dickory cronke(迪克雷·克龙克)-第3章
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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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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
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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 i
