This circumstance was noticed by the lioness and she at once became refractory and ugly !; whenever the keeper attempted to reach the door of the cage, the animal would spring against him and force him back. This move- Inent was repeated several times the lioness seeming determined to prevent his exit. For a while the pride ofthe keeper prevented his calling for assistance, and the spectators SUD- posing the scuffle to be a part ofthe entertain ment of the evening, no alarm was excited in their minds; but at length his fears obtained l the mastery, and be burst out with startling emphasis" You act like n parcel of d. Id
 foois--cant you hand me club 2" A gen. erai scrambling then ensued, and a club was | soon handed him he struck the animal two
 or three heavy blows, which checked her sui.
 ficiently to enable him to get out of his dan-
 gerous situation. When fairly escaped from
 bis perils his countenance plainly indicated
 the mental agony he had undergone. ''ts
 ,4 ,9 s,,5s & Danbury 1yMes.
 Beauty and Death. 1.-The National Intelli-
 gencer publishes this striking extract from
 the letter of young man, who continued to
 reside in New-Orleans during the late fever there: S'M4I x gam
 sN would astonish you to witness the beau- ties of this climate during the season of the l epidemic. Nature is the same in every ram-