Dickory Cronke | Page 4

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