第1章

THE DUMBPHILOSOPHER，OR，GREATBRITAIN’SWONDER； CONTAINING： I。AfaithfulandverysurprisingAccounthowDickoryCronke，aTinner’sson，intheCountyofCornwall，wasbornDumb，andcontinuedsoforFifty—eightyears；andhow，somedaysbeforehedied，hecametohisSpeech；withMemoirsofhisLife，andtheMannerofhisDeath。 II。ADeclarationofhisFaithandPrinciplesinReligion；withaCollectionofSelectMeditations，composedinhisRetirement。 III。HisPropheticalObservationsupontheAffairsofEurope，moreparticularlyofGreatBritain，from1720to1729。ThewholeextractedfromhisOriginalPapers，andconfirmedbyunquestionableAuthority。 TOWHICHISANNEXEDHISELEGY，WRITTENBYAYOUNGCORNISHGENTLEMAN，OF EXETERCOLLEGEINOXFORD。 WITH ANEPITAPHBYANOTHERHAND。 \"Nonquis，sedquid。\" LONDON： PrintedforandSoldbyTHOMASBICKERTON，attheCrown，inPaternosterRow。1719。 PREFACE Theformalityofaprefacetothislittlebookmighthavebeenverywellomitted，ifitwerenottogratifythecuriosityofsomeinquisitivepeople，who，Iforesee，willbeapttomakeobjectionsagainsttherealityofthenarrative。 Indeedthepublichastoooftenbeenimposeduponbyfictitiousstories，andsomeofaverylatedate，sothatIthinkmyselfobligedbytheusualrespectwhichispaidtocandidandimpartialreaders，toacquaintthem，bywayofintroduction，withwhattheyaretoexpect，andwhattheymaydependupon，andyetwiththiscautiontoo，thatitisanindicationofillnatureorillmanners，ifnotboth，topryintoasecretthatisindustriouslyconcealed。 However，thattheremaybenothingwantingonmypart，Idoherebyassurethereader，thatthepapersfromwhencethefollowingsheetswereextracted，arenowintown，inthecustodyofapersonofunquestionablereputation，who，Iwillbeboldtosay，willnotonlybeready，butproud，toproducethemuponagoodoccasion，andthatIthinkisasmuchsatisfactionasthenatureofthiscaserequires。 Astotheperformance，itcansignifylittlenowtomakeanapologyuponthataccount，anyfartherthanthis，thatifthereaderpleaseshemaytakenoticethatwhathehasnowbeforehimwascollectedfromalargebundleofpapers，mostofwhichwerewritinshorthand，andveryill—digested。However，thismaybereliedupon，thatthoughthelanguageissomethingaltered，andnowandthenawordthrownintohelptheexpression，yetstrictcarehasbeentakentospeaktheauthor’smind，andkeepascloseaspossibletothemeaningoftheoriginal。Forthedesign，Ithinkthereisnothingneedbesaidinvindicationofthat。Hereisadumbphilosopherintroducedtoawickedanddegenerategeneration，asaproperemblemofvirtueandmorality；andiftheworldcouldbepersuadedtolookuponhimwithcandourandimpartiality，andthentocopyafterhim，theeditorhasgainedhisend，andwouldthinkhimselfsufficientlyrecompensedforhispresenttrouble。 PARTI Amongthemanystrangeandsurprisingeventsthathelptofilltheaccountsofthislastcentury，Iknownonethatmeritmoreanentirecredit，oraremorefittobepreservedandhandedtoposteritythanthoseIamnowgoingtolaybeforethepublic。 DickoryCronke，thesubjectofthefollowingnarrative，wasbornatalittlehamlet，nearSt。Columb，inCornwall，onthe29thofMay，1660，beingthedayandyearinwhichKingCharlestheSecondwasrestored。Hisparentswereofmeanextraction，buthonest，industriouspeople，andwellbelovedintheirneighbourhood。Hisfather’schiefbusinesswastoworkatthetinmines；hismotherstayedathometolookafterthechildren，ofwhichtheyhadseverallivingatthesametime。OurDickorywastheyoungest，andbeingbutasicklychild，hadalwaysadoubleportionofhercareandtenderness。 Itwasupwardsofthreeyearsbeforeitwasdiscoveredthathewasborndumb，theknowledgeofwhichatfirstgavehismothergreatuneasiness，butfindingsoonafterthathehadhishearing，andallhisothersensestothegreatestperfection，hergriefbegantoabate，andsheresolvedtohavehimbroughtupaswellastheircircumstancesandhiscapacitywouldpermit。 Ashegrew，notwithstandinghiswantofspeech，heeverydaygavesomeinstanceofareadygenius，andageniusmuchsuperiortothecountrychildren，insomuchthatseveralgentlemenintheneighbourhoodtookparticularnoticeofhim，andwouldoftencallhimRestorationDick，andgivehimmoney，&c。 Whenhecametobeeightyearsofage，hismotheragreedwithapersoninthenextvillage，toteachhimtoreadandwrite，bothwhich，inaveryshorttime，heacquiredtosuchperfection，especiallythelatter，thathenotonlytaughthisownbrothersandsisters，butlikewiseseveralyoungmenandwomenintheneighbourhood，whichoftenbroughthiminsmallsums，whichhealwayslaidoutinsuchnecessariesashestoodmostinneedof。 Inthisstatehecontinuedtillhewasabouttwenty，andthenhebegantoreflecthowscandalousitwasforayoungmanofhisageandcircumstancestoliveidleathome，andsoresolvestogowithhisfathertothemines，totryifhecouldgetsomethingtowardsthesupportofhimselfandthefamily；butbeingofatenderconstitution，andoftensick，hesoonperceivedthatsortofbusinesswastoohardforhim，sowasforcedtoreturnhomeandcontinueinhisformerstation；uponwhichhegrewexceedingmelancholy，whichhismotherobserving，shecomfortedhiminthebestmannershecould，tellinghimthatifitshouldpleaseGodtotakeheraway，shehadsomethingleftinstoreforhim，whichwouldpreservehimagainstpublicwant。 Thiskindassurancefromamotherwhomhesodearlylovedgavehimsome，thoughnotanentiresatisfaction；however，heresolvestoacquiesceunderittillProvidenceshouldordersomethingforhimmoretohiscontentandadvantage，which，inashorttimehappenedaccordingtohiswish。Themannerwasthus：— OneMr。OwenParry，aWelshgentlemanofgoodrepute，comingfromBristoltoPadstow，alittleseaportinthecountyofCornwall，neartheplacewhereDickorydwelt，andhearingmuchofthisdumbman’sperfections，wouldneedshavehimsentfor；andfinding，byhissignificantgesturesandalloutwardappearancesthathemuchexceededthecharacterthatthecountrygaveofhim，tookamightylikingtohim，insomuchthathetoldhim，ifhewouldgowithhimintoPembrokeshire，hewouldbekindtohim，andtakecareofhimaslongashelived。 ThiskindandunexpectedofferwassowelcometopoorDickory，thatwithoutanyfartherconsideration，hegotapenandinkandwritanote，andinaveryhandsomeandsubmissivemannerreturnedhimthanksforhisfavour，assuringhimhewoulddohisbesttocontinueandimproveit；andthathewouldbereadytowaituponhimwheneverheshouldbepleasedtocommand。 Toshortentheaccountasmuchaspossible，allthingswereconcludedtotheirmutualsatisfaction，andinaboutafortnight’stimetheysetforwardforWales，whereDickory，notwithstandinghisdumbness，behavedhimselfwithsomuchdiligenceandaffability，thathenotonlygainedtheloveofthefamilywherehelived，butofeverybodyroundhim。 Inthisstationhecontinuedtillthedeathofhismaster，whichhappenedabouttwentyyearsafterwards；inallwhichtime，ashasbeenconfirmedbyseveralofthefamily，hewasneverobservedtobeanywaysdisguisedbydrinking，ortobeguiltyofanyofthefolliesandirregularitiesincidenttoservantsingentlemen’shouses。Onthecontrary，whenhehadanysparetime，hisconstantcustomwastoretirewithsomegoodbookintoaprivateplacewithincall，andthereemployhimselfinreading，andthenwritingdownhisobservationsuponwhatheread。 Afterthedeathofhismaster，whoselossafflictedhimtothelastdegree，oneMrs。MaryMordant，agentlewomanofgreatvirtueandpiety，andaverygoodfortune，tookhimintoherservice，andcarriedhimwithher，firsttoBath，andthentoBristol，where，afteralingeringdistemper，whichcontinuedforaboutfouryears，shediedlikewise。 Uponthelossofhismistress，Dickorygrewagainexceedingmelancholyanddisconsolate；atlength，reflectingthatdeathisbutacommondebtwhichallmortalsowetonature，andmustbepaidsoonerorlater，hebecamealittlebettersatisfied，andsodeterminestogettogetherwhathehadsavedinhisservice，andthentoreturntohisnativecountry，andtherefinishhislifeinprivacyandretirement。 Havingbeen，ashasbeenmentioned，abouttwenty—fouryearsaservant，andhaving，intheinterim，receivedtwolegacies，viz。，oneofthirtypounds，lefthimbyhismaster，andanotheroffifteenpoundsbyhismistress，andbeingalwaysveryfrugal，hehadgotbyhiminthewholeupwardsofsixtypounds。This，thinkshe，withprudentmanagement，willbeenoughtosupportmeaslongasIlive，andsoI’lle’enlayasideallthoughtsoffuturebusiness，andmakethebestofmywaytoCornwall，andtherefindoutsomesafeandsolitaryretreat，whereImayhavelibertytomeditateandmakemymelancholyobservationsupontheseveraloccurrencesofhumanlife。 Thisresolutionprevailedsofar，thatnotimewasletsliptogeteverythinginreadinesstogowiththefirstship。Astohismoney，healwayskeptthatlockedupbyhim，unlesshesometimeslentittoafriendwithoutinterest，forhehadamortalhatredtoallsortsofusuryorextortion。Hisbooks，ofwhichhehadaconsiderablequantity，andsomeofthemverygoodones，togetherwithhisotherequipage，hegotpackedup，thatnothingmightbewantingagainstthefirstopportunity。 InafewdaysheheardofavesselboundtoPadstow，theveryporthewishedtogoto，beingwithinfourorfivemilesoftheplacewherehewasborn。Whenhecamethither，whichwasinlessthanaweek，hisfirstbusinesswastoinquireafterthestateofhisfamily。Itwassometimebeforehecouldgetanyinformationofthem，untilanoldmanthatknewhisfatherandmother，andrememberedtheyhadasonwasborndumb，recollectedhim，andafteragreatdealofdifficulty，madehimunderstandthatallhisfamilyexcepthisyoungestsisterweredead，andthatshewasawidow，andlivedatalittletowncalledSt。Helen’s，abouttenmilesfartherinthecountry。 Thisdolefulnews，wemustimagine，mustbeextremelyshocking，andaddanewstingtohisformeraffliction；andhereitwasthathebegantoexercisethephilosopher，andtodemonstratehimselfbothawiseandagoodman。Allthesethings，thinkshe，arethewillofProvidence，andmustnotbedisputed；andsoheboreupunderthemwithanentireresignation，resolvingthat，assoonashecouldfindaplacewherehemightdeposithistrunkandboxeswithsafety，hewouldgotoSt。Helen’sinquestofhissister。 Howhissisterandhemet，andhowtransportedtheyweretoseeeachotheraftersolonganinterval，Ithinkisnotverymaterial。 ItisenoughforthepresentpurposethatDickorysoonrecollectedhissister，andshehim；andafteragreatmanyendearingtokensofloveandtenderness，hewrotetoher，tellingherthathebelievedProvidencehadbestowedonhimasmuchaswouldsupporthimaslongashelived，andthatifshethoughtproperhewouldcomeandspendtheremainderofhisdayswithher。 Thegoodwomannosoonerreadhisproposalthansheacceptedit，adding，withal，thatshecouldwishherentertainmentwasbetter； butifhewouldacceptofitasitwas，shewoulddoherbesttomakeeverythingeasy，andthatheshouldbewelcomeuponhisownterms，tostaywithheraslongashepleased。 Thisaffairbeingsohappilysettledtohisfullsatisfaction，hereturnstoPadstowtofetchthethingshehadleftbehindhim，andthenextdaycamebacktoSt。Helen’s，where，accordingtohisownproposal，hecontinuedtothedayofhisdeath，whichhappeneduponthe29thofMay，1718，aboutthesamehourinwhichhewasborn。 Havingthusgivenashortdetailoftheseveralperiodsofhislife，extractedchieflyfromthepaperswhichheleftbehindhim，I comeinthenextplacetomakeafewobservationshowhemanagedhimselfandspenthistimetowardthelatterpartofit。 Hisconstantpractice，bothwinterandsummer，wastoriseandsetwiththesun；andiftheweatherwouldpermit，heneverfailedtowalkinsomeunfrequentedplace，forthreehours，bothmorningandevening，andthereitissupposedhecomposedthefollowingmeditations。Thechiefpartofhissustenancewasmilk，withalittlebreadboiledinit，ofwhichinthemorning，afterhiswalk，hewouldeatthequantityofapint，andsometimesmore。Dinnershenevereatany；andatnighthewouldonlyhaveaprettylargepieceofbread，anddrinkadraughtofgoodspringwater；andafterthismethodhelivedduringthewholetimehewasatSt。Helen’s。 Itisobservedofhimthatheneversleptoutofabed，norneverlayawakeinone；whichItaketobeanargument，notonlyofastrongandhealthfulconstitution，butofamindcomposedandcalm，andentirelyfreefromtheordinarydisturbancesofhumanlife。Henevergavetheleastsignsofcomplaintordissatisfactionatanything，unlessitwaswhenheheardthetinnersswear，orsawthemdrunk；andthen，too，hewouldgetoutofthewayassoonashehadletthemsee，bysomesignificantsigns，howscandalousandridiculoustheymadethemselves；andagainstthenexttimehemetthem，wouldbesuretohaveapaperreadywritten，whereinhewouldrepresentthefollyofdrunkenness，andthedangerousconsequencesthatgenerallyattendedit。 Idlenesswashisutteraversion，andifatanytimehehadfinishedthebusinessoftheday，andwasgrownwearyofreadingandwriting，inwhichhedailyspentsixhoursatleast，hewouldcertainlyfindsomethingeitherwithindoorsorwithout，toemployhimself。 Muchmightbesaidbothwithregardtothewiseandregularmanagement，andtheprudentmethodshetooktospendhistimewelltowardsthedeclensionofhislife；but，ashishistorymayperhapsbeshortlypublishedatlargebyabetterhand，Ishallonlyobserveinthegeneral，thathewasapersonofgreatwisdomandsagacity。Heunderstoodnaturebeyondtheordinarycapacity，and，ifhehadhadacompetencyoflearningsuitabletohisgenius，neitherthisnortheformerageswouldhaveproducedabetterphilosopheroragreaterman。 Icomenexttospeakofthemannerofhisdeathandtheconsequencesthereof，whichare，indeed，verysurprising，and，perhaps，notaltogetherunworthyageneralobservation。IshallrelatethemasbrieflyasIcan，andleaveeveryonetobelieveordisbelieveashethinksproper。 Uponthe26thofMay，1718，accordingtohisusualmethod，aboutfourintheafternoon，hewentouttotakehiseveningwalk；butbeforehecouldreachtheplaceheintended，hewassiezedwithanapoplecticfit，whichonlygavehimlibertytositdownunderatree，where，inaninstant，hewasdeprivedofallmannerofsenseandmotion，andsohecontinued，asappearsbyhisownconfessionafterwards，formorethanfourteenhours。 Hissister，whoknewhowexacthewasinallhismethods，findinghimstayaconsiderabletimebeyondtheusualhour，concludesthatsomemisfortunemustneedshavehappenedtohim，orhewouldcertainlyhavebeenathomebefore。Inshort，shewentimmediatelytoalltheplaceshewaswonttofrequent，butnothingcouldbeheardorseenofhimtillthenextmorning，whenayoungman，ashewasgoingtowork，discoveredhim，andwenthomeandtoldhissisterthatherbrotherlayinsuchaplace，underatree，and，ashebelievedhadbeenrobbedandmurdered。 Thepoorwoman，whohadallnightbeenunderthemostdreadfulapprehensions，wasnowfrightenedandconfoundedtothelastdegree。However，recollectingherself，andfindingtherewasnoremedy，shegottwoorthreeofherneighbourstobearhercompany，andsohastenedwiththeyoungmantothetree，whereshefoundherbrotherlyinginthesameposturethathehaddescribed。 Thedismalobjectatfirstviewstartledandsurprisedeverybodypresent，andfilledthemfullofdifferentnotionsandconjectures。 Butsomeofthecompanygoingnearertohim，andfindingthathehadlostnothing，andthattherewerenomarksofanyviolencetobediscoveredabouthim，theyconcludethatitmustbeanapoplecticorsomeothersuddenfitthathadsurprisedhiminhiswalk，uponwhichhissisterandtherestbegantofeelhishandsandface，andobservingthathewasstillwarm，andthatthereweresomesymptomsoflifeyetremaining，theyconcludethatthebestwaywastocarryhimhometobed，whichwasaccordinglydonewiththeutmostexpedition。 Whentheyhadgothimintothebed，nothingwasomittedthattheycouldthinkoftobringhimtohimself，butstillhecontinuedutterlyinsensibleforaboutsixhours。Atthesixthhour’sendhebegantomovealittle，andinaveryshorttimewassofarrecovered，tothegreatastonishmentofeverybodyabouthim，thathewasabletolookup，andtomakeasigntohissistertobringhimacupofwater。 Afterhehaddrunkthewaterhesoonperceivedthatallhisfacultieswerereturnedtotheirformerstations，andthoughhisstrengthwasverymuchabatedbythelengthandrigourofthefit，yethisintellectswereasstrongandvigorousasever。 Hissisterobservinghimtolookearnestlyuponthecompany，asifhehadsomethingextraordinarytocommunicatetothem，fetchedhimapenandinkandasheetofpaper，which，afterashortpause，hetook，andwroteasfollows：— \"Dearsister，\"Ihavenownoneedofpen，ink，andpaper，totellyoumymeaning。 Ifindthestringsthatboundupmytongue，andhinderedmefromspeaking，areunloosed，andIhavewordstoexpressmyselfasfreelyanddistinctlyasanyotherperson。Fromwhencethisstrangeandunexpectedeventshouldproceed，Imustnotpretendtosay，anyfartherthanthis，thatitisdoubtlessthehandofProvidencethathasdoneit，andinthatIoughttoacquiesce。 Prayletmebealonefortwoorthreehours，thatImaybeatlibertytocomposemyself，andputmythoughtsinthebestorderI canbeforeIleavethembehindme。\" Thepoorwoman，thoughextremelystartledatwhatherbrotherhadwritten，yettookcaretoconcealitfromtheneighbours，who，sheknew，aswellasshe，mustbemightilysurprisedatathingsoutterlyunexpected。Saysshe，mybrotherdesirestobealone；I believehemayhavesomethinginhismindthatdisturbshim。Uponwhichtheneighbourstooktheirleaveandreturnedhome，andhissistershutthedoor，andlefthimalonetohisprivatecontemplations。 Afterthecompanywerewithdrawnhefellintoasoundsleep，whichlastedfromtwotillsix，andhissister，beingapprehensiveofthereturnofhisfit，cametothebedside，and，askingsoftlyifhewantedanything，heturnedabouttoherandspoketothiseffect： Dearsister，youseemenotonlyrecoveredoutofaterriblefit，butlikewisethatIhavethelibertyofspeech，ablessingthatI havebeendeprivedofalmostsixtyyears，andIamsatisfiedyouaresincerelyjoyfultofindmeinthestateInowamin；but，alas！itisbutamistakenkindness。Thesearethingsbutofshortduration，andiftheyweretocontinueforahundredyearslonger，Ican’tseehowIshouldbeanywaysthebetter。 Iknowtheworldtoowelltobefondofit，andamfullysatisfiedthatthedifferencebetweenalongandashortlifeisinsignificant，especiallywhenIconsidertheaccidentsandcompanyIamtoencounter。Dobutlookseriouslyandimpartiallyupontheastonishingnotionoftimeandeternity，whatanimmensedealhasrunoutalready，andhowinfiniteitisstillinthefuture；dobutseriouslyanddeliberatelyconsiderthis，andyouwillfind，uponthewhole，thatthreedaysandthreeagesoflifecomemuchtothesamemeasureandreckoning。 Assoonashehadendedhisdiscourseuponthevanityanduncertaintyofhumanlife，helookedsteadfastlyuponher。Sister，sayshe，IconjureyounottobedisturbedatwhatIamgoingtotellyou，whichyouwillundoubtedlyfindtobetrueineveryparticular。Iperceivemyglassisrun，andIhavenownomoretodointhisworldbuttotakemyleaveofit；forto—morrowaboutthistimemyspeechwillbeagaintakenfromme，and，inashorttime，myfitwillreturn；andthenextday，whichIunderstandisthedayonwhichIcameintothistroublesomeworld，Ishallexchangeitforanother，where，forthefuture，Ishallforeverbefreefromallmannerofsinandsufferings。 Thegoodwomanwouldhavemadehimareply，buthepreventedherbytellingherhehadnotimetohearkentounnecessarycomplaintsoranimadversions。Ihaveagreatmanythingsinmymind，sayshe，thatrequireaspeedyandseriousconsideration。ThetimeIhavetostayisbutshort，andIhaveagreatdealofimportantbusinesstodoinit。Timeanddeatharebothinmyview，andseembothtocallaloudtometomakenodelay。Ibegofyou，therefore，nottodisquietyourselforme。Whatmustbe，mustbe。ThedecreesofProvidenceareeternalandunalterable；why，then，shouldwetormentourselvesaboutthatwhichwecannotremedy？ Imustconfess，mydearsister，Ioweyoumanyobligationsforyourexemplaryfondnesstome，anddosolemnlyassureyouIshallretainthesenseofthemtothelastmoment。AllthatIhavetorequestofyouis，thatImaybealoneforthisnight。Ihaveitinmythoughtstoleavesomeshortobservationsbehindme，andlikewisetodiscoversomethingsofgreatweightwhichhavebeenrevealedtome，whichmayperhapsbeofsomeusehereaftertoyouandyourfriends。WhatcredittheymaymeetwithIcannotsay，butdependtheconsequence，accordingtotheirrespectiveperiods，willaccountforthem，andvindicatethemagainstthesuppositionoffalsityandmeresuggestion。 Uponthis，hissisterlefthimtillaboutfourinthemorning，whencomingtohisbedsidetoknowifhewantedanything，andhowhehadrested，hemadeherthisanswer；Ihavebeentakingacursoryviewofmylife，andthoughIfindmyselfexceedinglydeficientinseveralparticulars，yetIblessGodIcannotfindIhaveanyjustgroundstosuspectmypardon。Inshort，sayshe，IhavespentthisnightwithmoreinwardpleasureandtruesatisfactionthaneverI spentanightthroughthewholecourseofmylife。 Afterhehadconcludedwhathehadtosayuponthesatisfactionthatattendedaninnocentandwell—spentlife，andobservedwhatamightyconsolationitwastopersons，notonlyundertheapprehension，butevenintheveryagoniesofdeathitself，hedesiredhertobringhimhisusualcupofwater，andthentohelphimonwithhisclothes，thathemightsitup，andsobeinabetterposturetotakehisleaveofherandherfriends。 Whenshehadtakenhimup，andplacedhimatatablewhereheusuallysat，hedesiredhertobringhimhisboxofpapers，andafterhehadcollectedthoseheintendedshouldbepreserved，heorderedhertobringacandle，thathemightseetherestburnt。 Thegoodwomanseemedatfirsttoopposetheburningofhispapers，tillhetoldhertheywereonlyuselesstrifles，someunfinishedobservationswhichhehadmadeinhisyouthfuldays，andwerenotfittobeseenbyher，oranybodythatshouldcomeafterhim。 Afterhehadseenhispapersburnt，andplacedtherestintheirproperorder，andhadlikewisesettledallhisotheraffairs，whichwasonlyfittobedonebetweenhimselfandhissister，hedesiredhertocalltwoorthreeofthemostreputableneighbours，notonlytobewitnessesofhiswill，butlikewisetohearwhathehadfarthertocommunicatebeforethereturnofhisfit，whichheexpectedveryspeedily。 Hissister，whohadbeforehandacquaintedtwoorthreeofherconfidantswithallthathadhappened，wasverymuchrejoicedtohearherbrothermakesounexpectedaconcession；andaccordingly，withoutanydelayorhesitation，wentdirectlyintotheneighbourhood，andbroughthomehertwoselectfriends，uponwhosesecrecyandsinceritysheknewshemightdependuponallaccounts。 Inherabsencehefeltseveralsymptomsoftheapproachofhisfit，whichmadehimalittleuneasy，lestitshouldentirelyseizehimbeforehehadperfectedhiswill，butthatapprehensionwasquicklyremovedbyherspeedyreturn。Aftershehadintroducedherfriendsintohischamber，heproceededtoexpresshimselfinthefollowingmanner；Dearsister，younowseeyourbrotheruponthebrinkofeternity；andasthewordsofdyingpersonsarecommonlythemostregarded，andmakedeepestimpressions，IcannotsuspectbutyouwillsufferthefewIamabouttosaytohavealwayssomeplaceinyourthoughts，thattheymaybereadyforyoutomakeuseofuponanyoccasion。 Donotbefondofanythingonthissideofeternity，orsufferyourinteresttoinclineyoutobreakyourword，quityourmodesty，ortodoanythingthatwillnotbearthelight，andlooktheworldintheface。Forbeassuredofthis；thepersonthatvaluesthevirtueofhismindandthedignityofhisreason，isalwayseasyandwellfortifiedbothagainstdeathandmisfortune，andisperfectlyindifferentaboutthelengthorshortnessofhislife。 Suchaoneissolicitousaboutnothingbuthisownconduct，andforfearheshouldbedeficientinthedutiesofreligion，andtherespectivefunctionsofreasonandprudence。 Alwaysgothenearestwaytowork。Now，thenearestwaythroughallthebusinessofhumanlife，arethepathsofreligionandhonesty，andkeepingthoseasdirectlyasyoucan，youavoidallthedangerousprecipicesthatoftenlieintheroad，andsometimesblockupthepassageentirely。 Rememberthatlifewasbutlentatfirst，andthattheremainderismorethanyouhavereasontoexpect，andconsequentlyoughttobemanagedwithmorethanordinarydiligence。Awisemanspendseverydayasifitwerehislast；hishourglassisalwaysinhishand，andheisneverguiltyofsluggishnessorinsincerity。 Hewasabouttoproceed，whenasuddensymptomofthereturnofhisfitputhiminmindthatitwastimetogethiswillwitnessed，whichwasnosoonerdonebuthetookitupandgaveittohissister，tellingherthatthoughallhehadwashersofright，yethethoughtitproper，topreventevenapossibilityofadispute，towritedownhismindinthenatureofawill，whereinIhavegivenyou，sayshe，thelittlethatIhaveleft，exceptmybooksandpapers，which，assoonasIamdead，IdesiremaybedeliveredtoMr。AnthonyBarlow，anearrelationofmyworthymaster，Mr。 OwenParry。 ThisMr。AnthonyBarlowwasanoldcontemplativeWelshgentleman，who，beingundersomedifficultiesinhisowncountry，wasforcedtocomeintoCornwallandtakesanctuaryamongthetinners。 Dickory，thoughhekepthimselfasretiredaspossible，happenedtomeethimonedayuponhiswalks，andpresentlyrememberedthathewastheverypersonthatusedfrequentlytocometovisithismasterwhilehelivedinPembrokeshire，andsowenttohim，andbysignsmadehimunderstandwhohewas。 Theoldgentleman，thoughatfirstsurprisedatthisunexpectedinterview，soonrecollectedthathehadformerlyseenatMr。 Parry’sadumbman，whomtheyusedtocallthedumbphilosopher，soconcludesimmediatelythatconsequentlythismustbehe。Inshort，theysoonmadethemselvesknowntoeachother；andfromthattimecontractedastrictfriendshipandacorrespondencebyletters，whichforthefuturetheymutuallymanagedwiththegreatestexactnessandfamiliarity。 Buttoleavethisasamatternotmuchmaterial，andtoreturntoournarrative。BythistimeDickory’sspeechbegantofalter，whichhissisterobserving，puthiminmindthathewoulddowelltomakesomedeclarationofhisfaithandprinciplesofreligion，becausesomereflectionshadbeenmadeuponhimupontheaccountofhisneglect，orratherhisrefusal，toappearatanyplaceofpublicworship。