The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the AlmanacHone, William
History
The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
Hone, William
Days; Great Britain -- Social life and customs
“Czartan Petrarch, by religion a Greek, was born in the year 1539, and
died on the 5th of January, 1724, at Kofrosch, a village four miles from
Temeswar, on the road leading to Karansebes. He had lived, therefore, a
hundred and eighty-five years. At the time when the Turks took Temeswar
from the Christians, he was employed in keeping his father’s cattle. A
few days before his death he had walked, with the help of a stick, to
the post-house at Kofrosch, to ask charity from the travellers. His eyes
were much inflamed, but he still enjoyed a little sight. His hair and
beard were of a greenish, white colour, like mouldy bread; and he had a
few of his teeth remaining. His son, who was ninety-seven years of age,
declared his father had once been the head taller; that at a great age
he married for the third time; and that he was born in this last
marriage. He was accustomed, agreeably to the rules of his religion, to
observe fast days with great strictness, and never to use any other food
than milk, and certain cakes, called by the Hungarians _kollatschen_,
together with a good glass of brandy, such as is made in the country. He
had descendants in the fifth generation, with whom he sometimes sported,
carrying them in his arms. His son, though ninety-seven, was still fresh
and vigorous. When field marshal count Wallis, the commandant of
Temeswar, heard that this old man was taken sick, he caused a portrait
of him to be painted, and when it was almost finished he expired.”
1808. Early in January, this year, the shaft of death supplied another
case of longevity. At the advanced age of 110 years, died Dennis
Hampson, the blind bard of Maggiligan, of whom an interesting account
has been given by lady Morgan, in “The Wild Irish Girl.” The “Athenæum,”
from whence this notice is extracted, relates, that only a few hours
before his decease he tuned his harp, that he might have it in readiness
to entertain sir H. Bruce’s family, who were expected to pass that way
in a few days, and who were in the habit of stopping to hear his music;
suddenly, however, he felt the approach of death, and calling his family
around him resigned his breath without a struggle, and in perfect
possession of his faculties to the last moment. A kindred spirit
produced the following tribute to the memory of this “aged son of song.”
He was the oldest of the Irish bards.
The fame of the brave shall no longer be sounded,
The last of our bards now sleeps cold in his grave;
Maggiligan rocks, where his lays have resounded,
Frown dark at the ocean, and spurn at the wave.
For, Hampson, no more shall thy soul-touching finger
Steal sweet o’er the strings, and wild melody pour;
No more near thy hut shall the villagers linger,
While strains from thy harp warble soft round the shore.
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