Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/308

304 DENNIS HAMPSON, A Renowned harper, but better known by the appellation of “the Man with two Heads,” was a native of Craig more, near Carvagh, in the county of Derry. He lost his sight at the age of three years by the small pox, and at twelve began to receive instructions on the harp from Bridgit O'Cahan. His next instructor was John O'Gar ragher, a blind travelling harper, whom he followed to Buncranagh, and he had afterwards Laughlin Harring, and Pat Connor in succession, as masters. When he had attained his eighteenth year, he began to play for himself, and was taken into the house of a coun sellor Canning, at Carvagh, where he remained about half a year. He then amused himself for nearly ten years in seeing a little of the world; during which period he tra velled through Ireland and Scotland, and used to relate many facetious anecdotes of gentlemen in both countries; and, among others, that in passing near the place of Sir J. Campbell, at Aghanbrack, he was informed that this gen tleman being of a liberal disposition, had disencumbered himself of the greater part of his wealth, and was then living on so much per week of allowance. Hampson being unluckily possessed of great natural delicacy, would not intrude himself on his presence; consequently, some of the domestics were sent after him; he was overtaken, and on coming into the castle, Sir J. asked him why he had not called, adding, “Sir, there was never a harper but yourself, that passed the door of my father's house;” to which Hampson politely replied, “that he had been in formed in the neighbourhood, that his honour was not often at home,” with which evasion, so delicately expressed, Sir J. was satisfied. Hampson used to declare, “that this was the highest bred and stateliest man he ever knew; for if he, even putting on a new pair of gloves, and one of them dropped on the floor (though ever so clean), he would immediately order the servant to bring him ano ther pair.”