REPLY1851
Saint Paul's Clock
By J. B. COLMAN.
In reply to Mr. Campkin's Query, I send you the following extract from Easton's *Human Longevity* (London, 1799): "James Hatfield died in 1770, aged 105. Was formerly a soldier: when on duty as a centinel at Windsor, one night, at the expiration of his guard, he heard St. Paul's clock, London, strike *thirteen* strokes instead of twelve, and not being relieved as he expected he fell asleep; in which situation he was found by the succeeding guard, who soon after came to relieve him; for such neglect he was tried by a court-martial, but pleading that he was on duty his legal time, and asserting,…
Topics: Human Longevity, Historical Customs