WILLIAM PURVIS, or, as he is generally styled, blind Willie, is a
well-known character, and native of Newcastle, where he has resided
since his infancy. He was born blind, and is the son of Margaret Purvis,
who died in All Saints’ workhouse, February 7, 1819, in her hundredth
year.
Willie is, indeed, as the ingenious Mr. Sykes calls him in his “Local
Records,” a “famous musician,” for he has long been celebrated for his
minstrelsy throughout the northern counties, but more particularly so in
Northumberland. In Newcastle, Willie is respected by all--from the
rudest to the gentlest heart all love him--children seize his hand as he
passes--and he is ever an equally welcome guest at the houses of the
rich and the hovels of the pitmen. The hoppings of the latter are
cheered by the soul-inspiring sound of his viol: nay, he is, I may truly
say, a very particle of a pitman’s existence, who, after a hard day’s
labour, considers it a pleasure of the most exquisite nature to repair
to some neighbouring pot-house, there to enjoy Willie’s music, and
listen to the rude ballads he is in the habit of composing and singing
to the accompaniment of his own music. Poor Willie! may he live long and
live happy. When he dies many a tear will fall from eyes that seldom
weep, and hearts that know little of the more refined sensations of our
nature will heave a sigh. Willie will die, but not his fame will die. In
many of those humorous provincial songs, with which Newcastle abounds
more than any other town I am acquainted with--the very airs as well as
the words of which possess a kind of local nationality--“Blind Willie”
is the theme. These songs are the admiration of all who know how to
appreciate genuine humour; several of them have been sung for years, and
I venture to prophecy, will be sung by future generations.
Among the characters who have noticed “Willie” may be mentioned the
present duke of Northumberland, sir Matthew White Ridley, the late
Stephen Kemble, Esq. and the admirable comedian Matthews. Sir Matthew
White Ridley is a most particular favourite with “Willie,” and it is no
uncommon occurrence to hear Willie, as he paces along the streets of
Newcastle, muttering to himself “Sir Maffa! sir Maffa! canny sir Maffa!
God bless sir Maffa!”
One of Willie’s greatest peculiarities is thus alluded to by Mr.
Sykes:--“He has travelled the streets of Newcastle time out of mind
without a covering upon his head. Several attempts have been made, by
presenting him with a hat, to induce him to wear one, but after having
_suffered_ it for a day or two it is thrown aside, and the minstrel
again becomes uncovered, preferring the exposure of his pate to the
‘pelting of the pitiless storm.’” The likeness that accompanies this
notice is from a large quarto engraving, published at Newcastle, and
will doubtless be acceptable to numerous readers of that populous
district wherein blind Willie is so popular.
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