Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-09-14
Correspondence of tae Evening Post.
THE HERMIT OF NIAGARA.
NIAGARA, August 18th, IS4l.


ry which is told Of the person who made
himself recluse, that he might live upon
Iris Island, and constantly en- Joy the beau
ties OF the surrounding scenery. 1t is to
be found IN all the guide-books but as ma
ny OF your readers, know, have not read
1t, they may perhaps be entertained by a
repetition of it.
1t seems that in June Of 1929, a we'll
dressed stranger entered the village of
! Mas CARA, on foot. He was apparently a
young man and had with him a flute, a
! portfolio, and a book, which constituted the
whole OF his baggage. AT first he took his
lodgings at small inn on the American
| side OF the river, but afterwards removed
TO small cottage about fifty rods below
the great fall. He became gradually very
secluded in his habits, and in the end with
drew almost entirely from the intercourse
OF men. He conversed enough, however,
with those who approached him, to show
that he was man Of accomplished mind;
| he used several of the modern languages
with huency and grace; he was learned in
the proloundcr principles of science and
art; he sketched and painted with accura-
cy and taste; and performed with an unu-
sual degree of skill on various musical in
struments. Having travelled, also, over
the greater part Of Europe and the East,
he was lover Of the sublime and beau
tiful in natural scenery.
There were times when he would hold
no communication with men except by
means of a slate; he would go with his
beard unshaven for several months togsth-
er, his head without covering, and his bo-
dy clothed In coarse WOODEN blanket, he
would seek the deepest solitude of the de,
sert; and often at midnight he might be
seen bathing in small eddy just above the
great cataract or hanging by his hands
| and feet from piece Of timber which pro-
Jected over the torrent In the widest and
most tempestuous days he would pass with
quick movement over the most DANCE
rous places Of the neighborhood.
On the 10th of June, 1881. he was OBJ
served by a ferryman who plies below the
falls, bathing IN favorite resort twas
the last time he was seen. His clothes
were found where he had laid them, near
the water, and a few days after his body
was taken from the river, below Fort Nj
agara. When an examination was made
into his hot, his dog who had so often
borne him company in his secluded ram
bIes, was found faithfully guarding the
door, the cat was mewing quietly in bis
bed, flutes, violins, guitars and music
books, were distributed careless y about the
room; but not note or scrap of paper was
discovered TO give information Of his his
tory, or his name.
1t has since been asceriaineG that he
called himself Francis Abbott, Of England,
and that he sprung from very respecta-
BILE Quaker family, residing in the neigh
borhood Of Plymouth. The reasons for
his extraordinary separation from society
aud his friends have never transpircd. =
Whether he had become disguised with the
ways of civilized man, whether he was
touched in the intellect, or had suffered
grevious disappointment IN love, which is
the Interpretation given to his conduct bv
all the young gentleman and ladies' who
visit this placc,--wiIl remain, no doubt,
forever unknown. 1t certainly gives a ro-
r,antc turn to the incident in The latter
5upposi,ion, and, am, therefore, natural
y disposed TO adopt it.
an Honest Judge. Judge Baldwin, in
passing a sentence upon DR.. Bradde, for
ro5biDg The mail, made the following re-
marks:-
81 know Of nothing which should so
much regret, where take part in the ad
ministration Of Justice, as that it should he
said the law is made 10 apply to the poor
and helpless, and not TO the popular, rich,
powerful and wealthy. These are the men
that ought to be punished, if they are gull
ty, and punished, as | have often declared
to juries, and as | have often done, TO the
extent Of punishment which the law allows.
will do it, and always have done it; do
1t from sense Of public duty. | will APP
portion the punishment according to the
rank, wealth and family of the defendant,
and make him feel it there, and set an ex-
ample in society, no, by taking the poor
and friendIess, but those who have violated
the law, whose example will be dangerous
and prevent public justice"
SINGULAR PRESCRIPTION.-Dr. Rand was
once sent for TO visit nervous lady with
utmost haste, and on arriving at the house,
was addressed by the lady with much trem
our and anxiety, % doctor, am glad you
have come, | have swallowed mouse, he
ran down my throat while | was asleep,l
how feel him in my stomach trying 10 gnaw
out-Odo give ms something quick-some-
thing 10 relieve me or | shall die 20
don't be alarmed, madam said the doctor
calmly; Il can prescribe something that
will relieve you in minute 30. do quick
will take anything you say well mad
am said the doctor, just swallow the cat.
and III warrent you'll be we'll Immediately.
The lady was cured without the medicine.