1939-12-13 — Page 15

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 13, 1939

TO-DAY'S STRANGE STORY OF REAL PEOPLE

THOMAS PARR-“ THE HUMAN MARVEL "

By VINCENT TOWNE

"You have lived longer than other men. What have you done more than other men?" asked King Charles I, of Thomas Parr.

"I did penance in church, your Majesty, when 105", answered the famous centenarian.

"Penance....for what?" asked the

King.

"On account of a woman, Sire," the ancient replied. "It was forty-seven years ago."

And this dialogue King Charles de- lighted in repeating to his courtiers during the remainder of his life.

That most accomplished curiosity collector of his time, Thomas Hunter, 2nd, Earl of Arundel, had "by easy stages" brought "The Human Marvel” in a litter to London where he was exhibited for a time at the Queen's Head, in the Strand.

The Poet, John Taylor,

Page: 15.

GLT. CABLES

Cable and Wireless announce that G. L. T. Services will be admitted. with Canada, India and Burma as from to-morrow, December 14,

The inclusion of these countries now completes the G.. L. T. Scheme with all parts of the Empire,

Telegrams relating to family news, social matters or personal affairs are accepted in the G. L. T. Service. The rate is $4 for a minimum of twelve words and additional words in pro- portion.

CHORAL RECITAL

The joint choir of the Christ Church and the Hop Yat Church will present Rt choral concert at the Hop Yat Church in Bonham Road on Saturday, December 16, commencing at 8.30 p.m. The programme will be in two parts, the first comprising selections from 'Creation' by Haydn, and the second, wrote of a variety of Christmas Carols.

"The Human Marvel,” "Form head to heel his body hath all

OLD PARR BEFORE KING CHARLES I So important was he at the time of

the non-na- his death, at Lord Arundel's house, to a sudden change in that he was buried along with the turals, the chief mischief being con- Kings of England in Westminster nected with the change of air which Abbey, where the inscription on his through the whole course of his life had been inhaled of perfect purity- light, cool and mobile."

tomb reads:

"Tho: Parr of ye county of Sallop., Borne in Ao 1483. He lived in ye reignes of Ten Princes" (Here listed) "Aged 152 years, and was buried here Nov. 15, 1635."

The ten monarchs under whom, according to this inscription, Thomas Parr lived, extended from Edward IV to Charles I.

Parr was a farmer, as his father had been before him. What appear to have been his most reliable biogra- phers agree upon the following facts:

When 88, he married his first wife, Jane Taylor, by whom he had a son, John, who died when ten weeks old and a daughter, Joan, who 'did not survive early infancy. The penance which he recalled to King Charles 1 was done "in a white sheet in Alber- bury Church" when he was 105, the complainant being Katherine Milton who swore against him a baby born without benefit of clergy.

the

That was seven years before death of his first wife, which occurred when he was 112. For the next ten years, he remained true to her memory but married Jane Lloyd, widow, of Guilsfield, when he was 112. Until 130 he was known as one of the strongest men in his neighbourhood, being able to thresh corn in the field and perform the hardest manual labour.

He was in the habit of eating sim- ple fare-"sub-rancid cheese and milk in every form, coarse and hard bread and small drink generally sour "whey" but while in the London limelight he overate and overdrank and died sud- denly of congestion caused by a mid- night meal,

The illustrious Dr. William Harvey, discoverer of the circulation of the blood, performed the autopsy on Parr and pronounced his vital organs to be in singularly healthy condition.

Dr. Harvey's report states: "The cause of death seemed fairly referable

roach-

pumiem faelk:sure the car's

over.

A quick set, thickset, natʼral hairy

cover."

"I simply adore this lovely

perfume"

THERE is nothing so fragrant

--so delightfully haunting-as the old-world perfume of lavender which is incorporated to perfection in Erasmic Old London Lavender Toilet Soap. This perfume has stood the test of time. It was as much a favourite in grand- mother's day as it is now. No other perfume is so refreshing-so delicate so pleasing.

And the soap-the rich, creamy lather, soft and soothing to the skin. How well it cleanses! How comforting it feels! It is a real beauty treatment in itself.

The same recital will be repeated on Wednesday, December 20, at the St. Andrew's Church in Kowloon, and on both occasions members of other churches are welcome.

Erasmic Old London Lavender

MADE, SE SUGAANS

ERASMIC

Old Fondon LAVENDERI

TOILET

ARDINE

SOAP

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