_Longevity and Rejuvenescency_ (Vol. v., p. 276.).--I beg to refer your
sceptical correspondent to Fuller's _Worthies_ (county of
Northumberland) for a remarkable instance of longevity; viz. Patrick
Machell Vivan, Vicar of Lesbury, near Alnwick. Percival Stockdale, in
his _Memoirs_, gives some further particulars respecting his
predecessor; and I extract from that work (vol. i. p. 149.) a letter
written by the venerable old man, wherein he gives an account of
himself. It is dated Oct. 9, 1657, and addressed to one William Lialkus,
a citizen of Antwerp.
"Whereas you desired a true and faithful messenger should be sent
from Newcastle to the parish of Lesbury, to inquire concerning
John Maklin; I gave you to understand that no such man was known
ever to be, or hath lived there for these fifty years past, during
which time I, Patrick Makel Wian, have been minister of that
parish, wherein I have all that time been present, taught, and do
yet continue to teach there. But that I may give you some
satisfaction, you shall understand that I was born in Galloway in
Scotland, in the year 1546, bred up in the University of
Edinburgh, where I commenced Master of Arts, whence, travelling
into England, I kept school, and sometimes preached, till in the
first of King James I was inducted into the church of Lesbury,
where I now live. As to what concerns the change of my body, it is
now the third year since I had two new teeth, one in my upper, the
other in my nether jaw, as is apparent to the touch. My sight,
much decayed many years ago, is now, about the 110th year of my
age, become clearer; hair adorns me heretofore bald skull. I was
never of a fat, but a slender mean habit of body. My diet has ever
been moderate, nor was I ever accustomed to feasting and tippling:
hunger is the best sauce; nor did I ever use to feed to satiety.
All this is most certain and true, which I have seriously, though
overhastily, confirmed to you, under the hand of PATRICK MAKEL
WIAN, Minister of Lesbury."
Mr. Stockdale adds, that there is a tradition that when the Plague
visited Lesbury, in the reign of Charles II., those who were infected
were removed to tents on the neighbouring moor, where the venerable
pastor attended them with great assiduity, ministering to their wants
temporal and spiritual. The date of his death is unknown.