The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-26
The Hermit Of Red COat's Green
FLondon Medical Record

DR.. Daniel Hack luke has pubilsheo
in the Journal Of Mental Science for
October, very interesting account OF
this eccentric person-whOm DICKENS
made celebrated as Mr.. Mopes. .Ihe
detailed report of his life, history and
character, leaves no doubt of his insan-
ity, while it gives room to regret that
his person and property were not
placed under legal protection. vi
handsome means and good education,
he displayed while young the utmost
eccentricity and violent self-will. At
his mothers death he kept her body In
the house from October, 1910, to Janu-
ary, 1850, and only allowed its inter
ment when his brother, as executor, m
sisted. lie began from this time MS
life as a hermit. Before this his eccen-
tricity had, been most marked. he
would occasionally hunt; when he
did so, he rode either with his SHIRT
outside, or in nanseen suit, bareicoted,
and wearing a small cap. or barchsad-
ed, his long, uncut hair streaming IN the
wind, presenting altogether very re-
markable appearance the more So as
he rode on high-peaked saddle, a
string passing round him being fastened
tn the peaks in front and behind, and a
rome for his bride and stlrrupS.
At other times ne would ride in car
riage, his hair done up in curl-papers.
From the year lS49 he began his life OF
isolation, living in the same house TO
his death.
AS you approached it told tale
respecting the occupant. Every WIN
dow. and even the doors, were careful
Nv barricadcd, and the house was allow
cd to 90 to rack and ruin; SO likewise
was the garden
The beds were all untouched by haad or
No footstep marked the damp and messy
grave;
Each walk as green rs Is the mSh'ieu
pool,
For want Of human travel.
..In the beautiful park-like meadow
which surrounded the house stood q
blasted oak-tit emblem Of the bllghtec
life of its owner. Another tree which
had fallen across the garden walk hat
only been cleared away sufficiently t
allow of passage along the path lead
ing to the house.
"When," says DR.. luke, 81 paid thu
hermit visit some years ago, | wen
up to the window Of what had been tn
kitchen, the glass and easement
which had long disappea red, the stron
upright iron bars alone remaining
Here the possessor of ample means, ant
a man of at least fair education, live
day and night. He appeared to emery
from bed Of ashes {he had not slep
in bed for many years. and | obser,
ed that, when his room was entere
after his death, the foo
was found to be couple of feet G
more deep with the cinders which ha
accumulated. A farmer informs me b
removed after his death fourteen car
loads from the house and around i
On my appearing at the window h
came forward. and entered Though Wit
apparent reluctance) into conversation
his countenance being marked by
expression of suspicion. His aspe'
was quite in keeping with his abcd
Unwashcd for many years, his SIX
was not in o desirable condition, Il
white of his eyes contrasting strange
with the rest of his person. Cloth
he had none. only a dirty blank
loosely thrown over him. For long b
hair had been stranger to the scisso
or razor, and its profusion might ha
been magnificent. but that it was ma
ted with dirt. The photograph of
sketch which was made of him as
sometimes appeared at the window "
convey clearer idea of his appearar
than any description l can give. u
was about five feet six inches IN heigf
rather muscular, his hair and ey
dark. the latter prominent. and
complexion pale. His forehead
peared to be well developed. In I
room were fire. an old table, and n
merous bottles. There vas also
chair, and. and l understand that
basket was suspended from the CELL
in which he kept his food, to protect
from the rats which abounded IN