CENTENARIANS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1076, 30 July 1912, Page 4

CENTENARIANS.

A WOMAN WHO SAW NAPOEEON. There has been an interesting meeting between two Essex centenarians. On one side of the 'pleasant little town of Billericay there lives, at Downham, Mrs Brooks, who has attained her 100th year. On the other side, at Little Burnstead, resides Dr Elgar Jones, who is now in his 103rd year. The Rev C. E. F. Ratal iffe, the rector of Downham, took Mrs Brookes to call upon Dr Jones. Although living so near they had not previously made each other’s acquaintance. Dr Jones is unfortunately confined to his room, but Mrs Brookes is iu the best of health, and she insisted upon walking upstairs unaided. A Press representative saw Mrs Brooks on May x6th, and saw her looking the picture of health and in the best of spirits. She has completed her century quite recently, and on the morning of her 100th birthday she received the following letter from Buckingham Palace: — *Tt has been brought to the knowledge of the King that you will attain your 100th year tomorrow- I am commanded to convey to you His Majesty’s congratulations on the occasion, together with the expression of his hope that you are iu the enjoyment of good health.”

“I have lived under six sovereigns,” said Mrs Brooks, “but this is the first time I have been honoured with a communication from any of them. I don’t know who let the King know about my birthday.” When talking to Mrs Brookes it is difficult to imagine that she has reached this great age. Her blue eyes flash as she talks to you. Her hearing is as good as ever. ‘‘l can see without glasses to read and sew,” she said, “although I ddmit I have to take spectacles when I want to thread my needle.” HEROIC SAILOR HUSBAND. Mrs Brooks is the widow ol a captain in the merchant service, who died at Sierra Beone in 1847. As a young man he was noted lor his daring in getting into communication with Prance during the Napoleonic wars. He was the means ot rescuing many English officers who were prisoners ot war in that country. Mrs Brooks herself never went any long voyages with him, as she was such a bad sailor. But her interest in the war with France is heightened by the fact that she is one of the few living who have seen the great Bonaparte. “When I was four years of age,” she said, “I was taken by my father into a boat, and he rowed towerethe Bellerophon was moored. There he held me up and told me to look at the man who was leaning over the bulwarks of the Bellerophon. It was Napoleon. Although I was so young I can recall the scene in every particular. I remember that I was rather frightened at first, because we had always been told that ‘Boney’ was a very dreadful person. But he did not look so very dreadful after all. “I saw the first steamer, the Sir Francis Drake, leave Plymouth. She used to ply round the coast from Dublin to Bondon. I can remember the fires which were lit on the Hoe at Plymouth to celebrate the conclusion of the war after Waterloo.” Mrs Brooks has no particular advice to give as to how to live to be old. “I eat what 1 like,” she said, “and I always enjoy my food. I have always been in the hafiit of going to bed early, and I am an early riser.” A HARDY CENTENARIAN. It is a peculiar thing that when a person's age reaches the vicinity of the century great doubts exists as to the actual age (says the Hobart Mercury of June 24), An instance of such a nature occurred in the City Police Court 621 Saturday. The name of Francis Cassidy was called. Mr Wise, P.M. : “He

is over 100 years old, don’t bring him into court.” But on Sergeant Cootes saying that the old fellow was outside, quite ready to come iu, he was brought in and given a seat on the floor of the court. Cassidy, though an old man, did not look 100 years old, being able to walk practically without assistance, and gave the impression of being in full possession of his faculties. In reply to the Magistrate Cassidy said he was 92 years old, but Sab-Inspector Bain said that the records clearly showed him as being over 100 years old. The charge against Cassidy was withdrawn, the Magistrate telling him the carriage would be sent in from the depot to take him back there. That did not suit the “youthful” feelings of Cassidy, who said : “Oh, that’s all right; I’ll walk out.” Finally he was convinced that he would have to return home in the carriage, the court not thinking it right to allow him to walk.