\"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。