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。