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Dickory Cronke
DICKORY CRONKE
THE DUMB PHILOSOPHER, OR, GREAT BRITAIN'S WONDER; CONTAINING:
I. A faithful and very surprising Account how Dickory Cronke, a
Tinner's son, in the County of Cornwall, was born Dumb, and continued
so for Fifty- eight years; and how, some days before he died, he came
to his Speech; with Memoirs of his Life, and the Manner of his Death.
II. A Declaration of his Faith and Principles in Religion; with a
Collection of Select Meditations, composed in his Retirement.
III. His Prophetical Observations upon the Affairs of Europe, more
particularly of Great Britain, from 1720 to 1729. The whole extracted
from his Original Papers, and confirmed by unquestionable Authority.
TO WHICH IS ANNEXED HIS ELEGY, WRITTEN BY A YOUNG CORNISH GENTLEMAN,
OF EXETER COLLEGE IN OXFORD.
WITH
AN EPITAPH BY ANOTHER HAND.
"Non quis, sed quid."
LONDON: Printed for and Sold by THOMAS BICKERTON, at the Crown, in
Paternoster Row. 1719.
PREFACE
The formality of a preface to this little book might have been very
well omitted, if it were not to gratify the curiosity of some
inquisitive people, who, I foresee, will be apt to make objections
against the reality of the narrative.
Indeed the public has too often been imposed upon by fictitious
stories, and some of a very late date, so that I think myself obliged
by the usual respect which is paid to candid and impartial readers, to
acquaint them, by way of introduction, with what they are to expect,
and what they may depend upon, and yet with this caution too, that it
is an indication of ill nature or ill manners, if not both, to pry
into a secret that is industriously concealed.
However, that there may be nothing wanting on my part, I do hereby
assure the reader, that the papers from whence the following sheets
were extracted, are now in town, in the custody of a person of
unquestionable reputation, who, I will be bold to say, will not only
be ready, but proud, to produce them upon a good occasion, and that I
think is as much satisfaction as the nature of this case requires.
As to the performance, it can signify little now to make an apology
upon that account, any farther than this, that if the reader pleases
he may take notice that what he has now before him was collected from
a large bundle of papers, most of which were writ in shorthand, and
very ill-digested. However, this may be relied upon, that though the
language is something altered, and now and then a word thrown in to
help the expression, yet strict care has been taken to speak the
author's mind, and keep as close as possible to the meaning of the
original. For the design, I think there is nothing need be said in
vindication of that. Here is a dumb philosopher introduced to a wicked
and degenerate generation, as a proper emblem of virtue and morality;
and if the world could be persuaded to look upon him with candour and
impartiality, and then to copy after him, the editor has gained his
end, and would think himself sufficiently recompensed for his present
trouble.
PART I
Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the
accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire
credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than
those I am now going to lay before the public.
Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a
little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660,
being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.
His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people,
and well beloved in their neighbourhood. His father's chief business
was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after
the children, of which they had several living at the same time. Our
Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a
double portion of her care and tenderness.
It was upwards of three years before it was discovered that he was
born dumb, the knowledge of which at first gave his mother great
uneasiness, but finding soon after that he had his hearing, and all
his other senses to the greatest perfection, her grief began to abate,
and she resolved to have him brought up as well as their circumstances
and his capacity would permit.
As he grew, notwithstanding his want of speech, he every day gave some
instance of a ready genius, and a genius much superior to the country
children, insomuch that several gentlemen in the neighbourhood took
particular notice of him, and would often call him Restoration Dick,
and give him money, &c.
When he came to be eight years of age, his mother agreed with a person
in the next village, to teach him to read and write, both which, in a
very short time, he acquired to such perfection, especially the
latter, that he not only taught his own brothers and sisters, but
likewise several young men and women in the neighbourhood, which often
brought him in small sums, which he always laid out in such
necessaries as he stood most in need of.
In this state he continued till he was about twenty, and then he began
to reflect how scandalous it was for a young man of his age and
circumstances to live idle at home, and so resolves to go with his
father to the mines, to try if he could get something towards the
support of himself and the family; but being of a tender constitution,
and often sick, he soon perceived that sort of business was too hard
for him, so was forced to return home and continue in his former
station; upon which he grew exceeding melancholy, which his mother
observing, she comforted him in the best manner she could, telling him
that if it should please God to take her away, she had something left
in store for him, which would preserve him against public want.
This kind assurance from a mother whom he so dearly loved gave him
some, though not an entire satisfaction; however, he resolves to
acquiesce under it till Providence should order something for him more
to his content and advantage, which, in a short time happened
according to his wish. The manner was thus:--
One Mr. Owen Parry, a Welsh gentleman of good repute, coming from
Bristol to Padstow, a little seaport in the county of Cornwall, near
the place where Dickory dwelt, and hearing much of this dumb man's
perfections, would needs have him sent for; and finding, by his
significant gestures and all outward appearances that he much exceeded
the character that the country gave of him, took a mighty liking to
him, insomuch that he told him, if he would go with him into
Pembrokeshire, he would be kind to him, and take care of him as long
as he lived.
This kind and unexpected offer was so welcome to poor Dickory, that
without any farther consideration, he got a pen and ink and writ a
note, and in a very handsome and submissive manner returned him thanks
for his favour, assuring him he would do his best to continue and
improve it; and that he would be ready to wait upon him whenever he
should be pleased to command.
To shorten the account as much as possible, all things were concluded
to their mutual satisfaction, and in about a fortnight's time they set
forward for Wales, where Dickory, notwithstanding his dumbness,
behaved himself with so much diligence and affability, that he not
only gained the love of the family where he lived, but of everybody
round him.
In this station he continued till the death of his master, which
happened about twenty years afterwards; in all which time, as has been
confirmed by several of the family, he was never observed to be any
ways disguised by drinking, or to be guilty of any of the follies and
irregularities incident to servants in gentlemen's houses. On the
contrary, when he had any spare time, his constant custom was to
retire with some good book into a private place within call, and there
employ himself in reading, and then writing down his observations upon
what he read.
After the death of his master, whose loss afflicted him to the last
degree, one Mrs. Mary Mordant, a gentlewoman of great virtue and
piety, and a very good fortune, took him into her service, and carried
him with her, first to Bath, and then to Bristol, where, after a
lingering distemper, which continued for about four years, she died
likewise.
Upon the loss of his mistress, Dickory grew again exceeding melancholy
and disconsolate; at length, reflecting that death is but a common
debt which all mortals owe to nature, and must be paid sooner or
later, he became a little better satisfied, and so determines to get
together what he had saved in his service, and then to return to his
native country, and there finish his life in privacy and retirement.
Having been, as has been mentioned, about twenty-four years a servant,
and having, in the interim, received two legacies, viz., one of thirty
pounds, left him by his master, and another of fifteen pounds by his
mistress, and being always very frugal, he had got by him in the whole
upwards of sixty pounds. This, thinks he, with prudent management,
will be enough to support me as long as I live, and so I'll e'en lay
aside all thoughts of future business, and make the best of my way to
Cornwall, and there find out some safe and solitary retreat, where I
may have liberty to meditate and make my melancholy observations upon
the several occurrences of human life.
This resolution prevailed so far, that no time was let slip to get
everything in readiness to go with the first ship. As to his money,
he always kept that locked up by him, unless he sometimes lent it to a
friend without interest, for he had a mortal hatred to all sorts of
usury or extortion. His books, of which he had a considerable
quantity, and some of them very good ones, together with his other
equipage, he got packed up, that nothing might be wanting against the
first opportunity.
In a few days he heard of a vessel bound to Padstow, the very port he
wished to go to, being within four or five miles of the place where he
was born. When he came thither, which was in less than a week, his
first business was to inquire after the state of his family. It was
some time before he could get any information of them, until an old
man that knew his father and mother, and remembered they had a son was
born dumb, recollected him, and after a great deal of difficulty, made
him understand that all his family except his youngest sister were
dead, and that she was a widow, and lived at a little town called St.
Helen's, about ten miles farther in the country.
This doleful news, we must imagine, must be extremely shocking, and
add a new sting to his former affliction; and here it was that he
began to exercise the philosopher, and to demonstrate himself both a
wise and a good man. All these things, thinks he, are the will of
Providence, and must not be disputed; and so he bore up under them
with an entire resignation, resolving that, as soon as he could find a
place where he might deposit his trunk and boxes with safety, he would
go to St. Helen's in quest of his sister.
How his sister and he met, and how transported they were to see each
other after so long an interval, I think is not very material. It is
enough for the present purpose that Dickory soon recollected his
sister, and she him; and after a great many endearing tokens of love
and tenderness, he wrote to her, telling her that he believed
Providence had bestowed on him as much as would support him as long as
he lived, and that if she thought proper he would come and spend the
remainder of his days with her.
The good woman no sooner read his proposal than she accepted it,
adding, withal, that she could wish her entertainment was better; but
if he would accept of it as it was, she would do her best to make
everything easy, and that he should be welcome upon his own terms, to
stay with her as long as he pleased.
This affair being so happily settled to his full satisfaction, he
returns to Padstow to fetch the things he had left behind him, and the
next day came back to St. Helen's, where, according to his own
proposal, he continued to the day of his death, which happened upon
the 29th of May, 1718, about the same hour in which he was born.
Having thus given a short detail of the several periods of his life,
extracted chiefly from the papers which he left behind him, I come in
the next place to make a few observations how he managed himself and
spent his time toward the latter part of it.
His constant practice, both winter and summer, was to rise and set
with the sun; and if the weather would permit, he never failed to walk
in some unfrequented place, for three hours, both morning and evening,
and there it is supposed he composed the following meditations. The
chief part of his sustenance was milk, with a little bread boiled in
it, of which in the morning, after his walk, he would eat the quantity
of a pint, and sometimes more. Dinners he never eat any; and at night
he would only have a pretty large piece of bread, and drink a draught
of good spring water; and after this method he lived during the whole
time he was at St. Helen's. It is observed of him that he never slept
out of a bed, nor never lay awake in one; which I take to be an
argument, not only of a strong and healthful constitution, but of a
mind composed and calm, and entirely free from the ordinary
disturbances of human life. He never gave the least signs of
complaint or dissatisfaction at anything, unless it was when he heard
the tinners swear, or saw them drunk; and then, too, he would get out
of the way as soon as he had let them see, by some significant signs,
how scandalous and ridiculous they made themselves; and against the
next time he met them, would be sure to have a paper ready written,
wherein he would represent the folly of drunkenness, and the dangerous
consequences that generally attended it.
Idleness was his utter aversion, and if at any time he had finished
the business of the day, and was grown weary of reading and writing,
in which he daily spent six hours at least, he would certainly find
something either within doors or without, to employ himself.
Much might be said both with regard to the wise and regular
management, and the prudent methods he took to spend his time well
towards the declension of his life; but, as his history may perhaps be
shortly published at large by a better hand, I shall only observe in
the general, that he was a person of great wisdom and sagacity. He
understood nature beyond the ordinary capacity, and, if he had had a
competency of learning suitable to his genius, neither this nor the
former ages would have produced a better philosopher or a greater man.
I come next to speak of the manner of his death and the consequences
thereof, which are, indeed, very surprising, and, perhaps, not
altogether unworthy a general observation. I shall relate them as
briefly as I can, and leave every one to believe or disbelieve as he
thinks proper.
Upon the 26th of May, 1718, according to his usual method, about four
in the afternoon, he went out to take his evening walk; but before he
could reach the place he intended, he was siezed with an apoplectic
fit, which only gave him liberty to sit down under a tree, where, in
an instant, he was deprived of all manner of sense and motion, and so
he continued, as appears by his own confession afterwards, for more
than fourteen hours.
His sister, who knew how exact he was in all his methods, finding him
stay a considerable time beyond the usual hour, concludes that some
misfortune must needs have happened to him, or he would certainly have
been at home before. In short, she went immediately to all the places
he was wont to frequent, but nothing could be heard or seen of him
till the next morning, when a young man, as he was going to work,
discovered him, and went home and told his sister that her brother lay
in such a place, under a tree, and, as he believed had been robbed and
murdered.
The poor woman, who had all night been under the most dreadful
apprehensions, was now frightened and confounded to the last degree.
However, recollecting herself, and finding there was no remedy, she
got two or three of her neighbours to bear her company, and so
hastened with the young man to the tree, where she found her brother
lying in the same posture that he had described.
The dismal object at first view startled and surprised everybody
present, and filled them full of different notions and conjectures.
But some of the company going nearer to him, and finding that he had
lost nothing, and that there were no marks of any violence to be
discovered about him, they conclude that it must be an apoplectic or
some other sudden fit that had surprised him in his walk, upon which
his sister and the rest began to feel his hands and face, and
observing that he was still warm, and that there were some symptoms of
life yet remaining, they conclude that the best way was to carry him
home to bed, which was accordingly done with the utmost expedition.
When they had got him into the bed, nothing was omitted that they
could think of to bring him to himself, but still he continued utterly
insensible for about six hours. At the sixth hour's end he began to
move a little, and in a very short time was so far recovered, to the
great astonishment of everybody about him, that he was able to look
up, and to make a sign to his sister to bring him a cup of water.
After he had drunk the water he soon perceived that all his faculties
were returned to their former stations, and though his strength was
very much abated by the length and rigour of the fit, yet his
intellects were as strong and vigorous as ever.
His sister observing him to look earnestly upon the company, as if he
had something extraordinary to communicate to them, fetched him a pen
and ink and a sheet of paper, which, after a short pause, he took, and
wrote as follows:--
"Dear sister,
"I have now no need of pen, ink, and paper, to tell you my meaning. I
find the strings that bound up my tongue, and hindered me from
speaking, are unloosed, and I have words to express myself as freely
and distinctly as any other person. From whence this strange and
unexpected event should proceed, I must not pretend to say, any
farther than this, that it is doubtless the hand of Providence that
has done it, and in that I ought to acquiesce. Pray let me be alone
for two or three hours, that I may be at liberty to compose myself,
and put my thoughts in the best order I can before I leave them behind
me."
The poor woman, though extremely startled at what her brother had
written, yet took care to conceal it from the neighbours, who, she
knew, as well as she, must be mightily surprised at a thing so utterly
unexpected. Says she, my brother desires to be alone; I believe he
may have something in his mind that disturbs him. Upon which the
neighbours took their leave and returned home, and his sister shut the
door, and left him alone to his private contemplations.
After the company were withdrawn he fell into a sound sleep, which
lasted from two till six, and his sister, being apprehensive of the
return of his fit, came to the bedside, and, asking softly if he
wanted anything, he turned about to her and spoke to this effect: Dear
sister, you see me not only recovered out of a terrible fit, but
likewise that I have the liberty of speech, a blessing that I have
been deprived of almost sixty years, and I am satisfied you are
sincerely joyful to find me in the state I now am in; but, alas! it is
but a mistaken kindness. These are things but of short duration, and
if they were to continue for a hundred years longer, I can't see how I
should be anyways the better.
I know the world too well to be fond of it, and am fully satisfied
that the difference between a long and a short life is insignificant,
especially when I consider the accidents and company I am to
encounter. Do but look seriously and impartially upon the astonishing
notion of time and eternity, what an immense deal has run out already,
and how infinite it is still in the future; do but seriously and
deliberately consider this, and you will find, upon the whole, that
three days and three ages of life come much to the same measure and
reckoning.
As soon as he had ended his discourse upon the vanity and uncertainty
of human life, he looked steadfastly upon her. Sister, says he, I
conjure you not to be disturbed at what I am going to tell you, which
you will undoubtedly find to be true in every particular. I perceive
my glass is run, and I have now no more to do in this world but to
take my leave of it; for to-morrow about this time my speech will be
again taken from me, and, in a short time, my fit will return; and the
next day, which I understand is the day on which I came into this
troublesome world, I shall exchange it for another, where, for the
future, I shall for ever be free from all manner of sin and
sufferings.
The good woman would have made him a reply, but he prevented her by
telling her he had no time to hearken to unnecessary complaints or
animadversions. I have a great many things in my mind, says he, that
require a speedy and serious consideration. The time I have to stay
is but short, and I have a great deal of important business to do in
it. Time and death are both in my view, and seem both to call aloud to
me to make no delay. I beg of you, therefore, not to disquiet
yourself or me. What must be, must be. The decrees of Providence are
eternal and unalterable; why, then, should we torment ourselves about
that which we cannot remedy?
I must confess, my dear sister, I owe you many obligations for your
exemplary fondness to me, and do solemnly assure you I shall retain
the sense of them to the last moment. All that I have to request of
you is, that I may be alone for this night. I have it in my thoughts
to leave some short observations behind me, and likewise to discover
some things of great weight which have been revealed to me, which may
perhaps be of some use hereafter to you and your friends. What credit
they may meet with I cannot say, but depend the consequence, according
to their respective periods, will account for them, and vindicate them
against the supposition of falsity and mere suggestion.
Upon this, his sister left him till about four in the morning, when
coming to his bedside to know if he wanted anything, and how he had
rested, he made her this answer; I have been taking a cursory view of
my life, and though I find myself exceedingly deficient in several
particulars, yet I bless God I cannot find I have any just grounds to
suspect my pardon. In short, says he, I have spent this night with
more inward pleasure and true satisfaction than ever I spent a night
through the whole course of my life.
After he had concluded what he had to say upon the satisfaction that
attended an innocent and well-spent life, and observed what a mighty
consolation it was to persons, not only under the apprehension, but
even in the very agonies of death itself, he desired her to bring him
his usual cup of water, and then to help him on with his clothes, that
he might sit up, and so be in a better posture to take his leave of
her and her friends.
When she had taken him up, and placed him at a table where he usually
sat, he desired her to bring him his box of papers, and after he had
collected those he intended should be preserved, he ordered her to
bring a candle, that he might see the rest burnt. The good woman
seemed at first to oppose the burning of his papers, till he told her
they were only useless trifles, some unfinished observations which he
had made in his youthful days, and were not fit to be seen by her, or
anybody that should come after him.
After he had seen his papers burnt, and placed the rest in their
proper order, and had likewise settled all his other affairs, which
was only fit to be done between himself and his sister, he desired her
to call two or three of the most reputable neighbours, not only to be
witnesses of his will, but likewise to hear what he had farther to
communicate before the return of his fit, which he expected very
speedily.
His sister, who had beforehand acquainted two or three of her
confidants with all that had happened, was very much rejoiced to hear
her brother make so unexpected a concession; and accordingly, without
any delay or hesitation, went directly into the neighbourhood, and
brought home her two select friends, upon whose secrecy and sincerity
she knew she might depend upon all accounts.
In her absence he felt several symptoms of the approach of his fit,
which made him a little uneasy, lest it should entirely seize him
before he had perfected his will, but that apprehension was quickly
removed by her speedy return. After she had introduced her friends
into his chamber, he proceeded to express himself in the following
manner; Dear sister, you now see your brother upon the brink of
eternity; and as the words of dying persons are commonly the most
regarded, and make deepest impressions, I cannot suspect but you will
suffer the few I am about to say to have always some place in your
thoughts, that they may be ready for you to make use of upon any
occasion.
Do not be fond of anything on this side of eternity, or suffer your
interest to incline you to break your word, quit your modesty, or to
do anything that will not bear the light, and look the world in the
face. For be assured of this; the person that values the virtue of his
mind and the dignity of his reason, is always easy and well fortified
both against death and misfortune, and is perfectly indifferent about
the length or shortness of his life. Such a one is solicitous about
nothing but his own conduct, and for fear he should be deficient in
the duties of religion, and the respective functions of reason and
prudence.
Always go the nearest way to work. Now, the nearest way through all
the business of human life, are the paths of religion and honesty, and
keeping those as directly as you can, you avoid all the dangerous
precipices that often lie in the road, and sometimes block up the
passage entirely.
Remember that life was but lent at first, and that the remainder is
more than you have reason to expect, and consequently ought to be
managed with more than ordinary diligence. A wise man spends every
day as if it were his last; his hourglass is always in his hand, and
he is never guilty of sluggishness or insincerity.
He was about to proceed, when a sudden symptom of the return of his
fit put him in mind that it was time to get his will witnessed, which
was no sooner done but he took it up and gave it to his sister,
telling her that though all he had was hers of right, yet he thought
it proper, to prevent even a possibility of a dispute, to write down
his mind in the nature of a will, wherein I have given you, says he,
the little that I have left, except my books and papers, which, as
soon as I am dead, I desire may be delivered to Mr. Anthony Barlow, a
near relation of my worthy master, Mr. Owen Parry.
This Mr. Anthony Barlow was an old contemplative Welsh gentleman, who,
being under some difficulties in his own country, was forced to come
into Cornwall and take sanctuary among the tinners. Dickory, though
he kept himself as retired as possible, happened to meet him one day
upon his walks, and presently remembered that he was the very person
that used frequently to come to visit his master while he lived in
Pembrokeshire, and so went to him, and by signs made him understand
who he was.
The old gentleman, though at first surprised at this unexpected
interview, soon recollected that he had formerly seen at Mr. Parry's a
dumb man, whom they used to call the dumb philosopher, so concludes
immediately that consequently this must be he. In short, they soon
made themselves known to each other; and from that time contracted a
strict friendship and a correspondence by letters, which for the
future they mutually managed with the greatest exactness and
familiarity.
But to leave this as a matter not much material, and to return to our
narrative. By this time Dickory's speech began to falter, which his
sister observing, put him in mind that he would do well to make some
declaration of his faith and principles of religion, because some
reflections had been made upon him upon the account of his neglect, or
rather his refusal, to appear at any place of public worship.
"Dear sister," says he, "you observe very well, and I wish the
continuance of my speech for a few moments, that I might make an ample
declaration upon that account. But I find that cannot be; my speech
is leaving me so fast that I can only tell you that I have always
lived, and now die, an unworthy member of the ancient catholic and
apostolic church; and as to my faith and principles, I refer you to my
papers, which, I hope, will in some measure vindicate me against the
reflections you mention."
He had hardly finished his discourse to his sister and her two
friends, and given some short directions relating to his burial, but
his speech left him; and what makes the thing the more remarkable, it
went away, in all appearance, without giving him any sort of pain or
uneasiness.
When he perceived that his speech was entirely vanished, and that he
was again in his original state of dumbness, he took his pen as
formerly and wrote to his sister, signifying that whereas the sudden
loss of his speech had deprived him of the opportunity to speak to her
and her friends what he intended, he would leave it for them in
writing, and so desired he might not be disturbed till the return of
his fit, which he expected in six hours at farthest. According to his
desire they all left him, and then, with the greatest resignation
imaginable, he wrote down the meditations following: