The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-07-14
A Singular Parsonage.

"Rhoderick," the Baltimore correspondent o
! the Washington Star, gives the following account
| of very singular parsonage:
There resides in Baltimore county, not far from
our city, a very singular and extraordinary per.
sonage, who has thus far passed through life un.
obtfusiveIy. His history yet remains to be writ,
ten, aud few, if any there are, that could do j,
justice. He has lived the life almost Of a hermit,
seldom appearing outside the walls Of mis- hermit.
age, except when special occasions require
There Is a marked singuIarity in his dress, gene.
raj APPEARANCE and manner. Though upon the
turning point Of fifty, he has remained ,bache-
lor. Humble in his professon-being simply a
repairer of clocks-he is proud, and looks down
upon those of high rank and wealth with degree
Of contempt. He Is lord of his own castle, and
inhabits it soLus-has no friends, no companions,
and wants none. He eschews women, consider
ing thrm useless expense, and source of mul.
tiiarious vexation. Wealth, TO his philosophy, is
an absorbing evil, and money in any shape, ex,
cept so far as it contributes 10 higher en- men:s,
mere dross.
This singular person has existed in the same
hut, same locality, for many years, and still his
nearest neIghbors know him not. He spends only
much OF his time at physical labor (mending
clOcks) as will procure plain, scanty living, and
obtain other requisites for mental enjoyment. He
visits Baltimore about twelve times year on foot
and then so arranging in point of time, that his
entrance and exit made in the night. His pas
sion is books and mental culture. Though in
seeming poverty, he has a we'll selected library
of several hundred volumes, containing all The
classics, besides other works. His visits Balti.
more generally Of literary character, always
taking home books Of rare quality.
To see him, the beholder would suppose he be.
Ionged to the ignorant, unettered division of hu.
man nature. Ia this. however, the few who were
fortunate enough to form his acquaintance found
themselves mistaken. Contrary to all expecta.
tions, he proved scholar of superior finish,
versed in the classics thoroughly, and master Of
Latin. Greek, French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Hebrew, and many other languages, all acquired
without tutor. He is also familiar with the va.
rIous sciences, accomplished in manner, address,
&c. He converses freely, fuenhy, and sensiby,
upon the most abstruse and complicated subjects;
is well posted in politics, and knows the history Of
the past and current events accurately. He de.
lights particularly in oriental literature, and pos.
sesses fund of Information relating thereto.-I
He processes alliance with no religion, and yet
observes code OF scrupulous morality.
His best costume is extremely antiqua:ed, parts
Of it having been 10 use probably twenty years,
and all together il put up at auction, would not
ten dimes. The casual observer would
suppose him poor mendicant, and feel inclined
TO extend the hand OF charity, yet he is surmised
to be comfortable in the worlds lore, and proves
himself to be envIabIy rich in all that apperlans
10 refined and highly cultivated intellect. His
name do not feel at liberty 10 mention at pres.
ent. have G iven you the outlines OF reality |
which, up TO this period, has probably never been
hought Of beyond the ordinary routine of life.
The " Learned Blacksmith John McDonough, |
Peter the Hermit, and Stephen Girard, were not
more peculiar .han the hero Of this brief ePise. |
Within she past year he has mastered the arts
# s,enography and photography, and reads and
v rites them with ease.