Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-11-04
Francis Abbott, the Recluse.

The name Of this singular individual, his
history and his fate, will long be associated
with The Falls of Niagara. Guide books
speak Of him, and guides also point ont 10
visitors the site Of his lowly and lonely dwell
ling.
He was Of highly respectable family in
England. A thorough collegiate education
. completed, he travelled and sojourned in
Egypt. Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, la
ly aud France, residing for considerable pc
RODS of lime in Rome, Naples and Paris
He came to the United States in the sum.
rner of 1929, spending few DAYS in New
York City, where he saw some acquaintan-
ces Of his family, and left for the Falls of
Niagara.
lie arrived at the Falls on foot, carrying
under his arm roll of blanke;s, a flute, aud
book. He was under thirty years of age,
tall, handsome, Of genteel address, Seeking
out the humblesl inn in the place, he engaged
Il room, table To himself, >tipuatng his
frugal meals. Repairing 10 the village Ii
brary, he became subscriber, and visiting
the places of business he purchased violin
and some music books. Settled in his room,
lie soon sailed oui and viewed the Falls,
and returning, hwelt with enthusiasm on the
sublmity of the scene asserting that Mount
he had seen III all his travels that would COM
pare with it. From day TO day he visited
the Falls, viewing them from different posi-
lions, rambled about the islands. gnzed and
admired, until his sensitive mind was enrap-
lured. lie had wandered over the old world
as searcher after the grandest of natures
creation, and here in the new world was his
Eureka
| AT first he resolved upon a weeks sojourn
then month's-and finally he applied TO
the proprietOrs of the large island Tor leave
to build himself hut upon the spot he had
selected. This being inadmissibe, he was
allowed the privilege of n room in the only
house upon the island, with the tenants of
which he contracted for his simple daily
food-bread and milk. Settled in his new
home, he became n recluse, avoiding al in
tercourse with the family, visitors or citizens
of The village, except when his few necessi-
ties or requirements in the way Of food or
clothes required it,
Thus he resided for over year and half.
Ic the latter portion Of that period the fami-
ly moved away, and left him the solitary ten
ant of the island, position much TO his lik-
ing for when another family moved into the
house, he broke up his quarters, erected with
his own hands, u rude Cottage on The main
shore, about thirty rods above the Falls
This he had occupied about Two months,
when he was drowned, while bathing in the
Iiver-whfther by accident or premeditated
design remains mystery. About ten days
after he was missed, his body was found
floating in the river near Fort niagara. 1t
was brought back 10 the Falls and inferred
in the village cemetery
While at the Falls, business brought him
! in contact, sometimes, with The inhabitants
with few Of those he would sometimes be
sociable-ro all others he was distant and re.
/ served AT such times his conversations
would be of the most interesting kind,
and his descriptions Of people and countries
were highly glowing and animated. But at
| such times, even with those he would hold no
conversation, but communicated his wishes
on slate, and would request thai 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 in bhnket, stunning
ALL and seeking the deepest solitude on Iris
Island. tie composed much, and generally
in Latin, hut destroyed his compositions as
fat, almost rs he produced them. When
his little cot was examined, hopes were en-
tertained that some manuscript or memorial
might be found OF this kind. His faithful
dog guarded his door, and he was with dltfl-
Guilty persuaded aside while it was opened.
His cot occupied the place appropriated as
his bed. HIS guitar his violin aud hute, and
music books, were scnt;ered around 10 con-
FUSION There was a port-follo, and The
leaves of n large book; bur not word, not
even his name wns written in any Of them.