The life of Samuel Matthews, The Norwood Hermit. : Being curious particulars of his misfortunes, & strange propensity, the manner of his living, and anecdotes exemplary of his character: likewise, the authentic account of the tragical termination of his existence.

Date:
[1803?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Samuel Matthews, The Norwood Hermit. : Being curious particulars of his misfortunes, & strange propensity, the manner of his living, and anecdotes exemplary of his character: likewise, the authentic account of the tragical termination of his existence. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to bis desires, wliicb consoled him for his mis- fortunes, and he beheld the decline of his days unalloyed with conscientious pangs. The following circumstance seemed to affect him very much, for lie mentioned it seveial times to two or three of his friends, and constant visitors, with extreme fervency. Passing through the vicinity of his abode, he met a .woman and child, the latter sucking, and accosted her in a friendly manner, with, “How do, how do,” but her not answering, he again spoke to her, at which she looked up, and he saw her crying, his heart, susceptible to the soft emotions of humanity, felt for the distress which apparently affected her, he asked her “What’s the matter, can I help you, can 1, a?” she then said to him, that her husband was dead, and being destitute of friends, she had lost her home, and knew not what to do, un- foitunately he had nothing about him to assist Iier with, therefore told her to stop awhile and he would give her something to help her, then hastened to his dwelling, but when he returned she was gone, which hurt him very much, not having any thing whereby he might have aided her forlorn situation. D2 1