DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70267#0224
194 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE
sarily dear, it precluded them from coming into general
use.—This kind of spring-waistcoat he now wears, or rather
his shirt, his waistcoat, his breeches and stockings, are all
in one piece or contexture of elastic worsted, all white
from head to foot, which, contrasted with his bushy beard,
had one time nearly thrown, not a lady, but the stouter
heart of a gentleman, into a degree of terror, approaching
nearly to fainting. This occurred in consequence of the
former going into Van Butcheli’s stable when he was stand-
ing behind the door, and as it happened, without his coat,
having at the same time a white cap on, and being without
his boots. He likewise projected a surcingle for race-horses,
which was presented to his Majesty, and consequently spoken
of as a most ingenious contrivance.
Mr. Van Butchell, for many years past, being noted for
the singularity and eccentricity of his manners, never ex-
cited more attention than after the death of his first wife;
whom, for the extreme affection he bore towards her, he
wras at first determined should never be buried. Ac-
cordingly, with the assistance and direction of Dr. Hunter,
the celebrated Anatomist, after embalming the body, he
kept her in her wedding clothes a considerable time in the
parlour of his own house, which, on that account, had the
honour of being visited by great numbers of the nobility
and gentry, who soon found, that though it was quite fo-
reign to the intentions of Mr. Van Butchell to make a shew
of his deceased wife, some consideration would not be a dis-
agreeable return for the trouble and attendance which these
visits occasioned.
Some say this resolution of keeping his wife unburied,
was occasioned by a clause in the marriage settlement, dis-
posing of certain property while she remained above ground.
How far this may be fact, we will not decide; but we are
now well-informed that she is since buried. One singu-
larity in his manner of imposing terms upon his wives, is
remarkable,
sarily dear, it precluded them from coming into general
use.—This kind of spring-waistcoat he now wears, or rather
his shirt, his waistcoat, his breeches and stockings, are all
in one piece or contexture of elastic worsted, all white
from head to foot, which, contrasted with his bushy beard,
had one time nearly thrown, not a lady, but the stouter
heart of a gentleman, into a degree of terror, approaching
nearly to fainting. This occurred in consequence of the
former going into Van Butcheli’s stable when he was stand-
ing behind the door, and as it happened, without his coat,
having at the same time a white cap on, and being without
his boots. He likewise projected a surcingle for race-horses,
which was presented to his Majesty, and consequently spoken
of as a most ingenious contrivance.
Mr. Van Butchell, for many years past, being noted for
the singularity and eccentricity of his manners, never ex-
cited more attention than after the death of his first wife;
whom, for the extreme affection he bore towards her, he
wras at first determined should never be buried. Ac-
cordingly, with the assistance and direction of Dr. Hunter,
the celebrated Anatomist, after embalming the body, he
kept her in her wedding clothes a considerable time in the
parlour of his own house, which, on that account, had the
honour of being visited by great numbers of the nobility
and gentry, who soon found, that though it was quite fo-
reign to the intentions of Mr. Van Butchell to make a shew
of his deceased wife, some consideration would not be a dis-
agreeable return for the trouble and attendance which these
visits occasioned.
Some say this resolution of keeping his wife unburied,
was occasioned by a clause in the marriage settlement, dis-
posing of certain property while she remained above ground.
How far this may be fact, we will not decide; but we are
now well-informed that she is since buried. One singu-
larity in his manner of imposing terms upon his wives, is
remarkable,