Portraits of Curious Characters in London, &c. &c.: With Descriptive and Entertaining Ancedotes. — John Shaqi
Portraits of Curious Characters in London, &c. &c.: With Descriptive and Entertaining Ancedotes.Anonymous
General
Portraits of Curious Characters in London, &c. &c.: With Descriptive and Entertaining Ancedotes.
Anonymous
London (England) -- Biography
As we have hinted at the strength of his memory, we will now produce
some facts to substantiate the truth. He can repeat all the Church of
England service, and a great part of the Old and New Testament; some
particular portions of Scripture which he considers remarkably
striking he delivers with peculiar emphasis; besides the recollection
of Lady Huntingdon's Hymns. Every sermon he hears he will go over,
when returned home, with astonishing precision.
Equal to his retentive memory is his ingenuity, possessing an
extensive knowledge of metals, copper, tin, brass, pewter, &c. &c. He
can likewise tell if pinchbeck is or not a good mixture of copper and
brass of equal proportion!
And no less remarkable is his retention of hearing: we remember upon a
time, a person only having been once in his company, and after an
absence of some months the same gentleman paid him a second visit;
poor Statham immediately looked to the spot from whence the voice
proceeded, and having repeatedly turned his head, without any further
information, instantly addressed the gentleman he recollected.
It appears he is extremely fond of music, and what is called spiritual
singing. His mode of living is always regular and frugal; strong
liquors, so much used by the poor of this country, are by him
religiously abstained from. These circumstances cause him to receive
the advantages of a regular good state of health, and that
cheerfulness of mind and patience in suffering so very conspicuous in
his character.
Since the above account was written, this unfortunate individual
was found, by the road side, near Bagnigge Wells, frozen to death,
on Christmas morning, December 25th, 1808, having lost his way in
that memorably severe storm of frost and snow, of Christmas eve of
that year.
ANNE LONGMAN,
SINGER AND MUSICIAN.
We have now to take notice of a female who never fails to attract
particular notice; she is mostly attended by a crowd: with the
assistance of a musical instrument, called a guitar, she adds her own
voice, which, combined with the instrument, has a very pleasing
effect.
[Illustration]
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