Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1856-10-04

defatigable MAN. Mr. Kyrle thought the old spire
in danger of falling, and his humane mind never
rested till new one was substituted, to the erec-
ton of which he contributed most amply. These
are but one or two of the public benefits which so
deeply endeared him to the people of Ross. But
higher and nobfer deeds are to be mentioned. His
care of the poor was incessant. He fed them,
clothed them, and cared for them every way, and
this not for time, or to relieve passing necessi
ty, but for long years-from the time, in truth,
when he was in his manhood's pride, to the term
when his head was white and hoary.
" & Behold the msrketplase with pocr Oersprsad.
The Man Of Ross divides the weekly bread"
This was strictly true. Some pious bishop or lord
of former times had decreed, that the tolls paid
for all corn brought to the Ross market should be
the property Of the poor, and the grant remained
long IN force. But the poor, through imperfect
management, derived no good from the privilege,
until the Man of Ross took the matter under bis
care, ground the toll-corn, and had it baked into
bread, at his own house; after which, he dstribu-
ted it every Saturday with bis own hands in front
of the maFket-house. Tradition reports in hone-
ly language" to use the words of notice of Mr..
Kyrle, " that it would have done ones heart good
to see how cheerful the old gentleman looked
for he was then very old-when engaged in distri-
buting the bread" The " "alnns-house " to which
Pope refers one in reality " fed" daily by the
Man OF Ross, since every day saw food taken from
his own table to that of the charity But, to
speak the truth, any person who claimed this be-
neyolent beings hosptabe assistance received it,
and that again and again. To poor girls he often
gave marrlage-pOrtions, and paid the apprentice
fees tor poor orphan boys. At his kitchen fire.
place was placed a large wooden block for poor
people to sit on, and to. the poor, also piece of
boiled beef, and three pecks Of -four in bread were
given every Sunday.
Eb. Kim PT9TsS %.d. ,ppTsSSesd orphan: blessed
" Is any sick o. continues Pope, and describes the
attention of the Man of Ross to the sick poor his
purse, his medicine-ehest, and, what was MORE his
personal ministerings, being ever ready for their
relief. The passage, '' Is there a variance" &C..
has reference to another feature in the life of the
subject of our memoir. Averse to all auarrelling
legal or otherwise, he exered himself to maintain
harmony among his neighbors. and for much more
than half century he was arbitrator in all their
disputes-the chosen judge, in fact, of all civil
causes in the district. Perhaps. in this character,
his influence more beneficial than in any other.
In closing now our comment upon the text of Pope,
we come TO the most remarkable point in this
whole history. Upon what mines, says the bard,
did this mirror OF benevolence draw 10 supply the
demands Of his almost boundless charity. No
princely or ducal estates were his.
"This man possessed five hundred pounds year"
truly wonderful instance this is, indeed, of the
vast amount OF SOOu Wnlcn prudent management
may put in the power of those even of limited for
tunes. Yet the whole is but another preof that
Will and Skill can accomplish all things.
The town which Mr.. Kyrle so long adorned was
Justly proud of him during his life, and deeply re-
verenced his memory, when ne was laid In the
tomb. The name of the Man of Ross was not be-
slowed in the first instance by Pope, but was pre-
viously the common and popular designation of
Mr.. Kyrle in the country around Ross. The sub
ect of our notice never married. The poor Of his
district were his children and family. From them
he was removed at the venerable age we have men,
toned, and the whole population Of Ross and its
vicinity followed the remains of the good man to
the grave. Numerous as were the eyes that be-
held the earth closed over the Man of Ross perhaps
not one individual there could not say: g There is
the last sight of my benefaetor." The day Of his
death was the Goth November, l724, and he was
laid in the chanoel Of Ross in Herefordshire For
a long time no other monument marked the place
where he lay. than fat stone with the initials
JK Butin later years a handsome stone has
been erected over the body Of the Man of Ross.
The spot is hallowed one to the inhabitants, and,
indeed, everything connected in the remotest de-
gree with his memory is matter of reverence to the
people of the place. One striking proof Of this
was afforded recently, when the church underwent
repair or renovation of its pews. The eommuni-
ty, with one voice, exclaimed against the removal
of one portion of John Kyrle's pew. 1t was left
precisely in the position in which it WIS when
occupied by him.