Page:Memoirs of the late John Kippen, cooper, in Methven, near Perth.pdf/17

 part of the anecdotes which might be told of John Kippen. Suffice it therefore to say, that he was one of those geniuses who are rarely to be met with It has been already stated that he was strong and muscular, but he was also nimble and agile to a degree scarcely to be credited. His ready wit made his company courted by people of all ranks. His work shop in Methven was the common lounge of the town: There the independant man who lived upon his money, could pass an hour either for amusement or instruction, & there too the tradesman could pass a pleasurable hour when he had as much time to spare. Mr Kippen had been in the habit of reading newspapers and other periodical work, from his childhood, and was also a keen observer of all that passed under his own eye, and having a strong memory, and a nice knack of telling a story, it was impossible to find a creature more diverting or indeed more edifying, His ear was always open to a tale of woe, and though he never could boast of affluence, his charities were extensive, and his recommendations in favor of the poor were powerful, his failings might truly be said to lean to virtue's side. This venerable man died at Methven in July, lamented by all who had the pleasure