A MELANCHOLY END.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1123, 9 November 1883, Page 4

A MELANCHOLY END.

An inqtn st was hold recently nt the Melbourne Hospital 1 y Dr Yonl, the citv coro'er, upon the body of B* n pirriin Purser, aged forty-one. a teacher of classics, who died in the institution on the previous day, he having hem taken there from a house where Inlodged in Latrobo street. Thedec a-ed was well connecteil, and was a University man, hut was of dissolute habits, and for a h-ng time was a hard drinker. He was in receipt of remittances from Home, but was occasionally reduced to great straits. It appeared from letters found among his effects, written by Professor Edward Dowden, HUB, profesmr of English literature in the University of Dublin, F. Hewson 1 all, M.A., Lfi.lt.. head master of Portar in "ton School, and Professor II . Tyte’l, Fellow Tiinitv Co'logc, prof s-or of Latin, that the d cc ised was a dis-

tinguished graduate of the University 1 of Dublin, and tKat he o' teined a' classical scholurshi)) and moderator- j ahip and gold medal. As an undergraduate he ol t med honours in j science as well as classics, and his acquaintance with He-man and French j literature warn eniarhalih'.whi e he was I a vigorous «t dent of mental science. Since taking In- degree he hud pursued various studies with disinterested zeal. and had had large experience as a teacher. He was for some years first class cal master in Portarlington School, wss an excellent linguist, and hud a very extensive knowledge of modern languages ami of science, lie took university scholarsiiip in 1 SCO, moderatorship in -B<>B, having asides obtained numerous houois and prizes in his university courses. He gained a 1 the highest distinc'ions in Trinity College, J >ublin, and in the open competition for the lintia Civil Service lie gained the greatest number of marks in Gi-eek ever scored at that examination Evidence was riven by Rasa Spi ka, cf l.atrobe street, to the effect that the deceased had resided with her mother for about 18 months, and that lie was unmarried. He drank to excess, but not so much for the past couple'of months. On Friday he was seized with illness, and was unable to speak. A medical man Was called in, who adv’sed his removal to the hospital, where lie was taken. He had a few pupils who he taught. Greek and Latin, and had about L 7 IBs in the savings bank. He obtained his remittances through the Bank of New South Wales. The medical evidence was r.o the effect that the brain of tne deceased weighed 580z., and was softened generally. The cause of death was serous apoplexy. The jury found accordingly.