Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-04-26
Mania of Amassing.

There died at Paris, in the year 1899, (says
the author of the charming work, Salad Jor the
Social) literally of want, the well known bank
er, Ostervald. A few days prior to his death
he resisted the opportunities of his attendant to
purchase some meat, for the purpose of making
a little soup for him. "True, should like the
SOUP" he said, "but haSe ,nojappetite for the
meat; what is to becomessof, that; it will be
sad waste" This poor wretch died worth 81
$4,000 sterling. Another desperate case was
that of ELVES, whose diet and dress were alike
of the most revolving kind, and whose property
was estimated at 100000. Daniel Dancers
misery propensities were INDUCED to such a
degree, that on ore occasion, when at the ur-
gent solicitation Of friend, he ventured to give
shilling to Jew for an old hat, "better as new,
to the astonishment of the friend, the next day
he actually retailed it for eighteen pence. He
performed his ablutions at q neighboring pool,
drying himself in the sun, to save the extrava-
CANT indulgence of towel; yet this poor men
dicant had property to the extent of upwards OF
So, 900 per annum.
The well known Nat Bently, (alias Dirty
Dick, of London, was the victim not only of q
craving for gold, but for old iron. Another de.
plorable case might be cited, that of Tom Pitt
of Warwickshire. 1t is reported that some weeks
prior to the sickness which terminated his des'
picabe career, he went to several undertakers
in quest of cheap coffin. He left behind him
S2,474 in public funds. Another instance is
that of the notorious Thomas Cook. On his
physician intiInating the possibility of his not
existing more than five or six days, he protested
against the useless expense of medicine, and
charged the doctor never to show his face te
him again. His property WAS estimated at a
bout $3.50, 900.
Sir William Smyth, of Bedfordshire, was i'm
mensely rich, but most parsimonious and miser
ly in his habits. At seventy years of age ht
was entirely deprived of his sight, unableitt
gloat over his boarded heaps of gold. He was
persuaded by Taylor, the celebrated occulist tc
be couched-who was, by agreement, to have
sixty guineas if he restored his patient to any
degree of sight. Taylor succeeded in his opera
tion, and Sir William was enabled to read ant
write without the aid of spectacles during tht
rest of his life. But no sooner was his sigh
restored than the baronet began to regret tina
his agreement had been made for so large {
sum- His thoughts were now how to cheat tht
occulist. He pretended that he had only a glim
mering, and could see nothing distinctly: fo
which reason the bandage on his eyes was con-
tinued month longer than the usual time
Taylor was deceived by these misrepresentation
and agreed to compound the bargain, and accep
twenty guineas instead of sixty. AT the tim'
Taylor attended him he had large estate. al
immense sum of money in the stocks, and S6,
900 in the house.
A miser of the name of Foscue, who had O.
massed enormous wealth by the most sordit
parsimony and dscredltable extortion, applied
his ingenuity 10 discover some effectual way o
hiding his gold With great care and scores.
he dug cave in his cellar. To this receptacle
for his treasure, he descended by a trap door
he attached spring lock, so that, on shutting
it would fastefrof itself. BY and by the mise
disappeared; inquiries were made; The hous
was searched; woods were explored, and tn
ponds were dragged; but no Foscue could thel
find. Some time passed on. The house wher
he lived was sold, and workmen were busily
employed in its repair. In the progress of thei
work they met with the door of the secret cav
with the key in the lock outside. They threw
back the door, and descended with light. Th
first object upon which the lamp reflected wa
the ghastly body of Foscue the miser, and scat
tered around him were heavy bags of gold, ant
ponderous chests of untold treasure; candle.
stick lay beside him on the floor.