THIS PURSE,
CONTAINING 23-1/2 Guineas,
_Subscribed by Trading Merchants of Hull_,
Was presented by Mr. J. Corbitt to
MR. JOHN ELLERTHORPE,

For his unwearied zeal and attention to the requirements of the
Trade of the Port by Penning Vessels in and out of the Humber Dock.

Nov. 8th, 1864.

'Mr. Ellerthorpe suitably acknowledged the presentation, and
thanked Mr. Corbitt and the subscribers for their kindness. As for
himself, he had certainly striven to secure the interests of the
port, but he had only done his duty, as he hoped he ever should be
able to do, without the prospect of any such reward as that. It,
however, gave him unfeigned pleasure to find that anything he had
done could be so highly appreciated. He hoped to live to advance
the interests of the town and of commerce.--Several loyal and
complimentary toasts followed, and the proceedings throughout were
of a most pleasant and agreeable character.'

[Sidenote: HIS DECLINING HEALTH.]

To the eye of a stranger, our friend's cheerful countenance and erect
form, during the last few years of his life, indicated a robust state of
health, giving the promise of a green old age. Such, however, was not
the case. His employment as Foreman of the Humber Dock Gates, was very
arduous, exposing him to all kinds of weather, day and night, according
to the tides, and he found it telling seriously upon his health. His
frequent plunges into the water, in storm and in calm, at midnight as
well as at midday, in times of chilling frost as well as in times of
warmth, sometimes top-coated and booted, and at other times undressed,
also helped to sap his naturally strong frame.

[Sidenote: HIS LAST AFFLICTION.]

In a private note he remarked, 'It is with difficulty I can talk, at
times, and my breathing is so bad, that I am now unable to address the
Band of Hope children. The other night, and after I had been in bed
about three hours, I was seized with an attack of shortness of breath
which lasted four hours, and I thought I should have died in the
struggle. But it pleased the Lord to restore me, and since then I have
felt a little better. I now suffer greatly from excitement, and need to
be kept still and quiet, but my present situation does not allow me much
quiet. In fact, I am afraid, at times, that I shall be forced to leave
it, for I think, and so