582 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



of the bursting of an artery at the 

 heart. 



A few days ago, at Whaplode, 

 near Spalding, aged eighty-five 

 years, Mr. Gelding, a respectable 

 farmer and grazier, well known as 

 one of the warmest votaries of Bac- 

 chus. For many years his constant 

 answer to those who congratulated 

 him on his attaining to so patri- 

 archal an age, was " Aye, and yet 

 when I die you will all say I killed 

 myself by drinking!" 



At Ludlow, at an advanced age, 

 that eccentric character, William 

 Purslow, self-titled esquire, well 

 known to many persons, besides 

 his neighbours, for having some 

 years ago so tamed two hedge-hogs 

 as to make them to perambulate 

 the streets with him, in a degree of 

 discipline and subjection which asto- 

 nished the beholders. In the early 

 part of his life he was a soldier, 

 and served under '< the old Cock 

 of the Rock" during its siege by 

 the Spaniards. His latter years 

 have been chiefly supported by the 

 bounties of his opulent and bene- 

 volent neighbours. Though in the 

 utmost degree of penury and 

 wretchedness, he would never sub- 

 mit to receive parochial relief; and 

 several years ago, he had saved se- 

 venpounds,whichhedepositedinthe 

 custody of a friend, for the express 

 purpose of defraying his funeral 

 expences ; that even his interment 

 might not be chargeable to the pa- 

 rish funds. Of this sum, three- 

 fourths remained untouched at the 

 day of his death. His form was 

 athletic, his constitution robust, and 

 his features discovered a firm heroic 

 spirit. Had he been placed in 

 more fortunate circumstances for 

 the exhibition of that spirit, he 

 would probably have been a hero 



of prominent merit. During seve- 

 ral years past, rheumatic lameness, 

 occasioned and confirmed by his 

 hard manner of living, compelled 

 him to hobble to eternity upon 

 crutches. In principles he was 

 strictly honest ; in manners, civil 

 and inoffensive, except when ine- 

 briated, as he too often was by the 

 donations of travellers and military 

 officers ; on which occasions, he 

 was frequentij' conveyed home in a 

 single-wheeled chariot, to the no 

 small amusementof boysand adults. 

 Briefly, he was at heart a man of 

 genuine integrity and independence 

 of soul ; and, so far poor Purslow 

 has left thousands of survivors who 

 are not his equals. 



At Beccles, in the 7lst year of 

 his agf , Henry Alexander, esq. who 

 formerly commanded the forces of 

 the Nabob of Arcot. By his mili- 

 tary skill and daring courage, he 

 early raised himself to rank and af- 

 fluence ; and by his strict integrity 

 through life, he deservedly obtain- 

 ed the respect of all who knew 

 him. 



At Weymouth, whither he went 

 for the benefit of his health, the 

 Rev. James Ogilvie, D. D. one of 

 his majesty's chaplains. Those to 

 whom the real worth of this gentle- 

 man's character was known, will 

 long lament his loss, and cherish 

 the remembrance of his piety, wis- 

 dom, and true christian charity. 

 The doctrine he taught by precept 

 and practice, was mild, gentle, and 

 persuasive ; as far removed from 

 bigotry and superstition, as from 

 the pernicious principles of modern 

 philosophy; which he always zeal- 

 ously reprobated as deadly poison 

 to tiie mind. The pure religion of 

 the gospel, which he professed, 

 was as a lamp to his feet, through 



all 



