Page:Remarkable history of the miser of Berkshire- John Elwes, Esq..pdf/5

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immediately retire to rest, as going to bed saved candle light. The nephew, however, had then what, indeed, he never lost a very extraordinary appetite and this would have been an unpardonable offence in the eye of his uncle ! Mr. Elwes was therefore obliged to partake of a dinner first, with some country neighbour, and then return to his uncle with a little diminutive appetite, that quite, engaged the heart of the old gentleman. A partridge, a small pudding, and one potaoe, did the whole business! and the fire was even suffered to die away while Sir Harvey was at dinner, as eating was a sufficient exercise.

Sir Harvey, in truth, was a most singular character, and the way in which he lived was no less so. His ceclusion from the world nearly reached that of an hermit: and, extreme avarice excepted, a more blameles life was never led by mortal.

SKETCH OF SIR HARVEY ELWES.

Sir HARVEY ELWES succeeded Sir JERVAISE, a very worthy gentleman, who had involved, as far as they would go, all the estates he received, and left behind him.---Sir Hervey, on his death, found himself possessed nominally of some thousands a-year, but really with an income of one hundred pounds. per annum.On his arrival at Stoke, the family seat, he said, " that never would he leave it till he had entirely cleared the paternal estate," This he not only accomplished, but, besides