chapman attempted to _underlet_ to another speculator, the liberty of
showing him, and poor Cotter resisting this nefarious transaction, was
saddled with a fictitious debt, and thrown into a spunging house in
Bristol. In this situation he was, happily for him, visited in prison by
a gentleman of the city, who, in compassion to his distress, and having
reason to think that he was unjustly detained, very generously became
his bail, and ultimately so far investigated the affair, that he not
only obtained him his liberty, but freed him from all kind of obligation
to serve his task-master any longer. He was at this time eighteen years
old. He subsequently retained, to his last breath, a most lively sense
of the obligation conferred upon him when a stranger, and in need; which
he manifested also by very _honourable mention_ in his will. It happened
to be September when he was liberated, and, by the further assistance of
his benefactor, he was enabled to set up for himself in the fair then
held in St. James's. Success crowned his undertaking, and in three days,
instead of being in penury, he saw himself possessed of thirty pounds,
English money. Let those who know the peasantry of Ireland, judge of his
riches! He now commenced a regular exhibition of his person, which he
continued until the last two years of his life, when, having realized a
sufficient fortune to keep a carriage and live in good style, he
declined what was always exceedingly irksome to his feelings. He was
unoffending and amiable in his manners, to his friends and acquaintance,
of whom he had latterly a large circle; and he was neither averse to a
cheerful glass nor pleasant company. He had naturally good sense, and
his mind was not uncultivated. Mr. Cotter had at one time in his
possession, a regular journal of his life, written from day to day, for
amusement, but which a whim of the moment induced him to commit to the
flames, though he afterwards much regretted the circumstance. He died in
his 46th year, September 8, 1806, at the Hotwells, Bristol. In his last
moments he was attended by Mr. Plowden, and departed without the