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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
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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；
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DICKORY CRONKE
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