Page:History of Jock Haxton.pdf/22



22

MAJOR CARTWRIGHT.

He never rose later than six, either winter or summer, and frequently got up much sooner, and lighted his own fire, At eight a cup of coffee or of chocolate was brought him, and at twelve he breakfasted. The rest of the day, except during his occasional walks, which he took without any regard to weather, he was employed in writing or      conversing with those who called on him; and as he never denied himself to any person, it may be easily believed that he      had numerous visits. Though on some occasions this unguardedness was produc- tive of inconvenience, it enabled him to be      of essential service to many distressed and deserving individuals. Nor were his exertions limited to any party for where he      could benefit or oblige a fellow creature, no difference in his opinion could even for a moment repel the impulse of his gracious nature. Neither he nor his medical advis- ers ever anticipated his living to so ad- vanced an age, and he was wont to relate, with much humour, an anecdote of an      apothecary, who, on feeling his pulse, told him with an omnious shake of the head, that “the vital principle was very