Gents Mag 1793 p.1052

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1793 p.1052 would be drowned in Ulswater; the other in the mash-tub; and the daughter - the devil could not beat her for pride." No change in his manner of life (at least for the better) took place at the death of his father, which brought him into the possession of more than 300l. a year; he persevered as if he daily dreaded the want of the common necessaries of life; no work or hardship was too great for him; and he was lucky enough to engage one Dick Pearson, a true and trusty slave, into his service. They loaded the boat, rowed it down the lake, unloaded, and returned, at all seasons of the year, and at all times of the night. Sometimes he would sleep in barns, or other out-houses, when a few pence would have afforded him a comfortable bed in a public-house. in dress, he was the figure of misery itslef; his stocking-heels were made of strong leather; his cloaths patch upon patch of any colour; and, according to the custom of the country, he wore wooden shoes (provincially clogs) heavily shod with iron. Nature had formed him for labour, of a strong robust make; he was almost equal to any thing. He had another happy requisite; he would never flinch any weight he was able to stand under; and anecdotes are now wanting of his extraordinary strength A storm, however, would set all his powers at defiance; and once, at least, the prediction of his father was nearly fulfilled. He was ferrying a load of wood down the lake with no other help than his old companion Dick Pearson; a violent and unusual hurricane arose, and they were every moment in danger of going to the bottom. To throw the wood overboard was too great a sacrifice though their lives were in the most imminent danger. They were, however, so fortunate as to reach an island, a bare rock just rising above the lake. The storm increased; for two days and nights they were exposed to all its violence; a pile of stones, which they industriously raised, was their only shelter; and here, it was said, the King took care to secure what provision they had for his own use. In this there is reason to believe he was unfairly used. He contradicted the report himself; and, as he was not possessed of fine feelings, it is unlikely he would have given himself that trouble had it been true. All the posse vicinitatis were collected; but no one had courage to attempt their deliverance, notwithstanding the temptation of a considerable reward from the Queen Dowager. the storm at length abated, and they landed safe. This might have furnished him with an useful lesson; but it did not, for he never desisted till old age compelled him to stoop. When he had particular business to transact from home, where he saw the necessity of appearing decent, he would call upon a friend on the road, with whom he could take the liberty, and borrow his cloaths. In two or three days he restored the loan, and returned home in the dress he set out. - Upon the mountains he had an extensive right of common; four shillings was the price for a beast-gate. When applications for joist were wanting, he would travel the country on foot, beating up for recruits. In one excursion it was remarked he could only collect one solitary heifer, which he drove himself from Alston-moor, Cumberland, a distance of near 40 miles. From such a strict oeconomy it is not to be wondered his property was daily accumulating: his house-keeping, it is supposed, never exceeded 30l. a year, some say not 20; and his annual income at the last was at least 800l. Indeed he seldom ate at home, as he let his lands by stipulation, his tenants to give him so much hard cash, and so many meals, some one a week, some more, and he genarally took care to have them before due; even cockles, cabbage, &c. by measure or count, became sometimes the consideration for a trifling rent. In some things he would indulge himself; he was remarkably fond of sugar, gingerbread, and all kinds of sweetmeats, which he always kept in his pocket; and in one instance he agreed with a tenant to supply him with 36 pounds of sugar yearly To prevent the risk of being robbed, he would frequently hide his money in old stone walls. Something or other created suspicion, and he was watched. An industrious woman privately removed many a stone with little or no success, but would not give it up; she had therefore recourse to stratagem; she tumbled the stones about as he approached, and ran off with the appearance of very great surprize as if on actual possession of treasure. He was taken in the scare, and called out he would give her one-half if she would return and deliver it up. This feint had the effect; she was now convinced that near the place money was hid, and took opportunity, before his Majesty was recovered from his consternation, to make a more diligent search; and by this manoeuvre, which was in the end successful, actually carried off the prize. That he recovered any part of the money is not very probable: he had such an excessive dread of the law that his subjects might almost say or do any thing with impunity. When more advanced in years, his dress was at least decent; he attended markets like a common farmer, and there was nothing in his appearance to attract the notice of a stranger. He nevertheless studied oeconomy in every shape, and to the last had his new stockings lined with leather at the heels. Once he joined with a neighbour for a horse; but the partnership soon broke up: the poor animal when upon travel had a sorry time of it; provender was scarce, and turnpike-gates caused many a tedious journey; but a penny was saved. Riding one day to Penrith market by the side of Ulswater, he made a full stop, stripped, and into the lake he went. From the bottom he picked up an old stocking,
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