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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
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DICKORY CRONKE
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
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DICKORY CRONKE
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 th