A Correspondent of _Notes and Queries_ describes a gentleman near Preston, Lancashire, as more successful in the above eccentricity. He advertised a reward of 50_l._ a year for life to any man who would undertake to live seven years underground, without seeing anything human; and to let his toe and finger nails grow, with his hair and beard, during the whole time. Apartments were prepared underground, very commodious, with a cold bath, a chamber organ, as many books as the occupier pleased, and provisions served from his own table. Whenever the recluse wanted any convenience he was to ring a bell, and it was provided for him. Singular as this residence may appear, an occupier offered himself, and actually stayed in it, observing the required conditions, for four years.
In the year 1863 there was living in the village of Newton Burgoland, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, a hermit whose real name was scarcely known, though he had resided there nearly fifteen years. Yet he was no recluse, no ascetic, but lived comfortably, and enjoyed his dinner, his beer, and his pipe; and, according to his own definition, he was entitled to be called a hermit. "True hermits," he said, "throughout every age, have been the firm abettors of freedom." As regarded his appearance, his fancies, and his habits, he was a hermit, a _solitaire_ in the midst of human beings. He wore a long beard, and had a very venerable appearance. He was very fantastic in his dress, and had a multitude of suits. He had no less than twenty different kinds of hats, each with its own name and form, with some emblem or motto on it--sometimes both. Here are a few examples:--
1. Odd Fellows Without money, without friends, without credit.
5. Bellows Blow the flames of freedom with God's word of truth.
7. Helmet Will fight for the birthright of conscience, love, life, property, and national independence.
13. Patent Teapot To draw out the flavour of the tea best--Union and Goodwill.
17. Wash-basin of Reform White-washed face and collyed heart.
20. Bee-hive The toils of industry are sweet; a wise people live at peace.
The shapes of the hats and the devices on them were intended to symbolize some important fact or sentiment.