Dickory Cronke | Page 8

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