第2章

\"Dearsister，\"sayshe，\"youobserveverywell，andIwishthecontinuanceofmyspeechforafewmoments，thatImightmakeanampledeclarationuponthataccount。ButIfindthatcannotbe；myspeechisleavingmesofastthatIcanonlytellyouthatIhavealwayslived，andnowdie，anunworthymemberoftheancientcatholicandapostolicchurch；andastomyfaithandprinciples，I referyoutomypapers，which，Ihope，willinsomemeasurevindicatemeagainstthereflectionsyoumention。\" Hehadhardlyfinishedhisdiscoursetohissisterandhertwofriends，andgivensomeshortdirectionsrelatingtohisburial，buthisspeechlefthim；andwhatmakesthethingthemoreremarkable，itwentaway，inallappearance，withoutgivinghimanysortofpainoruneasiness。 Whenheperceivedthathisspeechwasentirelyvanished，andthathewasagaininhisoriginalstateofdumbness，hetookhispenasformerlyandwrotetohissister，signifyingthatwhereasthesuddenlossofhisspeechhaddeprivedhimoftheopportunitytospeaktoherandherfriendswhatheintended，hewouldleaveitfortheminwriting，andsodesiredhemightnotbedisturbedtillthereturnofhisfit，whichheexpectedinsixhoursatfarthest。 Accordingtohisdesiretheyalllefthim，andthen，withthegreatestresignationimaginable，hewrotedownthemeditationsfollowing： PARTII AnAbstractofhisFaith，andthePrinciplesofhisReligion&c。，whichbeginsthus： DearSister；Ithankyouforputtingmeinmindtomakeadeclarationofmyfaith，andtheprinciplesofmyreligion。I find，asyouverywellobserve，Ihavebeenundersomereflectionsuponthataccount，andthereforeIthinkithighlyrequisitethatI setthatmatterrightinthefirstplace。Tobegin，therefore，withmyfaith，inwhichIintendtobeasshortandascomprehensiveasIcan： 1。ImostfirmlybelievethatitwastheeternalwillofGod，andtheresultofhisinfinitewisdom，tocreateaworld，andforthegloryofhismajestytomakeseveralsortsofcreaturesinorderanddegreeoneafteranother；thatistosay，angels，orpureimmortalspirits；men，consistingofimmortalspiritsandmatter，havingrationalandsensitivesouls；brutes，havingmortalandsensitivesouls；andmerevegetatives，suchastrees，plants，&c。； andthesecreaturessomadedo，asitwere，claspthehigherandlowerworldtogether。 2。IbelievetheholyScriptures，andeverythingthereincontained，tobethepureandessentialwordofGod；andthat，accordingtothesesacredwritings，man，thelordandprinceofthecreation，byhisdisobedienceinParadise，forfeitedhisinnocenceandthedignityofhisnature，andsubjectedhimselfandallhisposteritytosinandmisery。 3。Ibelieveandamfullyandentirelysatisfied，thatGodtheFather，outofhisinfinitegoodnessandcompassiontomankind，waspleasedtosendhisonlySon，thesecondpersonintheholyandundividedTrinity，tomeditateforhim，andtoprocurehisredemptionandeternalsalvation。 4。IbelievethatGodtheSon，outofhisinfinitelove，andforthegloryoftheDeity，waspleasedvoluntarilyandfreelytodescendfromheaven，andtotakeournatureuponhim，andtoleadanexemplarylifeofpurity，holiness，andperfectobedience，andatlasttosufferanignominiousdeathuponthecross，forthesinsofthewholeworld，andtoriseagainthethirddayforourjustification。 5。IbelievethattheHolyGhostoutofhisinfinitegoodnesswaspleasedtoundertaketheofficeofsanctifyinguswithhisdivinegrace，andtherebyassistinguswithfaithtobelieve，willtodesire，andpowertodoallthosethingsthatarerequiredofusinthisworld，inordertoentitleustotheblessingsofjustmenmadeperfectintheworldtocome。 6。Ibelievethatthesethreepersonsareofequalpower，majesty，andduration，andthattheGodheadoftheFather，oftheSon，andoftheHolyGhostisallone，andthattheyareequallyuncreate，incomprehensible，eternal，andalmighty；andthatnoneisgreaterorlessthantheother，butthateveryonehathoneandthesamedivinenatureandperfections。 These，sister，arethedoctrineswhichhavebeenreceivedandpractisedbythebestmenofeveryage，fromthebeginningoftheChristianreligiontothisday，anditisuponthisIgroundmyfaithandhopesofsalvation，notdoubtingbut，ifmylifeandpracticehavebeenanswerabletothem，thatIshallbequicklytranslatedoutofthiskingdomofdarkness，outofthisworldofsorrow，vexationandconfusion，intothatblessedkingdom，whereI shallceasetogrieveandtosuffer，andshallbehappytoalleternity。 Astomyprinciplesinreligion，tobeasbriefasIcan，IdeclaremyselftobeamemberofChrist’schurch，whichItaketobeauniversalsocietyofallChristianpeople，distributedunderlawfulgovernorsandpastorsintoparticularchurches，holdingcommunionwitheachotherinalltheessentialsoftheChristianfaith，worship，anddiscipline；andamongtheseIlookupontheChurchofEnglandtobethechiefandbestconstituted。 TheChurchofEnglandisdoubtlessthegreatbulwarkoftheancientCatholicorApostolicfaithallovertheworld；achurchthathasallthespiritualadvantagesthatthenatureofachurchiscapableof。FromthedoctrineandprinciplesoftheChurchofEngland，wearetaughtloyaltytoourprince，fidelitytoourcountry，andjusticetoallmankind；andtherefore，asIlookuponthistobeoneofthemostexcellentbranchesoftheChurchUniversal，andstands，asitwere，betweensuperstitionandhypocrisy，Ithereforedeclare，forthesatisfactionofyouandyourfriends，asIhavealwayslivedsoInowdie，atrueandsincere，thoughamostunworthymemberofit。Andastomydiscontinuanceofmyattendanceatthepublicworship，Ireferyoutomypapers，whichI haveleftwithmyworthyfriend，Mr。Barlow。Andthus，mydearsister，Ihavegivenyouashortaccountofmyfaith，andtheprinciplesofmyreligion。Icome，inthenextplace，tolaybeforeyouafewmeditationsandobservationsIhaveatseveraltimescollectedtogether，moreparticularlythosesincemyretirementtoSt。Helen’s。 MeditationsandObservationsrelatingtotheConductofHumanLifeingeneral。 1。Rememberhowoftenyouhaveneglectedthegreatdutiesofreligionandvirtue，andslightedtheopportunitiesthatProvidencehasputintoyourhands；and，withal，thatyouhaveasetperiodassignedyouforthemanagementoftheaffairsofhumanlife；andthenreflectseriouslythat，unlessyouresolveimmediatelytoimprovethelittleremains，thewholemustnecessarilyslipawayinsensibly，andthenyouarelostbeyondrecovery。 2。Letanunaffectedgravity，freedom，justice，andsincerityshinethroughallyouractions，andletnofanciesandchimerasgivetheleastchecktothoseexcellentqualities。Thisisaneasytask，ifyouwillbutsupposeeverythingyoudotobeyourlast，andifyoucankeepyourpassionsandappetitesfromcrossingyourreason。Standclearofrashness，andhavenothingofinsincerityorself—lovetoinfectyou。 3。Manageallyourthoughtsandactionswithsuchprudenceandcircumspectionasifyouweresensibleyouwerejustgoingtostepintothegrave。Alittlethinkingwillshowamanthevanityanduncertaintyofallsublunarythings，andenablehimtoexaminematurelythemannerofdying；which，ifdulyabstractedfromtheterroroftheidea，willappearnothingmorethananunavoidableappendixoflifeitself，andapurenaturalaction。 4。Considerthatill—usagefromsomesortofpeopleisinamannernecessary，andthereforedonotbedisquietedaboutit，butratherconcludethatyouandyourenemyarebothmarchingoffthestagetogether，andthatinalittletimeyourverymemorieswillbeextinguished。 5。Amongyourprincipalobservationsuponhumanlife，letitbealwaysonetotakenoticewhatagreatdealbothoftimeandeasethatmangainswhoisnottroubledwiththespiritofcuriosity，wholetshisneighbours’affairsalone，andconfineshisinspectionstohimself，andonlytakescareofhonestyandagoodconscience。 6。Ifyouwouldliveatyourease，andasmuchaspossiblebefreefromtheincumbrancesoflife，managebutafewthingsatonce，andletthose，too，besuchasareabsolutelynecessary。Bythisruleyouwilldrawthebulkofyourbusinessintoanarrowcompass，andhavethedoublepleasureofmakingyouractionsgood，andfewintothebargain。 7。Hethattormentshimselfbecausethingsdonothappenjustashewouldhavethem，isbutasortofulcerintheworld；andhethatisselfish，narrow—souled，andsetsupforaseparateinterest，isakindofvoluntaryoutlaw，anddisincorporateshimselffrommankind。 8。Neverthinkanythingbelowyouwhichreasonandyourowncircumstancesrequire，andneversufferyourselftobedeterredbytheill—groundednotionsofcensureandreproach；butwhenhonestyandconsciencepromptyoutosayordoanything，doitboldly； neverbalkyourresolutionorstartattheconsequence。 9。Ifamandoesmeaninjury，whatisthattome？Itishisownaction，andlethimaccountforit。Asforme，Iaminmyproperstation，andonlydoingthebusinessthatProvidencehasallotted； andwithal，Ioughttoconsiderthatthebestwaytorevenge，isnottoimitatetheinjury。 10。Whenyouhappentoberuffledandputoutofhumourbyanycrossaccident，retireimmediatelyintoyourreason，anddonotsufferyourpassiontooverruleyouamoment；forthesooneryourecoveryourselfnow，thebetteryouwillbeabletoguardyourselfforthefuture。 11。Donotbelikethoseill—naturedpeoplethat，thoughtheydonotlovetogiveagoodwordtotheircontemporaries，yetaremightyfondoftheirowncommendations。Thisarguesaperverseandunjusttemper，andoftenexposestheauthorstoscornandcontempt。 12。Ifanyoneconvincesyouofanerror，changeyouropinionandthankhimforit：truthandinformationareyourbusiness，andcanneverhurtanybody。Onthecontrary，hethatisproudandstubborn，andwilfullycontinuesinamistake，itishethatreceivesthemischief。 13。Becauseyouseeathingdifficult，donotinstantlyconcludeittobeimpossibletomasterit。Diligenceandindustryareseldomdefeated。Look，therefore，narrowlyintothethingitself，andwhatyouobserveproperandpracticableinanother，concludelikewisewithinyourownpower。 14。Theprincipalbusinessofhumanlifeisrunthroughwithintheshortcompassoftwenty—fourhours；andwhenyouhavetakenadeliberateviewofthepresentage，youhaveseenasmuchasifyouhadbegunwiththeworld，therestbeingnothingelsebutanendlessroundofthesamethingoverandoveragain。 15。Bringyourwilltoyourfate，andsuityourmindtoyourcircumstances。Loveyourfriendsandforgiveyourenemies，anddojusticetoallmankind，andyouwillbesecuretomakeyourpassageeasy，andenjoymostofthecomfortshumanlifeiscapabletoaffordyou。 16。Whenyouhaveamindtoentertainyourselfinyourretirements，letitbewiththegoodqualificationsofyourfriendsandacquaintance。Thinkwithpleasureandsatisfactionuponthehonourandbraveryofone，themodestyofanother，thegenerosityofathird，andsoon；therebeingnothingmorepleasantanddivertingthanthelivelyimagesandtheadvantagesofthoseweloveandconversewith。 17。Asnothingcandepriveyouoftheprivilegesofyournature，orcompelyoutoactcountertoyourreason，sonothingcanhappentoyoubutwhatcomesfromProvidence，andconsistswiththeinterestoftheuniverse。 18。Letpeople’stonguesandactionsbewhattheywill，yourbusinessistohavehonourandhonestyinyourview。Letthemrail，revile，censure，andcondemn，ormakeyouthesubjectoftheirscornandridicule，whatdoesitallsignify？Youhaveonecertainremedyagainstalltheirmaliceandfolly，andthatis，tolivesothatnobodyshallbelievethem。 19。Alas，poormortals！didwerightlyconsiderourownstateandcondition，weshouldfinditwouldnotbelongbeforewehaveforgotalltheworld，andtobeeven，thatalltheworldwillhaveforgotuslikewise。 20。Hethatwouldrecommendhimselftothepublic，lethimdoitbythecandourandmodestyofhisbehaviour，andbyagenerousindifferencetoexternaladvantages。Lethimlovemankind，andresigntoProvidence，andthenhisworkswillfollowhim，andhisgoodactionswillpraisehiminthegate。 21。Whenyouhearadiscourse，letyourunderstanding，asfaraspossible，keeppacewithit，andleadyouforwardtothosethingswhichfallmostwithinthecompassofyourownobservations。 22。Whenviceandtreacheryshallberewarded，andvirtueandabilityslightedanddiscountenanced；whenministersofstateshallratherfearmanthanGod，andtoscreenthemselvesrunintopartiesandfactions；whennoiseandclamour，andscandalousreportsshallcarryeverythingbeforethem，itisnaturaltoconcludethatanationinsuchastateofinfatuationstandsuponthebrinkofdestruction，andwithouttheinterventionofsomeunforeseenaccident，mustbeinevitablyruined。 23。Whenaprinceisguardedbywiseandhonestmen，andwhenallpublicofficersaresuretoberewardediftheydowell，andpunishediftheydoevil，theconsequenceisplain；justiceandhonestywillflourish，andmenwillbealwayscontriving，notforthemselves，butforthehonourandinterestoftheirkingandcountry。 24。Wickedmenmaysometimesgounpunishedinthisworld，butwickednationsneverdo；becausethisworldistheonlyplaceofpunishmentofwickednations，thoughnotforprivateandparticularpersons。 25。Anadministrationthatismerelyfoundeduponhumanpolicymustbealwayssubjecttohumanchance；butthatwhichisfoundedonthedivinewisdomcannomoremiscarrythanthegovernmentofheaven。Togovernbypartiesandfactionsistheadviceofanatheist，andsetsupagovernmentbythespiritofSatan。Insuchagovernmenttheprincecanneverbesecureunderthegreatestpromises，since，asmen’sinterestchanges，sowilltheirdutyandaffectionslikewise。 26。Itisaveryancientobservation，andaverytrueone，thatpeoplegenerallydespisewheretheyflatter，andcringetothosetheydesigntobetray；sothattruthandceremonyare，andalwayswillbe，twodistinctthings。 27。Whenyoufindyourfriendinanerror，undeceivehimwithsecrecyandcivility，andlethimseehisoversightfirstbyhintsandglances；andifyoucannotconvincehim，leavehimwithrespect，andlaythefaultuponyourownmanagement。 28。Whenyouareunderthegreatestvexations，thenconsiderthathumanlifelastsbutforamoment；anddonotforgetbutthatyouareliketherestoftheworld，andfaultyyourselfinmanyinstances；andwithal，rememberthatangerandimpatienceoftenprovemoremischievousthantheprovocation。 29。Gentlenessandgoodhumourareinvincible，providedtheyarewithouthypocrisyanddesign；theydisarmthemostbarbarousandsavagetempers，andmakeevenmaliceashamedofitself。 30。Inalltheactionsoflifeletitbeyourfirstandprincipalcaretoguardagainstangerontheonehand，andflatteryontheother，fortheyarebothunserviceablequalities，anddoagreatdealofmischiefinthegovernmentofhumanlife。 31。Whenamanturnsknaveorlibertine，andgiveswaytofear，jealousy，andfitsofthespleen；whenhismindcomplainsofhisfortune，andhequitsthestationinwhichProvidencehasplacedhim，heactsperfectlycountertohumanity，desertshisownnature，and，asitwere，runsawayfromhimself。 32。Benotheavyinbusiness，disturbedinconversation，norimpertinentinyourthoughts。Letyourjudgmentberight，youractionsfriendly，andyourmindcontented；letthemcurseyou，threatenyou，ordespiseyou；letthemgoon；theycanneverinjureyourreasonoryourvirtue，andthenalltherestthattheycandotoyousignifiesnothing。 33。Theonlypleasureofhumanlifeisdoingthebusinessofthecreation；andwhichwayisthattobecompassedveryeasily？Mostcertainlybythepracticeofgeneralkindness，byrejectingtheimportunityofoursenses，bydistinguishingtruthfromfalsehood，andbycontemplatingtheworksoftheAlmighty。 34。Besuretomindthatwhichliesbeforeyou，whetheritbethought，word，oraction；andneverpostponeanopportunity，ormakevirtuewaitforyoutillto—morrow。 35。Whatevertendsneithertotheimprovementofyourreasonnorthebenefitofsociety，thinkitbelowyou；andwhenyouhavedoneanyconsiderableservicetomankind，donotlessenitbyyourfollyingapingafterreputationandrequital。 36。Whenyoufindyourselfsleepyinamorning，rouseyourself，andconsiderthatyouareborntobusiness，andthatindoinggoodinyourgeneration，youansweryourcharacterandactlikeaman； whereassleepandidlenessdobutdegradeyou，andsinkyoudowntoabrute。 37。Amindthathasnothingofhope，orfear，oraversion，ordesire，toweakenanddisturbit，isthemostimpregnablesecurity。 Hitherwemaywithsafetyretireanddefyourenemies；andhethatseesnotthisadvantagemustbeextremelyignorant，andhethatforgetsitunhappy。 38。Donotdisturbyourselfaboutthefaultsofotherpeople，butleteverybody’scrimesbeattheirowndoor。Havealwaysthisgreatmaximinyourremembrance，thattoplaytheknaveistorebelagainstreligion；allsortsofinjusticebeingnolessthanhightreasonagainstHeavenitself。 39。Donotcontemndeath，butmeetitwithadecentandreligiousfortitude，andlookuponitasoneofthosethingswhichProvidencehasordered。Ifyouwantacordialtomaketheapprehensionsofdyinggodownalittlethemoreeasily，considerwhatsortofworldandwhatsortofcompanyyouwillpartwith。Toconclude，dobutlookseriouslyintotheworld，andthereyouwillseemultitudesofpeoplepreparingforfunerals，andmourningfortheirfriendsandacquaintances；andlookoutagainalittleafterwards，andyouwillseeothersdoingtheverysamethingforthem。 40。Inshort，menarebutpoortransitorythings。To—daytheyarebusyandharassedwiththeaffairsofhumanlife；andto—morrowlifeitselfistakenfromthem，andtheyarereturnedtotheiroriginaldustandashes。 PARTIII ContainingpropheticobservationsrelatingtotheaffairsofEuropeandofGreatBritain，moreparticularlyfrom1720to1729。 1。Inthelatterendof1720，aneminentoldladyshallbringforthfivesonsatabirth；theyoungestshallliveandgrowuptomaturity，butthefoureldestshalleitherdieinthenursery，orbeallcarriedoffbyonesuddenandunexpectedaccident。 2。AboutthistimeamanwithadoubleheadshallarriveinBritainfromthesouth。Oneoftheseheadsshalldelivermessagesofgreatimportancetothegoverningparty，andtheothertothepartythatisoppositetothem。Thefirstshallbelievethemonster，butthelastshalldiscovertheimpostor，andsohappilydisengagethemselvesfromasnarethatwaslaidtodestroythemandtheirposterity。Afterthisthetwoheadsshallunite，andthemonstershallappearinhispropershape。 3。Intheyear1721，aphilosopherfromLowerGermanyshallcome，firsttoAmsterdaminHolland，andafterwardstoLondon。Hewillbringwithhimaworldofcuriosities，andamongthemapretendedsecretforthetransmutationofmetals。Undertheumbrageofthismightysecretheshallpassupontheworldforsometime；butatlengthheshallbedetected，andprovedtobenothingbutanempiricandacheat，andsoforcedtosneakoff，andleavethepeoplehehasdeluded，eithertobemoantheirloss，orlaughattheirownfolly。N。B。—Thiswillbethelastofhissectthatwilleverventureinthispartoftheworlduponthesameerrand。 4。Inthisyeargreatendeavourswillbeusedforprocuringageneralpeace，whichshallbesonearaconclusionthatpublicrejoicingsshallbemadeatthecourtsofseveralgreatpotentatesuponthataccount；butjustinthecriticaljuncture，acertainneighbouringprinceshallcometoaviolentdeath，whichshalloccasionnewwarandcommotionalloverEurope；buttheseshallcontinuebutforashorttime，andatlastterminateintheutterdestructionofthefirstaggressors。 5。Towardsthecloseofthisyearofmysteries，apersonthatwasbornblindshallhavehissightrestored，andshallseeravensperchupontheheadsoftraitors，amongwhichtheheadofanotoriousprelateshallstanduponthehighestpole。 6。Intheyear1722，thereshallbeagrandcongress，andnewoverturesofpeaceofferedbymostoftheprincipalpartiesconcernedinthewar，whichshallhavesogoodeffectthatacessationofarmsshallbeagreeduponforsixmonths，whichshallbekeptinviolabletillacertaingeneral，eitherthroughtreacheryorinadvertency，shallbeginhostilitiesbeforetheexpirationoftheterm；uponwhichtheinjuredprinceshalldrawhissword，andthrowthescabbardintothesea，vowingnevertoreturnittillheshallobtainsatisfactionforhimself，anddonejusticetoallthatwereoppressed。 7。Atthecloseofthisyear，afamousbridgeshallbebrokendown，andthewaterthatrunsunderitshallbetincturedwiththebloodoftwonotoriousmalefactors，whoseunexpecteddeathshallmakemightyalterationsinthepresentstateofaffairs，andputastoptotheruinofanation，whichmustotherwisehavebeenunavoidable。 8。1723beginswithplots，conspiracies，andintestinecommotionsinseveralcountries；norshallGreatBritainitselfbefreefromthecalamity。Theseshallcontinuetillacertainyoungprinceshalltakethereinsofgovernmentintohisownhands；andafterthat，amarriageshallbeproposed，andanallianceconcludedbetweentwogreatpotentates，whoshalljointheirforces，andendeavour，ingoodearnest，tosetallmattersuponarightfoundation。 9。Thisyearseveralcardinalsandprelatesshallbepubliclycensuredforhereticalprinciples，andshallnarrowlyescapefrombeingtorntopiecesbythecommonpeople，whostilllookuponthemasthegranddisturbersofpublictranquillity，perfectincendiaries，andthechiefpromotersoftheirformer，present，andfuturecalamities。 10。In1724—5therewillbemanytreatiesandnegociations，andGreatBritain，particularly，willbecrowdedwithforeignministersandambassadorsfromremoteprincesandstates。Tradeandcommercewillbegintoflourishandrevive，andeverythingwillhaveacomfortableprospect，untilsomedesperadoes，assistedbyamonsterwithmanyheads，shallstartnewdifficulties，andputtheworldagainintoaflame；buttheseshallbebutofshortduration。 11。Beforetheexpirationof1725，aneaglefromthenorthshallflydirectlytothesouth，andperchuponthepalaceofaprince，andfirstunravelthebloodyprojectsanddesignsofawickedsetofpeople，andthenpubliclydiscoverthemurderofagreatking，andtheintendedassassinationofanothergreaterthanhe。 12。In1726，threeprinceswillbebornthatwillgrowuptobemen，andinheritthecrownsofthreeofthegreatestmonarchiesinEurope。 13。Aboutthistimethepopewilldie，andafteragreatmanyintriguesandstruggles，aSpanishcardinalshallbeelected，whoshalldeclinethedignity，anddeclarehismarriagewithagreatlady，heiressofoneofthechiefprincipalitiesinItaly，whichmayoccasionnewtroublesinEurope，ifnottimelyprevented。 14。In1727，newtroublesshallbreakoutinthenorth，occasionedbythesuddendeathofacertainprince，andtheavariceandambitionofanother。PoorPolandseemstobepointedat；buttheprincesofthesouthshallenterintoaconfederacytopreserveher，andshallatlengthrestoreherpeace，andpreventtheperpetualruinofherconstitution。 15。Greatendeavourswillbeusedaboutthistimeforacomprehensioninreligion，supportedbycraftyanddesigningmen，andapartyofmistakenzealots，whichtheyshallartfullydrawintojoinwiththem；butastheprojectisill—concerted，andwillbeworsemanaged，itwillcometonothing；andsoonafterwardsaneffectualmodewillbetakentopreventthelikeattemptforthefuture。 16。1728willbeayearofinquiryandretrospection。Manyexorbitantgrantswillbereassumed，andseveralpersonswhothoughtthemselvessecurewillbecalledbeforethesenate，andcompelledtodisgorgewhattheyhaveunjustlypillagedeitherfromthecrownorthepublic。 17。Aboutthistimeanewscaffoldwillbeerectedupontheconfinesofacertaingreatcity，whereanoldcountofanewextraction，thathasbeenofallpartiesandtruetonone，willbedoomedbyhispeerstomakehisfirstappearance。Afterthisanoldladywhohasoftenbeenexposedtodangeranddisgrace，andsometimesbroughttotheverybrinkofdestruction，willbebroughttobedofthreedaughtersatonce，whichtheyshallcallPlenty，Peace，andUnion；andthesethreeshallliveandgrowuptogether，bethegloryoftheirmother，andthecomfortofposterityformanygenerations。 Thisisthesubstanceofwhatheeitherwritorextractedfromhispapersintheintervalbetweenthelossofhisspeechandthereturnofhisfit，whichhappenedexactlyatthetimehehadcomputed。 Upontheapproachofhisfit，hemadesignstobeputtobed，whichwasnosoonerdonebuthewasseizedwithextremeagonies，whichheboreupunderwiththegreateststeadfastness，andafterasevereconflict，thatlastedneareighthours，heexpired。 Thuslivedandthusdiedthisextraordinaryperson；aperson，thoughofmeanextractionandobscurelife，yetwhenhischaractercomestobefullyandtrulyknown，itwillbereadwithpleasure，profit，andadmiration。 Hisperfectionsatlargewouldbetheworkofavolume，andinconsistentwiththeintentionofthesepapers。Iwill，therefore，onlyadd，foraconclusion，thathewasamanofuncommonthoughtandjudgment，andalwayskepthisappetitesandinclinationswithintheirjustlimits。 Hisreasonwasstrongandmanly，hisunderstandingsoundandactive，andhistempersoeasy，equal，andcomplaisant，thatheneverfellout，eitherwithmenoraccidents。Heboreallthingswiththehighestaffability，andcomputedjustlyupontheirvalueandconsequence，andthenappliedthemtotheirproperuses。 ALETTERFROMOXFORD Sir，Beinginformedthatyouspeedilyintendtopublishsomememoirsrelatingtoourdumbcountryman，DickoryCronke，Isendyouherewithafewlines，inthenatureofanelegy，whichIleaveyoutodisposeofasyouthinkfit。Iknewandadmiredtheman；andifIwerecapable，hischaractershouldbethefirstthingIwouldattempt。 Yours。&c。 ANELEGY，INMEMORYOFDICKORYCRONKE，THEDUMBPHILOSOPHER。 Vitiisnemosinenascitur；optimusilleest，Quiminimusurgetur。——HORACE。 Ifvirtuousactionsemulationraise，Thenthisgoodmandeservesimmortalpraise。 Whennaturesuchextensivewisdomlent，Shesuredesignedhimforourprecedent。 Suchgreatendowmentsinamanunknown，Declaretheblessingswerenotallhisown； ButrathergrantedforatimetoshowWhatthewisehandofProvidencecando。 InhimwemayabrightexampleseeOfnature，justice，andmorality； Amindnotsubjecttothefrownsoffate，Butcalmandeasyinaservilestate。 HealwayskeptaguarduponhiswillAndfearednoharmbecauseheknewnoill。 Adecentpostureandanhumblemien，Ineveryactionofhislifewereseen。 Throughallthedifferentstagesthathewent，Hestillappearedbothwiseanddiligent： Firmtohisword，andpunctualtohistrust，Sagacious，frugal，arable，andjust。 Nogainfulviewshisboundedhopescouldsway，Nowantonthoughtledhischastesoulastray。 Inshort，histhoughtsandactionsbothdeclare，Naturedesignedhimherphilosopher； Thatallmankind，byhisexampletaught，Mightlearntolive，andmanageeverythought。 Oh！couldmymusethewondroussubjectgrace，And，fromhisyouth，hisvirtuousactionstrace； CouldIinjustandequalnumberstellHowwellhelived，andhowdevoutlyfell，Iboldlymightyourstrictattentionclaim，Andbidyoulearn，andcopyouttheman。 J。P。 ExeterCollege，August25th，1719。 EPITAPH Theoccasionofthisepitaphwasbrieflythus：—Agentleman，whohadheardmuchincommendationofthisdumbman，goingaccidentallytothechurchyardwherehewasburied，andfindinghisgravewithoutatombstone，oranymannerofmemorandumofhisdeath，hepulledouthispencil，andwritasfollows：— PAUPERUBIQUEJACET。 Neartothislonelyunfrequentedplace，Mixedwiththecommondust，neglectedliesThemanthateverymuseshouldstrivetograce，Andalltheworldshouldforhisvirtueprize。 Stop，gentlepassenger，anddropatear，Truth，justice，wisdom，alllieburiedhere。 What，thoughhewantsamonumentalstone，Thecommonpompofeveryfoolorknave，ThosevirtueswhichthroughallhisactionsshoneProclaimhisworth，andpraisehiminthegrave。 Hismeritswillabrightexamplegive，Whichshallbothtimeandenvytoooutlive。 Oh，hadIpowerbutequaltomymind，Adecenttombshouldsoonthisplaceadorn，Withthisinscription：Lo，hereliesconfinedAwondrousman，althoughobscurelyborn； Aman，thoughdumb，yethewasnature’scare，Whomarkedhimoutherownphilosopher。