Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 1/Ana (October 15, 1859)

2688150Once a Week, Series 1, Volume I — Ana. Pitt's death-bed; Skeleton strata
1859


ANA.


Pitt’s Death-bed.—Pitt died at his house on Putney Heath, near the spot where Canning and Castlereagh fought their duel, and in a very neglected state, none of his family or friends being with him at the time. One, who was sincerely attached to him, hearing of his illness, rode from London to see him. Arriving at his house he rang the bell at the entrance-gate, but no one came. Dismounting, he made his way to the hall-door, and repeatedly rang the bell, which no one answered. He then entered the house, wandered from room to room, till at last he discovered Pitt on a bed—dead, and entirely neglected. It is supposed, that such was his poverty, he had not been able to pay the wages of his servants, and that they had absconded, taking with them what they could. E. J.

Skeleton Strata.—The skeletons in our crowded London graveyards lie in layers which are quite historical in their significance, and which would be often startling if the circumstances of their juxta-position could be made known. A cutting from an old London newspaper (title and date uncertain), and which exists in the well-known repertory of Mr. Green of Covent Garden, contains an example of skeleton contact which is unusually curious, if reliable. It is there stated that Dr. Sacheverell is buried in St. Andrew’s, Holborn, and that the notorious Mother Needham of Hogarth is lying above him, and above her again is interred Booth the actor, a strange stratification of famous or notorious clay. S. L.