»-*««i^'*^p„.. 



THE FOURTH AND prese;nt eddystone ughthouse, complete;d in i88i (see 



PAGE 17) 



"These Impediments were neither 

 known nor under Consideration at the 

 time of fixing my Salary. 



"I humbly pray you to think of me, 

 and (if it shall be consistent with your 

 wisdom) increase my Salary. 



"And in duty bound I am your's to 

 Command 



"EbenEzER SkiEE, 

 Keeper of Gayhead Light House. 



"Albert Gai.i,atin Esquire 



"Secretary of the Treasury." 



In consequence of this letter Presi- 

 dent Jefferson approved of increasing 

 his salary by $50 to $250 per annum. 



Ten years later the same Ebenezer 

 Skiff petitions for an increase of salary 

 on these grounds, some of which have a 

 familiar ring, although the spelling has 

 somewhat changed. The letter is quoted 

 in full, as of interest in showing the life 

 of a light-keeper at that date : 



"To Samuel Smith Bsquire Commis- 

 sioner of the Revenue 

 "Sir: Clay ochre and earth of various 

 colours from which this place derived its 

 name ascend in a sheet of wind from the 

 high clifts and catch on the glass of the 



A SECTION OF THE BASE OF THE EDDYSTONE 

 TOWER 



Showing how the stones are dovetailed so as to 

 withstand the terrible buffeting of the sea 



"The Spring of water in the edge of 

 the Clift is not sufficient. I have carted 

 almost the whole of the water used in 

 my family during the last Summer and 

 until this Month commenced, from 

 nearly one mile distant. 



