Sparrowwort. _Erica passerina._
Dedicated to _St. Thomas_, Apostle.
[413] Gentleman’s Magazine, April, 1794.
~December 22.~
_St. Ischyrion_, A. D. 253. _Sts. Cyril_ and _Methodius_, A. D. 881.
_Clark, the Miser of Dundee._
On the 22d of December, 1817, died, at Dundee, aged sixty-six, Thomas
Clark, a labouring man, who, by dint of parsimony and saving, had
accumulated property to the amount of from 800_l._ to 1000_l._ before
his death. There are perhaps few authenticated instances of endurance
which this person did not voluntarily submit to, in order to gratify
his ruling passion. He lived by himself, in a small garret, in a filthy
lane, called Tyndal’s Wynd. His diet consisted of a little oatmeal,
stirred into hot water, which he begged from some one or other of the
neighbours every morning, to save the expense of fuel. For many years he
had laboured under a painful disorder, but would not put himself under
the care of a surgeon, fearful of the cost. Driven at last to
desperation by the intenseness of his sufferings, about twelve months
previous to his decease, he sent for Mr. Crichton, who found him lying,
in the most inclement season of the year, barely covered by an old
tattered blanket. The furniture of the apartment consisted of about a
dozen pair of old shoes, some old tattered clothes, a plough-share, a
wooden dish, and horn spoon, a pair of scales and weights, a tub for
holding meal, and an old crazy chair. Clark’s disorder having been
ascertained to be stone in the bladder, he was told that a surgical
operation would be necessary for his relief. This he expressed the
utmost willingness to undergo; but when informed it would also be
necessary to have him removed to a comfortable room, &c. his heart died
within him, and he said he must continue as he was, until death relieved
him. In vain was he told that every thing needful would be provided. He
still persevered in his determination. Leaving a trifle with him to
procure necessaries, Mr. Crichton descended from the garret, and made
inquiry of the neighbours concerning this miserable object; from whom he
received the account narrated. Possessed of this information he returned
and rated the wretch for his miserable disposition; but all that could
be obtained, was a promise to procure some bed-clothes, and to allow the
operation to be performed in a room belonging to one of the neighbours,
and immediately to be hoisted back to his own roost. The first morning
after the operation he was found quarrelling and abusing the old woman
left in charge of him, for her extravagance in making use of soap to
wash the cloths that were occasionally taken from under him; and he
expressed great exultation when she was given to understand that soap
was not absolutely necessary for the purpose. A dose of castor oil that
had been prescribed for him, he would not allow to be sent for; but in
its place swallowed a piece of soap, which, he said, would equally
answer the purpose, and at much less cost. The cure going on well, he
was ordered some beef tea. The parting with threepence every morning to
purchase half a pound of meat, was perfect torture, and recollecting a
piece of old rusty bacon, which he had formerly picked up somewhere in
his travels, he tried the expedient of converting part of it into beef
tea, and drank it with seeming relish. Next morning, however, the old
woman, alarmed for the consequences, insisted peremptorily for money to
purchase fresh meat, at the same time acquainting him that a supply of
coals was necessary. “The coals consumed already! Impossible! They
should have served him for the winter! She must have carried off some of
them! Threepence for meat and eighteen-pence for coals! It’s ruination!
She must pack off immediately! But before she goes she must account for
the two shillings received on the day of the operation!” The poor woman
being somewhat confused could not bring to her recollection the disposal
of more than 1_s._ 10_d._ It was then perfectly plain she was robbing
his room, and ruining him by her extravagance, and she must go to
prison! The garret was filled with the neighbours, alarmed by his noisy
vociferation; and nothing they could say having pacified him, they sent
for Mr. Crichton, who thought it might be a wise plan to leave him
alone, and let him manage and feed himself in his own way. By the help
of a good constitution, he soon recovered his health, but never could
forget the expenses he had been put to during his confinement. The
failure also of some people holding money of his in their hands, tended
much to embitter the remainder of his life: and he was often observed
lamenting his misfortunes; frequently saying aloud, “all bankrupts
should be hanged!” There would be no end to the detail of this miserable
creature’s miserable eccentricities. On a bitter cold day, he went into
one of the neighbour’s rooms to warm himself, before ascending to his
comfortless loft. The next morning he was found almost stiff with cold,
and unable to move--the bed clothes, which he had been made to provide
himself with the year before, were lying folded up in a corner; he had
not the heart to use them. On Sunday he lost the use of his faculties;
and on Monday he breathed his last. His only surviving sister, a poor
old woman, living somewhere in Strathmore, inherited his property.
* * * * *