Page:Remarkable history of the miser of Berkshire- John Elwes, Esq..pdf/23

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ever employed in the minutiæ only of affairs indeed, such was his anxiety about this house, the rent of which was not above fifty pounds a-year, that it brought on a fever, which nearly cost him his lifeIn the muscular and unincumbered frame of Mr Elwes, there was every thing that promised extreme length of life; and he lived to above 70 years of age, without any natural disorder.

On the day before Mr. Elwes took his gratuitous journey into Berkshire, he delivered to the late Mir. Partis that copy of his last will and testament which he himself had kept, to be carried to Messrs. Hoares, his bankers.

Mr Elwes carried with him into Berkshire, five guineas and an half, and half a crown. Lest the mention of this sum may appear singular, it would be said, that, previous to his journey, he had carefully wrapped it up in various - folds of paper, that no part of it might be lost.

His very singular appetite Mr. Elwes retained all within a few days of his dissolution, and walked on foot twelve miles but a fortnight before he died.

The first symptoms of more immediate decay, was his inability to enjoy his reſt at night. He was frequently heard at midnight as if ſtruggling with ſome one in his chamber, and crying out, "I will keep my money, I will; nobody ſhall rob me of my property!" On any one of the family going into his room, he would ſtart from his fever of