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Τ Η Ε
H E R M I T:
Or, TIE UNPARALLEL'D
SU F F E RINGS
AND SURPRISING
A D V E N T U R E S
0 F
PHILIP QU ARL L,
An ENGLISH NAN:
Who was lately diſcovered upon an uninhabited Iſland
in the SOUTH SEA ; where he lived above FIFTY
YEARS, without any Iloman Itiltancc.
CONTAINING
Common
1. His Conference with thon Cabin-Boy, marrying a fa-
who found him; to wlionlie mous Profitute, calitting a
recites the most material Circ
Soldier, turning
cumitances of his Life; his Singing-maſter, and aiier-
being born in the Parish of
wards marryinguee Wives,
St. Giles, educated by the for which he was tried and
charity of a Lady, and put condemned at the Old Bailey.
Apprentice to a Lockſmith.
II. His leaving his Matter, III. His being parioned by
and being taken up with the King, turning Merchani,
a notorious Houſe-breaker, and being thipwrecked on
who was hanged; his lucky this defolate Hand on the
Eſcape, and going to Sea al Coast of Níexico.
With an clegant Frontiſpiece.
A NE W E DI TIO N.
L, O N D ON:
Printed for WILLIAM LANE, Leadenhall-ſtrect,
M.DCC.LXXXVI.
Dorrington, Edward; preud.
cami
Reo.
Regent h. L. Hubbard
gt.
F-10-1923
.
5
1
Τ' Η Ε
PRE FACE.
TRUTH and Fiction have, of
late been ſo promiſcuoufly blend-
ed together, in Performances of this
Nature ; that, in the preſent Cafe, it
ſeems abſolutely neceſſary to diſtinguiſh
the one from the other. If Robinſon
Cruſoe, Moll Flanders, and Colonel
Jack, have their Admirers among
the
lower Rank of Readers, it is as certain
that the Morality in Maſquerade, which
may be diſcovered in the Travels of
Lemuel Gulliver, has been an equal
Entertainment to the ſuperior Claſs of
Mankind.
Now it may, without the leaſt Arro-
gance, be affirmed, that tho' this fur:
prihng Narrative be not fo replete with
vulgar
A 2
iv PRE FAC E.
vulgar Stories as the former, or ſo inter-
ſperſed with a Satirical Vein, as the laſt
of the above-mentioned Treatiſes; yet it
is certainly of more Ule to the Public
than either of them, becauſe every Inci-
dent herein related, is real Matter of
Fact. But becauſe my ſhare in this
Work is no other than that of a bare
Editor, I think it my Duty to account
for the Poſſeſſion of this Manuſcript.
A
It was put into my Hands about a
· Year ago, by Mr. Dorringion, an emi-
nent Merchant, with full Liberty to
publiſh it when, and in what Manner,
I thought moſt proper. I hope there-
fore it will not be deemned impertinent
to give ſome account of my Friend, as
a Reputation to the work itſelf.
“ Mr. Edward Dorrington is deſcend-
“ed from a very ancient and honourable
Family in Staffordſhire ; his Grand-,
father, Mr. Jofeph Dorrington, re-
“ moved out of that County, to Fromein
Soiner Jetſhire; his Employ was that of
" a very conſiderable Grafier: The iſſue
o he left at his Deceaſe was one Son, Ri-
* obard
PR E F A C E.
D
“chard (the Father of my Friend,) and
two Daughters. Mr. Richard Dor-
rington, for ſome Time, was a Student
" of Gray's Inn; but, liking a Country-
« Life beſt, he having thoroughly quali-
"fied himſelf, retired to Frome, the
" above-mentioned Reſidence of his
“ Father ; where he married Mrs.
Margaret Groves, of Taunton, a Gen-
« tlewoman of about a Thouſand Pounds
“ Fortune. Soon after his Marriage, he
“ went and ſettled at Bath, where the
Integrity of his fair Practice ſoon ren-
“ dered him eminent in his Profeſſion.
“ He acquired a very competent Eſtate,
" and died in the Year 1780, having no
“ other Iſſue than his only Son, the pre-
“ ſent Mr. Edward Dorrington, whom
“ he had put to be bred a Merchant,
“ under the Care of Mr. Stephen Gra-
" ham of Briſtol. His diligence, and
"' courteous Behaviour, during his Ser-
“ vitude, ſo highly recommended him
“to his Maſter's Eſteem, that when
“ his time was expired, he admitted
“ him into a Moiety of his Commerce,
“ married him to his daughter, and
gave
A 3
vi P R E F A CE.
:
gave her an handſome Portion ſuita-
"* ble to his Merit.
“ The Happineſs of my Acquaintance
“ with him began in his Apprentice-
ſhip; and has, with the greateſt Sa-
so tisfaction to
me,
continued ever
" .
fince."
As to the Genuineneſs of this Trea-
tiſe, I am farther to aſſure the Reader,
that as Mr. Dorrington is allowed, by
all who know him, to be a Gentleman
of unqueſtionable Veracity, and above
attempting an linpoſition pon the
Public; ſo the first Book herein was
wholly written by himſelf, and the
fecond and third Books were faithfully
tranſcribed from Mr. Quarll's Parch-
ment-roll, which was a Continuation
of what my Friend had begun.
When Mr. Dorrington undertook this
Voyage, he ſet ſail, as it is well known,
from Briſtol to the South-Sea; and trad-
ed all along that Coaſt to Mexico, now
called New-Spain.
And he has ſince made ſeveral Voy-
ages to the fame Places.
To proceed to the Work itſelf: Thę
firft Book contains a Relation of Mr.
Dorrington's
P R E F A C E.
vii
ई
3
Dorrington's Diſcovery of Mr. Quarll,
his ſeveral Conferences with him, a
Deſcription of the Iland, and the
Manner of our Hermit's living there
with many other curious Particulars.
The ſecond and third Books are the
Contents of the Hermit's Parchment
Roll above-mentioned, and contain the
moſt ſurpriſing, as well as various Turns
of Fortune ever yet recounted in 'any
Work of this Kind. And, altho' the
continued Series of Misfortunes, which
attended him, ſeemed to render his Life
an Example of the moſt unhappy State
of human Nature'; yet we do not find
ſo great an Enormity in his Actions, that
Vengeance ſhould purſue him fo cloſely
by unparelleled Croffes. If Polygamy
could call down ſuch divine Refent-
ments, we muſt be filent; nor farther
urge his Fate.
However, for this Fact he was brought
to Juſtice by the Laws of his Country:
and he accounts fur the Inducements of
his committing that fin, at his Trial.
This Reflection therefore thould be
wiped off, ſince he is now become the
humbleſt of Penitents,
The
viii PRE FACE.
The Obſervations throughout theſe
Sheets will be found to be modeſt, ſeri-
ous, and inſtructive, and all centre in
the unerring Moral, that,
Whate'er we do, or wherefoe'er we're driv'n,
Still, we muſt own, ſuch is the Will of Heav'n.
To conclude: In the Publication of
theſe Papers, I have diſcharged two
Promiſes; the one made by Mr. Dor-
rington to the Hermit, and the other
made by myſelf to Mr. Dorrington :
And that they may meet with a Recep-
tion as candid as they are uſeful, is the
hearty with of
The Reader's Humble Servant,
W. L.
*
bar
Ο Ν
[ ix ]
<
ON THE
H E R M I T's
SOL I T U DE.
EHOLD a Man in his firſt Clats of Years,
When youthful Sports made way for growing
Cares,
The chequer's Fortunes of a manly Age,
Buſies reflecting Senſe with Thoughts more lage:
Various Affairs will cauſe a World of Woes ;
Then in the Fall of Life how ſweet's Repoſe !
The Calm, he now enjoys, makes full Amends
For all he felt; Heav'n never Ill intends ;
Suffrings are ſent to us from God abaye,
To make us practiſe Faith, and ſacred Love;
Aw'd into Patience, by freſh Scenes of Fate,
We live too ſoon, and learn to live too late.
In
web
х
On SOLITUDE.
-
.
In buſy Worlds, and trading peopled Towns,
More faſt we fin, than Sin itſelf abounds.
In ſoft Repoſe, Quarll Empires does diſdain ;
Free from Diſquiet, Solitude's his Gain.
Thoughts more ſublime, a Haven more ſerene,
Nought e'er to vex him that may cauſe the ſpleen.
Methinks I with him ſhare of Eden's Grove,
And with no better Paradiſe to rove :
Here's not Ambition with her gaudy Train,
Nor Envy trampling down the Poor or Mean;
Nor Avarice, nor haughty Pride invade,
Nor can Remorſe his flumb'ring Nights upbraid ;
In Peace he refts, unenvy'd or unknown,
And pities Monarchs on a toilfome Throne.
No King that reigns, but muſt as Mortals die ;
And when they rule, no ſubject ſhould aſk, Why?
Heav'n grants them Licence; and, when God gives
Laws,
Where's the bold Man that dares diſpute the Cauſe.
Would the great Men from one fo mean be told,
They ſerve a Crown for Int'reft and for Gold?
Tis with Content Quarll lives; he's truly bleſs’d,
Has nought to dread, nor is with aught diſtreſs'd;
Prays for its Country, and its preſent Prince,
That he may reign in Heav'n, when callid from
hence,
Here, in theſe lonely Shades, he juſt uproſe,
A Type of Reſurrection to diſcloſe;
A Re-
I
On SOLITUDE.
xi
A Reſurrection from a Watry Hell,
Where Shoals of Terrors ſtrove which ſhould excell
A Reſurrection, Emblem of the Laſt,
Which will recall our ev'ry Guilt that's past;
Drawing a Glare of Conſcience to our View,
Of Horror for our Sins, both old and new :
But ſo unſpotted in his preſent State,
I'd with myſelf as happy; not more great :
I'd know no Change ; but, when God calls,o bey,
Prepar'd in my Account for Judgment day:
Then happy riſe from Cares, and worldly Toys
To more ſubſtantial and eternal Joys.
This honeft Hermit, at a tranſient View,
Seems to be born all Precedent t'out-do.
Something uncommon makes him wond'rous ſeem:
Sound are his Morals, drawn from ev'ry Theme.
Thus from our Engliſh HERMIT learn to know,
That early Piety oppofes Woe.
Thro' ev'ry Stage of Life ſee Philip toſt,
And on a deſert Shore by Tempeſt caſt,
Where he's moſt happy, when imagin'd loſt :
So true it is, the Gods our Good deſign
As lab’ring Slaves dig Diamonds from a Mine,
From rugged Rocks the Sailors gain a Prize,
And, ſhipwreck'd oft, from Death to Life ariſe;
So
may
we at the laſt dread Trumpet's Sound,
By true Repentance here on Earth be found,
Acceptable in Heav's where Joys abound!
In
sin
}
xii
On SOLITUDE.
In grateful Hymns hail in the new Spring-day,
And, like the Angels, never ceaſe to pray:
A Kingdom Quarll doth undiſturbid enjoy ;
He's rais'd a Monarch, from an abject Boy.
And here I can't omit the pencil'd Plan
Of Beaufidelle his Monkey, and his Man.
The docile Beaſt moft fervilely obeys,
And juſtly merits more than Human Praiſe?
A Beauty of his Kind, good natur'd too,
A Brute ſo pleaſing, wonderful and new,
Subſervient to his Lord, loving and juſt:
What Human Servant can we thus intruft:
:
܀
Τ Η Ε.
ENGLISH
H E R M IT.
Β Ο Ο Κ
I.
Account of Mr. Quarll's being found out ; defcripti-
on of his dreſs, habitation, utenſils; his conver-
fation with the perſons who firſt diſcovered him,
HA
AVING concluded thoſe mercantile affairs,
which I undertook, by this voyage, to nego.
tiate ; and being upon my return for England, and
wind-bound; during my ſtay I daily walked about the
ſea-ſhore. Very early one morning, the weather being
extremely fair, and the ſea wonderful calm, as I was
taking my uſual turn, I accidentally fell into diſcourſe
with a Spaniſh Mexican inhabitant, named Alvarado :
and, as we were viewing the rocks which abound in
thoſe ſeas, he deſired me to take notice of a vaſt long
one about ſeven leagues from ſhore, which he ſaid
was ſuppoſed to incloſe fome land, by its great extent;
but the acceſs to it was very dangerous, by reaſon of
the rocks, which reach fo far under water, being in
ſome places too ſhallow for boats, and in others too
deep to ford over; and the ſea commonly very rough
in that place, hitherto prevented farther reſearch, fup-
poſing the advantage which might accrue from the
land, would not countervail the coſt and trouble of
making it inhabitable; for that he and fome friend's
B
had
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
had on a fine day, as it now was, the curioſity to go
as near as they could with ſafety, which was about
fifty yards from the main reck, but were forced to re-
turn as unſatisfied as they went ; only, that he had
the pleaſure of catching fome delicious fiſh, which
lay playing upon the ſurface of the water, having a
mod in his hand, and lines in his pocket, being feldom
without, when he walks on the ſea-ſhore : Theſe fiſh
are ſomewhat larger than a herring in its prime,
ſkinned like a mackerel, made as a gudgeon, and of
divers beautiful colours, eſpecially if caught in a fair
day; having ſince obſerved, that they are more or
leſs beautiful, according to the ſerenity of the
weather.
The account he gave me of them excited my.
curioſity to go and catch ſome; and he being, as
uſual provided with tackle, we picked up a parcel of
yellow maggots, which breed in dead tortoiſes upon
the rock, at which thoſe fiſhes bite very eagerly.
Thus equipped with all neceffaries for the ſporty,
we agreed with a young fellow, one of the long-
boat's crew, belonging to the ſhip I was come over
in; whoſe master being juſt come on ſhore, and not
expected to return ſpeedily, he readily confented to
row us thither for about the value of a fhilling.
Being come to the place, we found extraordinary
šport: the fiſhes were fo eager, that our lines were
no ſooner in but we had a bite.
Whilft we were fiſhing, the young man that row
ed us thither, eſpying a clift in the rock, through
which he ſaw a light, had a mind to ſee what was at
the other ſide; ſo put off his cloaths in order to wade
to it: Thus, having taken the hitcher of the boat,
he gropes along for ſure footing, the rock being very
full of holes.
Being come to the cleft, he creeps through, and
in a litort time returns, calling to us with precipita-
܀
tion
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
8
tion, which expreſſed both joy and ſurprize : gende-
men! gentlemen! ſaid he, I have made a diſcovery
of a new land, and the fineſt that the fun ever thone
on: Leave off your fiſhing ; you'll find here much
better buſineſs. Having by that time caught a pret-
ty handſome diſh of fiſh, we put up our tackling,
faftened our boat to the rock, and ſo we went to ſee
this new-found land.
Being come at the other ſide of the rock, we ſaw,
as he ſaid, a moſt delightful country, but deſpaired of
going to it, there being a lake about a mile long at
the bottom of the rock, which parted it from the
land; for neither Alvarada nor myſelf could ſwim;
but the young fellow, who could, having leaped into
the water, finding it all the way but breaft-high, we
went in alſo, and waded to the other ſide, which
afcended gently, about five or ſix feet from the lake,
to a moit pleaſant land, flat and level, covered with
a curious graſs, ſomething like chamomile, but of
no ſmell, and of an agreeable taſte: It bore alſo a
bundance of fine lofty trees, of different kinds and
make, which in ſeveral places ſtood in cluſters,
compoſing groves of different height and largeneſs.
Being come to a place where the trees ſtood in ſuch a
diſpoſition as gave our fight a greater ſcope, we ſaw,
at ſome diſtance, a moſt delightful wood of confider-
able extent. The agreeableneſs of the perſpective
made by nature, both for the creating pleaſure, and
condolence of grief, prompted my curioſity to a view
of the delights, which the diſtance we were at might
in fome meaſure, rob us of: But Alvarado, who,
till then, had diſcerned nothing whereby we could
judge the iſland to be inhabited, was fearful, and
would not venture farther that way, leaſt we ſhou'd
of a ſudden be fallied upon by wild beaſts out of the
wood; and, as I could not diſcommend his precau-
tion, the thiekneſs of it giving room to believe that
B 2
there
3
4 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
there might be dangerous creatures in it; ſo we went
ſouthward, finding numbers of fine trees, and here
and there ſmall groves, which we judged to be com-
poſed of forty or fifty ſeveral trees : But, upon exa-
mination, we found it to our great amazement, to
proceed from only one plant; whoſe outmoft lower
branches, bending to the ground, about ſeven or
eight feet from the middle ftem, ftruck root, and be-
came plants, which did the ſame; and in that man-
ner covered a conſiderable ſpot of ground; ſtill grow-
ing leſs, as they ſtood fartheſt from the old body.
Having walked ſome time under that moſt ſurpriz-
ing and wonderful plant, admiring the greatneſs of
nature's works, we went on, finding ſeveral of the
fame in our way, wherein harboured monkeys ; but
teir ſwift flight prevented our diſcerning their co-
Jours: Yet, going on, we found there were two
kinds; one having green backs, yellow faces and
bellies: the other grey, with white bellies and faces;
-but both forts exceeding beautiful.
At fome diſtance we perceived three things ſtand-
ving together, which I took to be houſes: I believe,
faid I, this iſland is inhabited; for, if I miſtake not,
yonder are dwelling-places. So they are, faid Alva-
rado, and therefore I don't think it wiſdom to ven-
ture any farther, leaſt they ſhould be Savages and do
us hurt; fo would have gone back: But I was re-
folved to ſee what they were, and perfuaded him to go
on; ſaying, it would be time enough for us to retreat
when we perceived danger. That may be too late,
ſaid he ; for as evil doth not always fucceed danger,
danger doth not always precede evil; we may be
ſurpriſed. Well, well, ſaid I, if any people ſhould
come upon us, we muſt ſee them at ſome diſtance;
and if we can't avoid them, here are three of us, a
good long ſtaff with an iron point at one end, and an
hook at the other; I ſhall exerciſe that, and keep
them
:
どう​なる
​THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
5
then off, at leaſt till you get away: Come along,
and fear not. So I pulled him along.
Being come near enough to diſcern better, we
found, that what we took for houſes were rather ar-
bours, being apparently made of green trees: Then,
indeed, I began to fancy fome wild people inhabited
them, and doubted whether it were ſafe to go ncar-
er; but concealed my doubt, leaſt I ſhould intimidate
Alvarado ſo that he thould run away, to which he
was very much inclined. I only ſlackened my pace
which Alvarado perceiving, imagined that I ſaw ſome
evil coming, which he thought unavoidable ; and not
daring to go from his company, he only condoled his
misfortune; faying, he dearly repented taking my
advice : That he feared we ſhould pay dearly for our
filly curioſity; for indeed thoſe things were more like
thieves dens, or wild peoples huts, than chriſtians
habitations,
By this time we were come near a ſpot of ground,
pretty clear of trees, on which ſome animals were
feeding, which I took to be goats ; but Alvarado
fancied them to be deers, by their ſwift Aight at our
appearing: However, I inferred by their ſhyneſs,
that we were out of the way in our judgment con-
cerning the arbours : For, ſaid I, if theſe were in-
habited, thoſe creatures would not have been ſo ſcare]
at the fight of men; and, if by nature wild, they
would not graze fo near mens habitations, had there
been any body in them. I rather believe fome hermit
has formerly lived there, and is either dead or gone.
Alvarado, who to that time had neither heard nor
ſeen any thing that could contradict what I ſaid, be-
gan to acquieſce to it, and goes on.
Being come within reach of plain difcernment,
we were ſurprized: If theſe, ſaid I, be the works of
favages, they far exceed our expert artiſts. Their
regularity appeared unconfined to the rules of art, and
B3
complete
THE ENGLISH HER MIT.
*
complete architecture without the craft of the artiſt;
nature and time only being capable of bringing them
to that perfection. They were neither houfes, huts,
nor arbours ; yet had all the uſefulneſs and agree-
anents of each.
Having fufficiently admired the uncommon beauty
of the outſide without interruption, but rather divert-
ed with the moſt agreeable harinony of various fing-
ing birds, as perched on a green hedge, which ſur-
rounded about one acre of land near the place, we
had the curioſity to ſee the infide; and, being neareſt
the middlemoſt, we examined that firit. It was 2-
bout nine feet high, and as much fouare; the walls
were ftrait and Imooth, covered with green leaves,
fomething like thoſe of a mulberry tree, lying as
cloſe and regular as flates on a flated houſe; the top
went up rounding like a cupalo, and covered in the
fame manner as the fides: from each corner, iſſued a
Atrait ftem, about twelve feet higher, bare of branch-
es to the top, which was very full of leaves, and ſpread
over, making a most pleafant canopy to the manfion
beneath,
Being full of admiration at the wonderful struct-
ture and nature of the place, we came to a door
which was made of green twigs, neatly woven, and
faſtened, with a fauall ſtick, through a loep made
of the ſame.
The door being faſtened without, gave us encou-
ragement to venture in ; it being evident that the
hoft was abſent; ſo we opened it, and the firſt thing
we faw, being oppoſite to the door, was, a bed ly-
ing on, the ground, which was an hard dry earth,
very ſmooth and clean ; we had the curioſity to exa-
mine what it was made of, and found it another ſub-
ject of admiration. The covering was a mat about
three inches thick, made of a fort of graſs, which
though as dry as the oldest hay, was-as green as a
leek,
ܕܪܝܟܐ
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
more
Trot
leck, felt as ſoft as cotton, and was as waxin as wool;
the bed was made of the fame, and in the ſame man-
her, but three times as thick; which made it as eaſy
as a down bed: under that lay another, but ſomewhat
harder.
At one ſide of the room ſtood a table made of two
pieces of thin oak board, about three feet long fast-
cued upon four ſticks driven into the ground, and by
it a chair made of green twigs, as the door; at the
other ſide of the room lay a cheſt on the ground, like
a failor's finall cheit; over it, againſt the wall, hung
á linen jacket and breeches, ſuch as ſeamen wear on
board : on another pin hung a large coat, or gown,
nadle of the fame fort of graſsing and after the fame
manner, as the bed's covering, but not above half an
inch thick; and a cap by it of the fame : theſe we
fuppoſed to be a winter garb for ſomebody.
Having viewed the furniture of the dwelling-place,
wc examined its fabric which we could not find out by
the outſide, it being ſo cloſely covered with leaves
but the inſide being bare, we found it to be feveral
trees, whoſe bodies met cloſe, and made a folid wall,
which by the breadth of every ſtern, we judged to be
about ſix inches thick: their bark being very ſmooth,
and of a pleaſant olive colour, made a mighty agreed
ble wainfcotting; the roof, which was hung very
chick with leaves, was branches, which reached from
end to end, and were croſſed over by the ſide ones
that were woven between, which made a very even
and ſmooth cieling, ſo thick of leaves and branches,
that 10 rain could penetrate. My companion's un-
eafineſs, expecting the hoſt's return every moment,
and, having flightly looked into the cheſt, which lay
open, wherein we ſaw nothing but ſheets of parch.
into, . we went away.
B4
Going
8 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
Going out, we ſaw at one corner of the room,
behind the door, a couple of firelocks, the fight of
which much alarmed my company, and, I muſt con-
fels, ſtartled me; for till then, I was inclinable to
believe ſome hermit dwelt in the place ; but finding
arms in the room of a crucifix, and religious pictures,
which were the common örnaments of thoſe religious
men, made me waver in my opinion: and, having
taken the pieces in my hands, which, for ruft, ap-
peared not to have been fit for uſe for many years,
renewed my former opinion ; ſuppoſing them to be
the effects of ſome thipwreck, which the hermit
found upon the rocks.
the rocks. But my company, perſiſting
in their own, haftened out, and would have gone
quite away, without ſeeing any more, had I not, by
many arguments, made them ſenſible, that if thoſe
arins had been intended for the evil uſe Alvarado iina.
gined, they would have been kept in better order; to
which being obliged to acquieſce, he conſented to go
and examine the other, it being as worthy of admi-
ration as that we had ſeen, though quite of another
nature, but much of the fame height and make.
The next we came at was cover'd all over with
the fame fort of graſs as grew on the ground, which
lay as even as though it had been mow'd and rol-
led; behind it were feveral lodges, made, as it were,
for ſome dogs; but we neither faw nor heard any.
Having viewed the place all round, we poſted the
young fellow with us at the outſide, to give notice
when any body appeared, left we ſhould be ſurprized
whilft we ſaw the infide; ſo, having open'd the door,
which was made and faſten'd after the manner of the
firſt, we wert in, expecting to find another dwell-
ing-place, but it prov'd rather a kitchen; there be-
ing no bed, but only a parcel of ſhells, of different
fizes, which we ſuppoſed to be apply'd for utenſils,
ſome being ſcorched at the outſide as having been on
thc
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
9
the fire, but exceeding clean within; the reſt were,
both inſide and outſide, as fine as nakes of pearl.
At one end of the room was a hole cut in the
ground like ſtew-ſtoves, in great kitchens; about
three or four feet from that there was another fire-
place, made of three ſtones, fit to roaſt at ; in both
which places appeared to have been fire lately, by
wood coals, and athes freſh made. This confirm'd
my opinion, that it was an hermitage. Alvarado,
who all along fear'd we ſhould meet with men who
would miſuſe us, was not a little pleafed to find fire-
places in the room of beds, and kitchen utenſils in-
Itead of weapons. I hope, ſaid he, we are not in fo
great danger as I fear'd; here cannot be many men,
unleſs they croud together in yonder place; and, if
ſo, they would have been here before now, had they
been in the way. His fears being in a great meaſure
diſperſed, we look'd about more leiſurely; and ſeeing
ſeveral ſhells, that were cover'd, on a ſhelf that lay
croſs two ſticks that were ſtuck in the wall, which
was made of turf, we had the curioſity to ſee what
was in them; and found, in one, pickled anchovies
:
in others muſhrooms, capers, and other forts of
pickles. Let them, ſaid I, be who they will that
dwell here, I am ſure they know good eating; and
therefore, probably, may be no ſtrangers to good
manners. Upon another ſhelf, behind the door, lay
divers forts of dry'd fiſhes; and upon the ground
ftood, uncovered, two cheſts with fiſh and Aeth in
falt.
Theſe proviſions being ſomewhat too voluptuous
for an hermit, gave us room for fpeculation. I have
liv'd (faid Alvarado) at Mexico theſe fix years, and
kave been at Peru above twenty times, and yet never
heard talk of this iſland: the acceſs to it is ſo diffi-
cult, and dangerous, that I dare ſay, we are the firſt
that have been on theſe fides of the rocks. I am very
apt
BS
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
apt to believe, that a company of determined Buc-
caniers, which are ſaid to frequent theſe feas, ſhelter
here, and that the habitation we have ſeen, and this
place, belong to their captain ; and that the company
reſorts in caves up and down theſe rocks. Really I
could not well gainſay it, being too probable ; yet I
would not altogether acquiefte to his opinion, leſt he
Thould thereby take a motive to go away before we
had ſeen the other place. I must confeſs, faid I
here's room for conjectures, but no proof of certain-
ty; however, let it be as you ſay, 'tis a plain cafe
here are none to diſturb us; therefore, whilſt we have
liberty, let us fee the other place: fo we faſtened the
door as we found it, and went to the next, which was
that after the fame manner as the two preceding, but
made of quite different fuff; being a compleat ar-
bour, compoſed of trees, planted within a foot of
one another, whoſe branches were woven together in
ſuch a regular manner, that they made ſeveral agree-
able compartments, and ſo cloſe, that nothing but air
could enter: it was of the ſame height and bigneſs
with the kitchen, which ſtood at the other end of the
dwelling-place, which made a very uniform wing to it.
The coolneſs of the arbour removed our doubts
of its being another dwelling, unleſs only uſed in hot
weather.
Having fufficiently viewed the outſide, we went
in, and found ſeveral boards, like dreſſers or tables in
a pantry, on which lay divers broad and deep ſhells,
as beautiful as thoſe in the kitchen; in ſome of which
was butter, in others cream and milk. On a ſhelf
lay ſeveral ſmall cheeſes, and on another a parcel of
roots like Jeruſalem artichokes, which ſeemed to have
been roaſted. All this did but confirm the opinion
we were in, that it was no hermitage : there being
ſufficient to gratify the appetite, as well as to ſupport
ature. Therefore, not knowing what to think of
the
Kaya
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
I
the maſter of the houſe, we made no long ſtay, but
concluded to hafte, and get our fiſh drefled, it being
near dinner-time; and as the trees ſtood very thick
inland, and might conceal men from our ſight till we
came too near to ſhun them ; we thought it proper to
walk on the outſide, near the rocks, that we might
fee at ſome diſtance before us,
Walking along, a phlegm ſticking in my throat, I
happened to hawk pretty loud; the noiſe was anſwer-
ed from I believe twenty places of the rock, and in
as many different ſounds ; which alarmed Alvarado,
who took it to be a ſignal from men concealed ир
and
down the rock, not conſidering the difficulty of their
coming at us: there being a lake at the foot of it,
which they muſt have been obliged to wade over, and
which would have given us time to get away: but fear,
which often blinds reafon, repreſented the evil infalli-
ble to his thought, which was morally impoſible. I
did all I could to make him ſenſible they were but
echoes; and, to convince him thereof, I gave a loud
hem, which was anſwered in like manner ; but by
being a ſecond time repeated, and by a louder voice, I
was certain the laſt did not proceed from me ; which put
me in apprehenfion that ſomebody, befides myſelf, had
bemm'd alſo. My companion, whoſe countenance,
being turn'd as pale as death, expreſſed the exceſs of
his fears, would have run away, had not the voice
come from the way we were to go. Now, ſaid he,
(hardly able to utter his words for trembling) you are,
hope, convinced that it would have been ſafer for
us to retire, inſtead of gratifying your unreaſonable
curioſity: what do you think will become of us ?
the young fellow, at theſe words, falls a wecping,
faying, he wiſh'd he had miſſed the getting that inoney,
which was like to be dearly earn'd. I muſt confeſs,
I began to be a little apprehenſive of danger, and
wilh'd myfelf fafe away, but conceal'd my thoughts ;
B 6
heartening
12
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
A
heartening them as well as I could: and repreſenting
the danger equal, either moving forwards, or ſtand-
ing ſtill, I at laſt perſuaded them to go on.
We were ſcarce gone forty paces farther, before we
perceived, at a conliderable diſtance, ſomething like a
man, with another creature, but preſently loſt them
among the trees, before we could have a full view of
them; which made every one of us conceive a diffe-
rent idea of what we had ſeen. Alvarado would have
it to be a giant, and a man of common ſize with him,
and both armed cap-à-pe. The poor lad, who was
already as bad as a ſlave, being bound to a ſevere, ill-
natur'd maſter, fear'd death more than bondage : ſo
took what he had ſeen for fome ſhe-bear, and one of
her whelps with her, to make her yet more dreadful;
and, by all means, would have thrown himſelf into
the lake, in order to get at the other ſide of the rock:
thus the danger appeared to each of them to be what
they dreaded moſt; but I was ſomewhat better com-
poſed in mind than they. I gave the object I ſaw the
likelieſt reſemblance the time it was in fight would per-
mit, which I could adapt to nothing but a man of
common ſize, and fomewhat like a dog with him ; fo
perſiſting in my opinion, made them waver in theirs :
thus we went on ſomething better compoſed.
Being gone about an hundred yards farther, we ſaw
the fame again, but nearer hand, and without inter-
ruption, the place being pretty clear of trees : thus
having a full view, we were all, to our great fatis-
faction, convinced, that what we had been taking for
a formidable giant, and a terrible ſhe-bear, was but an
ordinary man; but that which was with him running
up a tree as ſoon as he perceiv'd us, prevented our
diſcerning what animal it was : but the man, who
walked on apace, ſoon came within the reach of a
more certain diſcernment, and appeared to be a vene-
rable old man, with a worſhipful white beard, which
covered
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
13
me in this
covered his naked breaſt, and a long head of hair, of
the ſame colour ; which, ſpreading over his ſhoulders,
hung down to his loins.
His preſence, which inſpired reſpect more than
fear foon recalled the frightened folks ſcared ſenſes,
who, to recover this faint-heartedneſs excuſed them
ſelves by the miſrepreſentations diſtance caufes on ob-
jects. The old man, who by that time, was come
near enough to diſcern our ſpeaking Engliſh, lets fall
a bundle of ſticks he had under one arm, and a
hatchet he carried in the other hand, and runs to
me, being the next to him, embracing me, and fay-
ing, dear countrymen, for I hear ye are Engliſhmen,
by what accident are ye come hither? A place, the
approach whereof is defended by a thouſand perils
and dangers, and not to be come at but by a narrow
eſcape of death. Are ye ſhipwrecked? No, thank
God, faid I, moſt reverend father; it was mere cu-
rioſity that brought us hither ; theſe perils, which
you fay defend the approach of this iſland, being ab-
ſent by the extraordinary calmneſs of the ſea. But,
if I may aſk, pray how came you hither? By the
help of providence, replied the good old man, who
ſnatched me out of the ravenous jaws of death, to fix
ſhipwrecked, thanks to my maker, and was faved by
being caſt away. I conceive, fir, faid I, you have
been chaſed by ſome pirates, and eſcaped ſlavery, by
ſtriking upon the rocks, which ſurround this island
but now you have avoided that diſmal fate, embrace
the lucky opportunity of getting away from a place fo
remote from human aſſiſtance, which your age makes
you ſtand in need of. That's your miſtake, replied
the old man: He who truſts in God, needs no other
help. I allow that, ſir, faid I: but our truſt in God
doth not require us to caſt away, or deſpiſe, the help
of man. I do not in the leaſt queſtion your piety, but
miſtrust
14
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
miftruſt the frailty of nature, and debility of age;
therefore would have you come and live within the
reach of attendance. You may without flackening
your devotion, live in the world; you ſhall have no
occaſion to concern yourſelf with any cares that may
diſturb your pious thoughts. No, replied the old
man ; was I to be made emperor of the whole uni-
verſes I would not be concerned with the world again;
nor would you require me, did you but know the
happineſs I enjoy out of it. Come along with me;
and if, after you have ſeen how I live here, you per-
fiſt in your advice, I will fay you have no notion of an
happy life.
I have, good fir, ſaid I, already ſeen,
with great admiration, your matchleſs habitation;
but there are other neceſſaries your age requires : as
cloaths, to defend the injuries of the air ; and meat
ſuitable to the weakneſs of your ſtomach. That's
your miſtake, replied the old man, I want for no
cloaths; I have a change for every feafon of the year :
I am not confined to faihions, but ſuit my own con-
veniencies. Now this is my ſummer dreſs; I put
on warmer as the weather grows colder : and for
meat, I have fiſh, fleſh and fowls, and as choice as a
man can with for. Come, you ſhall dine with me,
and ten to one but I may give you veniſon, and per-
haps a diſh of wild fowls too; let's go and ſee what
providence has fent us. So we went to a wood, a-
bout a mile farther, where he had faftened ſeveral
low nets, in different gaps, in the thickſet; in one
of which happened to be an animal fomething like a
fawn, twice as big as an hare, the colour of a fox,
and faced and footed like a goat. Did I not tell you,
faid the good man, I might chance to give you veni-
fon? Now let's look after the fowls. So we went a
little farther, at a place where he had hung a long
net between two high trees, at the bottom of which
faftened a bag of the fame to receive the fowls;
who
THE ENGLISH HER MIT***
15
.
who in the night, being ſtopped by the net, fluttered
to the bottom. There alſo happened to be game. A
couple of fowls, made like woodcocks, but of the
bigneſs and colour of a pheaſant, were taken at the
bottom of a bag. Now, ſaid the old man, theſe I
have, without committing the ſin of bidding leſs for
them than I know they are really worth, or making
the poulterers ſwear they coſt them more than they
did. Well, now I may give you a diſh of fish alſo,
Ptis but going half a mile, or thereabouts. There's
no need, fir, ſaid I, for any more, there are but four
of us, and here's proviſion for half a ſcore: but if
you are diſpoſed for fiſh, we have ſome in a boat on
the other ſide of a rock : it is but going for them.
Very well, ſaid the old man; it is but going about a
mile, then ſtrip and wade over a lake, then climb up
a rugged rock twice backward and forward, to fetch
what we can have for only taking a pleafant walk, all
the while diverted with the ſweet harmony of a num-
ber of fine birds. Look here: this complaiſance of
ten puts men to a world of needleſs trouble: come,
we'll make a ſhift to pick a dinner out of theſe. Sir,
faid I,' 'tis no ſhift where there's ſuch plenty. Plen-
ty! ſaid the old man; why, I tell ye, this is a ſecond
garden of Eden; only here's no forbidden fruit, nor
women to tempt a man. I fee, fir, faid I, proviz
dence ſupplies you plentifully with neceſſaries, if age
does not deprive you of ſtrength. Age! replied the
old man, why I am not ſo old as that comes to, nei-
ther : I was but eight and-twenty when I was caſt a-
way, and that is but fifty years ago. Indeed, if I
lived as you do that dwell in the wife world, who
hurry on your days as if your end came on too flow,
might be accounted old. I do not gainſay, reverend
father, but that you bear your age wonderful well;
but a multiplicity of days muſt make the ſtrongeſt
nature bend: yes, time will break the tougheſt con-
ftitution
16 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ftitution, and, by what you ſay, you have ſeen a con-
fiderable number of years. Yes, replied the old man,
a few days have run over my head, but I never Itrove
to out-run them, as they do that live too faſt. Well,
ſays he, you are a young man, and have ſeen fewer
days than I; yet you may be almoſt worn out:
come, match this, ſays he.
With that he gave a
hem, with ſuch a ſtrength and clearneſs, that the
found made my ears tingle for ſome minutes after.
Indeed, ſir, ſaid ), you have ſo far outdone what I
can pretend to do, that I will not preſume to imitate
Then I am afraid, ſaid he, you will prove to
be the old man. Well, then, you, or your friend,
the ſtrongeſt of you, fetch hither that ſtone; it does
not look to be very heavy (pointing at a large ſtone
that lay about two yards off.). I'll endeavour, fir,
ſaid I, to roll it; for I dare fay, it is paſt my ſtrength
to lift it. So, to pleaſe the old man, I went to take
it up; but could hardly move it. Come, come,
faid the old gentleman, I find that muſt be work for
me. With that he goes, takes up the ſtone, and
toffes it to the place he bid me bring it. I fee, ſaid he,
you have not exerted your ſtrength too often, which
makes you now ſo weak: Well, you ſee the advan-
tage of living remote from the world. Had you had
leſs of human aſſiſtance, I am apt to believe you
would not want it fo foon as you are likely to do.
Come, let's make much of that little ſtrength we
have left, taking neceſſary ſupport at proper times :
it is now paſt noon; therefore let us lofe no time,
but haſte home to get our dinner ready. So we went
back to the place where the bundle of ſticks lay,
which we made the young fellow with us carry, and
went directly to the kitchen; where' whilft he made
a fire, one caſed the animal, and the other two pulled
the fowls. I am ſorry, faid the old
man, you muſt
take that trouble ; but your preſence has frightened
away
THE ENGLISH HERMIT17
.
.
I had a-
away my ſervant, who uſed to do that work for me.
Have you a fervant, then, fir? ſaid I. Yes, ſaid he,
and one a native of this iſland. Then I find, fir,
ſaid I, this iſland is inhabited. Yes, anſwered the
old man, with monkeys and myſelf, but nobody elſe,
thank God: otherwiſé I can tell you, I ſhould hardly
have lived fo long. Then, fir, fáid I, I fuppofe that
was it we ſaw run up a tree. Yes, ſaid he, my
monkey, like myſelf, loves not much company.
Pray, fir, faid I, how did you bring him ſo well un-
der command, as to keep with you, when he has the
liberty to run away! I wonder the wild ones do not
entice him from you. I had him young, replied the
old man, and made very much of him, which thoſe
creatures dearly love: beſides, when he was grown
up, the wild ones would not fuffer him amongst them;
ſo that he was forced to remain with me.
nother before this, but he, I may fay, was ſent by
providence, both to be an help and diverſion to me;
for he was ſo knowing, that he took a great deal of
labour off my hands, and diſperſed many anxious
hours, which the irkſomeneſs of my folitude had
created. 'Tis now about twelve years ſince; for I
keep a memorial, which indeed I deſign'd to have
been a journal; but I unfortunately let the regular
order of the days flip out of my memory; however,
I obſerved a ſeventh day, and reckoned the years from
winter to winter; ſo I cannot well miſtake.
One day, when I had roaſted a quantity of roots,
which I eat inftead of bread, having ſpread them on
my table and cheſt to cool, in order to lay them by
for uſe; I went out, leaving my door open, to let
the air in.
Having walk'd an hour or two, I returned home,
where I found a monkey, whom the ſinell of the hot
roots had brought ; who, during my abſence, had
been eating. My preſence very much furprized him,
yet
18 *THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
yet ſtill he kept his place, only diſcontinued eating,
ſtaring me in the face;. the unexpected gueſt at once
ſtartled me, and filled me with admiration; for,
certainly no creature of its kind could be coinpared
to it, for beauty. His back was of a lively green,
his face and belly of a lively yellow ; his coat, all
over, ſhining like burniſhed gold. The extraordi-
nary beauty of the creature raiſed in me an ardent
deſire to keep him ; but I deſpaired.of ever inak-
ing him tame, being come to his full growth : there-
fore having reſolved to keep him tied, I went in and
fhut the door. The beaſt, which, till then, had not
offered tº make his eſcape, appeared very much die
fturbed, and ſtared about him for ſome place to get
out at: perceiving his diſorder, I did not advance,
! but turned my back to him; to give him time to
compoſe himſelf, which he did in a ſhort time; as
appeared by his falling to cat again ; which made ine
conceive hopes that I ſhould, in time, make him fa-
miliar: Having about me ftale roaſted roots, which
eat much pleaſanter than the froh, and are leſs ſtuff-
ing, I threw fome at him, at which he ſeemed dif-
pleaſed, and ſtood ſtill a while, ſtaring in my face ;
but my looking well pleaſed, which I believe the ani,
mal was ſenſible of, made him pick them up, and fall
to eating with a freſh appetite. I was overjoyed at his
eaſy compofure ; fo reach'd him water in a ſhell
, that
the want of nothing might induce him to a retreat.
I fat it down as near him as I could, without diſturbing
him, he came to it very orderly, and having drank bis
fill, he laid it down, and looked me in the face, careleſ-
ly fcratching his backſide ; ſeeing he had done, I ad-
vanced, and took away the ſhell, at which he never
ftirred.
The forward diſpoſition of the beaſt towards a
perfect familiarity, made me reſolve to ſtay within
the remainder of the day, no wiſe queſtioning but my
company
.
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
TO
company would, in a great meaſure, advance it. So I
made ſhift to ſup upon a few roots I had about me, and
went pretty early to bed; where I was no ſooner laid,
but the creature got acroſs the feet thereof, and con-
tinued very quiet till the next morning when I got
up; at which time he was alſo watching my actions.
made very much of him, which he took very com-
poſedly; ſtanding ſtill to be ſtroaked. Then, in-
deed, I thought myſelf, in a manner, ſecure of him,
and gave him his belly full, as I had done the day be-
fore; but, having a prefling occaſion to go out, I
went to the door, thinking to ſhut him in till my re-
turn: but he followed me ſo cloſe, that I could not
open it without endangering his getting out; which,
tho' he appear'd pretty tame, I did not care to ven-
ture, our acquaintance being ſo very new ; yet, as I
was obliged to go, I did run the bazard ; fo open'd the
door by degrees, that, in caſe the beaſt ſhould offer
to run, I might take the opportunity to flip out and
keep him in; but, the creature never offering to go
any farther than I went, I truſted him to go with me,
hoping that, if he went away, the kind uſage he met
with would, one day or other, make him come back
again: but, to my great furprize, as well as fatis-
faction, he readily returned with me, having waited
; yet, as I had cccafion-to go out a ſecond
time, wanting ſticks to make a fire, for which I was
obliged to go near the place where most of his kind
reſorted, I was afraid to truſt him with me, leaſt he
thould be decoyed by the others; therefore, having tak-
en up a bundle of cords, with which I tie up my fag-
gots, I watched an opportunity to get out, and leave
him behind: but the beaſt was certainly apprehenſive
of my defign; for he always kept near the door,
looking ſtedfaſtly at my bundle of cords, as defirous
of ſuch another; which I not having for him, cut a
piece off mine, and gave it him: and, ſeeing I could
ma
my time
not
3
20
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. .
not leave him behind, I ventured to let him go with
me, which he did very orderly, never offering to go
one ſtep out of the way; tho' others, of this kind,
came to look at him as he went by.
Being come to the place where I uſed to cut dry
ſticks, having cut down a fufficient quantity, I began
to lay ſome acroſs my cord.' The creature, having
taken notice of it, did the ſame to his, and with ſo
much dexterity and agility, that his faggot was larger,
and fooner made than mine; which, by that time,
being large enough, and as much as he could well
carry, I bound it up: which ſet him to do the ſame
with his, which was abundantly too large a load for
him.
Our faggots being made, I took up that which I
had made, to ſee how he would go about taking up
his; which, being too heavy for him, he could not
lift: fo running round it, I believe, twenty times, he
looked me in the face, as craving help. Having
been ſufficiently diverted with the out-of-the-way
fhifts he made, I gave him mine, and took up his:
the poor animal appeared overjoyed at the exchange ;
therefore chearfully takes up the bundle, and follows
me home.
Seeing myſelf
, according to all probability, fure of
the dear creature, whoſe late actions gave me ſuch
ground to hope from him both ſervice and pleaſure,
I return'd my hearty thanks to kind providence for its
late prodigious gift; for certainly it was never heard
of before, that, in a deſert place, one of thoſe wild
animals, who fly at the ſingle appearance of an human
creature, ſhould voluntarily give itſelf to a man, and,
from the very beginning, be fo docile and tractable.
0l ſurely it was endued with more than natural in-
ſtinct for perfect reaſon was ſeen in all its actions.
Indeed I was happy whilft I had him; but my happi-
neſs, alas ! was not of long ſtanding. As he ſpoke,
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. .
e perceived tears in his eyes. Pray, fir, faid I, what
became of that wonderful creature? Alas! faid he,
he was killed by monkeys of the other kind, which
el upon him, one day, as he was going for water by
himſelf; for the poor dear creature was grown fo
lanowing, that if, at any time, either fireing or water
was wanted, I had nothing to do but to give him the
bundle of cords, or the empty veſlel, and he would
Arait go and fetch either : in ſhort, he wanted nothing
but ſpeech to complete him for human fociety. In-
decd, fir, ſaid I, I cannot blame you for bemoaning
the loſs of ſo incomparable a creature; the account
you give of him well entitles his memory to regret :
but I hope this you have now, in a great meaſure,
makes up your loſs. O! not by far, replied the old
man: Indeed he goes about with me, and will carry
a faggot, or a veffel of water, pick a fowl, turn the
fpit or ſtring, when meat is a roafting: yet he is no
thing like my late dear Bea
late dear Beaufidelle ; for ſo I call that
moſt lovely creature: beſides, this is unlucky; in
imitating me, he often does me mischief. It was but
the other day that I had been writing for five or fix
hours; I had occaſion to go out, and happened to
leave my pen and ink upon the table, and the parch-
rent I had been writing on cloſe by it: I was no
fooner gone, but the miſchievous beast falls to work,
fcribbling over every word I had been writing; and,
when he had done, he lays it by in the cheft, as he
w me do what I had written, and takes out another
which he does the fame to, and ſo to half a ſcore
more; my return prevented his doing more mischief :
however, in a quarter of an hour, that I was abſent,
he blotted out as much as I had been full fix months
vriting. Indeed I was angry, and could have beaten
him: but that I conſidered my revenge would not
have repaired the damage, but rather, perhaps, add
my loſs, by making the beast run away, Pray,
ſo that
22 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
fir, faid I, how came you by him ? Did he alſo give
himſelf to you ? No, replied the old man, I had him
young, and by mere accident, unexpected and un-
fought for; having loſt both time and labour about
getting one in the room of him I had ſo unfortunately
loft. The old ones are ſo fond of their young, that
they never are from them, unleſs in their play they chace
one another into the other kind's quarters, where
their dams dare not follow them: for they are ſuch
enemies to one another, that they watch all opportu-
nities to catch all they can of the contrary fort, which
they immediately ſtrangle : which keeps their increaſe
very backward, that would otherwiſe grow too nume-
rous for the food the iſland produces, which is, I be-
live the cauſe of their animoſity.
About eight years ago, which is the time I have
had this bealt, I was walking under one of the cluf-
ters of the trees where the green fort of monkeys
harbour, which being the largeſt and moſt ſhady in
the iſland, I took the moſt delight therein: as I was
walking, at a ſmall diſtance from me this creature
dropt off a tree, and lay for dead, which, being of
the grey kind, made me wonder leſs at the accident,
I went, and took him up; and, accidently handling
his throat, I opened his windpipe, which was almoſt
ſqueezed clofe by that which took him, which my
fudden coming prevented from ſtrangling quite. I
was extremely well pleaſed at the event, by which 1
got what my paſt cares and diligence, never could
produce me. Having pretty well recovered its breath,
and ſeeing no viſible hurt about it, I imagined that i
foon might recover it quite: fo haſtened home with it
with careful nurſing, I quite recovered him; and,
,
With good keeping, made the rogue thrive to that dem
gree, that he has outgrown the reſt of his kind. No
queſtion; fir, ſaid ly having taken fuch pains with
him,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 23
ham, you love him as well as his predeceffor. I can-
not lay fo, neithe, replied the old man: tho' I can-
not ſay but that I love the creature: but its having the
ill fortune to be of that unlucky kind which was the
death of my dear Beaufidelle, in a great meaſure lef-
fens my affection. Befides, he falls fo ſhort, both
of his inerit and beauty, that I muſt give the deceaſed
the preference: and, was it not for his cunning tricks,
which often divert me, I ſhould hardly value him
at all; but he is ſo very cunning and facetious, that
he makes me love him, notwithſtanding I mortally
thate his kind. I muſt divert you, whilſt dinner is
getting ready, with an account of fome of his
tricks.
Being extremely fond of me, he very ſeldom would
be from me, but followed me every where; and, as
he uſed to go with me when I went to examine my
nets, ſeeing me now and then take out game, he
would, of his own accord, when he ſaw mę buſy
writing, go and fetch what happened to be taken.
One day finding a fowl in the net-bag, he pull'd it
alive as he brought home ; ſo that I could not ſee any
thing whereby to diſcern its kind. As ſoon as he
came in, he ſet it down with ſuch motions as expreſled
joy: the poor naked fowl was no fooner out of his
clutches, but that it took to its legs, for want of
wings : its fudden eſcape fo furprized the captor, that
he ſtood amazed for a while, which gave the poor
creature time to gain a confiderable ſcope of ground;
but the aſtoniſhed beaſt, being recovered from his fur-
priſe, foon made after it; but was a conſiderable time
Before he could catch it, having nothing to lay hold of;
to that the fowl would flip out of his hands. The
race held about a quarter of an hour, in which time
the poor creature, having run itſelf out of breath,
was forced to lie down before its purſuer, who imme-
diately threw himſelf upon it; fo took it up in his
arms,
24
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
welcome; I have no better plates to give you. Sir,
arms and brought it home, but was not fo ready to ſet
it down as before : for he held it by one leg till I had
laid hold of it.
I had a ſecond time as good diverſion, but after
another manner. One morning early, whilſt I was
buſy in my cottage, he went out, unperceived by me;
and, having been a conſiderable time abſent, I fear-
ed that ſuch another accident had befallen him as that
which happened to his predeceffor ; ſo I went to ſee
after him: and as he would often go and viſit the nets
in the woods, I went there firſt, where I found him ve-
ry buſy with ſuch an animal as this we have here, which
he found taken in one of the gap-nets, and, being
near as big as he, kept him a great while ſtruggling
for maſterthip; ſometimes he would take it by the
ears, now and then by one leg. next by the tail ; but
could not get him along; at laſt he laid hold of one
of his hind legs, and with the other hand ſmote him
on the back, in order to drive him, not being able to
pull him along; but the beaſt, being too ſtrong, ftill
made towards the thickſet, where he certainly would
have hawled the driver, had I not come up to help
him. Thus the old gentleman entertained us with
his monkey's tricks whilft dinner was dreſſing.
The dinner being ready, we went to the dwelling-
ing-place to eat it, leaving the young fellow that was
with us to attend the roaſted meat, while we eat the
firſt diſh.
The old gentleman having laid the cloth, which,
tho' fomething coarſe, being made out of part of a
fhip fail, was very clean, he laid three large fhells on
it, about the bignefs of a middle-ſized plate, but as
beautiful as any nakes of pearl I ever faw. Gentle-
men, fays he, if you can eat off of ſhells, ye are
faid I, theſe are preferable to filver ones, in my opi-
nion; and I very much queſtion whether any prince
.
in
THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
25
ko
w
as in-
in Europe can produce fo curious a ſervice. They
may be richer, replied the old man, but not cleaner.
The firſt diſhº he ſerved was ſoup in a large deep
Thell, as fine as the first, and one ſpoon made of
Thell
, which he faid was all his ſtock, being not uſed
to, nor expecting company: however, he fetched a
couple of muſcle ſhells, which he waſhed very clean ;
then gave Alvarado one, and took the other himielt,
obliging me to make uſe of the ſpoon: to we ſat down,
Alvarado and I upon the cheſt, which we drew near
the table; and the old gentleman (tho' much againſt
his will) upon the chair.
Being ſet down, we fell to eating the four, whole
fragrant ſmell excited my appetite, and I profeſs the
taſte thereof was ſo excellent, that I never cat any
comparable to it at Pontác's ; nor any where before :
It was made of one half of the beaſt we took in the
morning, with ſeveral forts of herbs which eat like
artichokes, aſparagus, and celery; there were alſo
bits of roaſted roots in it, inſtead of toaſted bread,
which added much to the richneſs of it, taſting like
cheſnuts : But, what ſurpriſed me moit, there were
peale in it, whoſe extraordinary ſweetneſs was diſ-
cernible from every other ingredient. Pity, ſaid I,
the acceſs to this ifland is ſo difficult : what a blefed
spot of land would it make, were it but inhabited!
Here naturally grows what in Europe-we plow, till,
unid labour hard for. You ſay, replied the old man,
habited: Now I am quite of another opinion ; for I
think its bleſſing conliſts in its not being inhabited,
being free of thoſe curſes your populous and cele-
brated cities abound in, here's nothing but praiſes
and thankſgivings heard: And as for nature beſtow-
ing freely, and of her own accord, what in Europe
you are obliged, by induſtry and hard labour, in a
manner to force from her, wonder not.at. Conlider
C
how
a
26 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
how much you daily rob her of her due, and charge
her with ſlander and calumny; don't you frequently
ſay, if a man is addicted to any vice, that it is his na-
ture, when it is the effect and fruit of his corruption?
So nature, who attended the great origin of all things
at the creation, is now, by vile wretches, deemed in a
fault for all their wickedneſs : Had man remained in
his firſt and natural ſtate of innocence, nature woulu
alſo have continued her original indulgence over him:
We may now think ourſelves very happy, if that
bleſſing attends our 'labour which before the fall of
man Howed on him, accompanied with eaſe and
pleaſure.
Now theſe peale, which have ſo much raiſed your
ſurpriſe, are indeed the growth of this iſland, tho'
not its natural product, but the gifts of providence,
and the fruits of labour and induſtry. I have tilled
the ground; providence procured the feed; nature
gave it growth, and time increaſe: With ſeven peafe
and three beans, I have, in four years time, raiſed
feed enough to ſtock a piece of ground, out of which
I gather yearly, a ſufficient quantity for my uſe, be-
fides preſerving freſh feed. No doubt, ſir, faid I,
but, when right means are taken, proſperity will at-
tend. By that time, having eaten fufficiently of the
ſoup, he himſelf would carry the remains to the young
man in the kitchen, and fetch in the boild meat and
oyſter fauce, which he brought in another ſhell much
of the ſame nature with that which the ſoup was
ſerved in, but ſomething ſhallower, which eat as de-
licious as houſe lamb.
Having done with that, he fetches in the other half
of the beaſt roaſted, and ſeveral forts of delicate
pickles which I never eat of before, and muſhrooms,
but of a curious colour, flavour, and taſte : Thele,
ſaid he, are the natural product of a particular ſpot of
ground; where, at a certain time of the year, he ſaid he
gathered
..
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
27
gathered, for the ſpace of ſix days only, three fizes
of muſhrooms: For tho' they were all buttons, and
fit to pickle ; by that time he had gathered all, he had
alſo to ſtew, and ſome about four inches over, which
he broiled; and they eat as choice as any veal-
cutlet.
Theſe pickles, fir, faid I, though far exceeding
any I ever did eat in Europe, are really, at this time,
needleſs; the meat wanting nothing to raiſe its reliſh:
no fleſh being more delicious.
Having done with that, I offer'd to take it away,
but he in no wiſe would permit me; ſo went away
with it himſelf, and brought the fowls, at which I was
ſomewhat vexed; for I feared I ſhould find no room
in my ſtomach for any, having eat fo heartily of the
meat; but having, at his preſſing requeſt, taſted
them, my appetite renewed at their inexpreſlible deli-:
ciouſneſs; fo I fell to eating afreſh,
Having done with that dith, the young man, hav-
ing nothing to do in the kitchen, came and was bid
to take away, and fall to : In the mean time, the
good old man fetched us, out of his dairy, a ſmall
cheeſe of his own making, which being ſet down, he
related to us the unaccountable manner he came by
the antelopes which ſupplied him with the milk it was
made with ; which introduced ſeveral weighty remarks
on the wonderful acts of providence, and the ſtrict-
neſs of the obligations we lie under to our great bene-
faktor; likewiſe the vaſt encouragement we have to
love and ferve God, the benefits and comforts of a
clear conſcience, as alſo the ineſtimable treaſure of
content: From that he epitomized the different tem-
pers and diſpoſitions of men, much commending
timely education, as being a means to reverſe and
change evil inclinations ; highly praiſing the charity
of thoſe pious people, who chufe to beſtow good
ſchooling upon poor folks children, before cloathing,
C 2
and
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
and even food; the firſt being rather the moſt receffa*
sy, and the laſt eaſieſt to come at.
That diſcourſe being ended, he inquired very care-
fully after the ſtate of his dear native country, which,
he faid, he left fifty years ago in a very indulgent dif-
poſition. I gave him the beſt account I could at that
time of all the tranſactions that had happened in Eng-
land ſince his abfence. The relation of paſt evils,
faid hey are like pictures of earthquakes and ſhip-
wreck, which affect the mind but ſlightly: And tho
I think myſelf out of any prince's power, yet I fhall
always partake with my countrymen's grief: Pray be
explicit ; What king have we now? A complete pa-
triot, and father to his ſubjects, ſaid I; both tender-
hearted and merciful, encouraging virtue, and fup-
preffing vice, a promoter of religion, and an example
of charity. Then, ſaid he, in a manner which ex-
preſſed zeal and joy, long may that pious monarch
live, and his bleſſed poſterity for ever grace the
Britifh throne ! And may Old England, by its faith-
ful obedience and loyalty, henceforth atone for its
paſt rebellions, that it may remove that execrable re
proach it now lies under! To which we all faid, a.
men. Then he filled up the ſhell we drank out of,
and drank good king George's ilealth, which was
fucceeded with that of the royal family, and proſperi-
Iy to the church. Thus ended a moſt delicious and
fplendid dinner, and a converſation both delightful
and inſtructive: But, having not as then mentioned
any thing about his own hiſtory, which I exceedingly
longed to inquire into, I begged him to inform us by
what accident he came hither, and how he had to
long maintained a good ſtate of health. To which
he anſwered, time would not permit him to relate his
own hiſtory, being very longs and the remainder of
the day too ſhort: but that he would, before we part-
ed, give it in writing; having, for want of other
occupation,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. .
29
occupation, made a memorial : But as to the main-
taining of his health, he would tell me by word of
mouth. The receipt, ſaid he, is both ſhort and eaſy;
yet I fear you will not be able to follo:it: Look you,
you muſt uſe none but wholeſome exerciſes, obſerve a
ſober diet, and live a pious life: Now, if you can
confine yourſelf to this way of living, I'll be bound
that you will both preſerve your health, and waſte leſs
money: But, what's more valuable than all that, you
will not endanger your precious ſoul. I returned
him thanks for his good advice, and promiſed him I
would obſerve it as ſtrictly as I could. I am afraid,
replied he, that will not be at all: You have too ma-
ny powerful obſtacles, the world and the fleſh, from
whom your affections muſt be intirely withdrawn,
and all commerce prohibited, which is morally iin-
poſſible whilſt living: Therefore, ſince you are obli-
ged to converſe with the world, I will give you a few
cautions, which, if rightly taken, may be of uſe to
you.
Máke not the world your enemy; nor rely too much on ..
its fidelity.
Be not too free with your
friend : repetitions of favours
often wear out friendſhip.
Wafte not your' vigour or ſubſtance on women, leaft
weakneſs and want be your reward.
Secrets are not ſafe in a woman's breaſts 'tis a confine-
ment the fex can't bear.
Paſs no contract over Liquor ; wine overcomes reason,
and dulls the underſtanding.
He who games puts his money in Jeopardy, and is not
ſure of his own.
There's but little honour to wager on ſure grounds,
and leſs wiſdom to lay upon a chance.
And in all your dealings take this for a conſtant
rule:
He
C 3
30
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
}
He whom unlawful means advance to gain,
Inſtead of comfort, finds a conſtant pain:
IV hat e’en by lawful arts we do poleſs,
Old age and ſickneſs make it comfortleſs.
Be ruld by me, not to increaſe your ſtore
By means unjuft; for 'twill but make you poor,
Take, but your due, and never covet more.
I returned him thanks for his good morals, the
copy
of which I begged he would give me in writing,
for my better putting them in practice: to which he
readily conſented, withing I might obſerve them;
and being very ſure that I ſhould reap a conſiderable
benefit thereby, both here and hereafter.
The day being pretty far ſpent, I was obliged to
think of going, which grieved me much; for I was
fo taken with his company, that if I had not had a
father and mother, whoſe years required my preſence,
I would have ſpent the reit of my days with him. Í
was ſo delighted with his company, and pleaſed with
his way of living, that I almoſt overlooked my duty;
but, after a ſtruggle with my inclination, I was
obliged to yeild to nature. Thus, having expreſſed
my vexation to leave ſo good a man, I took
my leave.
The good old man, perceiving my regret to leave
him, could not conceal his to part with me.
faid he, with tears in his eyes, I ſhould have been very
glad to have had a fellow-creature in this folitary
itland, eſpecially one whom I think poſſeſſed of a
good inclination, which I perceive you have, by
your reluctance at leaving this innocent garden of life.
Í imagine that you have relations in the world that may
ſtand in need of you; heaven protect you, and ſend
you fafe to them! I don't imagine that you will ever
ſee this ifland again ; "nor would I adviſe you to ven-
ture, the approach of it is ſo dangerous : Therefore,
before
Indeed,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
37
hefore you go, let me ſhew you ſome of the rairities
with which it abounds. I told him, I was afraid
time would not permit: but as he faid, that about an
hour or two would do, and we had day-light enough,
I went along with him.
Going out, and ſeeing the guns ſtand behind the
stoor, 1 aſked what he did with them? I keep them,
faid he, for a trophy of providence's victory over my
enemies, and a monument of my fourth miraculous
deliverance. As we went along, he related to us the
manner in which he had been facrilegiouſly robbed
once by Indians ; villainouſly inveſted twice by pi-
rates; the ruffians having combined to carry him a-
way, like a ſlave, to their own country, and there
make a fhew of him, as if he had been a monſter.
Talking, we walked under ſeveral of the before-
mentioned cluſters of trees which proceed from one
ſingle plant: Beingi come to one larger than the reſt,
and which he ſaid he frequented moſt, it being the
largeſt in the iſland; this, faid he, covers, with its
own branches, a whole acre of land ; ſo made ſeveral
remarks on the wonderful works of nature ; which,
faid he, were all intended for the uſe and pleaſure of
man; every thing in the univerſe containing ſuch dif-
fercnt virtues and properties as were requiſite to ren-
der life happy. From that he made feveral more re-
flections on the fatal effects of diſobedience, which is
accounted a flight breach in duty, but is the mother of
all ſins.
That diſcourſe held for a confiderable time, till a
parcel of each different kind of monkeys, having
met, fell to fighting, obſerving an admirable order
during the afray; which withdrew our admiration from
the preceding ſubject, and ſtopt us awhile to obſerve
them.
The fcutle was very diverting whilft it laſted,
which was but a ſhort time; for they happened to
perceive
C4
32
THE ENGLISH HERMIT, .
perceive us, at which they parted, each ſort running
to their own quarters, which were not very diftant
from one another, ſo that from it they could ſee each
other's motions. I am forry, ſaid I, the battle was ſo
foon over; they cuffed one another ſo prettily, that
I could have ſtood an hour to ſee them. If you like
the ſport, ſaid the old man, I can foon ſet them at it
again. With that he takes out of his breeches pock-
et ſome roaſted roots, which he commonly carried a-
bout him, to throw at them when he went that way,
which made them leſs fhy of him.
Having broke the roots in bits, he laid them down
in their light; for they on both ſides were peeping
from under the leaves of the trees where they har-
boured: Then he cuts a ſcore of ſticks, about the
bigneſs of one's finger, and near a foot and a half
long, and laid them over the bits of roots : Then we
retired to ſome ſmall diſtance, and hid okrſelves be-
hind the trees
We were no ſooner out of fight but that they haft-
ened to the meat; the green monkeys, having leſs
ground to go, were at them firſt; yet never ſtopt,
but went on to hinder the others approach, who vig-
orouſly ſtrove to gain ground. The ſtruggle was
hard, and the victory often wavering; each party al-
ternately gave way: At laſt the grey fort kept the
advantage, and drove their adverſaries back, who be-
ing come where the ſticks lay, immediately took
them up, and charged their enemies with freſh cou-
rage, like a yeilding army that has received new
forces: Thus, with their clubſters in the front, they
fell on their adverſaries with great vigour, knocking
them down like our Engliſh mob at an election ; lo
drove them back again almoſt to their own quarters.
In the mean time ftragglers of both the kinds, who
had not joined with the main bodies of the armies,
feeing the coafts clear, and the proviſions unguarded,
unanimouſly
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 33
unanimouſly fell to plunder, and quietly did eat what
their comrades fought for; which the combatants
perceiving, left off fighting, and of one accord turn-
ed upon the plunderers, who, by that time having de-
voured the booty, left them the field without contend-
ing any fartber.
The battle being over, the old gentleman would
have us to go on, leaft, ſaid he, they ſhould fall to
it again out of revenge; for thoſe creatures are very.
{piteful.
Having diſperſed them by our advancing, as in-
tended, we walked from under the trees at the outſide,
to have a better view of the rock, which in ſome
places, he faid, changes its forın as one approaches
it: And, as he faid, being got clear of the trees
we ſaw at a diſtance, as it were, a conſiderable num-
ber of buildings, and here-and-there ſomething like
feeples, which repreſented an handſome city: and
feemingly the houſes appeared fo plain, that, had I
not been apprized of the illuſion, I ſhould have taken
it for fuch; but Alvarado and the young fellow,
could not be perfuaded but what we ſaw were really
buildings, and even in the iſland, though the old gen-
tleman made us ſtop awhile, the better to obſerve e-
very thing; then bid us keep our eyes fixed at what
We looked at, and go on : We perceived every par-
ticular of what we obſerved to change its form; that
which at firſt ſeemed to be fronting, Thewed itſelf ei-
ther fideways or backwards; and ſo of every object,
till, being come at a certain diſtance, all the agreea-
bleneſs of the perſpective, of a fudden turned its real
ſhape like a phantom; which, whilft viſible, ſcreens
that which it ſtands before; but, by its vaniſhing,
leaves it diſcovered.
Being come as near the roek as the lake that parts
it would permit, we could difcern nothing in it that
could in the least foften its ruggedneſs, or give it
C5
a more
34
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
vancing like a baſtion of a fortified wall, ſcreen’d
a more agreeable aſpect, than thoſe which are reprea
ſented in the pictures of ſhipwrecks.
The old gentleman, thereupon made ſeveral learn-
ed obſervations on the alterations that diſtance works
upon objects, and ſhewed how eaſily our organs of
fight may be deceived: drawing from them this infe-
rence, that we ought not to be too poſitive of the re-
ality of what we ſee afar off, nor to affirm for truth
that which we only heard of.
Having ended that diſcourſe, he carried us to the
other ſide of the jetting part of the rock, which, ad.
from our eyes a ſecond piece of wonder ; a fine rain-
bow, iſſuing, as it were, out of the mouth of a gia
ant, lying on a rock, reaching quite over the lake:
At the bottom of it I could not but ſtop to admire the
various colours it conſiſted of, which far exceeding in
beauty and livelineſs, any I ever ſaw in the ſky, I
preſently imagined that it proceeded from the rays of
the ſun falling upon fome pond, or other ſtanding
water, whoſe reflections rofe, and met the tops
which caufed that beautiful circle. But Alvarado,
who, by what he had ſeen before, concluded that the
iſland was inchanted, faid, it was another illufiong
which the place was full of; and would have gone a-
way, but that the old man fell a laughing, and ſaid,
'tis a ſign you ſeldom inquire into natural cauſes :
Well, do but come a little neárer to it, and
you
will
find that which you term an illufion, is the natural
effect of all fountains when the ſun ſhines.
Being come to the place it proceeded from, it
proved, as he ſaid, only a fountain, but of the clear-
eſt and ſweeteſt water that ever was taſted; but the
place it iffued out of was changed from the likeneſs of
a giant to that of ſome ſtrange fort of creature ;
wnich, tho' having no particular reſemblance, yet
would bear being compared to ſeveral different things.
The
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
35
The old man's opinion was, that it reſembled a
whale ſpirting water out at one noftril.
Alvarado
fuppoſed it was more like an horſe or a cow; and ra-
ther the laſt, there being horns plain to be ſeen. For
my part, I could find no proper fimilitude to it, but
that of an old ruin'd monument, which formerly they
built over the heads of ſprings. Timothy Anchors
for that was the name of the young fellow that was
with us) being aſked, what he could make of it?
Why really, faid he, nothing, unleſs it be an old
patched-up pump that ſtands at the end of my mo-
ther's court in Roſemary-lane (which every ſpring
runs out of itfell ;) which compariſon made us all
laugh.
Thus we differed in our opinions as to the likenefs,
yet agreed, that it was the fineſt fountain, and the beſt
water, we ever ſaw or drank. What ſurprized me
moſt, was, the foree wherewith it ſprung from the
rock that ſtood full five yards from the place it fell on,
which was another ſubject of admiration ; for certain-
ly the arts of men could not have invented nor com-
pleated a more compact or pleaſanter' baſon, tho'it.
had been for a fountain, to adorn a monarch's garden:
Indeed there were no maſons, nor any expert artiſts
exquiſite works to be ſeen, but a great deal of na-
ture's matchleſs underſtanding. There regularity,
dimenſion, and proportion, concerted to make it uſe-
ful, convenient, and agreeable.
The baſon was very near round, about eight feet
diameter, a bank around it near a foot high, and as
broad at top, ſanting gently at the bottom, both
inſide and outſide, which made a moſt pleaſant and
uniform bank, adorned with various ſmall flowers
and herbs of divers beautiful colours, and moſt fra
grant ſmells.
Having viewed with pleaſure and amazement füch
regularity in a wild and uninhabited place, I walked
C6
about
36
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
about it as long as the time I could ſtay would permit:
I propoſed going, but the old gentleman, taking me
by the hand, Itopt me: You have, faid he, beſtowed
a conſiderable time in obſerving the fertility of this
iland ; now pray allow one minute for conſideration:
The object you have been admiring all this time is as
wonderful and furpriſing, as beautiful and pleaſant :
You ſee this fountain, which runs ftiff, and as large
as your thumb, and therefore by computation may be
allow'd to give near an hundred gallons of water in an
hour: Now it runs night and day; it neither decreaſes,
nor runs over its bank, but keeps to the' fame height.
This, as you fay, ſir, faid I, is really worth inquiring
into : So I went ſeveral times round it, ſearching for
the place, whereby the overplus of the complement did
iſſue; but could not diſcover it. Come, ſaid he, ſeek
no more for that which nature has fo well concealed :
I have ſpent many hours in that inquiry, and ſtill re-
main ignorant; but have found the place out of which
it runs into a fine fish-pond, about a mile inland :
we will make it in our way to the lake; we may
look
at it as we go by, but can make no long ſtay. So we
went on.
Going along, we came by an hollow part of the
rock, which went in like an alcove, with a great
many concavities in it, in rows one above another,
as round niches were figures ftand. Now, ſaid the
old man, we are here, I will entertain you with an
inviſible chorus of harmonious voices, little inferior
to hautboys, trumpets, or other melodious mufic:
Here I twice come and pay my devotions each day,
Alvarado, who, by what he had already ſeen, was
prepoffeffed that the Iſland was full of inchantments,
was now certain of its and looked upon that place
in the rock to be the receptacle of fiends, and evil
fpirits ; fo would by no means ftay; but takes his
leave, faying, he was not very curious of fupernatu,
ral
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
37
>
ral things. Supernatural, ſaid the old man, you can't
well call it, though to you it may be very amazing :
It is therefore well deſerving your light ; I mean your
hearing; the eyes having no ſhare in the entertain-
ment: We thall only fing a few pſalms ; I am ſure
there can be no harm in that, but rather good, be-
ing an holy exerciſe in divine worſhip, in which all
good ſouls ought to join. That may be, ſaid Alvara-
do; but I love to ſee thoſe with whom I worſhip :
I don't think myſelf as yet company for fpirits. As
for your part, faid Alvarado, (ſpeaking to me) you
may do what you pleaſe; but take care your curioſity
don't coſt you too dear. Tim and I will wait for
you in the boat; but pray be not too long before you
come. So, having returned the old gentleman thanks
for his kind entertainment, they went away; at which
the good man was much affronted. What, ſaid he,
do your friends imagine I deal with ſpirits ? Beſides,
where did they ever hear, that devils lov'd to fing
pfalms ? for here ſhall nothing elſe be fung; I would
not for the world, that thoſe admirable echoes, that
hitherto have repeated nothing but the almighty's
praiſes, ſhould be polluted with the found of any pro-
fane words. I endeavoured to excuſe their timorouſ-
neſs, ſaying, it was not a failirag peculiar to themſelves
only, but to many beſides. The old man allowed it,
attributing the cauſe thereof to a very pernicious cuſ-
tom, nurſes have to frighten children when they cry,
with buggabos, and ſuch things, to make them quiet ;
which frightful ideas often make ſuch deep impreſſion
on their puerile minds, that, when they come to
mature age, it is hardly worn out; which intimidates
many.
That diſcourſe being ended, we advanced as near
that part of the rock as the lake would permit, which
in that place was not above ſeven or eight feet broad;
ſo that we were within the concavity of the rock. Now,
faid
38
THE ENGLISH HER MIT.
ſaid the old man, let us fit down on this bank, and
fing the hundredth and ſeventeenth pſalm. Indeed,
fir, faid I, I don't know it by heart, and I have no
pfalm book about me. Well then, ſaid he, I'll fing
myſelf ; ſo begins ; but with ſuch a clear and loud
voice, managed with ſo much ſkill and judgment, that
it exceeded all the ſinging I ever heard before, and
was repeated by ſuch a number of melodious echoes,
that one would have believed there were a hundred
voices in chorus.
The melody ſo tranſported me, that I willingly
would have ſpent not only the remainder of the
day, but the fucceding alſo; the ecſtaly having
quite put out of my mind the neceſſity of my go-
ing, and the danger- of delaying : But the good
man having fung an evening hymn after the pſalm,
which he faid he ſung every night, he takes me by
the hand : Now, faid he, is not this emulation ?
Who would not fing with ſuch a chorus of choriſters
as you might imagine was there? Indeed, fir, faid
I, this has fo great reſemblance to the relation we
have given us in holy hiſtory of the ſuperior joys
the bleſſed poffefs in heaven, that I thought my-
ſelf already there ; for which reaſon I would wil.
lingly end my days here. This is impoſſible, ſaid
the old gentleman; nor can you fpend here many
more moments : I have the fiſh-pond to thew you
yet's come let's go. So we went on about fifty
paces from thence more inland. We ſaw at a
ſmall diſtance, between the trees, a parcel of fawls
like ducks, but conſiderably larger, which few a-
way from the pond, at our approach towards them.
He told me how he came by the old one that bred
them, of which he was robbed.
At length being come to the pond, I was ſur-
priſed at the clearneſs of the water, at the bottom
of which ſeemed to be large rubies, emeralds, ja-
cinths
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
39
out
cinths, and other coloured ſtones ; till, being come
to the brink of it, thoſe which I took for precious
ftones, proved to be fithes by their fwimming a-
bout, which, to my thinking, looked like itars
ſhooting from place to place in the ſky. Having
(pent ſeveral minutes in admiring the furpriſing na-
ture and beauty of the fiſhes, I took notice of the
pond, which was about forty yards in length, and
near thirty in breadth : Its form was a broken
oval; finking in and out here-and-there, which
made it the more agreeable : All round it grew di-
vers forts of herbs intermixed with flowers of dif-
ferent colours, and here-and-there a baſket on
ſticks, which the old man told me he made and
fet there for his ducks to breed in. The day being
far ſpent, the old man, after having ſhewed me the
places at one fide of the pond wherein the bafon
emptied itſelf, as alſo the other ſide whereby the
pond ran into the lake, takes me by the hand:
Come, ſaid he, I will keep you no longer; night
comes on apace, and the retreat from this iſland
is dangerous; therefore I would have you improve
the ſhort remains of the day, to avoid the dan-
gers the darkneſs of the night may lead you into: So
* let us go home, that I may give you the memorial
I have promiſed you, and then my bleſſing, and
hearty prayers for your ſafe departure, and happy arri-
val. So we went to his habitation, where he gave
me a roll of parchment.
Here it is, ſaid he, in a rough and unpolite lan-
guage; for I did not write it out of oſtentation, or
to exert my parts, but to keep me in mind of the
many mercies I have received from heaven ever ſince
my youth, and to record the wonderful effects of
providence; that if ever theſe writings ſhould have
the luck to fall into the hands of men after my deceaſe,
they might be an encouragement to the deſtitute, and
a comfort
40 THE ENGLISH HERMET.
a comfort to the afflicted, that he who rightly applies
himſelf, and firmly truſts in the almighty, ihall
, at
his extremity, find relief: And now my intent is in
fome meaſure anſwered, expecting you will reviſe
and publiſh it when you come to Old England, I muſt
injoin you not to give it out as my own dictation,
but an hiftory taken from heads out of my memori-
al; for I have been obliged to infert particulars, and
uſe fuch expreſſions, without which the account I
give of myſelf would have been imperfect; and which,
being related as by me, may chance to be accounted
ſelf-flattery, which is a cenfure I would willingly a-
void. I told him he might depend upon it, I thould
always, and on all accounts, be very tender of any
thing that could in the leaſt leſſen the merit of the
fubject
, or tarniſh the luftre of the hiſtory.
With that the good man takes me in his open
arms, and embraces me over and over with all the
tenderneſs words and actions could expreſs, ſaying,
with tears in his eyes, that my exit was a renewing
of his paſt grief, and would for a confiderable time
damp the pleaſures he before my coming did enjoy in
his ſolitude ; fince now he again has had the comfort
to converſe with one of his dear countrymen, after
full fifty years being ſever'd from human ſociety.
The height of his grief having for ſome moments
ftopt the utterance of his words, he ſighing laid his
"head upon my neck, fqueezing me cloſe in his
arms,
This moſt tender and moving action moved me to
a reciprocal grief: Never did any man reflect with
more reluctancy than when I parted with that good
old man, who having recovered in ſome meaſure his
former firmneſs of mind, his foul being again re-
fign’d, we repeated our embraces with a mutual affec-
tion. Then I took my leave; but he would not part
with me there: he would by all means wait on me to
the
..
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
41
the lake I was to wade over to come at the rock, on
the other ſide of which the boat lay waiting for me :
And when I came thither, he would alſo have waded
over with me, that he might have the ſatisfaction of
ſeeing me ſafe from the dangerous rock: but. I would
in no-wife permit him. Thus having prevailed upon
him to ftay behind, I prepared to wade over: So
after a few more embraces, I croſs'd the lake, and
came to my impatient companions, who received me
with heavy reprimands for truſting myſelf ſo long a-
lone with that necromancer; for nothing, faid they,
ſhall ever perſuade me a man can have ſuch plenty of
dainties with only the help of nature : No, no, he
mảy talk of providence as much as he pleaſes ; hę
applies to the black art; and thoſe voices he calls
echoes are his inviſible imps, which (if truth be
known) are often employ'd in raiſing the wind, and
cauſing ſtornis, which render theſe feas often fo dan-
gerous : And it has been obſerved, that few or no
thips come near thoſe rocks, and eſcape being ſtav’d.
For my part, I aſſure you I don't think myſelf ſafe,
whilft within the reach of his enchantments. With
that he takes one of the oars out of young
Tim's
hand, and falls to rowing. Indeed, ſaid Tim, as you
fay, he look'd very much like a conjurer with his
long hair and beard, and I believe he is conjuring
now. See here is bad weather coming ; let us make
haft from theſe rocks.
Even as he ſaid, in ſhort, ſo it happened; for in a
little time after the wind roſe, and the ſea began to be
a little rough; ſo that I was forced to take the hitcher,
and with it keep the boat from the rocks, whither the
waves very often drove us; but, ſtanding out to ſea,
the wind grew more calm, and fair for the continent:
I took one of the oars, and, by help of our fail, in
a ſhort time we got ſafe to ſhore;: where being
arrir'd very much fatigu’d, we put up at the firft
cottage,
42
THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
and pepper.
cottage, which was inhabited by an old man and wou
man, Indians, where we dreſs’d our fiſh, and went
to fupper; which was ſcarce over, but I was hurried
on board, the wind being tack'd about, and fair for
our departure.
We weigh'd anchor on the ſeventeenth day of
May, and ſtood out to ſea, and failed ſouth
and by caſt till we arrived on the 26th at Panama
on Terra Firma, after meeting with ſome ſtormy.
weather. Here we began to traffick, in our way
home, for ſome corn, neceſſary for our following
voyage; as alſo cotton, fome-metals, roſin, gums,
Our ſtay was not long here; for we
failed from thence on the fifth of June, the wind be-
ing then very favourable : But we had not failed a-
bove twenty leagues, when we met with a violent
ſtorm, which laſted ſome hours, and the wind blow-
ing hard at north north-eaſt; wherein we had the
misfortune to loſe our ſurgeon, one John Davis,
who, being imprudently upon deck, was wafh'd over-
board by a prodigious wave coming in at the fore-
caſtle : Our fhip received no damage in that ſtorm ;
but our lofs of Mr. Davis was very great, and worſe
than if any other man on board had been miſſing ;
for we might alſo call him our chaplain, as well as
ſurgeon: And by his exemplary, pious life, during
the time he belong'd to our ſhip, he might really be
called a divine. He was a man, who, as he told
me, had been educated at Hart-hall, Oxon, in his
early days, and deſigned for the ſacred robe : But his
genius very much inclining to thoſe moſt pleaſant
ſtudies, viz. phyſick and ſurgery, he afterwards made
them his practice; but meeting with ſome misfor-
tunes, about the 35th year of his life, he left Eng-
land, and embark'd on board the John and Mary
for New England, where he lived a conſiderable
time, when our ſhip arrived at that country, at
that time wanting a ſurgeon; for our own died
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
43
::
juſt at our approach near the continent. Our cap-
tain, on inquiry, having an excellent character of
Mr. Davis, agreed with him for our voyage till we
return’d back thither again. I think it but juſt to
eternize his memory in theſe memoirs, and give him
the character which he merited.
He was a pious good man, ſober, juſt, and virtu-
ous; ready to ſerve, but never to offend any man.
His morals were inſtructive to all thoſe who knew
him, and his conſtant exhortation (while on board
our fhip) to frequent daily prayers, was the reaſon
that we eſteemed him the doctor of our ſouls, as
well as furgeon to our bodies. Nay, which is ſtill
more, while he was with us, tho' he never enter'd
into ſacred orders, yet he told us, he thought it his
duty to give us the beſt inſtructions he was capable of,
for the preſervation of our ſouls and bodies, both
which were always in danger : And accordingly, af-
ter divine ſervice (as I may call it) was perform'd by
him in a very folemn manner, he would frequently
diſcourſe on the nature and heinouſneſs of the fin of man,
which occaſioned the ſufferings of chrift; on the ter-
rors of hell, and the joys of heaven; as alſo on the glo-
rious creation of the world, ſetting forth the works of
omnipotence in very lively colours, telling the advan-
tage, pleaſure, and beauty, that attended a godly life.
Sometimes his diſcourſes would be on natural philofo-
phy, which he extremely well deliver'd: At other
times on ſome of the ſciences, moſt of which he
well underſtood, and to which we gave very great
attention, as being deſirous of ſuch uſeful knowledge:
In ſhort, his death was greatly lamented by the cap-
tain as well as myſelf, and indeed by all the ſhip's
crew; for he was a man of a quick thought, and
lively apprehenſion; had an univerſal knowledge in
things, intirely free from reſervedneſs, but of perfect
humility and condeſcenfion; moſt agreeably enter-
taining
44 THE ENGLISH HERMIT..
Wi-
taining in his converſation, and dear to all that ever
knew him.
Thus, having given an imperfect character of
that great man, to whoſe memory I owe ſo much,
I ſhall proceed to a further deſcription of our voy-
age. As to the coaſts on thoſe ſeas, I think it need-
leſs to make any mention thereof, they having been ſo
well deſcribed already by our modern geographers,
nor is it any ways uſeful to my purpoſe; fo that í
ſhall entirely omit it, and only give an account of the
places were we traded or touched at for proviſion or
neceſſaries, and remark what happened moſt worthy
our notice in our voyage home to England.
The weather now proving more favourable, I be-
gan to peruſe the memorials of my good old hermit:
But oh! with what moving ſympathy did I ſhare
with him in the multitude of his misfortunes during
his minor years! Nor could I leſs ſympathiſe with
him in the ecſtaſies of his hermetical life. I read
with pleaſure and amazement what he had laboriouſly
tranſcribed, being at that time doubtful whether it
would ever be peruſed by any mortal; where he ſer
forth a continued ſeries of misfortunes, as if linked
together by divine providence (whilſt he lived in the
wife world, as he called it:) And in this account,
during his abade on that deſolate iſland, denotes
that the omnipotent Being had always an immediate
direction in every circumſtance or point of time. I
was more and more aſtoniſh'd and amaz’d by this
good man's precepts, who has abandon'd the world,
content to live in a deſolate and loneſome ifland, un-
inhabited by any mortal but himſelf; where he has had
the ſpace of fifty years to reflect and contemplate on
the follies and misfortunes of man; during which
time his maxims were always his rule of life in every
caſe. O! may I once more fee that dear old man,
whoſe habitation is free from all anxious cares, from
oppreſſion
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
45
preffion and uſary, and all the evils that attend this
populous world! There would I abide, and never
depart from that happy folitude, which he ſo peaceably
enjoys- but whither am I running ? Theſe contemp-
lations have made me forget the remarks of my voy-
age.
We failed from Panama on the 6th day of June,
and tiad frequent thunder and lightning, attended with
fome rain; but nothing elfe extraordinary happened.
On the 15th we made Gorgona Bay in Peru, where
our boat went on ſhore to a village on the main,
with twenty hands well arm'd, reſolving to get ſome
freſh proviſions at any rate ; for we began to be in
want, having taken in but very little at Panama.
is a low land, full of mangrove trees, and, within
land, pretty high : The village was but poor, how-
ever, they brought away fix hogs and four goats
fome limes, and plantains. Not far from thence are
Come gold mines, but of no great note, as we were
informed by fome Indians. They are a very warlike
people who live on that coall, and often engage one
another with clubs and darts, made of hard wood.
The iſland is about fix leagues in length. There are
monkeys, lizards, hares, and Guirrey pigs ; To
feveral forts of ſnakes, fome of which are as big as
one's leg; ſo that it is dangerous to walk in fome
parts of the iſland. One of our men happened to
be bit by one, and did not live above fix hours after
though his death had been prevented, I believe, had
we not met with that misfortue of loſing Mr. Davis,
our ſurgeonHere, alſo, we caught fome mullets,
and ſeveral forts of fiſh, extremely good, though un-
known to us as to their names. In this and there is
a creature which the Indians call a Mundago, but the
Spaniards a Sloth, which I think is its propereit
name; for it is a creature which ſeems to fleep as it
Walks, by its flow motion : And it is reported, that
it
46 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
it eats the leaves of trees, which are its only food;
but is fo prodigious lazy, that when it has clear'd one
tree of its leaves, it will be almoſt ſtarved to death be-
fore it attempts to climb another: In ſhort, it is a
very ugly creature, and ſeems to be of the monkey
kind by its make; but its hair is thicker and longer,
nor is it ſo agreeable to look at, and is different in
its nature. Here we alſo got freſh water and wood;
for there are very good brooks on that iſland, and
wood enough. While we lay near the iſland, I went
alhore; and in my converſation with a Spaniard, be
related to me the following account of one Thomas
Jenkins, a Lancaſhire man, who was boatſwain on
board a merchant's fhip, whoſe name I have ſince
forgot, who was left on that iſland, and lived alone
there two years and three months; but was firſt ſeen
on that iſland by ſome Indians, who came from the
main for oyſters, and other ſhell-fiſh, which they fre-
quently gather for the Spaniards. He made his
eſcape from them, and hid himſelf in the woods ;
fearing that they would carry him to the Spaniards;
and, by that means, he might be made a ſlave; chuſ-
ing rather ſolitude, than to enter into bondage for his
life. However, an Engliſh fhip trading on that coaſt
had notice of it from the Indians; and, imagining
that he might be an Engliſhman caſt away, or ſet on
ſhore there (as he really was) by ſome pirate who had
been in thoſe feas, they fent their boat with fix hands,
to the iſland, in ſearch of him. They took their
ſpeaking trumpet with them, and by that means, af-
ter about fix hours ſtay on the iſland, -they found him
out. He told them, 'that, at his firſt being ſet
on ſhore upon the iſland, it ſeemed very melancholy,
and frightful; when he begun to reflect on the bar-
barity of the pirates, to leave him there without provi-
fions, or any manner of neceſſaries, whereby he might
ſupport himſelf (they leaving him only his wearing
cloaths
..
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
47
.
2
cloaths, and his pocket-knife.) If they had left him
any fire-arms and ammunition, his caſe would
not have been near fo deſperate; becaufe he then
might have not only defended himſelf againſt any
enemy, but likewiſe have kill'd ſome goats, or
fowls, for his ſubſiſtence. He alſo ſaid, that what
made him very melancholy, -was, to think his habi-
tation, and place of abode, was where he could have
no human fociety, and in an iſland that he, at firſt,
knew not whether there was any thing on it for his
ſubſiſtence, as never being on that coaſt before. But
the fecond day of his being there, he took a ſurvey
of the inand, and found, that there were monkeys,
goats, &c. and alſo good fiſh. He dreaded greatly
the ſnakes, which were larger than he had ever ſeen
before; however, as they endeavoured to get from
him, he reſted pretty well ſatisfied; hoping there was
no beaſt of prey to hurt him there : for fear of which,
at firſt, he climbed up into a pimento-tree to ſleep.
He was well pleaſed to find ſuch good ſhell-fiſh,
which was the only food he lived on for the firſt five
days; when, by accident, he caught a young kid,
which very much rejoiced him: But he was at a
great loſs for fire to dreſs it; till, having nothing to
employ himſelf with, but thinking, he remember’d
that he had heard, that the rubbing of two pieces of
wood hard together produced fire, he tried the
experiment: And, by rubbing two pieces of
pimento-wood together, did produce fire (after the
manner the Indians make uſe of it.) He then made
a fire, as having wood enough, and broiled part of
his goat, which was a delicious meal to him. He
afterwards began to build himſelf a hut to dwell in,
where he liv'd, and dreſs d his fiſh and goat's Melh ;
but could at firſt only broil it, till he had driven two
ſtakes in the ground, where he roaſted it, with a
wooden fpt. As to freſh water, as I obferved be
fore, there were very good brocks in the valleys.
At length he invented a way, by thickets, to enſnare
a goat
48
>
.:
of three days only in the bay
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
a goat ſometimes, which furniſhed him with flesh.
Here were cabbage trees, which furniſhed him with
ſauce to his meat, it being very agreeable, when ſea-
foned with the fruit of the pimento-tree, which is
much like Jamaica pepper : But afterwards he could
run a goat down. Sometimes he had the good luck to
find ſome eggs; for there were very good fowls : He
caught fome young teal alſo; and, by cutting their
wings, and keeping them always cut, he preſerved
them in a brook, juft by his hut, which he had en-
cloſed. There they bred, and were tame. But be-
ing one day gone a pretty diſtance from his hut, a
great number of monkeys finding them out, and that
they could not fly away, deſtroy'd them all. His
cloaths were almoſt worn out, nay, his ſhoes were
quite gone, and had been for ſome time; but, to pre-
ſerve his feet, he cut the goats ſkins in the ſhape of
ftockings, and fewed them, or laced them up with
thongs of the fame; and alſo laced the foot part,
making holes with his knife for the thongs, three or
four times doubled together, to ſerve for ſoles. The
Spaniard told me, that he was ſo well inured to that way
of life, when he was taken from the iſland, that it was a
conſiderable time before he could reliſh either drink,
or any kind of victuals, which was dreſſed on board
the hip. I gave the Spaniard an account of the
hermit, to which he gave very great attention.
So, having refreſhed ourſelves, we failed from
,
having got a pretty many goats from the iſland, and
fome maize, or Indian corn. From thence we ſteerd
for the Gallapago iſlands, but, in our paffage, met
with ſeveral ſtorms and tornadoes, attended with ve-
ry great rains. Some of our men began to be very
fíckly, which we thought proceeded from their eating
the livers of ſome young feals they had caught, they
being unhealthy. After about three days fail,
met with frequent calms. During this voyage, one
We
f
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
49
តំបន់
of our negro women, of which we had three on
board, being with child, and near her time, was de-
divered of a fine boy, which was of a ſwarthy colour.
She had been on board us ever ſince we came from the
Brazils, and proved very uſeful in waſhing our linen,
&c. bút Juno, for that was her name, proved with
child by one of our men, whoſe name was Thomas
Higgins : I, with the help of the other two negro
women which were on board, performed the office of
midwife, and delivered her. I had purchaſed a little
wine at Panama, which proved very uſeful to mull
for Juno, to comfort her in that condition; alſo the
other negro women. Tom Higgins, and I, drank
one bottle after her delivery; and we were really
merry on that occafion. The captain was ſomewhat
diſpleaſed at this accident : but being unwilling (in fo
long a voyage, attended with ſo many difficulties as
we had met with) to inflict too heavy puniſhments
on his men, he only obliged Tom to agree that he
ſhould allow Juno two piſtoles, when ſhe went alhore
at Brazil, to take care of the child. Tom readily
agreed thereto, but had ſome remorſe of conſcience,
and began to reflect, and was really very much con-
cerned to think, that the child got by him (tho' on a
negro, yet ſhe was a woman, and the child in likeneſs
of himſelf, and firmly believing that it was really be-
got by him, and no other perfon) ſhould be bred up in
Paganiſm. Accordingly he grew very dull and melan-
choly at the thoughts thereof, which he communicat-
ed to me; afking my advice about it. So I perfuad-
ed him to be merry, and not caſt himſelf down; for
that many ſuch accidents had happened in the Weſt
Indies before then, among the Engliſhmen, who
never thought much of it afterwards. However,
this had no effect at all on him. He told me, that
whatever crimes other people had been guilty of, he
could not reconcile himſelf thereunto. Finding him
ſo very uneaſy, I acquainted the captain of it: Ah!
(D
fays
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
܀
fays he, iş Tom under ſo great a concern about the
child's being not to be educated in the chriſtian religi-
on? Yes, fir, faid I; and I am apprehenfive that it
will grow upon him very much to his prejudice, he is
ſo extremely concerned about it: For leſs things than
that, I have known people grow melancholy (as he
feems to be ;) and they have enter'd into a ſtate of
lunacy, and never could be brought to their former
Teaſon, but have laid violent hands on themſelves. As
he is a very honeſt, good-natured fellow (ſetting a-
lide this flip) ſaid I, I wiſh ſome expedient could be
found out to make him eaſy. Well, then, Mr.
Dorrington, ſays the captain, we have the common-
prayer-book on board; and 'tis a pity we have loft
poor John Davies, our furgeon and chaplain; he
could have chriſtend the child, and that would have
ſatisfied Tom. O, fir, ſaid I, with your leave, as
we have no chaplain belonging to the ſhip, now Mr.
Davis is dead; yet, as we are tolerated to bury our
dead, pray why may not we chriften the living al-
fo? It can be no crime to do a good action. The
captain approv'd of what I faid; fo I told him, with
his leave, I would be chaplain, in that caſe, as well
as I had been man-midwife before: But, fir, faid h,
there is an obſtacle that will hinder us ftill. He aſk'd
me what that was? Why, fir, faid I, we have nei-
ther godfathers nor godmothers; and you know it
is not accounted lawful to perform that ceremony,
which is one of the facraments, unleſs it be done
with order and decency, as the church directs. To
which the captain reply'd, Is there not Mr. Clark,
our lieutenant? I and he will ſtand godfathers; and
he ſhall, as he is Clark by name, perform the office
of clerk in the ceremony.
But, fir, faid I, what
muſt we do for a godmother? You know there ought
to be one, and we have no woman on board that is a
· chriftian. Well, then, ſaid the captain, the women
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
51
we have on board, by a little perſuaſion, may be wil.
ling to be chriſtened themſelves; and, if they con-
ſent, they are of age, and therefore capable of anſwer-
ing for themſelves, by which means they may become
godmothers, on occaſion, to the child. So, accord-
ingly, the captain called for a bottle of wine, and
ſent for Diana, one of the negro women, aged about
twenty-three years. When ſhe came into the cabin,
the captain filled a glaſs of wine, and gave it her:
After the had drank it, the captain ſaid, fo, Diana,
'tis to be hoped that you won't be troubled with the
wantons, and play the trick your fifter Juno did.
Pray, how does the child do? To which the anſwer'd,
it be ver well, but it cry, cry, ver muſh, great deal,
Well, ſays the captain; but, Diana, I ſent for you
on another occaſion: Do you not remember Mr.
Davis, our ſurgeon and chaplain? Yes, ſays ſhe, me
ver well know him; he give me ver gret goot ſtuff
(meaning a dram :) But, ſays the captain, you
know, Dianas he was a good man, and uſed to tell
you your duty, and teach you how to ſay your pray-
Yes, ſays the, me ver well remember dat he
be ver goot man. Why, then, ſaid the captain,
Diana, what do you think of being made a chriſtian,
and chriſtend as we chriſtians are? Me inak chriſtian
(ſays the) hou? Why, ſays the captain, you know
Mr. Davis taught you to read, and you learned to
ſay your prayers : They are very good prayers, are
they not? to pray to God. Yes, fays fhe; they be
yer goot prayer; me love dem ver gret muſh. Well,
then, ſays the captain, are you willing to be good,
and do as thoſe prayers learn you to do? Yes, ſaid the,
me be always ver goot, me be ver glad, me lern me
prayer, me lern more, me tank you. So, by the cap-
tain's advice, I read the publick baptiſm of thoſe of ri-
per years, and baptiſed her; ſhe anſwering the queſ-
tions by the inftruction of the captain; and we
chriſten'd
ers.
D 2
$2 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
in
chriften'd her by the name of Elizabeth, which was
the name of our ſhip. As ſoon as the ceremony was
over, the captain ordered Elizabeth to dreſs the child
in as decent a manner as ſhe could, and bring it to his
cabin: In the mean time we drank the bottle of wine.
As ſoon as the child was dreſs’d, Elizabeth carried
it to the captain, who ſent for Thomas Higgins, and
told him that Diana: was chriſten'd, and that he him-
felf, and the lieutenant, were to ſtand godfathers to his
fon, and Elizabeth godmother; and that it was to be
chriſten’d; and deſir'd to know what name ſhould be
given to the child: To which he anſwered, his own,
wiz. Thomas. But I never ſaw ſuch an alteration in
any man in my life, as I immediately obſerved in him.
So ſuddenly it appeared, that it ſurpriz'd us all. For
he, who before was dejected, even to the greateſt de-
gree imaginable, now appeared fully ſatisfied in his
mind; and conſcience no longer ſeem'd to fly in his
face; but he became full of mirth and jollity. So, by
the captain's order, I chriſten'd the child in a very de-
.cent manner : the captain and lieutenant ſtood god.
fathers, and Elizabeth ſtood godmother. When the
ceremony was over, the captain faid, Tom, as this
child was begot and born on board my ſhip, and I am
its godfather; and as it is now a chriſtian, I think it
properly belongs to me (though I am not the father of
it) to ſee it brought up in a chriſtian manner, which,
if it pleaſe God to bleſs me with life, I will ſee per-
formed; and not only that, but will take care of it,
Gif it lives, during my life ; and ſee it well educated.
So the captain ordered half a goat to be roaſted ; and
the, the lieutenant, and I, with Tom and Elizabeth,
whom he permitted on that occaſion, ſupp'd at his
table, and were very merry: Which ſo rejoiced El-
zabeth, that ſhe, immediately after ſupper, : related
what had happen'd to her fellow negro woman who
was called Antiope: and they both went to Juno,
:.
and
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
and told her, that her ſon was baptized by the name
of Thomas.
The weather here was extremely hot in the day-
time, but there were cold dews at night, which were
very dangerous; for three of our men died in our
voyage to the Galliapagoes.
·
As we failed, on the twenty-fifth at night, the
ſea very much ſurprized us, it ſeeming to be as red as
blood, which occafioned Stephen Jones, who was
upon the watch, with ſome others, to call us up; for
they had never ſeen the like before. When we came
upon deck, we ſuppoſed it to be a great quantity of
the ſpawn of fiſh ſwimming on the water: it being
very fair. Having paſſed the line, we made the Galo
liapagoes on the hfth of July, where we anchored a –
bout a mile off the ſhore, in a good, ſmooth, ſandy
ground. We fent our boat aſhore for water, but
could find none. Some of oựr men began to be
fick, but none of them died before we arrived at Pum*
na Ine, in Peru; from whence we failed a little way
up the river Guiaquil, where we ſaw a great many
Alligators, and fold ſome of our goods : But the
Spaniards being jealous that we came as ſpies, and be-
long'd to fome other ſhips on that coaſt, which were
Buccanniers, we thought it beſt to leave that place,
having taken in ſome freſh water, and a few proviſi-
ons, to ſerve us to the iſle of Labos. We ſtood
out to fea, and made the iſland of St. Clara, where
we anchor’d on the tenth for hat night (our fhip
proving crank, and failing very heavy :) The next
morning, when we were preparing to fail, we found
that our ſhip had ſprung a leak; ſo that we were
obliged to have one hand at the pump continually.
Before we had failed ſix leagues, the wind freihen'd
upon us, and the ſky look'd extraordinary black at
north-eaſt, and it moved towards us, which made us.
take in our topfails; and afterwards we reev'd our
D 3
mainfail
54 The ENGLISH HERMIT: .
mainfail and mizen, at which time it began to rain,
and pour’d down, as if thro' a ſieve. The ſea ſeem'd
as if it had been all on fire, by the prodigious thun-
der and lightning. It then being night, the elements
over head look'd moſt difmally black, but all round
the horizon was as red as blood : The waves, which
feemed to daſh againft the clouds, by the violence of
the wind, fparkled like lightning, which, together
with the thunder, made a terrible noiſe; at laſt break-
ing in upon our deck, it carried away one of our an-
chors; and we durſt not bring our ſhip to the wind,
for fear of her foundering; it being dangerous in a
ſtorm, to turn a ſhip backward and forward; ſo we
were obliged to lie in the trough of the ſea. But the
wind and rain abating, we obſerved, to our great joy,
a Corpus Sanct at the top of our ſpindle : Theſe
Corpus Sancts are good ſigns, when feen aloft; but
bad omens, and denote a great ſtorm, when ſeen on
the decks. It is a ſmall glimmering light, like a ftar,
when aloft; but when on the deck, it appears like a
glow-worm. It is the opinion of mariners, that it
is a ſort of jelly, incorporated by the wind, rain, ſea
vapours, and air : becauſe it is never obſerved unleſs
in ſtormy weather.
We fáiled right before the wind, which was fouth-
weſt, but were obliged to keep continually pumping
till the eighteenth day; when we made the iſle of La-
bos, about twelve at noon. That night we got ſafe
into the harbour, and anchor'd, at twenty fathoms wa-
ter, in clean ground, between the two iſlands : Here
we reſolved to careen our ſhip. Accordingly, ob-
ferving the time of high water, we put her into a
cove, in the ſouthermoſt iſland, were we hauled her
up as far as we could on the land, and our carpenter
and all hands ſet to work the next day. This iſland is
barren, and without freſh water. Here we killed
ſeveral ſeals, fea lions, boobies, and penguinis ; a ſea
fow!
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
55
:
fome: At the ſouth end of the iſland we found ſome
fowl about as big as a duck, whoſe fleſh is very ordi-
nary food, but the eggs exceeding good : Here, alſo,
we found a ſmall black fowl, which makes holes in
the ground to rooft in at night, whoſe fleſh is very
good; and a great many vultures and crows. We
had careen'd our ſhips, and were in readineſs, to fail
on the twenty-fixth, and failed to the iſland Fernandos,
and made the middle bay on the ſeventh of august,
winter being juſt over there; which continues only
for two months, viz. June and July. We have ver-
bal accounts here, of ſeveral men who have been left,
or caſt away, and have lived fome time, and very
well, on this iſland. Here we mended our fails.
There is plenty of very good fiſh of divers forts. It
is very pleaſant on the thore, and very healthy; ſo
that the men who had been ill on our voyage, pek***
fectly recovered their healths; for the green pimento
trees diffuſed a very agreeable and refreſhing healthy
ſmell all over the iſland. Here we ſpent ſome time
in-taking wood on board, and likewiſe in laying wa.
ter up which here is very good; we allo boild a
conſiderable number of ſea lions, of which there
are plenty here: We had, alfo plenty of young feals,
which eat very well; only their livers are unwhole-
goats, of which we killed about thirty, which were
excellent good. Here were, alſo, plenty of turnips
and watercreffes, which were of great ſervice to us in
curing the ſcurvy; of which we gathered a very
large quantity
So, having refreſhed ourſelves very well on this
iſland, we reſolved to ſteer for Cape Verde in Chili 13
on the twelfth, made the iſland of St. Jago, where
we anchored, and ſent our boat on ſhore. Here we
bought ſome hogs, and black cattle (for our voyage
round Cape Horn to the Brazils ;) as alſo, fomé corn
and maize. Here the people, from the ill uſage they
had
D4
::
56
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
تمي
had formerly met with from the French, are extremely
ſharp, and really diſhoneft; for if they trade with
you, and can't get the advantage of you which they
think you would have of them, they will ſnatch your
goods, and run away with them.
We weighed anchor on the twentieth, and failed
from hence round Cape Horn, in 51 degrees 15 mi-
nutes lat. as our pilot informed me, I being only a
merchant on board, and therefore do not intend to
make a methodical journal, only as I promiſed to
give an account of the moſt material paſſages in our
voyage home. Round the cape the weather favour-
ed us extremely, and nothing happened that was
material, only that we were chafed by a pirate-ſhip
for about twelve hours, on the twenty-ninth ; but
the night coming on, it favoured us ſo, that we loit
her. On the fourth of September we made Faulk-
land's ifland. Here we faw a great number of por-
puſes, which often leaped out of the water, of an
uncommon fort. On the fifth we had the misfortune
to have one of our men fall into the ſea, as he was
throwing the lead ; and he was drowned before we
could give him any help. We had very briſk gales
at fouth-weft. We failed, and made Cape St. An-
tonio, near the mouth of the river de la Plata, in
Paragua, on the twenty-fifth, the wind fouth by weſt;
when we ſtood out to ſea; and made the iſle of
Grande, on the coaſt of Brazil, on the twenty-
ninth. We got a pilot, who conducted us into the
watering cove, at the inner weſtermoſt point of the
ifland. In ſounding as we went in, we hardly met,
in any place, with leſs than ten fathoms water. The
iſland is about nine leagues long, high land near the
water-fide: It abounds with wood, has monkeys, and
other wild beaſts; plenty of good timber, and freſh
water, oranges and lemons. We had pleaſant wea-
ther but extremely hot. We here received a letter
from
:
xx
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
57
RE
from our owners, commanding us home, and not to
fail for New England, as deſigned. Here we got
beef, mutton, hogs, fowls, ſugar, rum, oranges,
and lemons (ſo that now we did not want for good
punch.) During our voyage from the Galliapagoes,
applied myſelf to the perufal of my good old man's
memoirs, which I took very great delight in ; and
finding the whole ſeries of his minor years attended
with ſuch a number of unaccountable accidents, hardly
to be paralleled, I thought proper, as I deſign'd them
to be publiſh'd at my arrival in England, to digeſt
them in a more regular manner than I found them
wrote in his manuſcript; but neither added nor dimin-
iſhed; nor did I in the leaſt vary from what he him-
ſelf had wrote, as to the accidents of life: only I
made fome amendments which I thought neceſſary :
For his abfence from England ſo long as fifty years,
had occaſioned him, in ſome manner, not to be well
acquainted with the language, as it is now ſpoken,
and (by his living without any converſation ſo long a
time) had made him, in fome meaſure, forget his own
mother-tongue. Though I really think, taking that
into conſideration, that his account was very polite,
yet, had his life been publiſh'd, as in his memoirs, it
would have appeared very obſolete, and difficult to be
read, though ever fo entertaining. I accordingly
collected all the paſſages of his firſt twenty-eight
years together, and thought proper to make a book,
or part by themſelves, that part of his life being dif-
ferent from his hermitical confinement on the iſland,
which at firſt ſight appeared fo full of horror, and
nothing but a proſpect of the moſt miſerable condition
that could befal him. He no ſooner look'd round
him, and depending upon providence, as a ſupporter
of the diſtreſs'd, but he found almoſt every thing
neceſſary for human life on that ſmall iſland, and he,
who then thought of nothing but immediately periſh-
ing
:
DS
58 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ing in the moſt miſerable condition, has lived, by the
help of divine providence, in a fafe and plentiful
manner, and is now ſo inur’d thereunto, that he de-
ſpiſes the populous world, and its vanities : He alſo
confiders its pompous glory to be of no more ſub-
ſtance than a ſhadow; and that there is no ſelicity on
earth, unleſs in folitude.
I likewiſe methodized his account, during his reſi-
dence on the iſland, in the former manner; and made
another book, or part; which with this account of
my finding him on the iſland, and my conference with
him, compleats my deſign : So that it can't be called
an imperfect deſcription, but complete, in three books.
and now I return to my voyage.
In our voyage from Juan Fernandes we ſaw a very
large bird, which is called an Alcatres : Theſe birds
ſpread their wings from eight to ten feet wide. In
the Brazils is a ſerpent call'd Liboya, or the Roebuck
Serpent, the report of which is incredible (in my
opinion) but affirmed by fome of the Portugueſe;
viz. that there are ſome of them thirty feet long, its
body being as big as an hogſhead, and deſtroys a
Roebuck at one meal. Here we trafficked for feve.
ral forts of drugs. We treated the Portugueſe very
civilly, who ſupplied us with all things neceſſary for
our uſe. During our ſtay here, there arrived a brig-
antine laden with negroes, for the golden mines.
Here four of our men died, and three ran away from
us,
the laſt of which we had juſt occaſion to be
thankful for, rather than forry; for Timothy Anchors
over-heard them diſcourſing, that they deſigned to
mutiny at our next failing, but was doubtful whether
or no they might get enough on their fide to over-
power the captain and his party; and agreeing, among
themſelves, that it was a very difficult matter to be-
come maſters of the ſhip: And, beſides, conſidering
the hazard they run, in being puniſhed, after ſuch a
ſevere
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
59
fevere manner as they ſhould be, if found out, by
any means, before they could accompliſh their deſign,
or if they ſhould fail in their attempt; made them
rather chuſe to defert the fhip, than continue any
longer. Though our captain was an extraordinary
good man, yet rogues will be always employing their
wicked thoughts; and neither clemency nor good
ufage can make them perform their duty in their
Nations.
The tenth of October, after having ſet Antiope,
one of our negro women, on ſhore, who refuſed to
be chriſtened as Diana was, we began to fail, but
kept Elizabeth and Juno on board; the captain re-
folving that ſhe ſhould live with him as his ſervant,
and by that means would bring up Tom's child :
We did not meet with any thing very remarkable
but after about èwenty-four hours eaſy fail, we paſs'd
the tropick, and the next day faw land. We ſtood
from it fouth fouth-weſt, and had cloſe cloudy wea-
ther all night, with ſhowers of rain. When day
broke, we faw Aſcenſion iſland, at about a league's
diſtance; and about nine o'clock we came to anchor
The ſea is here very deep. The next day we weigh'd
anchor, and failing north north-eaſt, till the ſeventeenth,
with a freſh gale at weſt ſouth-weſt, we croſſed the line.
The next day an ugly accident happened; for wę
brought a young bear from Mexico; and our men
being often ufes to play with her and teaze her, it
proved very fatal to one Thad Obrian, an Iriſh boy,
of about fixteen years of age, who had been fretting
the creature with a ſmall rope, which he had made a
nooſe to, and ſlipp'd her hind leg into it, and ſo
worried her. Her blood growing warm, and ſhe be-
ing enraged at his hunting her to and fro on the deck,
where he happened to flip down; the bear immediate-
ly ſeized poor Thady by the neck, with ſuch vio.
lence, that, before any body could deliver him from
D 6
her
"
60 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
her paws, the poor boy's throat was tore to-pieces ;
ſo that he died inſtantly.
We failed but very ſlowly now, meeting with con-
tinual calms, and directed our courſe for Cape Verde
iſlands; but on the twenty-ſixth we had a heavy tor-
nado, attended with lightning, which fell as if the
element had been on fire; but it continu'd only for a
ſhort time: Afterwards the weather proved extreme-
ly fair, the wind being full fouth. A failor going up
to furl the main top-gallant on the third of Novem-
ber, in the morning, faw land, and ſuppoſed it to be
one of Cape Verde iſlands, bearing north-eaſt, dif-
tant about ſeven leagues, ſmooth water, and freſh
gales : About four o'clock we bore north north-weſt
,
and went with an eaſy fail till day-light, and made the
iſland of St. Vincent; when, about nine o'clock,
we anchored in the bay, in about five fathoms water,
where we rode till the next day; and then we went to
St. Nicholas, another, and one of the largeſt of the
Cape Verde iſlands. Thefe iſlands are ſo called
from Cape Verde in Africa, and are moſtly inhabited
by Portugueſe. One of them is called Sall: It de-
rives its name from the prodigious quantity of falt
which is naturally congeal'd in falt-ponds. There
are ſome poor goats on this iſland, and ſome wild
fowls. Here are fiamingoes, a large fowl much like
an heron, but bigger, and of a reddiſh colour : They
feed together in muddy ponds, or where there is but
little water. They are hard to ſhoot, being very
thy.
In St. Nicholas we traded with fome of the Spa-
niards for ambergreafe; but they were very fraudulent,
having counterfeited it much. Here are fome vine-
yards, and plantations, belonging to the Portugueſe;
and wine, much like Madeira, of a pale colour alſo,
and thick. The people are ſwarthy, and the inhabi-
tants live ſcattering in the valleys,
While
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 6r
By
While we were at this iſland, we ſcrubb'd our
ſhip's bottom, and dug fome wells on the ſhore,
where we got freſh water. Here an ugly accident
had like to have happened : For one of our men, go-
ing down into the hold with a candle, ſet fire to a
bale of cotton, which by his careleſſneſs, had like to
have been the loſs of our ſhip: But, (thanks to God)
it was diſcovered, by its fmother, juſt before it began
to blaze out; ſo that by immediate help, we got it ex-
tinguiſhed. Very foon after we hoiſted it upon deck,
or fear any of the fire ſhould remain, and revive a-
gain; and becauſe we would have it in mind for our
Tafety.
On the eighth we went to the iſle of Mayo, ano-
ther of Cape Verde iſlands, but made no ſtay. We
ſaw at fouth-weſt, the iſland del Fago, which is re-
markable for being a Vulcano, or burning mountain,
out of which isſues flames of fire; but they are only
diſcerned in the night, and then are ſeen a great way
at ſea: Yet there are inhabitants on this iſland (as I
have been informed by the Portugueſe of the iſland of
St. Nicholas) who lived at the foot of the mountain,
near the ſea. There are alſo cocoa-nuts, plantanes,
goats and fowls.
In the iſland of St. Aritanio, another of the Cape
Verde iſlands, there is a very large ſpider (as I was
informed by the fame Portugueſe) which weaves its
web between the trees; and it is ſo ſtrong, that it is
difficult for a man to get through. Here are alſo
wild affes; likewiſe, falt-pits, where great quantities
of ſalt are naturally made by the ſun's heat; with
which they load yearly ſeveral ſhips, and are able to
fell much greater quantities than they do, if they had
but vent for it.
Having diſpatched our affairs at the Cape Verde
iſlands, we weighed with the flood, having a ſmall
gale at ſouth ſouth-weſt : on the ſeventeenth it began
to
62 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
to blow, and veer'd to the ſouth-weſt by fouth. That
evening we faw three fail of ſhips at weit north-weſt,
bearing as we ſuppoſed, for the Canary iſlands, as
w.ll as ourſelves. The night coming on, which was
extremely clear and fine, we paſſed the tropick about
the break of day; ſoon after which we obſerved a
north bank lying in the horizon. We then provided
for a ſtorm, which thoſe clouds denote. The wind
was at north-weſt. We brought the ſhip under our
main-fail and mizen only, and ballaſted our mizen;
but yet the wind and feas were too high for us, and
every wave ſeemingly threatened to overwhelm us;
ſo that we beat up and down with only our bare poles,
which we feared would break in upon our deck, which
muſt have founder'd us, in caſe it had ſo happened:
We alſo lowered our main-yard, and fore-yard down
a port-laſt, as I obſerved the failors called it
, that is,
pretty near the deck; and the wind blew ſo extremely
fierce, that we did not dare to looſe any head-fail at
all: For, if we had, they certainly would have been
blown away. During the ſtorm, it rain'd exceeding
faſt, which continu'd for about four hours, when it
changed, and was pretty calm ; and we began to get
every thing in good order.
The wind that evening,
changing to ſouth-weſt, about fix the next evening
we ſaw the pike of Teneriff, at about nine leagues
diſtance. We ſaw ſome flying-fiſh and a great deal
of ſea-thiſtle ſwimming. We fail'd all night with a
ſmall eafy gale, and at break of day made the Canaries;
bearing at north-weſt by weſt, about three leagues.
We crouded all our fail, and came to an anchor, in the
harbour of Santa Cruz, in the iſland of Teneriff, on
the twenty-firſt, in about thirty fathoms water, black
flimy ground, about half a mile from the ſhore.
The land being for the moſt part pretty high, 'tis very
bad going afhore here in boats ; and ſhips riding here
are often forced to put to ſea, or flip their anchors,
by
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.63
1
by reaſon the road lies fo open to the eaſt. Ships are
here fupply'd with good water between the coves,
where they generally water.
Sancta Cruz, a ſmall town fronting the ſea, has
two forts to ſecure the road : Here fome Engliſh
merchants reſide. Their houſes are low and uniform,
covered with pantiles. Here are oranges, lemons,
and other fruits; alſo, flowers, and ſallading; and a
great number of pleaſant gardens. At Oratavia the
country is ſo full of rifings and fallings, that it is
troubleſome to walk up and down in it: Mules and
afles are moſt uſed by them. Here grows the right
and true Malmſey wine; here are alſo Canary and
Verdona, or green wine: Likewiſe, a great many
convents. Ships are forced to flip their cables, per-
haps three or four times, by reaſon of the winds, and
put to ſea before they can take in all their lading.
Here are wheat, barley, maize, beans, peaſe, apples,
pears, plumbs, cherries, pomgranates, citrons, oranges,
lemons, and ſeveral other fruits, excellently good;
alſo, horſes, afles, mules, cows, goats, hogs, deer,
and fowl, both tame and wild, in great plenty. Pro-
vifions are dear on the trading iſlands, but cheap on
the others.
Fero'ifle is very remarkable: It hath no freſh water,
only in the middle of the iſland, where there grows a
tree; which being continually covered with clouds,
from its leaves always drops great quantities of excel-
lent water. Theſe Canary iſlands are commonly the
rendezvous of the Spaniſh Weft - India fleet, where
they generally receive orders for unlading their
wealth,
From the harbour of Sancta Cruz we fail'd, on
the twenty-fifth of November, to the Canary Iſlands:
Here the ſoil is ſo fertile, that they have two harveſts
in a year. Its commodities are, honey, wax, ſugar,
and the beſt of wines ; of which we took a ſuffici-
ent
64
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
-
:
ent quantity of each: Here are alſo dragon's-tree,
which produces a red liquor called dragon's-blood.
Theſe iſlands are exceeding wholeſome, tho' they are
inclinable to heat.
Having taken in the cargo which we deſign’d from
theſe iſlands, we fail'd from thence on the third of
December for the Madeira iſland, with a fair wind at
ſouth ſouth-weſt, and ſaw ſeveral ſhips failing towards
the Lizard: The next day at eight in the morning,
we made land, which was the Madeira, at about four
leagues diſtance, and came to an anchor: Here are
many
fountains and rivers, which refreſh the country,
It is a very beautiful iſland, exceeding fertile, and
produces excellent wine, which is very ſtrong. We
anchored in the port, which reſembles an half moon,
not far from the town. Near this iſland is another,
not lo large as this (which is about fixty leagues in
compaſs) callid Porto Sancto, which affords much
the ſame commodities as Madeira : Here we took in
about thirty pipes of Madeira wine; and having ac-
compliſhed our buſineſs, we left that iſland on the
tenth, and failed for the Lizard with a wefterly wind.
We had not failed above fix leagues, but it changed
to north eaſt, and the ſky began to be cover'd with
ſmall hard clouds, very thick, one by another, which
we imagin'd an approaching ſtorm: Accordingly, we
provided for it, by reeving our top-fails, and took in
our fails as faſt as poſſible. The wind began to blow
a very briſk gale, and ſoon after the ſtorm began; the
wind ſtill increas'd by ſqualls of rain and hail, which
came very thick and faſt, and the ſea ran very high:
ſo that we were obliged to run before the wind. We
fhipped little or no water, tho' ſome waſh'd into our
upper deck; and with ſome of the waves a dolphin
was caſt thereon. The wind blew very hard, but
about eight hours after, it abated its fierceneſs, and
then the wind veer'd to the weſt, and the foul weather
broke
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
65
broke up, and we had ſmaller gales, with ſome calms,
and fair weather. On the eighteenth the wind veerd
to the ſouth ſouth-eaſt, which continu'd a briſk gale
till the twenty-ninth, and we kept right before wind
and fea, the wind ſtill increaſing; and we made the
Lizard on the twenty-ſeventh, at about three leagues,
and ſtood in for the land, and came to an anchor in
King's Road.
Thus I have given an account of our voyage from
Mexico, as I promiſed, which I hope may not be of-
fenſive to any body; it being my intention to divert
the readers, rather then diſpleaſe them.
N. B. The ship belonged to Briſtol; I communicated
the following memoirs to a friend in London, in or-
der to be publiſhed; which if approv'd of by the
public, I ſhall
, at my return, be very well ſatisfied.
In the mean time, I have buſineſs calls me ta Peru
and Mexico again; in which voyage I hope to ſee
poor Phil. my good old Hermit. And so I take my
leave, and end the firſt part.
EDWARD DORRINGTON.
.
.
.:
THE
을
​Τ Η Ε
E N G L 18 H H E R MIT.
B.O.O. K
II.
PHILIP
Account of the birth and education of Philip Quarll;
as, alſo, the moſt ſurprizing tranſactions of bis lijt,
from his infancy to his being caſt away.
Taken from the memoirs he gave to Mr. Edward
Dorrington, the perſon who found him on the
iſland.
QUARLL was born in the pariſh of
St Giles in the Fields. His father Tho-
mas Quarll, formerly a maſter builder, having un-
fortunately ruined himſelf in building, was at laſt re-
duced to work at the laborious and mean buſineſs of
brick-making: His poor wife, alſo, was obliged to
lay her hand to the labouring oar; ſo went a chairing?
which flaviſh and confining occupation robbed her of
the neceſſary time to attend the fruit of her conjugal
affection, her belov'd Phil. fo that ſhe was obliged
(whilft ſhe and her poor yoke-fellow were drudging
to get him bread) to commit him to the care of one
kind neighbour or another, for a ſmall conſideration,
till he could prattle, and go alone; at which time the
put him to fchool to a good old almfwoman, where he
continued ull he was fix years old.
One
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
67
One day a neighbour, who formerly had the care of
the child in his mother's abſence, having contracted
a particular love for him, being a very pretty child;
finding him, after ſchool-time, ſitting at his father's
door, takes him by the hand, and leads him to his
mother, then at work at an old lady's houfe in Great
Rullel-Street.
The houſe-keeper, who was naturally fond of chil-
dren, feeing this pretty child, takes him up in her
arins, and runs to her good old lady, who had juſt
ended her cuſtomary private devotion.
The child, whom the poor woman kept very neat
and clean, beyond what could be expected out of her
ſmall gettings, was naturally very handfome ; being
tall for his age, and well ſhaped; his features regular,
and well-proportion’d; his complexion fair; his hair
long, and curling; his countenance mild, and fpright-
ly, his behaviour gentle and eaſy: All which qualifi-
cations rendered him completely amiable, and made
the old lady conceive an inclination for him, uncom-
ion for a ſtranger's child, eſpecially of fo mean a
birth.
Thus having often kiſſed him, ſhe wiſhed he had
been her own,
But why, ſaid fhe, can't I do for
this lovely creature, tho' no kin to me by birth? na
ture, who has endued him with qualifications fo prox-
imal and ſuitable to my inclination, has, by fympa-
thy, made him related to me. His mother gave him
birth, which, without prejudice to her own life, ſhe
could not refufe ; now i'll give him education, the
principal and moft neceffary care by which real love
can be expreffed to a child,
So, having given orders, that a good ſchool might
be inquired after, the put him to board to a maſter
whoſe moſt commendable character of inſtructing his
fcholars, in their duty to God and Man, as well as in
literature, had procured him a conſiderable number of
children
9.
..
sor
68 THE ENGLISH HERMIT
children of the beſt families. There ſhe intended to
have kept him till he was, by years and learning, qu?.
lified for fome genteel trade; intending to leave him
in her will, forty pounds to ſet him up, when out
of his time.,
But now ill fate begins to fhew its averfeneſs to
poor Phil's happineſs: The worthy lady died ſuddenly,
and was interr'd a few days after, to his unſpeakable
prejudice, and threatening ruin. But watchful pro-
vidence, who had decreed him good, averted the appa-
rent evil, and only permitted ſome interception to her
purpoſes, the better to raiſe his eſteem of her ſucceed-
ing favours, when ſenſible of them.
The maſter having conceived a particular love for
the bov:(whoſe uncommon docility, and extraordinary
aptneſs in learning, had overtaken the reſt of his
ſchool-fellows, tho' of a much longer ſtanding) was
very much vex'd at the thoughts of his going away to
his parents, they being no longer able to continue his
ſchooling: He was unwilling to part with the boy,
and much diſturbed to lofe twelve pounds a year
boarder. His love for the child, whom he had, in a
manner, adopted for his own, would now-and-ther
rouſe ſlumbering charity, whom felf-intereſt too often
caſts aſleep: Pity, faid hè, ſuch blooming wiſdom
and forward learning ſhould wither away for want of
cultiyation.
Thus having ponder'd awhile, love and
charity, after a long ſtruggle with intereft, gained the
victory: The old man concludes to give him his
learning, if his relations would only find him in board
and other neceffaries, ..
This being concluded upon by both parties, Phil.
continued going to ſchool for the ſpace of four years.
longer ; during which time, he made himſelf a com
plete maſter of the grammar, writing, and arithme.
tick; he alſo made a vaſt improvement in ſinging,
having all that time been taught by a maſter, who at
for a
tended
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
69
on.
tended ſome boarders three times a week; who, find
ing an extraordinary voice, and natural diſpoſition, in
the boy, took a fancy to teach him: So that Phil. was
in ſome reſpects, qualified to attend the ſchool, in the
nature of uſher, had his age permitted it. But as
he was as yet too young to keep the ſcholars in that
awe which is neceſſary in a ſchool, the maſter only
gave him his board, till the elder ſcholars left off, and
he was grown bigger; intending then to allow him
ſufficiency to maintain himſelf, as others in that ftati-
But ill fate ftill attends the poor boy: The
good old man died in leſs than a twelvemonth, and
was ſucceeded by a ſuperannuated nonconformiſt mi-
niſter; who, having not ſo proſperous a ſchool as his
predeceffor, had no buſineſs for an afiftant: fo Phil.
was a ſecond time obliged to return to his poor mo.
ther (his father being dead ;) who, not being in a
capacity to do for him, as his education and natural
parts really deſerved, propoſed to him to learn ſome
trade, in order to get his bread honeſtly and creditably,
when ſhe ſhould be no more able to help him ; having,
by her hard working, and frugal living, made thift to
Jay up five pounds, which ſhe dedicated to that pur-
*pofe.
Poor Phil. who had conceived a notion that there
is a ſervitude and hardſhip entailed upon that ſtation,
was very loth to reſolve upon entering into it; but as
he was a very diſcreet boy, not inclined to play, as
children commonly are, and ſeeing that there was a
neceſſity for him to reſolve upon ſomething; to make
his choice the more eaſy, he conſults the maſter's na-
ture and temper, rather than the goodneſs and profita-
bleneſs of the trade: And as there lived in the neigh-
bourhood a lockſmith, ever ſince he was born, who,
being great with his father, would often play with
him, when a child, and now and then give him far-
things
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
things to buy fruit; he choſe to be bound to him;
which was done in about a month's time.
They both agreed wonderfully well, the maſter be
ing very kind and good natured, and the man as di-
ligent and careful; ſo that thoſe fears of meeting with
hardſhip being diſperſed, he cheerfully worked one
without thinking the time tedious. But this happi-
neſs, though Night, is but of a ſhort laſting ; for the
poor man, having been bound for a relation, who
failed, had all his effects ſeized upon, and himſelf
thrown into goal; and poor Phil
. in a year's time,
was obliged to come to his mother again.
This accident was a vaſt diſappointment to the
boy's learning his trade, he being obliged to be idle,
his unfortunate maſter begging that he would feek at-
ter no other ; hoping every day to make up his affairs,
and carry on buſineſs again': So that the lad, for
want of employment, would play about the ſtreets
with neighbours children,
One day, as he was playing at leap-frog with other
boys, there happened to go by one James Turner, an
houſe-breaker, who taking notice of his activity,
which much exceeded the reſt, judged he might be of
great uſe to him in the practice of his art.
The
ineanneſs of his dreſs, which ſpoke him óf no confi-
derable family, gave him room to hope that he might
eaſily get him: So having ffopt a while, he took the
opportunity, that the boy, being hot with running
and jumping, went to drink at a pump hard by. He
takes him by the arm, ſaying, do you mean to kill
yourſelf, child, to go and drink cold water now,
when you are hot? . Come along with one, and I will
give thee a draught of good ale: You ſhall only go
a thort errand for me. Will you, maſter the in
nocent boy anſwered ; I'll go your errand, if it's not
too far: So followed him to an alçhouſe, in a blind
alley, not far from thence, which he commonly uſed.
.
Being
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
71
Being come, he calls for a quart, and bids the boy
take a hearty pull; which he did being very dry, and
the liquor as pleaſant : This being done a ſecond
time, it began to creep into his head, not being uſed
to ſtrong drink; and in a little time he fell aſleep on
the bench on which he fat,
The feducer, thinking himſelf fecure of him,
leaves him to take his nap, ihutting the door upon
him, and charging the people of the houſe not to
awake him, nor let him go away, when awake, till
he returned; fo went to get ready the implements
neceſſary to ſet his evil project in execution ; having
determined to rob a rich merchant that night; in
which wicked action he intended to make the
harmleſs boy his chief inftrument, by putting him in
at an hole he was to break, and then to open the door
for him, under the pretence that it was his uncle, who
was ſo ill-natured as to lock him out, if not at home
at the ſhop fhutting up.
Having got the tools, he returned to the boy, whom
he found juſt awake, and very uneaſy to go home,
having slept till it was dark, being afraid to anger
his relations by ſtaying out late, contrary to his cuſ-
tom, being uſed to orderly hours, and would have
gone away, had not Turner, whoſe projects would
have been quite unhinged, uſed all the devices he was
maſter of to perſuade him. Firſt he beſpeaks a ſup-
per of that which the boy liked beſt, who fince his
being come from the boarding-ſchool, had been uſed
to none but coarſe meat, his poor parents ability af-
fording no better : Then, to divert away the time he
intended to prolong till his opportunity fuited, he told
him ſeveral ſtories, and, moft particularly, that of
his pretended uncle's unkindneſs to lock him out of
doors, and of his cunning invention to get in at his
own time, and unknown to him ; but that he was
afraid he muſt be forced to lie out that night, which
would
72
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
would be his death, being not uſed to ſuch hardſhip
The poor tender-hearted boy, who could ſcarce for-
bear crying, whilft he related this diſinal ſtory of luis
uncle's unkind uſage, aſked him what was the matter
he could not get in that night as well as at other times?
Becauſe, replied the ſly knave, the poor boy that uſed
to let me in is ſick of the ſmall-pox, as I have heard
fince you fell aſleep. What! can't you get ſome-
body elſe ? faid ſimple Phil. I would do that for
yolla
if I could tell how to get in my own home; for 1115
mother goes to bed betimes, being obliged to get up
early. As for that matter, anſwered the ſubtle ſer-
pent, do not trouble yourſelf, I'll provide a bed for
you. Thus having removed both that, and all
other obſtacles the boy raiſed, he perſuades him to
ſtay.
But ever watchful providence reſcues his infnar'l
innocence. Some hours before he was to
the execution of that evil project, Turner was ap-
prehended for a great robbery he committed the night
before in Lime-itreet; and the boy, being in his
company, was alſo carried before a magiſtrate. But
the juſtice underſtanding, by the innocent boy's de-
fence, he hardly was yet guilty of any robbery, havo
ing regard to his youth, and modeſt countenance,
reprimanded him for his eaſineſs of being drawn into
bad company, and warned him to be more cautious
for the future: So diſcharged him, and committed
Turner; who was hang'd.
That accident, though very lucky, by preſerving
innocent Phil
. from being made acceſſary to a rob-
bery, which would have put his life in jeopardy, at
the end proved fatal ; he having thereby gained the
character of belonging to ſome ill gang : For which
reaſon nobody cared to be concerned with him, which
grieved his poor mother.
The
go about
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
73
***
The poor widow (being left with her unfortunate
fon, who ſhe fear'd would take to ſome evil way for
want, which often tempts the moſt innocent inclin'd)
not being able, out of her ſmall gettings, to maintain
him, as when affifted by her late huſband; and fee-
ing no proſpect of his maſter's coming out of priſon,
and being ſet up again, endeavoured to get him into
fome place to wait upon ſome of her miſtreſſes : But
the unlucky accident of being had before a juſtice of
the peace, with a notorious houſe-breaker, fruſtrated
ter endeavours; ſo that poor Phil. was obliged to
continue with his mother in a very mean condition,
which his honeft mother very much feared would in-
duce him to evil company, of which the pariſh the
lived in ſwarm'd: But the good inſtructions which
were given him in his infancy, before bad examples
could have made any impreſſion on his mind, kept out of
his thoughts all wicked devices. Thus, ſeeing no pro-
bability of amendment in the ſtation he was in, he re-
folved upon going to ſea, wanting for that employ-
ment neither character nor recommendation, which
he was ſenſible would be a hard matter to get, by rea
ſon of this moſt fatal accident.
Thus, having imparted his deſign to his loving
mother, who, with much reluctance, acquieſced in
his going from her, and leaving his native country,
where the once had hopes to ſee him well fettled ; the,
with weeping eyes, implores the Almighty to direct
and receive him into his protection: And as ſhe was
acquainted with no one that could direct and adviſe
him in that matter, ſhe bid him go to St. Catherine's;
thefe, faid ſhe, you may chance to hear of fome
captain or maſter of a fhip, bound for ſome ſhort
voyage, who, perhaps may want a cabin-boy; which
is, my dear child, all that your age and ſtrength
qualifies - you for : In a few years, with the help of
God, you may find ſome advantageous opportunity to
E
advance
174
THE ENGLISH HERMIT
.
be ſends crouds of prayers after him, accompanied
advance yourſelf. by your learning. So, having give
en him fixpence to bear his charges, with a tender
kifs, the goes to her wanted occupation, and he
Atrait to St. Catharine’s, where providence had pre-
pared a maſter for him; he being no ſooner come
thither, than a captain of a thip, bound for the Eaſt
Indies, taking a particular fancy to him, aſked him
whether he would go to ſea; and that, if he was ſo
diſpoſed, he would take him to look after his cabin,
and provide very well for him.
The gentle manner in which he ſpoke to the boy
and his mild countenance, made a vaſt progreſs in
his affection : So, having joyfully accepted his of-
fer, he deſires he may run home, and acquaint
his mother of it. The captain, having“ taken his
mame, and place of abode, gave him half a crown
to ſpend with his mother, and then to come to him,
at the ſign of the Black Boy, near the Iron Gate
that he need bring no cloaths with him; for he would
provide every thing neceſſary for the voyage.
The overjoy'd boy, having told his mother of his
extraordinary ſucceſs, gave her the money, being in
great haſte to return to his new maſter : So, having
embraced his tender mother, and ſhe her dear folly
weeping over one another for fome time, he leaves her
at her work.
The good woman, tho' ſhe had all the reaſon in
the world to be eaſy in her mind, that the boy was
out of thoſe temptations which great want, and bad
company, might lead him into, could not be recon-
ciled at his going from her : But, ſeeing no remedy,
with ſhowers of tears, recommending him to the
care of heaven, to whom ſhe daily made addreſſes for
his proſperity.
Phil. who from his infancy had been uſed to be
from his mother, was leſs diſturbed at his leaving her,
nothing
From '. ...
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
75
..
nothing but his new-intended voyage running in his
mind; to haftened to the rendezvous his new maſter
had appointed him; who, not expecting that he would
return, was ſo glad to ſee him, that he went that
moment and bought him both cloaths and linen fit
for the fea; fo equipp'd him anew cap-a-pee; then
took him home, and in a few days after fet fail for a
three years voyage
During their ſailing, Phil. whoſe agreeable aſpect and
temper had gained him the love of all the ſhip's crew,
being often with the man at the helm, foon learn'd
the compaſs; and, by the inſtructions every body on
board ftrove to give him, in a little time he was
qualified for a failor; which his maſter being made
fenſible of, whom he had often diverted with his fing-
ing during that voyage, allowed him failor's pay the
following voyage, which was ſoon after; for in leſs
than three weeks time the ſhip was new-laden, and
let out again for the ſame place, and was gone as long as
before ; at the end whereof itreturn'd home richly laden,
in a ſhorter time than was common: Which being
put in the news, as uſual, prompted a certain num-
ber of Drury-Lane nymphs to go down to the place
where they heard the ſhip was arrived; fuppofing
that the lufty failors, having a long time been confin-
ed to falt meat, would, at their arrival, being fluſh of
money, purchaſe a bit of freſh at any rate.
Being come to Graveſend, where the ſhip lay,
they found, according to cuſtom, the jolly crew in
analehouſe, ſpending, like afles what they had
earned like horſes, even before they had received it.
At the ladies coming, the elevated failors, who
had been failing on falt water for the {pace of three
years, and ſince fet their brains floating in ſtrong
drink, for fix hours, having lost the rudder of their
reaſon, ran headlong upon thoſe quick-fands, where
moſt of their loft all they had, before they could
get
off:
The
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
**
*The ingenious ladies, who had more wit that
honeſty, improved the abſence of their underſtand
ing; and, being very expert in the art of fathom-
sing, they fell to examining the depth of thoſe ſhallow
brain'd fellows pockets; which finding very low,
they were much diſheartened from going on, for fear
of running a-ground: But, underſtanding that their
Mhip had not yet been clear'd, they caft their ancher
there, waiting for a freſh gale.
Mean time the merry failors, fearing no ſtorin,
gave themſelves up to ſport: and, for better diverfiol,
every man takes a playfellow, and goes aſide, leava
ing baſhful Phil. behind; who being a ſtranger to the
game they were going to play at, did not dare to put
in for a partner: But croſs tate ſtill attending him, a
fnare is laid in which he muſt fall.
Every man, but modeft Quarll
, being gone away
with a wench; one, being a fupernumerary, stay
ed behind The crafty creature, who, from her first
coming in, had fix'd on the innocent young man for
her quarry, kept at ſome diſtance from her comradea;
waiting their abſence, to work her deſign.
Unthinking Phil. having no ſuſpicion of her curs
ning devices, lying entirely unguarded againſt her fty
attacks, ſtood no long ſiege, but capitulated at the
firft fummons. Tis true, ſhe was provided with
ſuch artillery, as no fortifications againſt love could
withſtand: but would force the moft ſtubborn to fur-
render, or at leaſt parley, which is a fore-runner
thereof.
Thus, having fix'd her baſiliſk's eyes upon bim,
as being the firſt battering-piece the fex plants,
when they purpoſe a breach in a man's heart, ſhe
charges him with a volley of engaging words, whilst
her looks and carriage offer him ſuch prevailing terms,
as ne man of any feeling can refuſe: therefore, bem
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
77
ing an exquiſite miſtreſs of her art, the foon obtains-
her ends.
Poor Quarll
, whoſe heart till then, had never beenı
belieged, finding the invader more tempting than
dreadful, the having a very agreeable ſhape, charm-.
ing complexion, and most engaging features, fur-
renders up at diſcretion, and ſubmits even to bear the
yoke of matrimony; which, in leſs than an hour, is
laid upon him ; the chaplain of a man of war, who
lodged in the houſe, happening to come in at that cri-
tical minute.
By that time, the abſent revelling crew were cloy'd
with their miſtreſſes, and had dilinifled them with
rough uſage, and ill language, of which they generally
are fluſh, when moneylis fcant.
The diſappointed wretches, feeing no redreſs for
their treatment lately received, which they well knew
proceeded from want of money, concluded upon ſtay
ing in that place till their ſhip was clear'd; by which
time their appetite being Tharpen'd again, and they
fluſh of money, and hoping they would alſo be
better chaps; they took a garret in a little ſtrong-
water-fhop, were they made ſhift to kennel together,
and live upon ſhort commons.
Our new-married couple, whoſe money was but
feanty, were alſo obliged to put up with indifferent
quarters ; but the hopes of receiving the poor huf-
band's pay foon, and withal, the thoughts of being
protected from a goal, which ſhe was in danger of,
before married, being the principle advantage ſhe
propoſed to herſelf by having a huſband, it made her
now eaſy. But the, and all the reſt of her compa-
nions, were diſappointed. The thip being unladen,
the cargo proved damaged, by the leaking of the veſ-
fel, which is commonly made good by the ſailors :
So that, inſtead of three years wages being due, the
poor men ſtood indebted to the merchants.
That
E 3
78
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
That diſappointment put the unfortunate ſeamen
and eſpecially the ladies, into a ſad conſternation;
the former being obliged to go another voyage with
empty pockets, and the latter to ſeek for cullies to
ſupport their extravagance, and to pay for new
lodgings.
Phil. who, during the voyage, had faved a little
money, which his mafter gave him at fundry times,
being diſguſted at the fea, by the late accident, reſolves
to ſeek his better, fortune in another manner.
His crafty wife, who was, by her marriage, ſcreen-
ed from her creditors, depending upon her former
occupation, indulged him in that reſolution: ſo they
ſet out with that little he had, and arrived pretty
bare. Finding no friends in London, his maſter bem
ing dead whilft he was at ſea, he reſolves to liſt in
the foot-guards for bread, having no other depen,
dence; ſo conſults with his ſpouſe about a lodging,
till he had quarters appointed for him. She, indeed,
was beft acquainted with the town, and knew. of ſeve-
fal that would ſuit both their ſtock and ſtation, but
durſt
go to none, having bilk'd moſt of them, and
left a ſcore with the reſt. But lodging muſt be hade
before night; and the day was far ſpent : which let
her a thinking, neceſſity being the mother of inven-
tion: And ſhe, as is peculiar to women of her em-
ployment, being well acquainted with it, was no
ſtranger to ſhifts; and preſently finds one.
Having pondered for a ſhort time, ſhe concludes
upon going to her laſt lodgings : where, tho' ſhe
was conſiderably in debt, ſhe queſtioned not but ſhe
ſhould ſtill find a kind reception, and that her landlady,
where ſhe had been about a fortnight, having given
over her debt, would at her coming ſlacken the ill
opinion ſhe had conceived of her, and afford her
kind ufage : So, having fixed a rendezvous for her
huſband; the haftens there, where ſhe found, as was
expected,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
79
expected, the old woman was as overjoyed as ſurpriſed
to ſee her; and much more, when the underſtood
ſhe was married to a failor, - lately arrived from a
three years voyage; who in a ſhort time, would be!
clear'd, and that then ſhe would rub off her-ſcore.-
The old woman thinking herſelf ſecure of her debt,
and ſure of a good cuſtomer, bids her kindly wel
come; and that the hoped ſhe would take no other
lodging, but in her houſe; that ſhe would make eve-
ry thing as eafy and convenient as the ſhould defire';
being as welcoine to ſcore, as with ready money.
The ſubtle woman, having gained her ends, goes
and fetches her huſband, whom the over-reach'd old:
woman receives moſt kindly, expreſſing her love by
a quartern of all-fours, the chief commodity of her
houſe: That, being drank, was ſucceeded by a fe-
cond, at the new tenant's coft; which, being brought
with a chearful welcome to as many as they pleaſed,
encouraged the coming-in of half a dozen more:
Theſe warm'd the company, and particularly the
landlady; who having greeted Quarll for his moſt
happy marriage, over and over, fell upon praiſing his
wife, whom the had known for a long time; giving
her all the encomiums that virtue itſelf could
deſerve.
In this manner they lived about a fortnight, ftill
upon ſcore; which increaſing very faft, and no prof-
pect of money, it obliged the landlady to put them in
inind ; often aſking when they expected the ſhip to
be clear'd. Quarll, who diſcern'd, by the cloud
which appeared over her brow, a threatning ſtorm,
begins to think of an harbour, and forthwith goes
and liſts himſelf in the foot-guards.
In that mean ſtation, which often is the laſt ſpite
of a ſurly fate, a continuation of misfortunes attends
him: The company, where he lifted in, is full of
mercers and thopkeepers, who for a protection took
E 4
On
80 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
on in the ſervice, and quitted their pay to the covete
ous colonel, to be exempted from duty, which made
it fall heavy on the effective men: But kind provi-
dence, who ever limited the evil that attended him by
fortune, ordered this its vexatious influence to turnio
his advantage.
:
One day that he mounted guard out of his turn,
being upon duty at the park-gate next to Chelſea,
about ten at night, the place being clear of people,
he fell a ſinging to divert melancholy thoughts, which
folitude is apt to indulge: At that time happened to
come by a colonel of the ſame regiment, who, being
merrily diſpoſed, ſtopped for ſeveral minutes to hear
him fing: Quarll, having made an end of his ſong,
fell a whiſtling the tune ; at which the colonel came
to him, ſaying, how can you profane ſuch a fine tune
with whiffling, when you can ſing it fo well ? pray
let me hear you do it once more ; and
and grace it with
that good voice nature has given you. Quarll
, hava
ing made ſome few modeft excufes, yields to his
preſſing folicitations, and fings the ſame ſong over
again, and with more care than before ; which ſo
pleaſed the gentleman, that he ſtood half an hour
with him, aſking him queſtions : And, being by him
inform'd whoſe company he belong'd to, having his
conſent to be exchang’d, he gives him five ſhillings to
drink his health; and charges him to come to him,
at the Mitre tavern at Charing-Croſs, the next day at
eight of the clock in the evening, and aſk for colonel
Bonguard: So went away.
Quarll, being off duty, the next day went to the
place, at the time appointed, where he finds the colo-
nel, in company with half a ſcore more gentlemen,
who received him with more civility and complaiſance
than is commonly paid to men of his coat: So, hav.
ing deſir'd him to ſit down amongſt them, and the
glaſs gone round once or twice, the colonel having
praiſed
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 81
praiſed his finging to the company, he was deſir'd 'to
compliment them with a fong; if he pleaſed, with
that he ſung to the colonel the night before. Quarll,
having modeſtly told the gentlemen, he wiſh'd that his
ſkill and voice deſerv'd the honour of their hearing,
and that he would do the beſt he could, having, at their
requeſt, drank another glafs, he ſung the ſong they
delir'd to their great fatisfaction and applauſe.
After a ſhort ſpace of time was ſpent in the praiſe
of finging, and a talk of what an engaging accom-
pliſhment it is, either in man or woman; ſome of
the company, holding that the charms of mufick are
no-wiſe inferior to the power of love; it occafioned
a very agreeable debate; there being in the company
a gentleman unfortunately under that circumſtance,
who would give love the fupremacy over all that can
effect our minds ; feeing it ſtrips a man of the bene-
fits of his own fenfes, of the ſtrength of his reaſon,
and foundneſs of judgment. No object is fair, but
that whoſe idea hath imprefs'd the mind; no harmony
heard but in the beloved voice, or that which founds
its praife; dainties have no favour in the abſence of
that which every thing reliſhes; the faireſt days are
dull, if not enliven’d by the light of the charmer's
preſence.
Thus he ran on, till the company, perceiving he
was beginning to be uneaſy, deſired Quarll to ſing the
gentleman a love ſong, who ſpoke ſo much in its
praiſe ; which he did, and pleaſed the lover ſo ex-
ceedingly, that he made him a preſent of half a
guinea. The gentleman, who was altogether for
muſick, having aſk'd Quarll whether he had any-
thing in the praiſe of it, having alſo his requeſt an-
fwer'd, made the reſt of the company crave a ſong
in the commendation of what ſuited their inclinati-
ons; ſome being for a bottle, others for roving, and
others for a country life.
Quarll
82 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
Quar!), being provided with ſuch fongs, entertain :
them to their defires till fupper was brought up;
which being over, the company who had been ſo well
diverted with Quarll's ſinging, conſulted together to
do bim ſervice: And, as he was well qualified to
teach, they propoſed to recommend him ſcholars. A
gentleman in company, having a fifter, who intended
to learn, he writes a letter to her, defiring ſhe would
make uſe of no other maſter, which letter he was to
carry the next morning : And as his regimental
cloaths might leflen her opinion of his merit, he bids
him, before he goes, to call at his lodging, and he
would preſent him with a ſuit of cloaths, which he
wore but part of laſt ſummer, and therefore little the
worſe for wearing. And, as he wanted but an haty
to be compleatly dreſſed (having an extraordinary
good head of hair) another gentleman bids him call
on him for one, ſo that he had all he wanted to fet, .
bim out..
The gentleman having given him directions where
zo go for the things, and the colonel his promiſe to
get him diſcharged out of the company he did belong
to; at leaft, to have him exchanged into his own :
they every one gave him their crown apiece: So they
departed, bidding him not fail coming thither again.
that day fevennight.
This unexpected, but lucky adventure, like a fud-
den fupprize, unframed his reaſon, and makes poor
Quarll overlook the only obſtacle that could obſtruct
his blooming Happineſs. Thus tranſported with fee-
ing himſelf maſter of more money than ever he was
Worth before, and in a fair proſpect of advancing
himſelf; he haftens home, and in his quard-cloaths,
in which he ought not to be ſeen there, being,
dreſs obnoxious to moſt, and more eſpecially to
creditors
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
83
His landlady, who, till then, had been made to
expect her money, thinking he only waited the ſhip's
being diſcharged, to go another voyage; feeing him
in that hope-killing dreſs, gave a Ihriek, as if the
had ſeen the devil: Slanders and abuſes, itriving for
utterance, croud in her foaming mouth; and like a
rapid torrent, which, running from a large extent
into a narrow channel, fwells, and overfows its
banks ; fo her paffion, finding her mouth too ſmall-a
pallage, breaks out through her eyes: Thus, having
Thriek'd and roar'd awhile, which occaſion'd all her
lodgers to come down the charges poor aſtoniſh'd
Quarll with thoals of abuſes, in the vileft and moſt
inſulting terms; the moſt inveterate malice can ex-
preſs.
Thus having exhauſted her ſtock of ſlanders, het
tongue having uttered all the evil ſhe could, the fer
ter miſchievous hands to work upon his wife; who,
being come to ſee the occaſion of her ſhrieking, food
like one bereft of her ſenſes : So, having torn her
head-cloaths off her head, with words fuitable to the
barbarous deeds, the thruſts them both out of doors
which tho' the rudeft action that could denote the
unmercifulneſs of her intended revenge, was to them,
at that time, the kindeft act ſhe could perform.
That unexpected treatment was no ſmall check to
Quarll's chearful diſpoſition, but having conſider'd,
that one time or other he muſt have ſtood the ſhock,
he rejoices that it is over, and, being free from the
care of getting her paid, he has at that time nothing
to think of but to find another lodging;, which be-
ing then too late to go about, he concludes to wait for
morning at a certain cellar at Charing-Croſs, which
is open all night. Going along, the mildly blamedi
him for his unadviſed coming in that drels, which, he
might imagine, could produce no better effect. To
which he anſwered, he never could have wiſhed for
E 6
better :
--
84
THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
ric
better For, by her turning him out of doors, ſhe
had paid herſelf; which he would have done, had he
ftay'd: But now he was come away, being better
provided, and in a better way, he would have
better lodgings ; ſo told her of the adventure, which
much rejoiced her; and from that time made her re-
ſelve to forſake her former way of living, which mil-
fortunes only drove her to, being not led by evil incli-
nation, as many are.
The morning being come,
whilft ſhe went to ſeek for lodging, he went for the
cloaths he was promiſed the evening before, which
fitted him as if made on purpoſe, and made him ap-
pear as one of the genteel employment he was recomi-
mended for Being new ſhav'd and powder'd, he
went with the letter, according to order : and was,
receiv'd fuitably to the recommendation given him.
The lady, being juft up, made him drink chocolate
with her; then, having required a ſong, ſhe agrees
with him for a guinea a month, the uſual rate, and
gives him a guinea at entrance, as 'tis common ; to be-
gan that very morning, promiſing to recommend him
to a lady, who had two daughters; which the accord-
ingly did, and ſent him thither the next time he came.
This fair proſpect of an handſome and genteel liv-
ings which he always was deſirous of, made him for-
get his paſt misfortunes, Thus joyfully he returns to
the cellar, where he had ſpent the night before, and
where he had appointed to meet his wife, after the
had fix'd upon a lodging ; who accordingly came in
leſs than a quarter of an hour, hoping ſhe had pleaſed
her huſband, which ſhe reſolved for the future to en-
deavour. She ſat down, expecting his coming, not
knowing he had already waited hers; his change of
dreſs concealing him from her, not expecting to fee
him in fo different a garb from that which the left him
in: Which he iperceiving, comes up to her, and
takes her by the hand, going to aſk her the ſucceſs of
her
THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
85
her walk; but ſhe, putting it out of his power, in an
angry manner bidding him go about his bufineſs, hav-
ing none with her, prevented his ſpeaking. His fi.
lence, which ſhe took to proceed from bathfulneſs,
occafioned her looking him in the face; in which
diſcovering her dear huſband's features, to whoſe
natural handſomeneſs his genteel cloaths were no
Imall addition, ſhe was ſeiz'd with ſuch a ſurprize,
that it ſtruck her ſpeechleſs for ſome minutes.
Quarll, diſcerning her diſorder by the fading of
her freſh complexion, was as much ſurpriz'd as the.
Thus trembling, he takes her in his arms : My dear,
faid he, what's the matter? Are you not well? Hay.
ing recovered her ſpeech, fhe embraced him, faying,
how can I be ill, when my dear heart and ſoul appears
ſo well?
Theſe kind words, and the return of that Auſh
which firſt kindled love's fire in his heart, inflames it
afreth ; hardly can he govern his new rais'd paflion:
Thus, giving her a kiſs, my love, ſays he, have you
got a lodging? Yes, my dear, replies the loving wife
you ſhall ever dwell in my heart. But I want to lie
in your arms, anſwers he; that can't be done here.
Well, then, ſaid ſhe, I have provided a fit place.
So, having each of them taken a dram, they went
away:
Sally, who till then was a ſtranger to real love,
now feels its true ſmart; and tho' ſhe has for ſome
time enjoy'd the fruition, the only bliſs pains-taking
lovers aſpire at for the reward of all their toils and
labours, and the happy fhore love's compaſs-points
at; yet the feems uneaſy, as expecting ſomething
more: She cavils with time for Aying too faſt.
Whole days and nights are too ſhort for her to be-
hold her dear. She continually bears his image in
her heart, and wiſhes ſhe could for ever have him in
her arms; which from that time the confecrates to
chaſte
86 THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
19
chaſte embraces : devoting herſelf wholly to the
diligent and aſſiduous practice of the neceflary qua-
lifications in a wife, to render an huſband truly hap-
py: The execution of which wiſe and virtuous reſo-
lutions gained her the tendereſt and moſt ſincere
love and affection a really fond huſband can fhew or
expreſs to a darling wife.
They lived in that truly happy ſtate about half a
year : at the end of which, cruel fate, envious of his:
uncommon happineſs, moſt barbarouſly robs him of
it, almoſt as ſoon as he had favoured its incomparablet
and matchleſs ſweets.
One ſummer morning, loving and truly-obſerving
Sally, knowing her huſband delighted in flowers and..
greens, went to Covent Garden, in order to buy
fome to garniſh her windows and chimney, being: -
the only things wanting to complete the neatneſs of her
lodging, which ſhe kept in the greateſt order. Asta
ſhe was going, ſhe moſt unfortunately, met with the per-,
jured knight, who deceived her out of her virtue,
and with whom ſhe had lived a conſiderable time, in.
expectation of his fulfilling the promiſe he made her,..
when ſhe put him in pofleffion of her maiden-trea
fure; who, being glutted with his facrilegious theft,
moſt baſely and ungratefully left her. deſtitute. Fain
would ſhe have ſhunnid the fatal principle and origin.
of her paſt misfortunes, and helliſh motive of her
late evil life, which ſhe mortally
, abhorred, and zeam.
louſly renounced: But inexorable fate has decreed her
ruin
the can no wiſe avoid him ; he was too near
before the perceived him, and had hold of her hand
ere ſhift out
Being thus ſuddenly ſtopt by him, ſhe would have
embraced the fevereſt death, to avoid the vile ſeducer,
by whom her innocence was firſt betray'd. The ir
reconcilable antipathy the bad conceived for the mor-
tad enemy of her newly-retriev'd virtue, being ſtart-
THE ENGLISH HER MIT.
87
Wies
led at his terrifiying appearance, ſet her whole faculty
in an uproar, and ſcares away her ſenſes, not ſo,
much as a word left her to expreſs her trouble.
The amorous knight, whoſe late love for the fair
Sally (whoſe regular living had repaired thoſe charms
her former lewd life had very much damaged), was
revived, and grown more paſſionate than ever, flat-
tering his hopes with the thoughts, that her preſent
diſorder proceeded from joy and ſurprize, took the
opportunity of an empty hackney coach which was
going by, to bring her to his lodgings: So, having
Itopp'd it, he puts in the poor diſpirited woman, al-
together inſenſible of what was done, or deſigned ;
but having, with the ſhaking of the coach, recovered a
little ſpirit, and finding herſelf ſo much, in his power,
as aimed at her total ruins. ſhe gave a loud thriek,
which occafioned the coach to be ſtopp'd by ſome
people who viere going by; but his proteſting he had
no other deſign but to take her to a friend's houſe till
ſhe was intirely, recovered, repreſenting alſo the dan-
ger of expofing herſelf by oppoſing his kind intention,
being then near a ſtreet where he and ſhe had lived,
together a conſiderable time, in ſome meaſure pacified
her: So, having put his head out of the coach, he tells.
the people who ſtood by, that his wife, who had been,
lately overſet, was afraid of the like accident, which,
made her ſcream; fo bid the coachman drive on; dur ."
ing which time he entertains her with all the marks of
a paſſionate love, ſwearing over-and-over, he was her
ſlave for evers and that now kind fortune once more:
brought them together, none but death ſhould ſever
him from the perſon he loved ſo dear; and that he
would expire in thoſe ſoft arms which often gave him
life.
Theſe fondi expreffions, which ſhe formerly had,
gaven credit to, are now. upbraidings and reproaches
for her too eaſy credulity, and only increaſed her ha-
bred
88 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
tred for the deluder; which, åt that time, ſhe thought
proper to conceal: Thus, reftraining her paſſion, ihe
aſſunies a feigned calmneſs, and mildly returns him
thanks for his love, which ſhe cannot indulge, being
married. Married! faid he, and I living! Was you
not mine? I was, indeed, reply'd ſhe, bluſhing with
anger and ſhame. But what was [! I tremble to
think on't. Why, faid he, my love and heart's de-
light, and ſhall be, whilſt breath keeps it in motion.
Oh! falfe man, faid the, weeping moſt bitterly, re-
peat not thoſe deluding words, which betray'd my
virtue. Come, ſaid he, ceaſe that flood which over
fows my foul with the bittereft of forrows, and re-
prieve the moſt penitent of men from the cruelleſt of
deaths : My fubmiffive obſervance of your inclinations
ſhall henceforth atone for all paft given diſpleaſures:
Mean you, faid fhe, as you ſpeak? By all that's fa-
cred; I do, reply'd he. Then, ſaid Sally joyful, fet
me down here, and I'll forgive what's past. No
my dear, this being a requeſt I cannot in honour
grant, I may, without breach of promiſe refufe ; 1
muft fee you quite re-establiſhed firit.
By this time the coach was arrived to the direéted
place, which proved to be an houſe where the had laſt
lived with the knight; which being open, and the
landlady at the door, obliged her to go in without
reſiſtance, fearing it would be of no ule, but rather
prejudicial to her deſign: So ſhe quietly went in,
hoping the fhould have a better opportunity to get ...
way, after ſhe had made the landlady underſtand that
ſhe was married. But the fordid wretch, hoping the
knight would lodge there again, who proved an ex-
traordinary beneficiał lodger before, went out of the
room, and left her to luis pleaſure.
Poor Sally, ſeeing herſelf at the point of being a
fecund time undone, there being no one to aflift her
within, nor hopes of any help from abroad, the room
ſhe
ips
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
89
ſhe was in being backwards, next to large gardens,
and diſtant from the houſe, and therefore out of hear-
ing, gives herſelf up to deſpair, ſeeking the oppor-
tunity of laying hold of his ſword, on which ſhe was
reſolved to fall, rather than yield to his adulterous de-
fires. Thus, whilſt the knight was labouring to ex-
preſs the height of his love, by the moſt endearing
terms, and prevailing words, the moſt paſſionate
lover could invent, ſhe, of a ſudden, ſnatch'd the
ſword from his fide, and turn’d the point thereof to.
wards her breaſt, in order to execute her barbarous,
though virtuous reſolution. What do you mean?
ſaid he, laying hold of her arm. To get myſelf at
liberty, ſaid ſhe, which you bafely refuſe : So falls in-
to a violent fit, which laſted ſome minutes; which
was no ſooner over, but it was ſucceeded by another,
and ſo on, for the ſpace of three hours ; at the end of
which time ſhe was fo faint and weak, that her life
was deſpair'd of, and fo continued all day; which
made the knight repent that he had forced her to ſtay,
ſo much againſt her will; heartily wiſhing that he
knew where ſhe lived, that he inight ſend her home;
which ſhe not being well enough to tell, the landlady,
by the knight's order, got the beſt room of the houſe
fiited up for her : And the bed being warm’d, ſhe
was carefully laid in it, and a doctor ſent for ; whó,
having felt her diſorder'd pulſe, faid, her indiſpoſition
proceeded from paſſion and grief, and ordered that
The ihould be let blood, which would give her oppref-
fed fpirits a preſent relief. The phyſician was no
ſooner gone, but the ſurgeon was ſent for, to perform
the doctor's orders, which gave her immediate cafe,
and in a little time cauſed her to ſleep, which laſted
all the night.
This great and ſudden amendment much rejoiced
the moſt afflicted knight, who made a vow not to
leave
THE ENGLISH HERMIT
a ,
leave her till ſhe was reſtored to her wonted health,
fitting up by her all night.
The next morning, Sally, whoſe good night's reft
had in a great meaſure recover'd both ſtrength and,
reaſon, finding herſelf in a ſtrange bed, and from fer
bulband, was again ſeiz'd with ſurprize, which did
much threaten a relapſe.. Heavens, faid ſhe, by what
enchantment am I here! What fiends could ravish
me out of my dear ſpouſe's arms ?. Then, ſceing the
knight ſtand by the bed-fide, ſhe gives a loud thriek :
Oh! vile ravither ! faid ſhe, is it then by another of
your bellifb ſtratagems that I am again betray'd into
your power? at which the fell into à violent fit of
crying.--No, moft virtuous woman, replied the
knight, falling on his knees; it is by accident, of
which I own myſelf to be the moſt miſerable occaſion,
for which I heartily alk both heaven and you pardon.
Then he relates the whole matter, which the late ill-
neſs her exceſſive grief and paſſion brought upon here
had made her forget.
That woeful relation did but add to her trouble, by
heightening her grief. Oh! ſaid they with a fresh
fhower of tears, how can I now look my dear huſband-
in the face, when my very juſtification turns to iny.
The knight, who was in as great a confternation as
the could be ip, takes her hand, which lay motion-
kefs out of the bed, and bathing it with tears, begs
her to forbear terrifying his moſt penitent ſoul, pro-
miſing to rectify all paft wrongs: You remember,
my life, faid he, the vows I made when firit you gave
yourſelf to me: I renew them now, and would fulfil
them, but that it would expoſe you to the rigour of
the law: Therefore I'll only, for the preſent, fette
till, by your huſband's death, I am impower'd ta
piake you lawful miſtreſs of all my eſtate, Pray
comport
***
Something
.
They, being alſo cautious or
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
91
compoſe yourſelf, and fedately conſider on't, and,
when 'tis come to a concluſion, I'll attend for your
anſwer: So withdrew for a while.
This generous offer, expreſſing the ſincerity of his
love, for whom ſhe had formerly more than a common
eſteem, in a great meaſure appeaſed her paſſion; the
offered atone nent difarms her revenge; ſhe now
pleads for him ſhe had condemn’d, and blames herſelf
for the crime ſhe had charged him with. How could
I, ſaid the, think my virtue fafe in his hands, on
whom love has ſuch an aſcendant (which is itſelf guil-
ty of as many faults as it covers ?) if he went away
with my heart, it was but a breach of truft: Beſides,
his abſence was no flight, it being occaſioned by bulia
nefs.
Having made theſe reconcilable reflections, and be
ing at the point of accepting his offer, conſcience
#arts, and oppoſes her reſolution : Her huſband ſtands
in the way, rigg'd in all thoſe engaging qualifica-
tions which had won her affection. This, coming in-
to her mind, in a manner ſcares away her reaſon; the
can't help loving both: Her love for the knight pleads.
ſeniority, and that for her huſband juſtice. The firſt is.
attended with intereſt, the laſt is prompted by virtue.
"The debate is great, and both their arguments ſtrong
Reaſon is called to decide the matter, which, having
(as 'tis her cuſtom) ſedately weighed the cauſe, ex.
amined both accidents and incidents, at laſt ſeems in-.
clinable to favour the love for the knight; but, jufticey,
who is always in the right, will not refign it: Peace
and content the only motives worth contending for,
giving a rach verdict, examined on which lide they
were in moſt fa'ety; and, finding themſelves moſt
(creened from upbraidings and reproaches (their mortal
enemies) from the knight, gave it of his fide. Sojula
tice
VA
92
THE ENGLISH HER MIT.
.
tice, who feldom gets its due, is forced to drop the
cauſe, and tacitly withdraws.
The knights offer, being the ſofteſt choice for an
eaſy and quiet life, which ſhe could not reaſonably
expect from her huſband, who doubtleſs would, from
the late accident, conceive an ill opinion of her virtue,
(which altho' at that time blar elaſs, ſhe could not
with modefty vindicate) having fent for the knight,
the ſpeaks to him after this manner :
I have had ſo much reaſon to repent my being too
credulous, by the many vexations it has occafioned
me now, that ſhould i, upon the bare repeating of
broken promiſes, expofe inyfelf to the fame, you
yourſelf could not but blame me. Indeed, dear Sally,
ſaid the knight, interrupting her, I own you have ſuf-
ficient cauſe to queſtion my fincerity; but I will this
moment remove it: So that moment ſends for a law-
yer, and makes the propoſed ſettlement; then gives
orders that a mercer ſhould be fetched for her, to take
her choice of the moſt modiſh filks, and then for a
filk night-gown, for her to wear till her cloaths were
made: as alſo for all manner of linen, ſhoes, and
ſtockings. Then having new rigg'd her from top
to toe, now, ſaid he, my dear, you are intirely mine;
give me directions, that I may ſend your huſband what
he can challenge as his own; fo writes the following,
letter:
:
« S. IR,
,
« Left the abſence of her, who unthinkingly gave
« herſelf to you for a wife (tho' not at her own diſ-,
* pofal, being mine before) ſhould cauſe you any far-
" ther trouble, theſe are to ſatisfy you, that I have
« retaken poſſeſſion of my own;, to ſend you
“ her cloaths, as being all you can claim a right to
R. S."
you back
I am yours,
Having
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
93
Having ſealed up the letter and bundled up the
cloaths, a porter was called, to whom orders were
given to carry the bundle and letter, to the moſt per
plexed and concerned Quarll
, who ſpent the night in
unſpeakable torment. A thouſand diſmal accidents
glared at his alarmned fancy, which created new racks
for his tortured foul. He tumbles on his bed like an
unmaited fhip toſs'd about by a violent storm, curling
the tedious hours for creepiug thus in the dark night;
taxing the fun with ſloth, and nature with unkind.
nefs. Thus, like one bereft of his fenfes, and quite
void of reaſon, he ſnarls at the whole creation.
At length, the long-wiſh'd-for day having fent
forth its dawn, to proclaim its approach, he ſtarts
from off the bed whëreon he lay as if upon thorns,
and like a mad man, runs about to inform himſelf of
what he dreads, more than death, to know. But,
having ſpent feveral hours in diligent inquiry after
lately befallen accidents, without hearing of any;
jealouſy creeps in, which in ſome meaſure removes
bis former fears, but in no wife leffens his pains. Thus
be returns home as much rack'd as before.
Being arrived, he finds on his table a bundle, and a
letter, which his landlady told him were brought by a
porter. His impatience to know the contents of
both were equal; but the bundle being more ſurprif
ing to him, he precipitately opens it firſt, which find
ing it to be every individual part of the cloaths his wife
hast on the day before, when ſhe went out ; with the
ſurprize, he lets it drop out of his hands, and, like
one thunderſtruck, remained ſpeechleſs for ſeveral
minutes. Then fetching a deep and heavy figh, at-
tended with a fhower of tears, he bitterly exclaims
againſt himſelf for queſtioning the faithfulneſs of that
leve, of which he now has ſuch fatal proofs.
Thus, concluding the had drown'd herſelf, and
that the letter would inform him of the cauſe thereof;
he
:
..
94
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
he takes it up, ſaying, O that thou hadît been a
timely forerunner of the fatal tidings thou art beårer of!
Yet,' for her dear fake that wrote it, I'll peruſe thee
tho' thy contents be but racks for me, and the moſt
cruel tortures that ever were or can be invented.
But great was his ſurprize, when he found it to
come from a man; and inexpreſſible his confuſion at
the contents: his ſenſes are all in an uproar; he blames
his eyes for not ſeeing right; his apprehenſion for
miſtaking the meaning : His blind love taxes his rea-
fon with raſhneſs, the miſtaken expreflions being but
illuſions proceeding from an oppreſſion upon the in-
tellects So lays down the letter till his diſturbed
mind was better ſettled. Yet he cannot be eaſy, he
muſt, with ſome other writing, try whether his eyes
are itill defective: On which, finding no fault, he
haftily takes up the letter again; but alas! it was the
fame as before. My judgment, faid he, has been as
much wrong'd as my love. So, after a few conſide-
rations, calling to mind, that as an accident had
procured her to him, he ought, without reluctancy,
to ſurrender her again; having made a reſolution ne-
ver to venture any more on that uncertain ſtate, which
commonly promiſes happineſs, but often brings
for-
He ſhifts his lodging, and goes to live where
he was unknown, the better to paſs for a batchelor;
in which free ſtation he enjoy'd peace undiſturbid,
and pleaſures uncontrould, for the ſpace of twelve
months : But croſs fate ſtill purſues him ; he muſt
againſt be fetter’d, and bear yet heavier chains than
before. A ſecond mate is alloted him, who, though
very chaſte, dooms him wretched, being ſhort of
other qualifications neceflary in a wife to make a man
happy.
This woman had been bred up from her infancy
under the care of a lady, whoſe two daughters Quarlı
taught to fing, and had lived with her in ftation of a
HOW
chamber-
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
95
chamber-maid, ever ſince ſhe was big enough to
officiate in that place; during which time, having
behaved herfelf to her miſtreſs's content, the gain'd
her affection; ſo that this good lady, being delirous
to advance her maid, whoſe age fitted her for marri-
age, the chief ſettlement for a woman, ſhe caſt her
eyes upon her daughters ſinging maſter, who the
thought would make her a good huſband, having ob-
ferved him ever ſince he came to her houſe, to carry
and behave himſelf very decently. Thus having de
clared her mind to her, who had already a great incli-
nation that way, the readily ſubmitted to her lady's
will, who promiſed to bring it about.
The good lady, having conceived the principal
means to bring her deſign about, took the opportuni-
ty of Quarll's next coming to propoſe it to him,
promiſing to make her worth three hundred pounds,
which was the only motive that could engage him to
break the reſolution he had made. The young wow
man being allo very agreeable in her perſon, and ex-
traordinary obliging to him, he readily accepted the
offer.
The old lady, having-fo far prevailed upon him, is
reſolved to puſh on till quite concluded ; fo has
them married in leſs than a week, and gave them
Jodgings in her houſe, where they continued but one
month. The new-married wife, thinking herſelf, in
fome meaſure under confinement whilft in the good lar
dy's houſe, to whom duty and gratitude obliged her to be
more than indifferently oblerving, being ſomewhat
ambitious of living great, perſuades her huſband to
take a houſe, and furniſh it ; which being done ac-
cording to her deſire, they went away from the kind
old lady to live by themſelves, without conſidering
the expence of houſekeeping, which they both, till
then, had been ſtrangers to, but, in a little time, ber
came too well acquainted with,
The
英
​96
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
The three hundred pounds being gone in furniſhing
the houſe and paying two years rent, and as many
years wages to a couple of maids, one whereof the
kept in the ſtation ſhe herſelf had but lately over-
come; Quarll was obliged to reduce his charges, and
level his expences to his income; ſo diſcharges the
fuperfluous fervant, whoſe buſineſs was only to in-
dulge her indolence, and increaſe her pride.
That ſudden leſſening of her attendants check'd her
ambitious diſpoſition, in ſuch a manner that it threw
her into the ſpleen; which was like to have coſt him
more money in doctors, than the ſervant's wages
which he endeavoured to ſave.
Being taken very ill, and knowing not what to
complain of, a doctor was granted, at her importu-
nity, rather than her need; who, being come, and
finding her indiſpoſition lie in her temper, more than
a defect of nature, order'd her medicines to make
them both in the ſame condition.
Her ſtrength decaying, and the apothecary's bill
increaſing, which are the uſual effects of imaginary
illneſs, made he huſband apprehenſive, that confi-
derable charges might acrue from her fanciful and
imaginary diſtemper, which he would not indulge ;
and feared to check too ſuddenly, left it might pro-
duce ſome other ill effect: So, in compliance to her
natural pride, he propoſes her going in the country,
as being a proper expedient to fave his money, and
to be rid of a grunting companion, at leaſt during the
fummer.
This propoſal, fuiting her ambition to imitate
quality (who, for the generality; go out of town a-
bout that time of the year) was foon accepted of: and
that opportunity of being freed from one of the
greateſt plagues which can befal a man, by him as
foon approved.
Quarll
,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT: 97
Quarll, having got her in the mind, was no wife
dilatory to get it perform’d; but made diligent inquiry
about the moſt convenient place in the country, fór
remoteneſs and cheapneſs; which being informed of,
he forthwith takes horſe, and having found a good
old countryman, with his wife and daughter, in
Yorkſhire, whoſe diligent care, and frugal living,
whilft young and ſtrong, had been rewarded with a
moderate competence, to keep him from toiling when
grown old; who, having a pleaſant and commodious
habitation, diſtant from meddling and inſpecting
neighbours, and room to ſpare, were very glad to
take in a gentlewoman to board, being ſome company
for them in their remote living, and therefore ſtood
upon no rate : which ſuiting Quarll's circumſtances
and wiſhes, he began to conſult on means to keep
his wife there for a conſtancy : And as he well knew
The never would conſent, nor he be able to force her to
it by violence, he applies to ſtratagems. Thus, having
given her the beſt character he could to the old people
for good humour, he tells them, that indeed ſhe had
one failing, but that it was no-wiſe troubleſome, pro-
vided one give her her way: She is very vapouriſh,
and looks for great attendance: O dear! that's qua-
lity diſtemper. Well, if that be all, replied the old
folks, ſhe ſhall not want for any one thing. More,
ſaid he, I muſt caution you of, which is this: She
will ſoon be tired of her lodging, and will be for re.
turning to London ; fo will ſeek all opportunities to
ſteal away, if ſhe finds herſelf oppoſed in her deſires:
Therefore 'tis beſt not to contradict her directly, but
be fure watch her narrowly, left ſhe gives you the flip.
Never fear, reply'd the good people; we'll take care
of that: She never ſhall go one ſtep alone. She is
not apt to lay violent hands upon herſelf
, and do her-
felf a miſchief? No, no, reply'd he, there's no
danger of that; you may truſt her alone within doors
F
98
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
2
at any time, but never abroad. One thing more I
muſt give you notice of; that is, when ſhe finds ſhe
cannot get away, ſhe'll be for ſending letters: I charge
you, let her have no paper, only at firſt; to write to
me once, or twice, or ſo; and that you'll gueſs, when
proper, by her railing, which will be a token of her
being diſcompoſed: And, as for her diet, ſhe is ſome-
thing dainty; but I ſee you have plenty of poultry,
which ſhe loves very well. O dear Sir, anſwered the
old woman, ſhe ſhall have fiſh, feth, and fowl, when
the pleaſes. We have a fine pond in the ground,
well ſtock'd with fiſh; and cocks and hens enough,
you fee, about the yard; and for butcher's meat;
tis but two or three hours ride to the next town.
So Quarll having agreed, and paid one quarter, be-
fore-hand, which he promiſed to do whilft the board-
ed there, he returns to London, in order to fetch his
wife; who having projected a greatneſs of living in
the country, which ſhe was diſappointed of in
town, immediately enquired into the appearance of the
houſe, the handſomeneſs of the lodgings, and the
gentility of the neighbours: To which queſtions
Quarll took care to anſwer ſuitable to her inclination.
So, having concluded to go the next day, they went
out to make proviſion of ſuch things as cannot well
be had in the country; as Nantz brandy, ratafia, uf-
quebaugh, coffee, chocolate, and ſuch things as were
neceſſary for genteel company.
Being provided with every thing, they ſet out the
next day; but, as neither lodgings, houſe, or neigh-
bourhood, anſwered her ambition, nor his commen-
dations, he contrived to arrive in the night, that ſhe
might not find the deceit; and as the good people of the
houſe, according to direction, ſhewed her abundance of
reſpect, giving her the title of lady, and a good ſupper
being prepared, ſhe inquired no farther into the matter.
The next morning Quarll, having repreſented to his
ſpouſe,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
99
ſpouſe, it would be of prejudice to him if he ſtayed any
longer from his ſcholars, having already loſt fix days,
took his leave of her, and left her in bed, it not be-
ing her uſual time to riſe: So having promiſed to be
with her in a ſhort time, to ſee how ſhe liked her
lodgings, he returned to London, having firſt renew-
ed his charge to the good people of the houſe, of giv-
ing her her humour; and, above all, not to let her go
out alone, nor conſent to her coming up to London ;
which, in a little time, he queſtioned not but the
would be very defirous of.
Quarll being gone, the old people, according to
their charge, were extraordinary diligent and careful
in pleaſing their new lodger; who finding her ambi-
tion gratify'd by their obſervance, kept in that day :
But the next morning, having a fancy to walk out,
the young woman of the houſe took her to ſee the
ground and cattle which belonged to them, as being
the principal things ſhe could thew her; there being
neither houſe nor habitation, but their own little cot-
tage, within fight. She, who thought her lodgings
to be in a handſome and creditable houſe, near a gen-
teel neighbourhood, with whom ſhe might converſe ;
finding the reverſe of her expectations, could not con-
ceal her pasſion at the diſappointment; but falls a rail-
ing againſt her huſband in ſuch a rage as frightened
the poor young woman; who, doubting ſhe was go-
ing in one of her fits, ran home to fetch her father
and mother, who, being come, were as much
frightened as their daughter, at her furious counté-
nance, the blood being ready to ſtart out of her face,
and her eyes out of her head. Thus, fearing the
would grow unruly, each of them took hold of one
of her arms, and to in a manner, dragg’d her home;
where, being come, they would have laid her upon
the bed : But ſhe, who took this act of their caution
for an effect of their careful attendance, told them,
F 2
that
TA
...
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
IOO
:
that indeed ſhe could not find fault with them; and
that their habitation might fuit their birth; but really
it did nor hers, which her huſband very well knew;
and therefore ſhe never would forgive him for bringing
her thither, and that he ſhould foon know : So defir-
ed them to give her paper and ink, if the houſe could
afford ſuch a thing.
The good people, who had been cautioned to give
her her humour in that at the beginning, having none
at home, fent the boy that attended their Sheep on
horſeback to the next town for them; then, leaving
her to compoſe herſelf, they retired to bewail among
themſelves her misfortune, which they perceived to be
the effect of pride, reflecting upon the happineſs of
their own condition, and the pleaſure of a contented
life.
« * Now, ſaid they, ſhe has been brought up in
a city, where exceſs of pleaſure, and luxury are
« made the only means to arrive at content ; but a-
las ! how widely do they miſs their aim! Their
«c life is a continued ſeries of cares; their emulation
* and vanity in faſhions, entertainments, and ſuch
like, together with their inſeparable companion,
<< envy, only contribute to make an unhappy life ftill
more miferable.
« Here this gentlewoman wants for no manner
" of neceſſaries to make a life comfortable, but has
* rather a ſuperabundancy. Could fhe reject that
« horrid pain cauſing quality of pride, and learn a
* N. B. The lines marked with (") are ſet dozun
sword for word with his memoirs, for theſe reaſons, 1.
I thought it a pity to alter any thing from his notions
of the pleaſures of a country life. 2. And the rather,
becauſe it gives us very lively ideas of the perfect hap-
pineſs he enjoys in his folitude.
« little
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
IOI
" little humility, 'tis that brings content, and ſweet-
fc ens all the misfortunes of this life. How prefera-
« ble is our ſtation to hers! How ſolid is the plea-
« fire we enjoy in this folitary habitation, compared
" to the trifling joys the great ones pofleſs in the moſt
" populous cities ! O happy fields, and ſilent groves !
“where nothing but eternal rounds of pleaſure cen-
“ tre! Here no debaucheries, riotings, faſhions,
« and luxurious entertairments; no envy of others
good fortune, no drunkenners, ſwearing and blaf-
pheming the mercies of the Alnighty God, ever
“ take place, as in flouriſhing cities ; but providence
“ gives us all things with a bountiful hand. In ſhort,
" we have all we defire, and more than we juftly de-
“ ferve. Here the beauteous birds, joyfully hopping
" from bough to bough, ſtretching their tuneful
" throats, and warble out melodious anthems to their
great Creator's praiſe ; whilſt flowry hills, in har.
$ monious echoes, repeat the fame to the fruitful
neighbouring vales. Here's nothing to be ſeen or
“ heard but univerſal acclamations of praiſe to the
great God of all things. This is the real ſolid
“ pleaſure; this is that makes us perfectly happy.
* For how much more eligible is the company of
“ irrational animals, or even inanimate things, than
" the ſociety of men, who have diveſted themſelves
* of all things but hape, whereby to diſtinguih
« them from the moſt deformed brutes, or, indeed,
“ from more horrible devils? This gentlewoman has
put us in mind of our own happineſs, of which,
“ before her coming, we were almoſt ignorant; but
" now we may fee, that happineſs confifts not in
"riches, nor content in gaudy apparel. But why
“ do we tarry here? It is not proper to leave the
gentlewoman ſo long alone, left, in one of her fits,
4 the thould do hereſek a miſchief: Therefore let one
of us go to her.''
So the good woman of the
houſe
E 3
::
102
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
don) would not
houſe went to her, and finding her in tears, uſed all
poſſible endeavours to divert her melancholy, but all
no purpoſe ; for ſtill ſhe was interrupted by exclama-
tions againſt that villain! that rogue! her huſband.
The good woman, finding that words could not pre-
vail, thought a glaſs of ratafia might do better; lo
defired her to comfort herſelf, and take a glaſs of her
cordial; to which ſhe foon conſented, and after that
four or five more, which had the deſired effect; for
her melancholy was by this time turned into moſt vio-
lent fits of the ſpleen, and preſently into drowſineſs.
The landlady, perceiving her condition, deſired her to
lie down, and refreſh herſelf by taking a little ſleep :
So, laying her down upon her bed, and watching her
to ſleep, retired.
After ſhe had ſlept an hour or two, the awakes,
a very ſplenetic humour, and calls to know the reaſon,
why pen, ink, and paper were refuſed her. Indeed,
faid the old woman, we did not know that your lady-
fhip was awake; and we did not care to diſturb you ;
but I'll bring it to you prefently: So went and brought
it. Which ſhe no ſooner received, but the began to
write the following letter :
Moft barbarous of men,
WAS you afraid that my indiſpoſition (for which
you moſt deceitfully did perſuade me to leave Lon-
bave decoy'd me to an oven, the dulneſs whereof is
fufficient to make any well-bred dog pine itſelf to death;
bere not being a rational creature to talk to, but the
infipid folks of the hut; who, being ſtript of their
clumſy huma frape, will be as complete brutes as
their oxen and cows. Pray ſee that you forthwith-
fetch me henitz or expect to incur all the reſentment an
injured
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 103
injured wife can mew, as ſoon as arrived to London,
where I ſhall ſurely come in a few days, though I was
to travel all the way bare-foot.
Yours, &c.
.
MARY QUARLL.
.
This letter being wrote, the good people of the
houſe were in a great conſternation, whether they
ought to ſend it, or not; but, after ſome conſultation
about the matter, they concluded it ſhould go, left
her huſband ſhould take it amiſs.
Quarll
, who expected ſome ſuch letter from his
haughty dame, as ſoon as ſhe had diſcovered the
cheat, had, with a great deal of judgment, prepared
the following anſwer.
My Dear,
If your pride and vanity do outrun your reaſon, it
is no argument my compliance to them ſhould haften
my ruin: And-if you confuit your circumſtances, as I
do my ability, you'll not diſcommend
Your careful huſband,
PHILLIP QUARLL.
And with that, one to her landlord and landlady,
whom he thanked for their care of ſending the letter;
but defired they would not trouble themſelves with
ſending any more, nor give her opportunity of writ-,
ing, ſeeing it did but aggravate her diſtemper; and,
above all things, to have a particular care fhe ſhould
not give them the flip, and he would take care to gra-
tify them for their trouble.
F 4
This
104
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
This obliging letter, together with a preſent of a
pair of handſome green ftockings, and lemon-colour
gloves to the daughter, did fo win the old folks af-
fection, that they were 'extremely punctual in obſerving
his orders : But that to his wife had a quite different
ſucceſs; for inſtead of putting her into conſideration,
it fet her in fuch a violent rage, as would ſcarce permit
her to read it throughout: So tearing it to pieces,
he ſtorms, out; conſider my circumſtances ! vile
wretch! let him behold my portion, whether it de-
ferves me no better a being than a hovel! Landlady,
fend immediately to the town, and get me a place in
the ſtage againſt to-morrow; for I'll go and tear that
villain to pieces.
The good woman was not a little diſpleaſed to
hear her thus deſpiſe her houſe, which was the beſt
within a mile round; but as the imagined it was the
effect of her vapours, inſtead of vindicating her houſe,
which though old and low-built, was tolerable large,
and very convenient, the ſeem'd to acquieſce with her,
wiſhing it had been better for her fake; But as for
fending to take a place, it was then too late ; for by
that time a meſſenger could be got to town the office
would be fhut up; but that the next time ſhe went
out, ſhe would take care a place ſhould be taken: So
excuſed it for that wcek. In the mean time the
gave
her her humour, being very reſpectful and obſerving ;
which, ſuiting her pride, made her ſomething more
eaſy, and in ſome meaſure diverted her raving fits ;
for ſhe fly depended upon going the week following,
but was again diſappointed by one miſhap or other,
and ſo from time to time, till at laſt ſhe began to
doubt of their giving orders, meaning to keep her
there : Thus reſolved to go herſelf; but not knowing
the way, the deſired ſomebody might be ſent along
with her; which they were ready to grant, but never
Gould
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
IOS
could be had, being always out of the way, about
ſome buſineſs or other.
This continuing for the ſpace of a' month, or more,
and no news coming from London, ſhe began to
think it was a contrivance of her huſband's to be rid
of her with only paying for her board and lodging,
which the underſtood he had done before-hand, and
agreed to do ſo during her ſtay, which, very probably,
might be for her life ; but reſolved to difappoint him,
by privily ſtealing away, and at a venture ſeek out the
road to the next town, not queſtioning but ſhe thould
find fomebody as the went that would direct her:
But the old folks, having been warned of fuch an
enterprize by her huſband, were too vigilant to give
her an opportunity of attempting it, never leaving
her by herſelf from the time of her getting up to her
going to bed again; Which over-attendance con-
vinced her of her impriſonment.
Then finding herſelf curbed in her ambition, dif-
appointed in her pride, and trick'd out of her liberty,
without hopes of being reliey'd ; the letters the ſent to
her friends being intercepted; the falls into a paſſion
fuitable to her caſe and difpofition; which, having
vented upon the people of the houſe for abetting and
adhering to her perfidious huſband in fo traite
rous a deed, her ſpirits being exhauſted fo prodigi-
ouſly with raving, that nothing but a cordial dram
could ever have brought them to their uſual tone, and
which ſhe by long experience knew, dlls for her
grand ſpecific ; and, after ſhe had drank tree or four
refreſhing glaſſes, ſhe became more eaſy, and retirep
to reft: When, having ſept a few hours; the awakes
fomething better compofed. Thus, conſidering that
all the reſentment ſhe was capable to ſhew could not
mend her condition; the therefore concluded to
make her landlord and landlady her friends, that if
the, did not enjoy her liberty, as the propoſed, ſhe
might
F5
106
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
AL
might at leaſt enjoy a little more content in her cons
finement.
Thus ihe reſolved, and indeed kept her reſolution a
long time; laying aſide her haughty temper, and
curbing thoſe violent paflions ſhe had ſo long accuf-
tomed herſelf to ſhe now began to be much more
familiar and condeſcending, than what ſhe had hither-
to been, to the great joy and ſurprize of the good
people, who by this ſtrange alteration, were in great
hopes her madneſs was wearing off; and, upon that
account, were extremely induſtrious to humour her in
every point; uſing her with all the good manners they
were capable of: Which the eaſily perceiving,
thought to make uſe of their credulity to her advan-
tage ; for ſhe was a woman of a very quick penetra-
tion: And, finding how egregiouſly thoſe ignorant
people had been impoſed upon, in relation to her
plirenzy, ſaw the only means to regain her liberty
was to pretend a recovery. And, accordingly, by
a counterfeit change of temper, endeavoured to per:
fuade the people into a good opinion of her ; telling
them, the could never requite their extreme good
ſervices to her during her indifpofition; and lament-
ing her own unhappineſs in being to troubleſome and
fatiguing to perſons of fo kind and obliging behaviour.
They, in like manner, anſwered, that if their poor
ſervices had contributed any thing to her eaſe or reco-
very, they were fufficiently made amends for all their
trouble.
Now the ſcene was intirely chang’d; the raving,
proud, ill-natured gentlewoman became the molt
pleaſant; fociable, and beſt-natur'd perſon they had
ever met with : And they, who juſt before conceiv'd
ſo great a diſlike to her, were now fo delighted with
her company and converſation, that ſhe was lefs alone
than formerly, they always contriving fome diverſion
or other to drive away, her melancholy, and to pre-
vent
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
407
.:
vent a relapſe; hoping to ſend the welcome news of
her perfect recovery to her huſband : Frequently
plealing her with odd country tales, ſhewing her all
the pleaſures their fields, gardens, and orchards could
afford, with many other little contrivances to paſs the
time away; while ſhe endeavoured to divert them
with the comical adventures of the Londoners.
This the endured almoſt a whole month, with all
the ſeeming good-nature imaginable; but finding her-
felf in no way to procure her enlargement, and rather
more ſtrictly guarded than formerly, reſolved to ob-
tain her liberty by ſtratagem, which ſhe deſigned in
the following manner.
There was a ſervant in the houſe, whoſe name was
Thomas, and a lively, briſk, freíh colour'd young
man, indeed a fellow of admirable ſenſe, and good
manners: This ſpark was of a very amorous diſpoſi-
tion, well verſed in intrigues, and extremely obliging
in his temper and behaviour ; who, as ſoon as he ſaw
Quarll's wife, began to think of his former way of
living. Now this young fellow was born in London,
of very mean parents, whoſe friends not being able
to give him a trade, he was obliged to enter himſelf
a member of the ancient and honourable ſociety of
lacqueys. His first ſervice was to a widow gentle-
woman, where he learnt all the neceſſary qualificati-
ons of his employ; but his miſtreſs being a very re-
ligious woman, going to church two or three cimes
every day, where he was obliged conſtantly to attend
her, and ſo much gravity not ſuiting his mercurial
temper, foon obliged him to quit his post. But he,
being an arch wag, and fly knave, foon advanced
himſelf to be a footman to a young nobleman. Here he
began to ſhew his genius ; forhis maſter, being a young
gentleman very much delighted with love-adventures,
frequently made uſe of him in thoſe caſes! and, find-
ing him to be of a ſharp.ready witz
. very careful, and
F 6
well
108
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
well ſkill'd in taciturnity, foon made him ſecret mel-
ſenger in ordinary to all his intrigues; in which Ita-
tion he behaved himſelf admirably well, haying all
the accompliſhments neceſſary for ſo weighty a truſt,
viz. vigilance, diſpatch, and ſecrecy; and thefe fo
well managed, that he ſeldom fail'd in his deſigns.
This poſt of honour he enjoy'd for a long time,
with great credit and reputation, and gained ſo great a
ſhare in his maſter's affections, that he likewiſe made
him firſt miniſter to all his affairs.
Now Tom is arrived to the very ſummit of his
fortune; regaling himſelf in all kinds of pleaſure,
beloved and truſted by his maſter, honour'd and re-
{pected by his fellow-fervants, and, in ſhort, might
be faid to be perfectly happy.
But here that jilt,
which ſo long Hattered him with her kind embraces,
at one fatal blow removes all the means whereby he
aſcended, and puſhes him from the lofty precipice to
the deepeſt fink of poverty imaginable.
Tom's maſter being a loyer of variety, his curi-
ofity prompted him to ſee the diverſion of a coun-
try wake, in order to ſtart ſome freſh game; and,
to that purpoſe, diſguiſes himſelf like a plain coun-
try gentleman, and equipped his man Tom in the
ſame garb, on purpoſe to make him his companion
in his adventure. This place, where the wake was
kept, was about ten miles from the nobleman's ſeat;
fo each mounted his horfe, and away they rode :
When, being arrived at the town, nigh which they
were to hunt their game, they both alight, and put up
their horſes at an inn; and, having pulled off their
boots, out they walk towards the place of rendezvous :
As ſoon as they came within fight of the place, they
beheld the fields prettily beſpotted with different com-
panies, at as many different diverſions. In one place
a parcel of wreſtlers, eagerly contending, with
broken ſhins, for a pair of gloves; in another, a
company
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
109
company of cudgel-players, with batter'd ribs, fight-
ing for a laced hat; ſome at one game, and ſome at
another : But Tom and his maſter, who cared for
neither broken ſhins, or bloody brows, reſolved to
ſeek out ſofter combatants.
After they had walked up and down the field, ſee-
ing the ſeveral - diverſions; well, Tom, ſays the
young nobleman, where's our diverfion? Where are
all our girls got to? O, ſays Tom, we ſhall be in
with 'em preſently. Hark! I hear the noiſe of cate
gut; and I warrant we find them there. So, follow-
ing their ears, inſtead of noſes, they came to a moſt
ſpacious dome, vulgarly called a barn; which they no
fooner enter'd, but Tom ſays to his maſter, here, fir,
here's variety for you ; here's nymphs of all forts and
fizes; and, faith, of all complexions; they're all
clean and neat; al} fit for the game : Come, fir,
pick and chufe : Which pretty ſmiling rogue muſt be
your nymph? Come, let's ſee what you'll do; for I
long to be at it. Do o you long to ſee what I'll do?
ſays the nobleman; why, I intend to work miracles ;
I ſhall make my nymph a goddeſs, before I leave
her. Well then, reply'd Tom, I ſuppoſe I may
take the privilege to make my girl a nymph, at
leaft.
While they were thus talking, they ſtood like two
hawks hovering over their prey, not knowing on
which to fix their fatal talons, and the ruſticks
ing at 'em with open mouth, and diftended nostrils,
not knowing what to think of 'em. At length Mr.
Scrape, by tuning his melodious batter'd fiddle,
fummons all the girls to readineſs, each preparing
her feet for the ſport; while every Hob began to
feize a partner, and Tom and his maſter (in the
mean time, you may be ſure) were not idle: For,
offering their ſervice to a couple of pretty cherry-
cheek drogues, as Tom call’d them, the innocent
girls
s ſtar-
110 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
::
..
gir's very gladly accepted their offers, little dreaming of
their wicked intentions; but the miſchief was, the noble-
man had got the girl which Tom had the moſt inclina-
tion to; which cauſed ſuch a ſecret envy in his breaſt,
that became the fatal cauſe of his unfortunate dir-
grace.
Now the dance was begun with great fury on both
fides; the girls ramping and tearing, and the fel-
lows pulling, and haling, and ſhoving, and killing,
and tumbling like ſo many inad devils, while Tom
and his maſter, being ſtrangers to ſuch kind of di-
verſion, ſtood like two images, and the country fel-
lows mocking 'em ; which Tom obferving, and fee-
ing his partner very dull, thought they ſhould never
out-do him in caterwalling : Therefore, ſhrugging
up his ſhoulders, and rubbing his eyes a little bit, he
began to be as briſk as the best. The nobleman,
oblerving his man Tom's alteration, thought proper
to follow his example; fo, puſhing down two or
three girls, fell upon them, and kiſs'd’em till they
were almoft ſtifled; then, hoiſting 'em up, extends
his mouth to a full yawn, and laughs as loud, and
with as great a grace, as any of 'em ; while Tom,
to thew his activity jumps about a yard high, always
taking care to light upon ſomebody's toes; which
generally put the whole company into a loud fit of
laughter, except the perſon hurted; who, in com-
pliance to the reſt, was obliged to put her mouth in
a grinning poſture.
Thus they became the moſt facetious companions
imaginable (every one praiſing the two gentlemens
good humour and activity) and, in ſhort, became the
wonder of the whole company. But Tom and his
maſter, having tired themſelves and their partners
fufficiently, began to think of retiring, in order to
refreſh their weary'd limbs 3. and, mentioning the
ſame to their nymphs, the poor girls very willingly
accompany'd
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
III
accompany'd them. Now, they thought themſelves
fecure of their intended fport, and conducted them,
for that purpoſe, to the inn where they had put up
their horfes,
As foon as they were ſet down, they order'd wine
to be brought, and a ſupper got ready, in order to
detain and intoxicate the girls, if poflible; and there-
fore they ply'd 'em very cloſe with liquour: Now
Tom's partner, being a very brisk lively girl, never
refuſed her glaſs; but the nobleman's was of a very
mild, eaſy deportment, and would drink but little:
He, ſeeing her temper, began to be very amorous,
on purpoſe to try what that would do; but the, in fo
ſweet and eaſy a manner, check’d his rudeneſs, that
it raiſed in Tom a moſt violent paſſion for his mal-
ter's partner.
At length, fupper was brought to ta-
ble, which was no ſooner over, but the night began
to appear : The two girls, perceiving the time, de-
fired leave to go home, which the nobleman abfolutely
refuſed; but Tom, thinking to make ſure of his
game upon the road, conſented to go with his partner;
which the other hearing, begg'd not to be left alone,
but that ſhe might go likewiſe : The nobleman
(thinking he had not brought her to the deſired pitch)
as heartily deſired her to ſtay, vowing that nobody
ſhould wrong or hurt her ; but when the other gen-
tleman return’d (meaning Tom) they would both
conduct her home: So, by mere dint of argument,
prevailed upon her to tarry till Tom's return.
Now Tom, as ſoon as he had got from the town,
began to attack his fort, which after a little parley,
furrendered at diſcretion ; fo Tom raz'd the walls to
the ground, enter'd 'the caſtle, and took pofſeflion of
the city: All which being tranſacted, he leaves her,
promiſing to reviſit her the next day, and bends his
haſty ſteps towards the inn, with a deal of impati-
ence; muttering theſe words, as he went :
blockhead
What a
THE ENGLISH HERMIT,
:
blockhead was I to let my maſter be too nimble for
me! Ah! Fool that I was, to loſe ſo delicious a
morſel, and take poſſeſſion of ſo eaſy a fool! who,
as ſoon as aſked, conſented: When the other, with
all the pretty-engaging airs, ſo modeſtly checks any
thing that looks like rudeneſs. Well, faith, fince it
is fo, I'll make the beſt on't, and try whether I
can't chouſe him of his partner : So ſaid, fo reſolved,
and indeed fo done.
For, as ſoon as Tom came in, the girl claimed
their promiſe ; faying, the gentleman was fo rude,
that the would ſtay no longer; defiring them either
to go home with her, or let her go by herſelf. But
Tom, deſirous to renew the ſport, begg'd of her,
with all the prevailing arguments he was capable of,
to tarry; telling her, he was a little tired with the
walk he had taken, and wanted to refreſh himſelf:
So delired her to ſtay, while he only took a glaſs,
and he would go with her. The girl, very unwal..
lingly comply'd, and fat down again. The noble-
man, finding Tom had' no mind to part with her,
imagined he was bringing about what himſelf had
ſo long endeavoured in vain; and therefore, pulling
out his watch, he ſtarts up in hafte, and ſays he muit
needs go, for it was pait the time that he promis'd
to be at a certain place: So tells the innocent girl
he very unwillingly left her ; but he hoped this would
not break their new acquaintance, for he would pay
her a viſit in a ſhort time, deliring to be excuſed for
this time; and he believed he could prevail upon the
other gentleman to conduct her home. Tom, who
underſtood his meaning, follows him to the door,
and there receives his charge, which was, that he
ſhould bring her to a houſe they both knew, about
three miles off, as foon as poffible: So took his leave,
mounted his horſe, and went thither, impatiently
waiting for his prey.
Now
The ENGLISH HERMIT. 113
*
Now Tom was extremely pleaſed with his mal-
ter's intentions, reſolving to put the bite upon the
biter; and, as foon as the nobleman departed, be-
gan to attack the fortification with all the artillery
wine and ſoft words could ſupply him with: But
the defendant, proof to battery of this kind, held
out nobly a long time, and moved ſtrongly for a
ceffation of arms, defiring leave to go home: But
Tom, acquainted with the various turns of intrigues,
reſolved not to loſe his game, being well aſſured he
ſhould bring her to articles in a little time; and
began a freih attack, which laſted ſo long, that the
was obliged to cry for quarters; but it being too
late for going home, Tom perſuaded her to lie there;
aſſuring her, that he would ſee her well provided for;
and ſo, in fhort, the bluſhingly conſented.
Thus Tom, having gained his point, orders a bed
to be got ready; and then defired his miſtreſs, who
was, by this time, much overcome with wine and
ſleep, to go to bed. The poor girl (ſtill between
doubt and fear) knew not what to ſay, but, trem-
bling, denies what her looks deſired; and, after a
great many arguments on both ſides, ſhe refigns her-
ſelf intirely to him. The fly knave, joyful of his
prey, conducts his miſtreſs to hed; but, as they were
going, the old crafty innkeeper cries, in mere form, I
hope, fir, that's your wife, for I would by no means
have any thing difhoneft done in my houſe. Yes,
yes (lays our rogue) you may aſſure yourſelf it is
my wife, or elſe I ſhould not have offered to go to
bed with her, while the poor girl, hiding her face,
ran up ſtairs as faſt as ſhe could.
They had not been long above, when the noble-
man, uneaſy at their delay, returns to the inn, and in-
quires after the couple he left. Why, fir, faid the
hoft
, they're a-bed." A-bed! fays the nobleman, a-
bed! Yes, anſwer'd he, it being too late to go home,
they
".
114 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
they took up their lodgings here. What are they
a-bed together? ſaid the nobleman. Yes, ſays the
innkeeper ; I left 'em together. The nobleman,
hearing this, ſtood like one thunder-ſtruck, his eyes
darting lightning, and his blood all in flame; but,
bridling his paftion, very coolly inquired where they
lodged, ſaying he had ſome buſineſs of nwment to
impart to the gentleman, and he muſt that minute
Ipeak to him, Tke innkeeper, unacquainted with
his deſign, very complaiſantly conducted him to their
apartment; and knocking at the door, told Tom the
gentleman was returned, and wanted to ſpeak with
him. Tom not being yet undreſſed, knowing his
maſter's fiery temper, and the juſt refentment he was
lure to meet with, opens the window, and out he
jumps, without ſaying a word ; and, having bruiſed
himſelf with the fall, lay fome time upon the ground;
till, recovering himſelf a little, he precipitately got
over the garden wall, into which he had dropt from
the window, and ſcours over the fields as faſt as he
could, without ever looking back.
But having run himſelf out of breath, and think.
ing himſelf out of danger, down he fits, reflecting
upon his melancholy circumſtances. O miſerable
wretch ! fays he, what have I done? How dare I
ever ſee my maſter, who always repoſed his truſt in
me? And 1, like a perfidious villain, to deceive him!
certain death attends me, if I go home; and, if I
tarry here, there's nothing but beggary or ſtarving;
I have at once loft all credit and reputation, and fee
nothing but ruin, unavoidable rujn. O woman,
woman! curſed bewitching woman! what an infi-
nite number of mifehiefs are ye the ſource of! But
why do I exclaim againſt a woman fo innocent, and
ſo charming, when I, the traiterous deceiver, fought
nothing but her eternal miſery? O juſt heaven! 'twas
you that ſaved her from impending muin, and defer-
vedly
THE ENGLISH HERMIT,
vedly threw all the fatal effects upon inyfelf: Well,
I'll bear them patiently; load me with all the evils
you can bring, till they mount ſo high, you can lay
no more. Raving and curfing in this manner, he
tired his fpirits, and fell aſleep.
Having slept ſome time, he awakes, wondering
where he was : Did I dream, ſays he, or is it real?
No, it muſt certainly be true ; I am me moſt wretch-
ed mortal breathing; the very fame ruin I intended
the poor innocent girl, has juſtly fallen upon myſelf;
and what is become of her I know not, nor dare I to
inquire ; but I hope, as heaven has hitherto protected
her, it will likewiſe preſerve her from the evil intents
of
my
maſter. Reflecting upon himſelf in this man-
ner, he walked about till day-light, not knowing
what to do, or whither to go : He was a great
way from London, deſtitute of friends or acquain
tance, little or no money in his pocket, and durft not
fee his maſter. Deſpairing in this condition, he ſaw
a company of haymakers going to work; it being
funmer-time, and reſolves to make one of their
number, if poſſible, hoping by that means to keep
himclf from ftarving, and work his paſſage up to
London.
With this reſolution he attacks the haymakers;
alking them from whence they came, and whither
they were going which they anſwered very civilly,
telling him they came from London, and were going
towards the north of England: 0, being balk'd in
his expectation of coming to London, along with
thern, he knew not what to do; but at laſt reſolves to
go along with them, hoping to meet ſomething in his
way that might make his journey pleaſant; fo tels
them his refolution to make one amongſt them. But
they ſeeing a man genteelly dreſs’d petitioning for
poor haymaker's place, took him to be only in jeſt,
grad told him they fhould be glad of ſuch a compani-
on,
:
with them, and tarried till the old farmer came,
man to go to the next town to
ble, brikk
116 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
on, if he ſpoke as he thought. He proteſted to thenrı
the fincerity of his intention), telling them his mif-
fortunes drove him to fuch low circumſtances. They
then ſaid they ſhould be very glad to ſerve him, and
that their maſter would be in the field by-and-by, and
he would hire him, for he wanted hands : So he went
who, finding a well-drefled young fellow wanting an
employment of that kind, aſked him a great many
queſtions, which Tom anſwered very pertinently :
The farmer, therefore, taking it only as a frolick,
was willing not to balk him, and ſo hired him, ſaying,
he might go to work that very day, if he would: but
Tom, wanting a fork, told him, that as ſoon as he
could get his tools in readineſs, he would come; fo hires
with which, as ſoon as brought, he falls to work very
pleafantly.
Tom went with them from place to place, con-
forming himſelf to their cuffoms in every point, be-
ing a very merry companion, and much beloved by
his fellows: His preſent life became much pleaſanter
than his former, never inquiring after his maſter, or
country girl, nor did he know what was become of
them. At laſt, it fell to his lot to be hired by the
farmer he then worked for ; who, feeing him a tracta-
be his fervant; for he then wanted one. Tom, af-
ter a little heſitation, told him he ſhould be glad of
fuch a maſter; fo ftruck a bargain, and hired him-
felf for a year.
Tom had not been there much above half a year,
before Quarll's wife came down thither, who being
genteel London madam, reminded him of his for-
mer intrigues, and raiſed in him an inclination for
her; but, being in ſo humble a ſtation, he dared not
attack the haughty dame, till he might find a favour-
able
THE ENGLISH HER MIT .
117
able opportunity; and fo took all occations to oblige
her, and was better reſpected by her than any of the
others, the often ſaying, that that fellow had a cere
tain je. ne-fcai quoi in him which at once claimed love
and reſpect. Tom, underſtanding this, thought
time would certainly bring about his purpoſe; which
not long after happened in this manner.
Tom, during her alteration of temper, had more
liberty of converſing than before ; and often diverted
her with entertaining ſtories; and one day, being an
lone with her, opened to her the whole feries of his
paft fortunes and misfortunes, which fhe heard with
great attention and pleaſure; for Tom had never bem
fore diſcovered himſelf to any; but thinking to gain
credit with this gentlewoman, made her only privy
to it. When Tom was gone, the began to reflect on
the fellow's dexterity; and, believing him well
ſkilled in all kind of adventures, thought he might be
a fit inftrument for her eſcape, and refolved to adviſe
with him about it: Accordingly the next day took
an opportunity to call him to her again, when ſhe
was alone, defiring him to divert her with ſome of
his merry tales, telling him ſhe was then very melan-
choly. Madam, fays Tom, I am ſorry I thould find
you mclancholy; but I'll do all I can to pleaſe you.
Ay, ſays ſhe, if you knew the occaſion of my me-
lancholy, you would pity me, as well as be ſorry;
but you cannot be ignorant what a priſoner I am
made here, how conſtantly I am attended, and have
fcarce any thing but brutes to ſpeak to : I can affure
you that this ufage is enough to make me as mad as
the people take me to be ; for I never was brought up
in this manner, which my huſband knows it is
only a contrivance of his to keep me here a cloſe pri
foner, if poſſible, but I'll deceive him ; for if a wo
man's invention can find any means to eſcape this
cured
118 "The ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
curſed place, he ſhall be ſure to ſee me in London
| quickly, and that to his great mortification.
The fly rogue heard her very quietly, and thought
he might now have his deſired ends : So tells her The
fhould be releaſed that very night, if ſhe pleaſed, and
he himſelf would accompany her to London ; for he
longed to be there again : She was glad to hear him
ſay ſo; and aſked by what means he intended to con-
vey
her thence. O Lord! ſays he, eaſy enough; I'll
tell you how: I'll take a ladder, and ſet it againſt
your window, and ſo come into your room, and take
your cloaths, and every thing you have a mind to fend
to London, and carry them to a particular acquain-
tance of mine; then I'll come back and fetch you,
and conduct you to the next town, which is not above
five or ſix miles off, and ſtay there for the ſtage-coach,
and fo both go to London together. The gentlewo-
man, willing to get her liberty at any rate, agreed to
the propoſal, only defiring another day to look after
all her things, and pack them up conveniently, be-
cauſe ſhe would not hurry herſelf
, left they ſhould
miſtruſt, and ſtop her journey.
Tom conſented to what the ſaid, and wiſhed for the
approaching time; which being come, and all things
in readineſs, he brings the ladder, and mounts up to-
wards the room; while ſhe as readily delivers him,
from the window, all her baggage ready packed up;
which Tom takes, and carries away, and preſently
returns to fetch the gentlewoman; who, overjoyed to
think herſelf freed from that tireſome place, gets out
of the window, and began to defcend the ladder ; but,
being over eager, and not uſed to enterprizes of that
kind, her foot flipped, and down the tumbles, ladder
and all; which Tom ſeeing, knew the conſequence,
ran away as faſt as he could, leaving Mrs. Quarli to
get up by herſelf; for the ladder, in tumbling, broke
the windows where the old farmer lay, and made an
and
borrid
:
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
19
horrid noiſe, ſo that it ſcared the good man out of
his ſleep, who got up to ſee what was the matter ;
and, perceiving the gentlewomans window open, and
a fellow running croſs the yard, cries out, murder !
thieves ! thieves? which alarmned the whole family
fome getting pitchforks, fome pokers; ſome one
thing, ſome another, in order to ſcare the thieves ;
but the old mail, with his fowling piece in hand, like
a noble commander, led the van, ſearching all his
houſe over for thieves, and to ſee what he had loft,
carefully looking into every hole and corner, not dar-
ing to advance too faſt, for fear of a Lurprize; and
coming to Mrs. Quarll's room, whole window he
had feen open, calls to her for a long time; but,
hearing no anſwer, fancied ſhe was murdered, and
therefore breaks open the door, and ſearches the
room; but there was no Mrs. Quarll to be found;
they ſtared one at another, not knowing what to
think. However, when they had examined all the
houſe, they boldly fallied into the yard to hunt the
thieves there : and looking about, they perceived
fomething under the ladder, which looked like wo-
mens cloaths ; ſo taking it up, they pulled from under
it a real woman, fomething like Mrs. Quarll; and,
looking more narrowly, perceived it to be the very
fame individual perſon, almoſt dead with the fright,
and the bruiſes the had received.
And now their greateſt wonder, was, how the
came thither: The old man faid, he believed that
ſome thieves had gotten into the houſe, and, to pre-
vent het crying, had ſtopped her mouth, and threw
her out of the window. But, fays another wifeacre,
how came ibe to have her cloaths on? I am ſure ſhe
ought to have been a-bed. Now, adds be, I believe
the Devil tempted her to throw herſelf out at the win-
dow : -and that muſt certainly be he you ſee run croſs
the yard ſo ſwiftly. Thus they diſputed a long time,
but
...
120
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
but at laſt agreed, that ſhe ought to be carried to bed
again, and have care taken of her; and ſo carried
her up-ſtairs; and then went to finiſh their ſearch,
while the good old woman and her daughter undreſſed
her, got her to bed, and fat up with her all that
night.
After all was finished, the old man, willing to
know what quantity of men he had loft, calls a ge-
neral muiter; and, finding Tom miſſing, wondered
where he was got to, aſking if he lay at home that
night: They told him, no, but they believed he was
gone a ſweethearting. A ſweethearting! ſays the
old fellow, well, let him be there always ; for he ſhall
never come hither again : How do I know but he
has ſent the thieves to rob me, or that he is one of
them himſelf? If he ever comes hither, I'll turn him
about his buſineſs as ſoon as I ſee him. But Tom
underſtood better things than to come thither again;
for he knew the adventure would be blown, and then
he should be certainly diſcarded with diſgrace ; fo
was reſolved to make the beſt of what he had got;
went away, and never was heard of again.
Mrs. Qnarll
, as ſoon as come to her ſpeech, con-
feſſes the whole intrigue, and lays the blame upon her
huſband; ſaying, he ſent her thither to be murdered;
and now he had his deſired end, only that ſhe was the
unhappy cauſe of her own death. The old man, as
foon as he knew the matter perfectly, writes to her
huſband a full account of the whole ſtory; telling
him he was in a fair way to loſe his wife; and that,
if it ſhould ſo happen, he had no occaſion to ſend
for his wife's cloaths, for the had before loſt thein ;
and tells him by what means. Quarll, as ſoon as he
had the letter, was very much troubled at his wife's
folly; but reſolved, if the recovered, ſhe ſhould tar-
ry ſome time without cloaths, which he knew would
be puniſhment enough to her pride: So writes back
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 121
2
to them, that they ſhould take all poſſible care to re-
ſtore her to her health, and likewiſe to prevent any
thing of that kind for the future ; telling them, that in
a little time he would ſend her ſome cloaths, and
make them amends for their trouble.
Mrs. Quarll, in about a month, began to be upon
the mending hand; which her huſband being inform-
ed of, refolved to make her ftay another month with-
out cloaths, which he knew would be a greater pun-
iſhment than the other month of ſickneſs. But here
he was miſtaken; for it was almoſt three months
before the perfectly recovered; who, finding be-
fore that time, her huſband had ſent her ſome fine
new cloaths, was, in a great meaſure, reconciled to
him; and reſolved, during her ſtay there, to be much
more eaſy in her mind than before.
The good people, whom ſhe had often ſcared with
her outrageous paſſion, were very glad to ſee her ſo
calm, and took that opportunity to repreſent to her
the happineſs of her condition ; being well attended,
and as well provided with all neceflaries, Free from
that ſubjection ſhe might be under, if with her huſband,
whofe croſs and ill humours ſhe would be obliged to
bear with ; beſides twenty other vexations incumbent
to a married life, from which ſhe was ſcreened by his
being from her.
The old woman's wiſe remonſtrances, being back-
ed with the ſudden arrival of a freſh ſupply of feveral
forts of choice drams, as alſo the enſuing quarter's
money for her board, and the ſeaſon rendering the
country extremely agreeable, made her patiently fub-
mit to continue there till the fall of the leaf; againſt
which time ſhe would contrive ſome way or other to
go, if her huſband did not come for her.
But Quarll, who ever ſince her being in the coun-
try, had enjoyed the uncontrouled pleaſures of a fin-
gle life, having no mind to interrupt them by her
G
preſence
122
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
preſence, took care to ſecure her there : fending
her guardians now and then freſh charge to be watch-
ful over her, and a ſmall preſent to encourage them
to it.
But furly fate, who ever was averſe to his happi-
neſs, ſuggeſts a new interruption thereto. Quarll,
having given over houſe-keeping, happened to come
and live at a mantua-maker's of vaſt buſineſs, and
reputed worth money. She was a ſingle woman,
pretty handſome, but intolerable proud and conceited;
which was the cauſe of her .being ſtill unmarried,
thinking herſelf too good for any tradeſman, or any
thing below a gentleman; which ſeeing no proſpect
to get, being courted by none, ſhe became a general
man-hater: But Quarll, who was a handſome young
man, and of a genteel employ, tho' not a gentle
man, coming to lodge at her houſe, reconciled her to
the fex in a little time, and made her change her re-
folution never to marry, heartily wiſhing he would
court her: Therefore, by her more than common at-
tendance for a lodger, did all the could to give him in-
vitation, but all to little fucceſs; for Quarll, who had
been already twice incumbered in the troubleſome
ſtate of matrimony, and but lately rid of his laſt
plague, had no mind to venture any more; ſo did not
anſwer her expectation ; but her love increaſing daily,
without being taken notice of, ſhe was obliged to de-
clare it to an old gentlewoman, who lodged in the
next room to him ; who, having doubtleſs been in
the ſame condition, was, by experience, capable to
give her advice.
The old gentlewoman (as 'tis peculiar to them,
when paſt the fport themſelves, to love to promote it
in others) took upon her the management of that af-
fair ; and from that time watched the opportunity of
ſpeaking to him, which was only in the morning be-
fore he went out, or at night when he came home,
being
THE ENGLISH HERMIT,
123
#
being abroad all the day beſide : So, having reſolved
upon it, the next morning the leaves her own door
open, which was oppoſite to his, waiting his coming
out, to invite him to a diſh of chocolate, which the
had ready for that purpoſe.
Having, according to her deſire, got him into her
chamber, as he was drinking his diſh, ſhe feigns a fit
of laughing. You wonder, ſaid ſhe, what 'tis I thus
laugh at; but, I dare ſay, you'll laugh as well as I,
when
you
know: Why, our man-hater is in love at
laſt; in love up to her ears, as ſure as you are alive.
Our man-hater, madam! ſays he; who is that?
Don't you know? replied ſhe: Why, our landlady,
who has refuſed ſo many fine offers: Lord, how hap-
pily might that woman have married ! ſhe might have
rode in her coach years ago, but no man was good
enough for madam: This had ſuch a fault, and that
another : In ſhort, none could pleaſe her: 'Tis true,
indeed, ſhe is very deſerving : The worſt part of her
is in the fight, and that you know is not diſagreeable:
but did you fee what a fine body ſhe has, you would
be ready to run mad for her: Surely ſhe has the fineſt
leg and foot that ever woman went on; and, for a
fkin, ſhe may challenge the whole ſex: In ſhort, ſhe
is fit for a king's embraces. She has ſeveral good
properties befides; and one above all, which perhaps
you'll ſay is the principal; ſhe has money, and a
great deal : Well, that will ſoon be diſpoſed of, I
dare fay; I wiſh I knew on whom : Sure it muſt be
ſome angel; for I have heard her find fault with
very
handſome men that have addreſſed her: Pray, did
you ever obferve any man come here ? He muſt be
the perſon for all her concerns are with women.
Indeed, replied Quarll, I never take notice who
comes : Beſides, I am ſeldom at home; fo have not
an opportunity to make obſervations. But I have,
faid the ; and made it my buſineſs to mind; yet never
G 2
Gaw
124
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
1
any
came, but
faw man in this houſe fince I came, you:
Suppoſe you ſhould be he at laft? O madam, there is
no danger, anſwered Quarll; ſhe, who has refuſed
fo many rich matches, will hardly ſet her mind on a
poor ſinging-maſter. How do you know that? re-
plied the old lady: Love comes by fancy, and mar-
riage by fate, and it may be yours to have her : So I
would have you cultivate her love, which I could al-
moſt ſwear you poffefs; you will find it worth your
while: Here is an agreeable woman in an extraordi-
nary good buſineſs, a houſe well furniſhed, and I'll
warrant money-bags well filled: Now, if you are
diſpoſed to make your fortune, here is a fair opportu-
nity. Quarll was fadly puzzled what anſwer
make. His preſent circumſtance prompts him to
footh what his condition obliges him to deny: His
buſineſs Nackens, and his charges no wiſe leſſen:
His income is dubious, and expences certain; the
moſt prevailing arguments to embrace the offer : But
then a ſtrong obſtacle ſtarts up; a wife : But ſhe is
out of the way, and as good as dead, whilſt her liv-
ing is paid for, which this propoſed marriage will
enable him to do, though other buſineſs failed. That
objection being removed, his anſwer was, he feared
that happineſs would be above his aſpiring to; which
being according to the mediatreſs's wiſh, the promiſ-
ed him her altiſtance. So he took his leave, and
went about his daily affairs, leaving the management
of that to her; whó immediately went to inform the
amorous landlady of her ſucceſs.
Quaill being returned at night, the old lady pur-
fuant to the buſineſs ſhe had taken in hand, follows
him to his chamber, with the joyful news, that ſhe
had, by her landlady's bluſhing, diſcover'd what her
modeſty would have concealed; that he was the man
beloved ; and, therefore, ſhe would not have him de-
ay his being made happy : To which he anſwered,
as
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 125
as the had been the firſt cauſe of his happineſs, he
left the accompliſhment thereof to her direction.
Well, then, ſaid ſhe, if I have the ordering of it,
it ſhall be done next Sunday, as being, of all the
week, the moſt blefled day. " And fo bid him good
night.
The old gentlewoman, being made fole directreſs
of that affair, was very diligent in the accompliſh-
ment thereof; fo had them married on the day the
had propoſed. The buſineſs was done privately, but
the joy it produced could not be concealed: Every
body read bride in the new married wife's face; fo
that greetings daily filled the houſe, which, for a
month, was a reſidence for mirth; and, during the
ſpace of a year, the ſeat of happineſs ; peace kept
the door, and plenty attended them. But churlih
fate, which ever perſecuted hiin, would not permit
that happy Itate to continue; and, the more to ag-
gravate hi, loſs, makes love, the chief author of his
bliſs, now the principal inſtrument of his forrow;
jealouſy, the greateft plague that can befal a married
life; infects his wife. She is upon thorns whilft he is
abfent, and uneaſy when preſent, with the fears of
what he had done abroad: A diſcontented mind often
urges the utterance of vexatious words, and breeds
jarrings, enemies to peace, which, being often dif-
turbed, leaves her abode, which is immediately taken
up by ſtrife, and is commonly attended with ruin,
the decree i influence of poor Quarll's furly fate.
Buſineſs falling off from both their hands, makes
them negligent of the little they have. The huſband
diverts his cares abroad, whilſt the wife drinks away
her forrow at home. Thus money growing fcant,
credit muſt be pledg’d; which, being not redeem’d,
expoſes the owner to diſgrace, which is commonly the
poor man's lot.
The
G 3
126 The ENGLISH HERMIT.
The mercer and filkman, with whom his wife
dealt before ſhe was married, having received money
but once ſince her marriage, and ſeeing her diſcon-
tent, imagin’d her huſband (who appeared fome-
thing too airy for one of her fedate years) was the
occalion thereof, by his extravagant fpending what
ſhe, with much care and frugality, had ſaved, arreſted
him, without giving him notice ; left, being warned,
he ſhould get away what ſhe might have left, and
then abſcond.
Quarll
, who till then had kept ſecret his being
- in the guards, where he continued, to ſcreen him
from thoſe debts his eloped wife might contract, is
now obliged to let it be known, to keep himſelf out
1
of goal.
His proud wife, who thought men of the beſt and
genteeleſt trades inferior to her merits, ſeeing herſelf
at laſt married to one, whoſe ſtation was looked up-
on to be as odious as that of a common bailiff, fell
into ſuch a paſſion that it caſt her into a violent fit;
from which being recovered, the flies out of the
houſe in a great ſury, ſwearing by all that was good,
ſhe would no more live with a foot ſoldier ; fo left
him in a ſad confuſion : Yet he ſtayed in the houſe,
hoping ſhe would, when cooler, conſider of it, and
be reconciled.
But great was his ſurprize, when next morning,
inſtead of his wife's coming according to expectation,
2 judgement is ſerved upon the goods of the houſe,
at the ſuit of an upholſterer ; ſo the houſe being in-
tirely unfurniſhed, he was obliged to ſeek new lodg-
ings, where he continued a full quarter, without
hearing of his wife.
Quarll, hoping his wife had left him in good ear-
neft, indulges himſelf with the thoughts of being a
third time delivered from the greateſt incumbrance
that can involve a man; wondering how he could ſa
often
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
127
3
often fall into the ſame ſnare : Three wives, faid he,
in three years! and every one equal plagues, though
of a different nature! The firſt a whore, of whom I
was moſt luckily rid by accident: The fecond a
proved, lazy, indolent creature ; ſhe by ſtratagem is
ſecured: And the third a conceited jealous wretch ;
to her oſtentation I owe my deliverance.. Well, now
I am once more free, I'll take care how I hamper
myſelf again: So makes a ſtrong reſolution, let what
would happen, to live fingle from that time ever
after.
But his reſolution, though ever ſo ſtrong, cana
not avert rate's irrevocable decree: A fourth wife
is allotted him, which will bring upon him more
vexation and trouble, than he
than he has yet gone
through ; his peace will not only be broken, and
his eaſe diſturbed, but his life muſt be in jęc-
pardy.
One evening that he was diverting his colonel,
and the reſt of his club, with finging at the tavern,
as he uſually did once a week, the landlady (who was
then in company) much praiſed his voice and ſkill :
The gentlemen took that opportunity to propoſe a
match between Quarll, who went for a batchelor,
and her, being a widow : All the company liked the
propoſal, and earneſtly urged on the match. :
Quarll, being a briſk, handſome, genteel young
man, which qualifications have a vaſt aſcendancy upon
the ſex, eſpecially on widows, made a conſiderable
impreſſion upon the hoſteſs; who, being already a
bove forty, was willing to intermix her fupernumary
years with thoſe of an huſband of a leſier age : So,
turning to jeſt what ſhe heartily wiſhed to be in ear-
nut, anſwers, in a joking manner, that Mr.
Quarll doubtleſs had, before that time, made a better
choice; fo would hardly agree to their propoſal. A
better choice! faid the gentlemen, I deny that:
Here's
Ğ 4
128 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
Here's a handſome jolly woman, a noble houſe well
accuſtomed, a cellar well ſtocked with good wine,
and bags, doubtleſs well filled with money: I ſay he
cannot make a better choice, nor ſhall he make any
other; fo here's to it's good ſucceſs : Thus he drinks
to her, who, in a joking way, puts it about. The
glaſs having been round, now, Mr. Quarll, faid
the colonel, let us have a love ſong to conclude the
matter.
Quarll, who thought the gentlemen had been but
in jeſt, in his heart wiſhed it could turn to earneſt.
The notion of a good eſtabliſhment, and proſpect of
a conſiderable advantage, having blanch'd over thoſe
great obſtacles his preſent low circumſtances, and
elevated condition, made him overlook, he did all he
could to forward what had been propoſed : So having,
according to requeſt, given the landlady a love-ſong,
he goes and ſalutes her with an hearty kiſs; who,
ſmiling, aſked him, whether he thought the was to
be purchaſed with a fong? To which he replied, the
ſong was only to expreſs the thoughts of his heart,
which he offered to purchaſe her love. Indeed, ſaid
ſhe, in a pleaſant manner, I do not know what your
thoughts may be; but I never heard more agreeable
expreſſions. Well then, widow, faid theſe gentle-
men, you cannot, in gratitude and good manners,
but anſwer them kindly. Indeed, gentlemen, ſaid
fhe, I can ſay no more, but they are mighty pretty
words, and charmingly ſung. Well then, replied the
colonel, I'll ſay the reſt for you. The lover having
expreſſed his paffion in ſuch ſoft terms, and engaging a
way, you cannot, without doing violence to your
good-nature, deny him what he requeſts in ſo melt-
ing a manner; nor ſhall, I ſay the word; which
was confirmed by all the company. To which ſhe
making no anſwer, it was taken for granted. So
the marriage being concluded on, the next day was
.
fixed
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
129
fixed upon for the performance thereof; being refoly-
ed not to adjourn till it was over, they beſpoke a
fplendid ſupper, and ſo ſpent the night merrily.
The wedding was kept all the week, during which
time, every gentleman was profuſe in his expences,
for an encouragement to the new-married couple,
whoſe trade increaſed daily.
Their proſperous beginning ſeemed to promiſe an
happy life, living in love and peace at home, and be
ing in good repute and credit abroad; bat the fame
fate, which all along haunted poor Quarll, is ſtill at
his heels : His bliſs was but a blaſt. His eloped wife
unfortunately happened to go by as he was going out:
She had him immediately in her eye, which as ſpeed-
ily conveyed him to her heart: The addition which
a charming new ſuit of cloäths he then had on,
made to his natural handſomeneſs, put out of her
mind the cauſe of that diſdain ſhe had conceived for
him, and turns it into a more paſſionate love than
ever : She cannot live any longer from him ; ſbe
muſt have him with her at any rate, and will not
reſt till ſhe finds out his lodgings; from whence ſhe
reſolves to waſh all ſorrow away with her tears, and
fettle him again in her arms.
So ſhe ftrait goes to
the tavern ſhe ſaw him come out of, fuppoſing it
might be a houſe he conſtantly uſed, on purpoſe to
inquire where he lodged.
The new wife, who was then in the bår, to whom
ſheſ applied, perceiving in her ſome ſort of diſorder,
was very inquiſitive to know her buſineſs ; in which
the poor woman refuſing to ſatisfy her, ſhe told her
that he lived there, and that ſhe was his wife ; and
therefore the fitteſt to know her concern. At theſe
moſt dreadful words, ſhe falls, like one thunder-
ſtruck, on the ground, deprived of all her fenles ;
and, for a conſiderable time, lies as though bereft of
life.
This
*****
G5
:
len
130
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
:>
This dull ſcene turns the new wife's paſſion into
commiferation; and the pities that misfortune which
in her mind ſhe before condemned as a crime. This,
faid ſhe, is a true ſign of love, which a harlot is
not capable of: I cannot blame her for loving him,
but rather condole her misfortune. So, having or-
dered fair water and hartſhorn drops to be brought,
gave her fome in a glaſs of water, which in a ſmall
time fetched her a little to life ; who, recovering, cried
out, had I not been ſo bewitched as to go from him,
he would not have left me. Theſe words in a mo-
ment turned the officious condoler into a revengeful
rival, who immediately imagined ſhe had lately lived
with him as a miſtreſs, and, doubtleſs, would endea-
vour to do the ſame again : So, giving her hand
(which the kindly held before) a ſcornfal tofs from
her, why, you vile woman, ſaid ſhe, would you have
him to live for ever in whoredom? You judge me
wrong, madam, replied the poor afflicted woman; I
am his lawful wife: So produces her certificate
(which ſhe happened to have about her :) Which
cauſed almoft as much diſorder in the beholder, as fhe
herſelf was lately in.
Having recovered her ſpeech, which the late ſurprize
had obſtructed, the aſked her, in a violent paſſion,
why ſhe had been ſo baſe as to give him the opportu-
nity to come, and cheat her, by her leaving him ;
for ſhe was his wife alſo? To which ſhe anſwered, that
ſhe could not juſtify her going from him, tho' indeed
ſhe had great provocation, he not proving the man
the took him to be. What! replied the in the bar,
was he not man enough for you? I think you are
very hard to pleaſe : However, ſince the deceit made
you leave him, why do you diſturb yourſelf about
him? He has not deceived me; unleſs it be in hav-
ing a wife before: But as you left him of your own
accord, he had no more to do with you. No!
No! re-
:
plied
THE ENGLISH MERMIT. 131
W
plied fhe, in a paſſion; but he ſhall find, and ſo fhall
you, that I have to do with him: So went away.
It being then about 'noon, his uſual time to come
home from market, ſhe went into a publick houſe
oppoſite to the tavern, there to wait his return, which
was a little after. As ſoon as ſhe ſaw him, the
gave him a call over.
The ſudden and unexpected ſight of the only ob-
ſtacle to the happineſs he then enjoyed, was moſt ter-
ribly ſhocking to him: He wiſhed he had met with
death to have miſſed her ; but to no purpoſe : She had
him in her eye, and was fully refolved to have him in
her arms ere ſhe went; and as he did not come as
quick at her call as her impatience requires, the at-
tempts to go over to him; but Quarll, who knew
her fiery temper, was afraid ſhe ſhould break out in
a paſſion in the ſtreet; which would have expoſed
him, and brought it to his new wife's knowledge,
being near home: So haftens over to the houſe, the
was in, to prevent her coming; and, judging his
beginning to upbraid her with her elopement would,
in ſome meaſure, moderate her railing at him, he tells
her, as he enters the room, I hope, madam, you
have, by this time, found a man more to your mind.
This was ſufficient to provoke a milder temper to
reproach him with his adulterous marriage, of which
ſhe was too certain; her's is but a fault, but his a
crime; But as reproaches are not proper means to
advance a reconciliation, which was her intent, the
bridles her paſſion and forces her nature to a ſub-
miffion; fo throws herſelf at his feet, and falls a
weeping; owning ſhe had committed a fault, for
which the heartily repented, and promiſed to atone by
her future behaviour; calling heaven to witneſs her
chaſtity during her moſt unhappy ſeparation.
Quarll, being of a compaſſionate temper, was foon
made flexible by her tears : So takes her up by the
G 6
hand
132
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
hand, who as foon fell into his arms, uncapable of
ſpeaking for weeping;. but Quarll, who was in hafte
to be gone, being waited for at home, it being about
his time of dinner, complied with the poor afficted
woman's crying and lobbing, whoſe chief requeſt
was, that he would only ſee her home that time ;
which he preſently granted, to be quit of her : So
ordered a coach to be called.
His new wife at home, being uneaſy at his laying
beyond his time, came to the door to look whether
ſhe could ſee him come. At that moſt unlucky time
he was handing his other wife into the coach; which
ſhe unfortunately ſpying, ran over, as ſwift as a hawk
flies after his prey, and pulls him back by the lappet of
his coat, as he was ſtepping into the coach after her:
The diſorder this ſecond ſurprize put him in, obliged
him to go again into the houſe he juſt came out of,
where the immediately followed him, raving and rail-
ing as much as the provocation and her paffion did
allow, leaving in the coach his former wife; who,
by that ſecond terrible ſurprize, was again ſtruck
ſpeechleſs, and like one bereft of fenſe.
The coachman, having waited fome time, being
impatient, calls in the houſe, defiring the gentleman
to make hafte, or elſe to allow him for waiting ; at
which, the new wife comes out in a violent pallion,
and bids him begone, for he was not wanted. What
ſhall I do with the gentlewoman in my coach? faid
he; you had beít take care of her ; ſhe is not well;
or tell me where I ſhall carry her. Carry her to the
Devil, an you will, ſaid ſhe and fo went in. You
may carry her there, replied the ſurly coachman; you
beſt know the way: So goes to the coach, and ſhakes
her 'till ſhe came to herſelf : Then, taking her up in
his arms, I am bid to carry you to the Devil, ſaid he;
but I believe you are able to go yourſelf; fo I'll ſet
you down here, that you may take your own time.
Having
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
133
There
Having ſet her dowil, he then drives away.
being a milliner's ſhop juſt by, ſhe goes in, defiring
leave to hit awhile, 'till the was able to go. She had
ſcarce been there three minutes, but ſhe ſees her huſ-
band handing his new wife over, very complaiſantiy;
which ſo exalperated her, that ſhe fully reſolved upon
revenge; chuſing he thould be hanged, rather than
her rival ſhould enjoy him: So went directly, and
took out a warrant, which ſhe immediately ferved,
and had him before a juſtice of the peace, who com-
mitted him forthwith to Newgate.
The following ſeſſions happening to be extraordi-
nary great, by the vaſt number of criminals, bis
trial, and ſeveral more,' were put off 'till the next;
ſo that he was confined at the time he uſed to ſend
the money for his wife’s board in the country: And,
not daring to employ any acquaintance in that affair,
left they ihould inquire into the occaſion of his fend-
ing that money; he deſired one, who often came to
vifit a priſoner, to do him that favour; which he
readily promiſed, but did not perform : So that the
people in the country, who were wed to be paid a
quarter beforehand, were a quarter in arrear: Which,
with the boarder's preſſing importunity to come up to
London, made them at lait refolve upon it; where
being arrived, they immediately inquired after the
unfortunate Quarll
, whoſe impriſonment they foon
heard of, as alſo of the cauſe thereof.
This did not a little exaſperate the already fuffici-
ently-provoked inquiſitreſs; who, preſently imagin-
ing, with good reaſon, that his confiņing her in the
country was merely for that intent, reſolved to pro-
fecute him according to the utmoſt rigour of the law;
wondering who that good perſon was that had him
apprehended; fo went and conſulted her friends, who
adviſed her not to let her huſband know of her being
in town till his trial came on; and then ſhe ſhould
know
e
134 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
know the profecutor, and, at her own diſcretion,
back the profecution.
The mean time, his firſt wife, who had lately been
diliniſled (the knight who kept her being not long
ſince married to a vaſt fortune) having heard of
Quarll's being in Newgate, went ſtrait to viſit him.
Her grief and his ſurprize at her coming, ſtopp’d, for
some time, the utterance of both their minds : Atlan
Quarll, who had a juſt reaſon to tax her as the author
of his preſent inisfortune, reproached her with her
leaving him, which was the original cauſe thereof,
The innocent, yet guilty Sally, whoſe inclination,
difpofition, and reſolution, had been violated, relat-
ed the diſmal account of her fatal raviſhment; and
pleaded her cauſe with ſuch a prevailing eloquence, as
new kindled his former love, and made him (tho
the fufferer) give it on her fide.
Being thoroughly reconciled, and having ſpent
fotne hours in expreſſing both their griefs, they at laft
parted, after a thouſand cordial embraces; and thc
was enabled, by the ſettlement the knight had made
upon her, the fupplied him with money and necella-
ries during his confinement in Newgate; and was
with himn conſtantly every day, almoſt from morning
till night; . and, when he was called upon his trial
,
the attended in the court, more concerned than if the
herſelf had been arraigned.
The feſfions being commenced, he was firſt cal.
led to the bar: His indictment being read, he deſired
to be heard by his counſel ; which was granted.
The deponent having proved her marriage, required
the priſoner at the bar ſhould be obliged to live with
her, or allow her a ſufficient maintenance, as being his
first wife; at which ſhe whom he kept in the coun-
cry ftarts up: That belongs to me, ſaid fhe; I am
the first wife : So produces her certificate, A third
as
Wita
THE ENGLISH - HERMIT.
135
2
wife appearing, ſtartles both the judges, and the
priſoner, who thought her ſecure.
Sally, who till then had been ſilent, ſeeing the
priority of marriage ſo much pleaded for, thought it
might be worth her while to claim it, being her right,
which ſhe may chance to turn to the priſoner's advan-
tage; fo addreſling herſelf to the bench, my lords, faid
the, “I did not think to apply for juſtice; but, ſeeing
" theſe women contending for that which belongs to
«« neither of them, I think myſelf obliged to claim my
“ right: I am the firſt wife, and pleaſe your lordſhips.
How! a fourth wife and indicted but for two! faid
the judges, in a great ſurprize. Why, my lords,
replied an old ſurly judge upon the bench, if truth be
known, he has half a ſcore ; I ſee it in his looks :
Theſe ſmock-faced young fellows are fo admired by
the women, that they have not power to refuſe any
thing. Sally, who thought to do the priſoner fer-
vice, in taking the privilege of firſt wife into her own
hands, finding the ſucceſs of her good intent quite
reverſed, heartily repented appearing, and would have
withdrawn, but that the judges told her ſhe was now
become the proſecutrix, and was obliged to go on in
the proſecution. This cauſed ſuch a diſorder in her,
who imagined ſhe ſhould be the unfortunate occaſion
of his being caſt, that ſhe was ready to ſwoon.
Quarll's counſel, perceiving her diſorder, imagined
it might proceed from a regret of the miſchief ſhe had
done ; ſo put her in a way to invalidate her depofiti-
on; Now, madam, faid the counſel, I very much
queſtion whether you can make your aſſertion good:
Pray produce your certificate; you can do us no hurt
elſe. Sally, overjoy'd to hear that, faid, ſhe had
none; chuſing to undergo the greateſt diſgrace, ra-
ther than he ſhould come to the leaſt hurt. I thought
as much, faid the counſel. Well, well, replied the
ſurly judge, ſhe may have loſt it: Where was you
married,
136 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
married, child ? At Chatham, my lord, I think, an-
fwer'd ſhe, very much diſcountenanced. At Chat-
han), did you ſay? reply'd the counſel : I doubt
yours
has been a failor's wedding, over a pot of drink; a
man's wite till the next voyage, and any body's when
he is gone. Your lordſhips tee how the cale ftands. ,
Yes, yes, anſwered a judge; if ſhe is his firſt wile
that way. I dare ſay he is not her firſt huſband, by
many.
So he was hiſſed out of the court. Then
the judge addreſling to the next pretender, I hope,
fays he, yours will not prove a ſailor's wedding, as
her's did.' A failor's ! No, my lord, replied the fe-
cond wife; I have witnelles enough to mine : My
lady Firebrais, with whom I lived, and her two
daughters, faw me fairly married in St. Martin's
church. How came it, faid the judge, you did not
fue him before he married the third wife? You ſhould
have prevented his cheating any other poor woman.
Wliy, my lord, faid the, I knew nothing of it; he
kept me a priſoner in the country, at this good wo-
man's houſe, where he decoy'd me, under pretenco
of being careful of me: I muſt go into the courtry,
for a month or two, to take the air! but when he had
ne there, there he kept me ever fince, charging the
people of the houſe not to ſuffer me to come up to
London, nor yet to go out ; pretending I was mad,
becauſe I complained I was not well. A very pretty
device! replied the old judge. Yes, my lord, cried
out all the women in the court (who were come in
great numbers to hear a trial about a rape committed
by a Quaker upon a maid of fifty years of age) and
a very bad precedent; if not ſeverely puniſhed: Should
this be ſuffered, a poor wife will not dare to be out of
order, or complain, in hopes to be made much of,
for fear her huſband, under colour of giving her the
pleafure of the country air, ſhall
, when he has got.
hers
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
137
::
her there, confine her, and ſo marry whom he pleaſes
at London.
The judges, to quell their clamour, were obliged
to call to them, and promiſe them it ſhould be no
precedent and that they might be fick at will, and
groan at their pleaſure, and alſo accept of their huf-
band's kindnefles when offered.
The court being ſilenced, the proceedings went
on: And ſeveral of the judges having been ipoken to
by ſome of Quarll's particular friends, who were re-
lated to ſome of them, they were more favourable in
their judgment, all but the old furly judge, with whom
no intereſt had been made.
The three wives then preſent having proved their
marriage, the priſoner at the bar was aſked, what
he had to ſay in his own defence.
Quarll, who thought his wife in the country was
ſecure from coming againſt him, not having given
his council inſtructions concerning her, was obliged
to plead himſelf: My lords, ſaid he, the firſt depo-
nent againſt me being run mad, and thereby unfit
for human ſociety, I was obliged to think of ſome
retirement for her, as 'tis neceſſary for people in her
caſe. Unfit for human fociety!' replied the ſecond
wife, in a great fury; and was going on in the ſame
temper, but was bid to be filent, and he to proceed:
So, mylords, ſaid he, I propoſed the country, as the
moſt pleaſant and wholeſome place, as alſo that which
ſuited her indiſpoſition beſt, being always ambitious to
imitate the quality, who commonly go into the coun-
try in the ſummer ; which made her aecept the of-
fer : There, my lords, I boarded her with very honeft
and fufficient people, in a handſome, creditable and
pleaſant houſe: A pleaſant houſe! __reply'd fhe; a
perfect hovel. There, my lords, I provided her
every thing ſhe could want or deſire, as her landlady,
here preſent, can juſtify. His couneil, who, by what
he
138
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
he had ſaid, had taken fufficient hints to proceed, took
the plea out of his hand, and went on : Ant pleaſe
your lordſhip, ſaid he, fince by her madneſs-my
madnels ! ſaid the, interrupting the council :'I delire,
my lords, this good woman (with whom I have lived
many years) may be ſworn, whether ſhe in all that
time, did fee or diſcern the leaſt fymptoms of madness
in me. Indeed, replied the old woman, I have ofte
leen
yoll in the vapours; but I cannot ſay I ever faw
you, what they ſay, raving mad, but once. My
lord, ſaid the priſoner, I beg this letter, which the
fent me a-week after ſhe was there, may be read;
and then your lordthips may judge whether I do her
wrong
Orders being given from the bench, the letter was
read. The old woman hearing her foule fo defpile,
where a well-bred doy would run mad, if kept in;
and then her huſband and herſelf compar'd to oxen
and cows, was not a little difpleafed: My hout,
madam, faid the old woman, is not fo deſpicatie
neither, as that comes to : I am ſure there is hardly a
better, or more convenient, within ten miles rounci
As for the room you lay in, no gentlewouza11, in
her right fentes, but would be contented with, che
cially in the country; I must be obliged to fide with
your huſband there : And for my huſband and me to
be reckon'd no better than brutes, you haye Attle reales
to ſay ſo; for 10 woman can be uſed with more hue
manity than you have been; and as for your being
confined, you never were ſhut up any where, but al-
ways had the liberty of walking about our ground;
only indeed I would not conſent you ſhould trudge to
London, as you often did offer to do. The old wo-
marr having done ſpeaking, Quarll's council put it to
the bench, whether the proſecutrix ought to be ac-
counted in her right fenfes. The judges having giveni
their opinion that ſhe was frantic; the old judge,
being
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
139
being diſpleaſed at their anſwer, aſk'd them, whether
a man or woman's being frantic (which but few in
this town are not, more or leſs) do impower either to
marry again ; and if they will allow that, why did he
marry a third ? The ſecond is not mad. The fecond,
reply'd the council eloped, my lord, and was from her
husband half a year; and 'tis to be queſtion'd, whe-
ther ſhe would have ever come near him, had ſhe not
accidentally found this opportunity to trouble him.
'Tis a plain cafe, my lord, faid another judge, the
priſoner is guilty of the crime he ſtands indicted for :
Yet I don't fee but that there is room for favour.
His conſtitution perhaps muy require a woman for
the maintenance of his health, and his inclination is
averſe againſt vile women : Beſides, my lord, we
don't hear that he did cohabit or correſpond with
more than one at a time; and never fought a ſupply
till he was deſtitute. In my opinion, my lord, he
may be favoured a little. The ill-natured judge told
them very ſurlily, that the fact was plain; and that he
was try'd according to the laws of his country
and muft expect to ſuffer the penalty of thoſe laws:
But he could ſee no room for favour, unleſs his ma-
jeſty would graciouſly be pleaſed to thew it him; and
it was intirely out of his own power : So ſums up the
evidences, and refers it to the jury.
The jury went out accordingly: And, after having
ftay'd ſome time, brought in their verdict, Death.
Sally, who was juſt by, no ſooner heard the terrible
news, but fainted away, and was obliged to be car-
ried out of court: The three wives likewiſe went a-
way, upbraiding and reproaching one another with
being the fatal cauſe of loſing their huſband, wiſhing
one another never to be relieved by man; and ſo
parted. But Sally, as ſoon as recovered, went back
to the priſoner again, and ſtaid with him till the
court broke up; and then was allowed a coach to
carry
140
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
carry him to Newgate, and attended him there all
that night.
As ſoon as the keepers came in the morning, he
calls for pen, ink, and paper, which was brought him;
and wrote the following letter to his colonel :
May it pleaſe your Honour,
I AM now under the terrible ſentence of condem-
nation; I need not tell you upon what account, my
cafe being too well known to the world already ; but
you have beſtowed ſo many particular favours upon
me hitherto, this emboldens me once more, in this my
extreme neceſſity, to rely upon your goodneſs.
Tis
true, my merit cannot lay claim to the leaſt mark of
your eſteem; but 'tis your generoſity prompts me to beg
my life at your hands, which, if you preferve, fall
always be devoted to your ſervice, by
Your unfortunate humble Servant,
.
PHILIP QUARLL.
As ſoon as he had finiſh'd he delivers it to his dear
beloved Sally, and deſires her to carry the ſame to his
colonel : Sally, joyful to ſerve him, 'takes the letter,
and away the flies. Being come to the houſe, ſhe
delivers the letter to the colonel; who, having open-
ed and read it, told her, that the inight affure him,
he would do all that lay in his power to ſerve him :
So Sally, expreſſing her gratitude, retir'd to carry the
news to her huſband: When ſhe came to the priſon
the found him reading very ſeriouſly, leaning upon
his hand, with tears in his eyes : She ſtood ſoine time
to look at him : but finding he never ſtirr'd his head,
nor moved his eyes, the went ſoftly up to him, and
spoke to him: He no ſooner heard her voice, but he
ſtarts,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 141
2.
VAS
you not
6.
ſtarts, and looks like one juſt awake from a dream;
and then burſt into tears, and could not ſpeak a word,
which Sally ſeeing, could not forbear weeping; and
fell upon his neck, defiring him with all tenderneſs to
ſtop the torrent, for the had ſome joyful news to
tell him. What joyful news, ſays he, can you bring
a man under my wretched circumſtances? Can any
thing elevate his mind whom heaven itſelf has contrived
to depreſs? Am not I the very out caſt and ſcorn of
providence? Have not I been unfortunate from my
infancy? And why will you ſtill add to my miſery;
'tis
you that now make me wretched : Had
To compaffionately affifted me in this my diſmal cala-
mity with ſo much tenderneſs, I then willingly ſhould
have left this hateful world, without thinking of you:
But why muſt I make you the wretched partner of
my misfortunes? 'Tis that adds to my uneaſineſs.
Othat I had not ſeen you in theſe my laſt moments
Sally, interrupting him, faid, come, talk not of laſt
moments; you may yet enjoy many happy years ; your -
colonel has promiſed to uſe his utmoit endeavours to
preſerve your life. I don't flatter myſelf with any thing
of that kind, ſays he, but if fuch a thing ſhould hap-
pen, I am fully reſolved not to tarry long in England,
which has brought upon me fo many dire miſhaps.
The colonel was as good as his word; for he
loved Quarll extremely well: And therefore, as foon
as Sally was gone, he orders his coach to be got
ready, and away he poſts to my Lord Danby, who
had a great influence at court at that time, and who
was his particular friend. When he came thither,
his lordſhip was not ſtirring; ſo he waited till he
got up; who, as ſoon as come down, cries out,
lo colonel, what brings you here ſo ſoon? Did you
come to breakfaſt with me? the colonel ſeeing him ſo
facetious and pleaſant, told him his meſſage. My
lord, as ſoon as he heard it, anſwered, that upon his
2
honour,
142
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
honour, he certainly would grant his requeſt; and
made him ſtay to breakfaſt with him.
As ſoon as breakfaſt was over, he took his leave
of his lordſhip, and away he comes to bring the tid.
ings to Quarll
, whom he found alone, Sally having
juſt left him. The colonel told him, he was ſorry to
ſee him there, with other compliments uſual in fuch
caſes; and related to him the ſucceſs he had with my
lord Danby: So deſired him to be of good chear.
Quarll fell at his feet, and expreſſed his gratitude in
the moſt thankful terms imaginable; telling him, his
life ſhould always be at his ſervice. His colonel,
raiſing
him up, told him he was very well fatisfied ;
and, after a little more converſation, left him.
Sally, in the mean time, was not idle ; for the
went and bought a rich piece of plate, and preſented
it to the recorder, that he might favour Quarll in
his report to his majeſty; which had the deſired ef-
fect: For, when the dead warrant came down, he
was excluded; and in a few days after, my lord Dan-
by procured his majeſty's moſt gracious pardon ;
which his colonel brought him with great joy.
Quarll being diſcharg’d out of Newgate, reſolvid
not to tarry long in England; and told his beloved
Sally, that he muſt now leave her, for he had made a
vow not to tarry in Britain. She endeavoured to
diſſuade him from his intentions; but, finding it to
no purpoſe, deſired ſhe might accompany him. He
aſked her, why ſhe defired to be wretched, telling
her, he was doom'd to perpetual miſery: But ſhe was
reſolutely bent to follow him where-ever he went ;
and accordingly ſold what the knight had ſettled upon
her, in order to carry the money with her.
Quarll hearing of a ſhip bound for the South Seas,
which in her return was to touch at Barbadoes, the
captain-of her having been firſt mate of the ſhip to
which Quarll had formerly belonged; this encourag'd
him
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
143
him to venture the voyage. Accordingly, he went
to the commander, in order to agree with him about
it. The captain, after ſome talk, begait to call to
mind their former acquaintance, but wondered to ſee
him ſo much altered as to his condition; Quarll be-
ing very handſomely dreſs’d, and his behaviour much
better poliſhed than formerly: So deſired him to give
him an account how this ſtrange alteration had hap-
pened, and by what means he came to this good for-
tune. Good fortune ! do you call it? ſays Quarll;
I ſuppoſe then you look upon men by their outward
appearance : But, did you know the world as well as
I do, you would judge the contrary. Now, adds he,
I'll give you a ſhort account of my paſt life ; and then
I'll leave you to ſay whether I am not rather the per-
feet ſcorn and mock of fortune : So related to him
his paſt misfortunes; which Quarll told him in ſo
moving a manner, that it almoſt drew tears from the
captain's eyes. As ſoon as he had made an end,
well, fays the captain, I thought that my way of liv-
ing brought upon me more troubles than land-men
are ſubject to ! for, ſince I ſaw you, I have been ſhip-
wreck'd twice; once upon the coaſt of Guinea,
where I loft the ſhip and cargo, and but five men
ſaved ; the other time, homeward bound from the Eaſt
Indies, a violent ſtorm aroſe, and drove us upon the
coaſt of France, where, with great difficulty we
caſt anchor, in order to refit our ſhip, which was ve-
ry much damaged in the late ſtorm : But about twelve
o'clock the fame night we came thither, a moſt vio-
lent hurricane blew
in upon us, broke our cables and
drove us alhore; where again I loſt the ſhip and car-
go, but all the men ſaved: Thus I think I have been
unfortunate ; but ſince they are paſt never think of
them: We ſhall have a pleaſant voyage ; and as you
fay you have a mind to reſide at Barbadoes, where I
muſt touch in my return, I'd have you lay out your
money
194
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
2008
in their topla
money
in the woolen manufacture, and cutlery-ware,
which are very good commodities in thoſe parts.
Quarll thank'd him for his advice, and parted with
him.
Away then he goes to Sally, and told her what he
had been doing, and whither he intended to go.
Sally anſwer'd, what was his pleaſure ſhould be hers;
and that ſhe would be a partner in his fortunes and
misfortunes, go whither he would. So Quarll went
and bought the goods which the captain advis'd him
to, and fent them on board; and foon after followed
with himſelf and wife.
They had not been long at fea, before his darling
Sally fell ſick and died, to his inexpreſſible grief
wiſhing ten thouſand times he had died with her. He
began to be extremely melancholy, took no reſt, and
would eat no victuals. • The captain was afraid that
he would die alſo; and did all he could to divert him;
but he was a long time before he could bring him to
his former temper.
They fail'd on with a ſide-wind for the ſpace of a
month; tho', it changing full in their teeth, and ve-
ry high withal, oblig'd them to caft, anchor, in order
to lie by tilt the wind did ſerve; but ſeeing themſelves
made upon by a pirate, they were obliged to weigh
their anchor, and make the beſt of their way before
the wind, in order to avoid being taken by thoſe infi-
dels, who purſued them from four of the clock on
Friday morning, 'till ten at night the following Sun-
day; at which time there aroſe a ſtorm ; the ſky
ooked very black, the wind being at north-weſt, and
clouds began to riſe and-move towards them, having
hung all the morning in the horizon: So that they
The ſea ran very ſhort, and broke in upon the deck:
However, they put right before the wind, and failed
fo for three weeks, when they made Cape Horne:
They
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 145
They had no ſooner got round the Cape, but the
wind veer'd to the ſouth, and it fell fat calm ; which
continued for two days, when the wind ſprung up
at ſouth-weſt, and they ſcudded before the wind very
ſwift, and made an Iſland whoſe name none of them
knew, the ſhip having never been the coaft before;
but there they found wood, water, and herbs of feve-
ral forts, fome ſeals and fea fowls. Here they re-
freſh'd themſelves for four days; and then weigh'd
anchor, the wind being fair at full fouth, and traded
at ſeveral ports on the coast of Peru, Chili, and
Mexico. From Port Aquapulco they failed, having
a freſh breeze, at N. N. E. They had not failed
above one day, before the wind veered to ſouth-weft,
and blew a violent gale of wind; and there being a
great ſea, ſo that their ſhip took in a great deal of
water, the wind continuing two days increaſing to a
very great ſtorm, which held for one day and two
nights more ; during which time they perceived them
ſelves near ſome rocks. The ſtorm rather increaſing,
and it growing dark, they deſpaired of ſaving the
ſhipand as the main-yard could not lower, the
thip’s tackling being diſordered by the violence of
the ſtorm ; Quarll, being bold and active, took a
hatchet which tumbled about the deck, and ran up
the throwds, in order to cut down what ſtopt the
working of the main-yard; but, by that time he
was got up, there came a ſea which dalh'd the ſhip to
Shatters againſt the rock; and with the violence of
the ſhock, fun; Quarll, who was aſtride upon the
main-yard on the top of the rock; where having
the good fortun to fall in a clift, he was hindered
from being wa.hed back again into the ſea, an Idrown-
ed, as every-body were that belonged to the ſhip.
Quarll, in a diſmal condition, remained the fuc-
ceeding night in the clift, being continua'ly beaten
with the daihing back of the fea, and being both
H
bruis'd
146
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
nas
bruis'd and numb’d, pulld off his cloaths which
were dripping wet, and ſpread them in the fun;
and being over fatigued, lays himſelf down on the
ſmootheſt place of the rock he could find, being quite
ſpent with the hardſhip he had undergone, and lept
while his cloaths were drying.
His ſleep, tho'very profound, was not refreſhing:
The danger he had been lately in, fo ran in his mind,
that grim death was ever before his eyes ; which
conſtantly diſturbed his reft : But nature, who want-
ed repoſe, would be ſupplied, tho' it be broken.
Having ſlept a few hours, he awakes almoſt as much
fatigued as before, and faint for want of nouriſhment,
having taken none for thirty-fix hours before: So
having looked upon his cloaths, which he perceiv'd
were not quite dry, he turn'd the other ſide to the
fun, and laid himſelf down to ſleep again ; but ſtill
nothing but horror enter'd his mind : His foul was
continually haraſſed with the diſmal apprehenſions the
effects of the late ſtorm had impreſs'd upon him.
He dreamt he was in a terrible tempeſt, and the ſhip
he was in daſh'd backwards and forwards thro' the
waves with prodigious violence, the clouds pouring
down vaſt ſtreams of liquid fire, and the raging ocean
all in Aames. In this diſmal condition he knew not
what to do, but 'ſpying foine land, as he thought,
at a little diſtance from the ſhip, he was endeavour-
ing to get thither; but not daring to truſt the ſea,
which he imagined was like a caldron of oil in a
blaze, reſolved to try whether he could not jump 2-
fhore : But juſt as he was going to leap, he faw a
horrid frightful monſter, with glaring eyes, and open
mouth, ſuih from the boiling flames, and make at
him to devour him ; which ſcared him out of his
ſleep.
When he awoke, he was very much terrified with
his dream, and ſtared about him in a frighted man-
ner
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
147
ner, expecting every minute ſome creature to devour
him: But, taking a little courage, put on his cloaths,
which by this time were quite dry. He then looks about
him; but alas! could ſee nothing but the dreadful
effects of the late tempeft, dead corpſes, broken
planks and batter'd cheſts floating; and ſuch aſpects
which at once filled him with terror and grief.
Turning from thoſe ſhocking objects, which
pre-
ſented to his eyes the dreadful death he ſo lately had
eſcap’d, he fees at the other ſide the proſpect of one
more terrible, hunger and thirſt, attended with all the
miſeries that can make life burdenſome. Being feiz'd
with the terror of the threatening evil, he turns again
towards the fea, and looking on the dead corpſes,
which the ſea now and then drove to the rock, and
back again, Oh! that I was like one of you, faid he,
paft all dangers ! I have ſhared with you in the ter-
rours of death : Why did I not alſo partake with you
in its relief? But why thould I complain? and have
ſo much reaſon to be thankful! Had I been cut off,
when the cares of ſaving this worthleſs carcaſe inter-
cepted me from ſeeking the ſalvation of my foul, I
ſhould not have had the preſent opportunity of taking
care of it. So, having return'd thanks for his late
deliverance, he reſigns himſelf to providence, on
whom he fully relies, climbs up the rock, and being
come to the top, fees land at the inſide, bearing both
trees and graſs : Heaven be praiſed ! faid he : I ſhall
not periſh upon theſe barren rocks : So made a hift
to go down to it, the weather then being calm,
H 2
THE
-
r.
Τ Η Ε
ENGLISH HER MIT:
Β Ο Ο Κ
III.
:
Account of Quarll's wonderful ſhifts, and ſurprizing
manner of living i of the miraculous acts of provi-
dence, and of the Arange events which happened in
the iſland fince his being there.
BEING
EING come to the other ſide of the rock, he
finds at the bottoin of it a narrow lake, which
ſeparated it from the land: Therefore pulling off his
cloaths, the water being but fhallow, he wades over
with them in his arms; and dreſſing himſelf, walks
up a conſiderable way in the iſland, without ſeeing
any human creature, or perceiving any fign of its
being inhabited, which ſtruck a great damp to his
ſpirits. He walks it over and over, crofs-ways and
long-ways; yet could ſee nothing but monkeys,
ſtrange teafs, birds, and fowls, ſuch as he had ne-
ver ſeen before.
Claving ranged himſelf weary, he fat down under
à cluster of trees, that made an agreeable arbour :
The place being pleaſant and cool, made, as it were,
for repoſe, and he being ſtill very much fatigued,
prompted him to lie down and ſleep; during which,
his mind is continually alarmed with the frightful
aſpect
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
149
.
aſpect of grim death: Sometimes he fancies himfelf
ſtriving with the rolling waves, ſtretching out his
arms to catch hold of a piank toffing by; which,
juſt come at, is beaten back by the roaring billows,
whoſe terrible noiſe pronounces his death ; at other
times he thinks himſelf aſtride upon a piece of a maſt,
labouring to keep himſelf on, and of a ſudden waih'd
away, and funk down by a bulky wave ; on every
fide of him inen calling for help'; others ſpent and
pa't tp aking; here fome fioating that are already
perih'd, and there others expiring; thus in every
object ſeeing his approaching fate.
Being awaked out of that irkſome and uneaſy
ſleep, he falls into as anxious and melancholy
thoughts, I have, -faid he, eſcap'd being drown'd,
but how ſhall I avoid ſtarving? Here is no food for
man.
But why ſhould I deſpair? Did not Nebuchad-
nezzar live upon graſs for leveral years, 'till reitored
to his nation? Cannot I do the ſame for a few days ?
by which tiine, providence, who has hitherto pro-
tected me, may raiſe me ſome means to get from
hence. So, bemg intirely rehgn’d, he walks about
to ſee the iland, which he found ſurrounded with
rocks, at the bottoin of which there was a ſmall lake,
which was fordable in moſt places, ſo that he could
with café wade over to the rock; which he did at
every ſide of the iſland, to ſee if he could perceive
any ihip, whereby he might get away : But, feeing
none, and it drawing towards night, he returns, and
employs the remainder of the day in looking for the
moit convenient place for him to paſs away the ap-
proaching night; and, having fixed upon one of the
higheſt trees, he gets up as far as he well could, fear-
ing fome wild bealt might devour him if he flept be-
low; where, having returned thanks to heaven for
his late great deliverance, he commits himſelf to its
care; then ſettles, and falls to ſleep, and ſlept till hun-
ger
H 3
250
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
we
.
ger waked him in the morning, having dreamt over
night of abundance of victuals, which he would fain
have come at, but was kept off by a croſs cook,
who bid him go and fiſh for ſome : To which he an-
fwer'd, that he was ſhipwreck'd; and had nothing to
fiſh withal. Well then, faid the cook to him a-
gain, go where thou waſt like to loſe thiy life, and
there thou ſhalt find wherewithal to ſupport it.
Being awaked he makes reflections upon his
dream, which tho’- he imagin’d it might proceed
from the emptineſs of his ſtomach, being cuſtomary
for people to dream of victuals, when they go to bed
bungry, yet at that time it may prove ominous : So
driven by neceſſity, and led by curioſity, he went to
the famé fide of the rock he had been caft upon;
where having ſtood ſeveral hours without ſeeing thip-
ing, or aught that might anſwer his dream; the air
conuing from the ſea being pretty ſharp, and he faint,
having taken no manner of food for near three days,
he gave over all hopes of relief. Thus ſubmitting
himſelf to the will of heaven, which he ſuppoſed de-
creed a lingering death to puniſh him for his paſt fins,
he reſolves to return where he lay the night before,
and there wait for his doom; but being ſtop'd by a
füdden noiſe which iflued from a creek in the rock,
not far from where he ſtood, he had the curioſity to
go and ſee what occafioned it.
Being come to the pace he heard the noiſe proceed
from, he fees a fine large cod-fiſh near fix feet long,
dabling in a hole in the rock, where the late ſtorm had
caſt it.
One under condemnation of death, and juſt arriv'd
at the place of execution could not be more rejoiced
at the coming of a reprieve, than he was at the fight
of this fiſh, having felt ſeveral ſick qualms, forerun-
ners of the death he thought he was doom'd to.
Heaven be praiſed ! ſaid he, here's my dream right,
where
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 151
where providence reſcued my life from the grim jaws
of death, there it has provided me wherewithal to
ſupport it.
So having taken off both his garters, he gets into
the hole where the fin lay; and having run them
through its gills, he haules it out, and drags-it after
him, being heavy, and he very weak. Going along,
he finds feveral oyſters, multels, and cockles, in his
way, which the fea had wait and down the rock;
and having a knife about him, he ſat down and eat a
few; fo refreſhed himſelf, his fpirits being exhauſted
for want of food. This fmail nutriment very much
recruited his decayed ſtrength, and the thoughts of
his fupply of provifion having diſperſed the dull ideas
his late want had bred in his mind, he chearfully takes
his filh, which he drags with much inore vigour than
before ; and filling his pockets with ſalt that was
concealed by the lun, which he found in the conca-
vities of the rock, away he goes to the place, where
ke lay the night before, in order to dreſs ſome of the
cod-lifh; where being come, he picks up a parcel of
dry leaves, and with his knife, and a flint, ftruck fire,
and kindled them: Then, getting together a few
flicks, made a fire prefently and broiled a nice of his
fith; of which he eat to heartily, that it overcame
his ftomach, being grown weak with faſting : Thus
fick, and out of order, he applies to the helpleſs re-
courſe, which was lying down, and having much fa-
tigued and haraffed himielf with hauling the heavy
hih up and down the rock, he fell aſleep until the
next morning; during which time his reft was very
much turbed with the frightfi:! dream of being at-
tacked by a terrible monſter, ſuch as never was
heard of, either for bignels or grimneſs; which pur-
ſued him, till having run himſelf out of breath, he
was forced to lie expoſed to his fury; but was pre-
vented being devoured by a grave old gentlewoman
of
HA
2:
but very much diſturbed at his late dream, which he
152 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
of a moſt graceful and majeſtic countenance, at whoſe
fudden appearance the monſter Aed. Having reco-
vered breath, and ſtrength to ſpeak, he returns the
old lady tha ks for his deliverance, and begs leave to
wait on her home, that he might know whither to
come and pay his conſtant duty to her for this her
late great kindneſs: To which ſhe anſwered, that
ſhe was fixed in no particular habitation, but dwelt at
every poor man's houſe ; her occupation being to
affift the helpleſs, but not the ſlothful and negligent :
That he ſhould ſee her again before it was long.
Mean time, ſhe bid him not go on in evil ways, but
whenever overtaken, not to deſpair, for ſhe was always
at hand: Nevertheleſs, ſhe would not have him too
depending, and ſo went away, leaving him very eaſy and
pleaſed in his mind, that he had eſcaped ſuch vaſt danger.
Having ſept quietly the remainder of the night,
he awoke in the morning pretty freſh and hearty,
feared prefaged and prognoſticated ſome approaching
evil; but as he could make no comparative alluſion
of the old lady, who reſcued him from the monſter,
he concludes it muſt be an inſpiration of providence
(whom the grave old lady did perfonate in the dream)
who lately had preſerved him from a death by all ap-
pearance unavoidable, to keep him from deſpair in this
his
great extremity, promiting to be at hand upon
occafion; yet would not have him neglect means to
get away from a place where want threatens him.
For though he might for a while fubfift upon fith,
wherewith he might be ſupplied, being ſurrounded by
the fea; yet he could not imagine which way he
cculd be furniſhed with cloaths and bed againſt the
winter; for want of which he muſt miſerably periſh
with cold, unleſs ſupplied by ſome ſuch diſmal acci-
dent as expoſed him to the want thereof, which he
Hear.ily wiſhes and prays may never happen.
Having
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
1
153
Having made theſe confiderations, he, on his
knees, returns kind providence his hearty thanks for
all his mercies that had been extended to him; beg-
ing the continuance of its aſſiſtance. Then, as he
tool, directions from his dream, watching the op-
portunity of getting away froin that melancholy place,
he goes to the other ſide of the rock, to try if he
could perceive any ſhipping in ſight.
The wind, being pretty high, fed his hopes, that
each ſucceeding hour would gratify his wiſhing look,
with that object the preceding could not bring forth;
but was difappointed. The night approaching, kept
back all probability for that time; however, depend-
ing on beiter ſucceſs the next day, he returns whence
he came ; and being hungry, makes a fire, and broils
another ſlice of the fith, then lays the reſt upon broad
green leaves, and ſtrews falt thereon to keep it from
ſpoiling, and then goes to reſt; and as he lay un-
diſturbed the night before under the trees, and much
more eaſy than at top, he ventured again, committing
himſelf to the care of providence.
But his thoughts, which all day had been diſturbed
with the dread of thoſe hardſhips he muſt probably
undergo, if obliged to continue there all winter, lo
ran in his mind, that they occaſioned ideas ſuitable
to thoſe he had formed the day before, and cold being
the greateſt of his fears, it is alſo the principal ſubject
of his dream; which preſented to his imagination,
that he was in a ſpacious place, paved with hail-ſtones
of a prodigious bigneſs, and furrounded with high
mountains of -ice, which echoed with ſhivers : At the
farther end thereof he ſaw an old man reſembling
Time, as he is commonly painted, with heaps of
ſnow and hail about him, and himſelf very buſy with
making more: At his fide ftood a very beautiful
woman, whoſe ſhape and make was uncommon, and
her features and complexion extraordinary; but what
ſurprized
HS
154 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
furprized him moft, was her having three pair of
breaſts, wonderfully handſome, and curiouſly placed,
which ſeemed to adorn her boſoma far more than the
richeſt ſtomacher made of diamonds or, pearls could do ;
ſo that what in other women would look monſtrous,
was in her an addition to her matchleſs beauty,
The fight of that most perfect and complete wo-
man warmed his blood, which the coldneſs of the
place had chilled, and tempted him to come nearer
the charmer. As he advanced, every Atep he made,
ſeemed to add ſtrength to his limbs, and vigour to
his life ; which made him deſirous to come nearer to
the perſon from whom he received ſuch beneficial.
effluvia ; but was ſuddenly ſtopped by the old man's
turning towards him with a grim and furly counte-
nance, which threatened his nearer approach with evil.
Not daring to come nearer, he ſtands ſtill, won-
dering what buſineſs that moſt charming creature
could have with that furly moroſe old fellow; when
liftening a while, he perceived the was aſking boons
of him in the behalf of a vaſt number of all ſorts of
creatures that attended her at fome diſtance behind,
which he refuſed in a moſt churliſh manner; and as
ſhe ſtill perfifted in her ſuit, following him up and
down, the ill-natured old man flily ſteps to the froſty
mountain, and pulls down a large clod of ice, which
ftoped a gap therein, from whence came out a crea-
ture, made and featured like a man, but of a mon-
ftrous fize, and frightful aſpect; his exceffive broad
cheeks hanging down on each ſide of his long piked
chin, like two empty bladders; and his preposterous
belly hung down looking juſt like a fail without wind.
That monſter was no ſooner out, but he had orders
from the fpiteful old man to drive away the woman,
and all her attendants; which word of command
was no ſooner given, but it was put in execution.
Having fill'd his thrivelled jaws with wind, which
then
THE ENGLISH HER MIT.
155
then ſtood out like fo many kettle drums, he falls a
blowing upon one of the hills of ſnow, and turns it
into a thick ſhower, which he drove with violence
againſt that angel-like creature, and her clients, who
immediately fled for ſhelter.
This barbarous treatment to the moſt deſerving of
creatures put him in amaze; to whom the angry old
man (ſeeing he did not go with the reſt) came in a fu-
ry, ſaying, doít thou put me to defiance? I'll bury thee
in that which I only ſtrewed over them, and went to lay
hold of him: which cauſed him to awake in a wonder-
ful fright.
Being riſen, he made reflections upon the late
dreams: All my dreams, ſaid he, have ever proved
ominous, and, if I mittake not, this muſt have ſome
fignification : Certainly this old man is Time, lay-
ing up a ſtore of froit and ſnow againſt next win-
ter ; and that goodly woman is Nature, who being
tender over all her creatures, interceded for modera-
tion: And his ſurly refuſal, and rough uſage, prog-
nofticate a forward and hard winter, to whoſe ſeverity
I muſt lie expoſed, being altogether unprovided.
Theſe reflections bred various melancholy thoughts,
which almoſt led him to deſpair. Oh! ſaid he, that
I was but a mouſe, bat, or a yet meaner creature !
Then ſhould I be below the cruel perſecutions of
fate. But man, who was created in the nobleft form,
endued with reaſon and underſtanding, animated with
an immortal foul, muſt be aim'd at as the only
mark worthy its malignant darts ! But why do I thus
rave at thoſe evils we are the authors of? Had man.
continued in his original ſtate of innocence, the very
name of fate or fortune would not have been known..
Well, ſince this is the product of fin, I accept this.
black lot as juſtly coming to my ſhare; and humbly
fubmitting to heaven's decree, 'I thankfully take this
dream as a timely warning; and, in imitation of
H6
thoſe
s!
3
156 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
thoſe creatures repreſented in it, I'll provide what
ſhelter I can againſt bad weather comes.
Accordingly, firſt he begins to think of making
himſelf an houſe to preſerve him from the injuries of
the weather ; but having nothing to make it of, nor
any inſtrument but a knife, which could be of little
ſervice to him, he reſolves to go to that part of the
rock where he was ſhipwrecked, to ſee if he could
diſcover any thing among the wreck that might be
ſerviceable to him; and therefore takes a branch of
a tree along with him, and, coming to the place, he
ſtrips himſelf, and goes into the water (the water
being low, diſcovering the tops of ſeveral ſharp point-
ed rocks) and gropes along with his ſtaff for fure foot-
ing, wading as high as his chin, diving to the bottom
frequently, and feeling about with his hands. This
he continued doing for almoſt two hours, but to no
purpoſe, not daring to go out of his depth ; for he
well knew, that he could do little good there, becauſe
he could diſcover no part of the thip, not ſo much
as the maſt or any of the rigging, but fancied the lay in
fome deep hole, where it was impofſible to get at her.
Thus deſpairing, and fretting and teazing himſelf,
he calls to mind that he had a hatchet in his hand
when he was caſt away, and thought probably it might
lie in that clift of the rock, into which he was
thrown; thither he went, and looking about, per-
ceived fomething like the handle of a hatchet jut a-
bove the ſurface of the water at the bottom of the
rock; and, going down to it, took it up; which to
his great joy, proved to be the very thing he wanted.
Having got his tool, he dreſſes himſelf, and goes
on to the island again, intending to cut down fome
trees to make himfelf a hut: Looking about, there-
fore, for the propereſt plants, and taking notice of a
furt of trees, whoſe branches, bending to the
to the ground,
took root, and became a plant, he thought they
might be the fitteſt for this purpoſe, and cut a ſuffici.
.
...
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
157
ent parcel of them to make his barrack : which was
full buſineſs for him that day.
The n xt inorning, having paid his uſual devotion,
he walks out-again to look for a pleaſant and con-
venient place to make his hut or barrack upon: He
walked ſeveral hours, and could find none more ſhel-
tered from the cold winds than that where he already
lay, being in the middle of the iſland, well fenced on
the north and eaſt fides with trees, which ſtood very
thick: The place being fixed upon, he hews down
ſome trees that grew in his way, and clears a ſpot of
ground about twelve feet ſquare, leaving one tree
Itanding at each corner; and, with the young plants
he provided the day before, filled the diſtance be-
tween quite round, ſetting them about fix inches a-
ſunder, leavinig a larger vacancy for the door: His
incloſure being made, he bends the branches at top
from both ſides, and weaves them croſs one another,
making a cover to it; which being ſomething too
thin, he laid other branches over, till they were
grown thicker : Having finiſhed the top, he goes a-
bout cloſing the fides , for which purpoſe, taking
large branches, he ftrips off their Imall twigs, and
weaves them between the plants as they do for theep-
pens; then made a door after the ſame manner.
His barrack being finiſhed, which took him up
fifteen days hard work: Now, faid he, here is a
houſe, but where is the furniture? This, indeed,
may keep the weather from me, but not the cold,
The ground on which I do and muft lie, is hard,
and doubtleſs, in the winter, will grow damp; which,
with want of covering, may occaſion agues and fe-
vers, the cholick and rheumatiſon, and twenty rack-
ing diſtempers, which may cauſe me to repent my
having eſcaped a milder death.
In this great conternation and perplexity, he goes
to ſee if he could ſpy any Inipping riding within fight
of
158
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
of the ifland : As he was walking aleng, full of hea.
vy and dull thoughts, which weighed his looks to the
ground, he happened to find a ſort of high graſs
that grows but here and there, round ſome particular
fort of trees, of which he never took notice before.
Heaven be praiſed! ſaid he, I have found wherewithal
to keep iny poor body from the ground, whilft I am,
by providence, doom'd to remain here: Șo paffes
on, intending at his return, to cut down à fufficient
quantity of it to make mats that might ferve him in-
tead of bed and bed-cloaths.
Having isoked himſelf almoſt blind, without fee-
ing the left proſpect of what he deſired, he concludes
upu going to cut the graſs which he ſtood in ſuch
want of, and ſpread it to dry, whilſt the weather was
yet warm : That piece of work kept him employed the
remainder of the day, and beſt part of the ſucceeding,
having nothing but a pocket knife to cut withal.
That work being done, wanting a tool to ſpread and
turn his graſs, he takes a branch off the next tree,
which having ſtript of all the finall ones about it, all
but part of that at the top, being forky, made a tole-
rable fork: Thus being equipped for hay-making, he
went on with his work, and as he was at it, he ſaw,
at fome diſtance, ſeveral monkeys as buſy as himſelf,
ſcratching ſomething out of the ground, which they
did eat upon the ipot, and carried the reſt to their
home.
His hopes that thoſe roots might be for his uſe,
thoſe creatures being naturally dainty, eating nothing
but what men may, made him haſten to the place he
ſaw them ſcratching at, that by the herb they bear
(which they tore off) he might find out the root.
Having, by the leaves which he picked off the
ground, found ſome of the ſame, he digs them up,
and carried them to his batrack, where he broiled
a llice
THE ENGLISH MERMIT.
159
3
fice of his fiſh, and in the aſhes roaſted them,
which eat ſomething like cheſnuts done in the ſame
manner.
This new found out eatable much rejoicing him,
he returned his hearty thanks to kind providence,
that he had put him in a way to provide himſelf with
bread, and that of a moſt delicious kind. As ſoon
therefore as he had dined, he went out on purpoſe to
dig up a good quantity; but, as he was going to the
place where he had taken notice they grew pretty
thick, he ſees a tortoiſe of about a foot over, crawl-
ing before him : Heaven be praiſed ! ſaid he, here is
what will ſupply me both with victuals and utenſils to
dreſs it in: He ran therefore, and turned it on its
back, to keep it from getting away, whilft he went
for his hatchet, that he might cut the bottom ſhell
from the top, in order to make a kettle of the deep-
eſt, and a dish of the flat part.
Being tired of cod-fiſh, he dreſſes the tortoiſe, an
animal feldom eaten but upon extremity, the flesh
thereof often giving the flux: nevertheleſs he ven-
tured upon it, and liked it extremely, fome part of it
eating very much like veal ; which at that time was
a very great novelty to him, having eaten no freſh
meat for a long time before.
Happening to eat of that part of the tortoiſe which
is the moſt feeding, and lets hurtful, he was in 10-
wiſe diſcompoſedbut, having boiled it all, he laid
by the remainder to eat now and then between his:
filh.
Being provided with a boiling utenfil, he often had
change, by means of thoſe admirable roots ſo luckily-
diſcovered'; fome of which he roaſted for bread,
others he boiled with ſalt-cod: This in a great mea-
fure mitigated his misfortune, and ſoftened the hard-
fhip he lay under ; for that, ſeeing but little proſpect
of changing his preſent condition, by getting away
from
160 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
from thence yet a-while, he thinks on means to make
it as eaſy as poſſible whilft he remained in it; for,
having projected a bed, and taking the graſs, which
by that time was dry, he falls to work; and a mat be-
ing the thing concluded upon, he twiſts his hay into
ropes, the bigneſs of his leg; then he cuts a pretty
number of ſticks, about two feet long, which he
drives into the ground, ten in a row, and near four
inches afunder, and oppoſite to them ſuch another row
at ſix or ſeven feet diſtance from the firſt, which
made the length of his mat; then having faſtened
one end of his rope to one of the corner ſticks, he
brings it round the other corner ſtick, and ſo to the
next at the other end, till he has laid his frame : Then
he weaves acroſs ſhorter ropes of the fame, in the
manner they make pallions on board with old cable-
ends. When he had finiſhed his mat, he beat it with
a long ſtick, which made it ſwell up; and the graſs
being of a ſoft cottony nature, he had a warm and
eaſy bed to lie on.
The comfort and pleaſure he found on his ſoft mat,
(being grown fore with lying on the ground for the
pace of a month or more) fo liberally gratified him
for the time and labour he had beſtowed in making it,
that it gave him encouragement to go about another;
a covering being the next neceſſary wanted; for tho'
the weather was, as yet, pretty warm, and he, in a
great meaſure, tealo ed by the hardthip he had gone
through; yet the winter approaching, and the pre-
fent ſeaſon fill favourable for him to make provilion
againſt it, he goes and cuts more graſs ; which being
made ready for uſe, he lengthens his loom, to allow
for rolling up at one end, inſtead of a bolſter, and
makes it thicker than the first; which he intends, in
cold weather, ſhall lie upon him inftead of blankets.
Being provided with the moſt neceffary furniture he
wanted, he thinks on more conveniences, reſolving
to
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 161
3.
to make himſelf a table to eat his victuals upon, and
a chair to fit on: Thus, having cut ſeveral ſticks
about four feet long, he drives them in a row a little
way in the ground, then takes ſinaller, which he in-
terweaves between: Having made the top, he ſets it
upon four other ſticks, forky at the upper end, which
he ſtuck in the ground at one ſide of his barrack, to
the height of a table ; this being done, he cuts-four
more branches, ſuch as he juuged would do beſt for
the feat and back of a chair, which he alſo drove iir
the ground near his table; and having twiſted the
branches, which grew to them, with each other,
from back to front, and acrofs again, he weaves
ſmaller between, bottoming his ſeat; which completes
the furniture of his habitation.
That care being over, another ſucceeds, of a far
greater moment: Here is a dwelling, ſaid he, to
Thelter me from the weather, and a bed to reſt this
poor body of mine ; but where is food to ſupport it?
Here have I fubfifted near one month upon a fiſh,
which the ſame dreadful ſtorm, that took away forty
lives, ſent me to maintain my own. Well, ſince
kind providence has been pleaſed to preſerve my life
preferable to ſo many, who fatally perished in that dif-
mal accident, I am bound, in gratitude, to hold it
precious; and ſince my fiſh is almoſt gone, and I am
not certain of more, I'muſt by degrees bring myſelf to
live upon roots, which I hope will never be wanting,
being the natural product of this iſland : So I muſt
eat of the ſmall remnant of my fiſh, but now and
then, to make it hold out longer. Dainties or plenty
were not allotted for him that was doom'd to Navery,
but labour, and hard living; and, if I meet here the
latter, heaven be praiſed, I have eſcaped the worſe; I
can take my reſt, and ſtand in no dread of any fe-
Vere inſpector or taſkmaſter.
Now
162 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
Now being intirely reconciled to the ſtate of life
providence, on whom he fully depended, had been
pleaſed to call him to, he reſolves to make proviſion
of thoſe excellent roots; and with his hatchet he
cuts a piece of a tree, wherewith he makes a ſhovel,
in order to dig them up with more eaſe: With this
inftrument he went to the place where he had obſerved
they grew thickeſt, which being near the monkeys
quarters, they came down from off their trees in
great numbers, grinning as if they would have flown
at him; which made him ſtop a while: He might in-
deed, with the inſtrument in his hand, have killed
ſeveral, and perhaps diſperſed the reft; but would not :
Why, ſaid he, ſhould I add barbarity to injuſtice? It
is but natural and reaſonable for every creature to
guard and defend their own: This was given them
by nature for food, which I am come to rob them of;
and ſince I am obliged to get of them for my fubfift-
ence, if I am decreed to be here another ſeaſon, I will
fet fone in a place diſtant from theirs for my own ufe.
Having food ſtill a conſiderable time, 'thoſe ani-
mals, ſeeing he did not go forwards, each went and
fcratched up for itſelf, afterwards retiring; giving
him the opportunity to dig up a few for himſelf: And
as he was not come to the place where they grew
thick, he laid them in ſmall heaps as he dug them up;
while thoſe fly creatures would, whilſt he was digging up
more, come down from the trees where they itood hid
among the leaves, and ſteal them away : which oblig-
ed him to be contented for that time with as many as
his pockets would hold; reſolving to bring ſomething
next time which would contain a larger quantity;
and fearing thofe animals, which are naturally very
cunning, Thould dig them up, and hide them, he
comes early the morning following to make his pro-
viſion ; And for want of a ſack to put them in, he
takes his jacket, which he buttons up, and ties at the
.
fleeves;
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 163
leeves; and as he had obſerved, that every root had
abundance of little off-fets hanging at it by finall
fibres, he pull'd off his ſhirt alſo, of which he makes
another fack to put thein in.
Being naked, all but his breeches, and the day be-
ing pretty hot, he thought he had as good pull them
off too, and fill them, his jacket being but ſhort,
and therefore holding but few: Taking, therefore,
his bundle in one arm, and having the ſhovel in the
other hand, he goes to the place he intended to do the
day before, and expecting to find the ſame oppoſition
as he did then, he brought with him fome of the
roots he had dug up the preceding day, in order to
throw them amongſt thoſe animals, and ſo quiet them:
But to his great wonder, and as great fatisfaction,
thoſe creatures which the time before had oppoſed him
with noiſe, and offenſive motions, let him now paſs
by quietly, without offering to meddle with any when
dug up, though he had laid them up by heaps in their
way, and ſtood at a confiderable diſtance from them.
This furpriſing reverence from thoſe creatures, ſet
him
upon deep refledions on what could be the cauſe
thereof; whether it might not proceed from the prox-
imity of their ſhape and his : But, then, faid he, my
ftature and colour of ſkin is ſo different from theirs,
that they cannot but diſtinguiſh I am not of their
kind: No, it muſt be a remnant of that awe, en-
tailed by nature upon all animals, to that moſt noble
and complete maſter piece of the creation, called
Man, which, now appearing in the ſtate he was firſt
created in, and undiſguiſed by cloths, renew an
image of that reſpect he has "forfeited by his fatal
tranfgreſſion, which ever ſince obliged him to hide the
beauty of his fabric under a gaudy diſguiſe, which
often renders him ridiculous to the reſt of mankind,
and generally obnoxious to all other creatures ; mak-
ing a pride' of what he ought to be alhamed of:
Well
164
THE ENGLISH HERMIT:
Well
, adds he, fince my cloaths bred the antipathy, I
will remove that cauſe, which will ſuit both the na-
ture of thofe animals, and my own circumſtances.
From that time he reſolves to go naked, till the
hardneſs of the weather obliged him to put ſome-
thing on
Having picked up a ſufficient quantity of off-ſets to
ſtock about two acres of land, he returns home,
leaving behind him a conſiderable number of roots dug
up for thoſe poor animals, which attended him all the
time he was at work, without offering to touch one
till he was gone.
Being come home, he fixes upon a ſpot of ground
near his habitation, and digs it up as well as he could
with his wooden inftrument, in order to fow his
feed: which having compafied in about twenty days,
he implores a bleſling upon his labour, and leaves it
to time to bring it forth. Thus having finiſhed the
moft neceflary work about his barrack, he refolves to
take a more particular view of the iſland, which 'till
then he had not time to do ; and taking a long ſtaff
in his hand, he walks to the lake, which parts the
land from the rock, and goes along the fide of it quite
sound the iſland, finding all the way new ſubjects of
admiration : On the left-hand ſtood a rampart made
of one ſolid ſtone, adorned by nature with various
forms and ſhapes, beyond the power of art to imitate;
ſome parts challenging a likeneſs to a city, and cluf-
ters of houſes, with here and there a high ſteeple
ftanding above the other buildings; another place claim-
ing a near reſemblance to a diſtant ſquadron of men
of war in a line of battle: Further, it bears compa-
riſon with the dull remains of ſome fumptuous edi-
fice, ruined by the often-repeated fhocks of time,
inciting the beholders to condolence for the loſs of its
former beauty. At ſome diſtance from thence the
proſpect of a demoliſh'd city is preſented to the fight;
in
a
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 165
in another place large ftones like ſmall mountains,
laid, as it were, a-top of one another, imprefs the
mind with an idea of the tower of Babel; and on the
right-hand a moſt pleaſant land covered with beauti-
ful green graſs, like chamomile, and here and there
a cluſter of trees, compoſing moſt agreeable groves,
amongſt a vaſt number of fine lofty trees of divers
heights and ſhapes, which ſtood more diftant, whoſe
irregularity added much to the delightfulneſs of the
place.
As he was walking on, admiring all theſe wonder-
ful works of nature, having caught cold (not being
uſed to go naked) he happened to ſneeze oppoſite to
a place in the rock, which hallowed in after the man-
ner of the inſide of ſome cathedral, and was anſwered
by a multitude of different voices iſſuing from that
place: The agreeableneſs of the ſurprize induced
him to rouſe thoſe echoes a ſecond time, by giving a
loud hem; which was, like his fneezing, repeated
in different tones, but all very harmonious: Again
he hem’d, and was ſo delighted with the repetition,
that he could have ſpent hours in the hearing of it;
But why ſhould I, faid he, wafte thoſe melodious
ſounds, fo fit to relate the Almighty's wonderful
works, and ſet forth his praiſe? Immediately he fung
ſeveral pſalms and hymns, with as much emulation
and devotion, as if he had been in company with
numbers of ſkilful and celebrated choristers.
Having ſpent a conſiderable time there with much
pleaſure, he proceeds in his walk, being reſolved to
make that his place of worſhip for the future, and
attend it twice a day conſtantly.
About three or four hundred paces farther, having
turned on the other ſide of a jetting-out part of the
ing product of nature; a large tone, growing out of
the rock, advancing quite over the lake at the cota
tom
166 The ENGLISH " HERMIT.
.
tom of it, repreſenting ſomething of a human ſhape,
out of the breaſt whereof iſſued a fountain of ex-
ceeding clear water, as ſweet as milk; and, when
looked at fronting, was like an antique piece of ar-
chitecture, which in old times they built over particu-
làr ſprings ; and on the other ſide appeared as if
ſpringing from the noftrils of a ſea-horſe : Theſe
three fo very different, and yet rightly compared like-
neſſes, being offered by one and the fame unaltered
object, made him curious to examine what parts of
every reſemblance helped to make out the others :
And having ſpent a conſiderable time in the examina-
tion, he found every thing, which the front had like-
neſs of, was employed in making the fide repreſenta-
tion, by being in ſome places fhortened, and others
lengtherted, according to the point of fight.
Being ſatisfied about that ſubject, he enters upon
another as puzzling: The baſon, in which the foun-
tain ran, which was about five yards diſtant from
whence the water did ſpring, being but about nine
feet over every way, without any viſible place to
evacuate its over complement, and yet keeping the
fame height, without daihing or running over
, altho?
the ſtream that fell into it ran as big as his wriſt
.
Having a long time ſearched into the cauſe, without
any ſatisfaction, he conjectures it muſt make its way
out ſomewhere under ground; ſo went on, till he
came to the place he had begun his march at, which
ended that day's work.
Having been round the iſland, which to the beſt of
his judgment, was about ten or eleven miles in cir-
cumference, of an oblong form, going in and out in
ſeveral places, extending from north to fouth, the
fouth end near twice as broad as the oppoſite; he re-
folves to employ the next day in viewing the inſide,
Then recommending himſelf to providence, as he ne-
ver failed to do, both morning and evening, he goes
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 167
to bed; but not being ſleepy, the over-active faculty
in man roves from one ſubject to another : His mind
runs from his preſent ſtation to his former, re-affum-
ing his paſt pleaſures, which he muſt never hope to
meet with again, and calls in all the evils his preſent
condition of life lays him expoſed to. Theſe dull
thoughts quite diſlodge his late born hopes of hea-
ven's affiftance, and ſhake his future dependance on
providence: He fnarl's and quarrels with his fate, and
repines at his condition, which not being in his
power to mend, he wiſhes for eternal ſleep, to free
his mind of tumults and cares, which croud upon
him.
Sleep was granted him, but not reſt: His repining
is chaſtifed with terrifying dreams of the puniſhment
he had been condemned to; all his paſt troubles come
upon him in the moſt grievous and ſhocking manner
they could appear; his raging wives at once fall up-
on him, exerting their utmoſt malice and revenge,
which he cannot avoid, but by embracing either an
ignominious death, or a feveré and vile bondage.
Theſe terrible aſpects put him in the ſame pains and
agony, as if already feeling the affigned torment.
Having in his dream, with hard ſtrugglings, eſcap-
ed death, he finds himſelf in an exceeding hot coun-
try, his half-naked body continually bending to the
hard and dry ground, grabbling round a nauſeous :
weed for fulſome worms; every now and then laſhed
by a croſs and ſevere taſk-maſter, who hurries him to
work: In this great perplexity he cries out, Oh,
that I had ended my woeful days at the fhameful gib-
bet ! Sure it would have been a milder fate! At which
he awaked in ſuch a conſternation, that it was ſeveral
minutes before he could be thoroughly fatisfied it was
but a dream. Having recalled his diſperſed ſenſes,
he made this reflection, that it really was the penalty
he had been ſentenced to, and by providence preſerv-
ed
168 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ig
>
ed from. Setting then his preſent condition in
op-
poſition to that, he acknowledges his ingratitude, for
which he fecretly repents, and on his knees, with
weeping eyes, aiks pardon, imploring the conti-
nuation of providence's protection; reſolving, for
the future, never to think or wiſh to change that ſtate
of life it had pleaſed heaven to place him in ; wholly
dedicating the remains of his days to God's worſhip:
Holding henceforth, as ineſtimable, the happineſs of
being freed from thoſe cares, which daily flow on
them who are concerned with the world, which might
cool or flacken his duty to ſo great a benefactor.
Having intirely religned himſelf to the will of
God, he caſts off all cares, and baniſhes from his
mind all that could create any; reſolving to employ
thoſe hours that ran between the intervals of time
he had dedicated to divine worſhip, in the con-
templation of the many wonderful works of the
ture, manifeſted in fuch various mamiers all over the
dand.
So he walks along the land, which he found very
level, covered with a delightful green graſs, and a-
dorned with trees of divers forts, ihapes, and height,
inhabited with ſeveral ſorts of curious finging birds,
of various colours and notes, which entertained him
with their melodious harmony: In ſome places ſtood
a cluſter of trees, compoſing agreeable and delight-
ful groves, proceeding from only one main body, whoſe
lower branches, being come to a certain length, ap-
plied to the earth for immediate nouriſhment, as it
were, to eaſe the old ltem that produced them; and
ſo became a plant, and did the fame.
Having for ſome time admired the agreeableneſs and
curiofity f the plant, by which nature feem'd to give
bunan kind inſtructions, and looking about, if per-
chance he could find any thing in his way for his own
proper uſe; he took along with him a ſample of eve-
ry
TAE ENGLISH HERMIT.
** 169
spor
ry
different herb he thought might be eatable. Croft-
ing the iſland in ſeveral places, he comes at a moſt
delightful pond, about two hundred yards in length,
and one hundred and fifty wide, with fine trees ſpread-
ing their branchy limbs over its brink, which was
ſurrounded with a beautiful bank, covered with divers
kinds of Howers and herbs, ſo naturally intermixed,
which compleated it in ornament and conveniency,
as though intended by nature for more than mortal's
uſe.
Having walked ſeveral times round it, with inuch
pleaſure, he ſat down a-while upon its bank, to ad-
mire the clearneſs of the water, through which, to
his great comfort, he ſaw many different forts of
fiſh, of various ſizes, ſhapes, and colours. Hea-
ven be praiſed! faid he, here is a ſtock of freſh-
water fiſh to ſupply me with food, if the ſea ſhould
fail me.
WA
Being fufficiently diverted with their chaſing one
another, which were of many beautiful and different
colours, and made a moſt delightful ſcene, he pro-
ceeds in his walk, and goes to the ſouth of the iſland,
where he finds another ſubject of admiration; a noble
and ſpacious wood, whoſe fhades ſeemed to be made
for the abode of peace and pleaſure : He walked
round it with much delight, which made the time
ſeem ſhort; yet he could gueſs it to be no leſs than
two iniles about.
Having viewed the outſide, whoſe extraordinary
agreeableneſs incited in him an unfurmountable deſite
to get into it, but where he was afraid to venture, left
there might be deſtructive creatures; yet, having re-
commended himſelf to the care of providence, he ven-
tured into it, finding ſeveral pleaſant walks, fome
ftrait
, edged with lofty trees, as though planted for
pleaſure; others crooked and winding, bordered with
a thick hedge of pimentoes, which caſt a moft fra-
I
grant
170
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
܀
grant ſmell: Here and there a large cluſter of buſhes
and dwarf-trees, wherein ſheltered ſeveral different
kinds of wild beaſts and fowls. Sure, ſaid he, this
iſland never was intended by nature to lie waſte, but
rather reſerved to be the happy abode of ſome, for
whom heaven had a particular bleſſing in ſtore : Here
is every thing fufficient, not only for the ſupport, but
alſo for the pleaſure of life; heaven make me thank-
ful, that I am the happy inhabitant of ſo bleſſed a land!
Being hungry, and tired with walking, he goes
home, in order to get ſome victuals, and having
made a fire, he boils a ſlice of his falt-fiſh with ſome
roots, and then the herbs he brought with him,
which proved of divers taſtes, and all excellent; fome
eating like artichoaks, others like aſparagus and
ſpinach. Now, ſaid he, what can I wiſh for
more! Here I poſſeſs a plentiful land, which produces
both fowls, Aeth, and fiſh; bears excellent greens
and roots, and affords the beſt of water, which by
nature was ordained for man's drink. Pomp and
greatneſs are but pageantry, which oftentimes prove
more prejudicial to the actor, than diverting to the
beholder: Eaſe and indulgence are apt to breed the
gout, and various diſtempers, which make the richi
more wretched than the poor; now theſe evils, thanks
to my maker, I ſtand in no danger of, having but
what is ſufficient, which never can do any
harm.
Thus thoroughly eaſy in his mind, he propoſes to
ſpend the afternoon at the outſide of the rock, in
viewing the ſea, and looking for oyſters; fo takes in
his hand his long ſtaff to grabble in holes ; and his
breeches, which he ties at the knees, to bring them
in, Being come to a place of the rock he never had
been at before, he ſees at a diſtance, ſomething
like linen hanging upon it; which, when come at,
he found to be the main-fail of a ſhip, with a piece
of
the yard faſtened to it: Alas ? faid he, a diſmal token
of inſatiable ambition! which makes men often loc
:
their
by ,
.
care.
***
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
Ig1
their lives in ſeeking what they feldom find; and, if
they ever do, 'tis commonly attended with a world of
Happy is he who linnits his deſires to his abili-
ty; aſpiring not above his reach, and is contented
with what nature requires. Then he falls a ripping
the ſheet from the yard, which he finds in one place
tied with one of his garters! (having himſelf made
uſe of it for want of another ſtring) heaven be prais'd,
ſaid he, this is no effect of another ſhipwreck, but
a fragment of the unfortunate fhip, whoſe loſs was
my, redemption; which refliction made him fhed
tears.
Having ripped the fail in pieces, he rolls them up
in ſuch bundles as he could conveniently carry, and
lays them down till he had got a few pyſters, proceedo
ing to grope in holes with his ſtick as he went on.
About forty paces farther, he finds a cheft in a
clift of the rock, which had been waſhed up there by
the violence of the late ftorm: Heaven! ſaid he,
more fatal effects of fate's cruelty, and man's teme-
rity! Was the ſea made for men to travel on? Is
there not land enouga for his rambling mind to rove?
Muſt he hunt after dangers, and put death to defiance?
What is the owner of this the better for it now! Or
who can be the better in a place fo remote, and the
acceſs to it fo difficult? being not to be approached
but on the wings of providence, and over the back
of death. Now, was this full of maſly gold, or yet
richer things, I thank my God, I am above the uſe of
it; yet l'il take it home: It was ſent hither by pro-
vidence, perhaps for the relief of ſome ſo neceſſitated
and deftitute. Then going to lift it, he could not ;
therefore was obliged to fetch his hatchet to beat it
open, that he might take away what was in it by de.
grees. Having taken as much of the fail cloth as he
could conveniently carry, with the few oyſters he had
got, he went home, and fetched the tool, wherewith
he
1 2
172 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
..
he wrenched the cheſt open, from which he took a
fuit of cloaths, and ſome wearing-linen: Theſe, faid
he, neither the owner, nor I, want ; ſò laid them
down: The next thing he took out, was a roll of
feveral ſheets of parchment, being blank indentures
and leaſes; theſe, ſaid he, are inſtruments of the law,
and often applied to injuſtice ; but I'll alter their
miſchievous properties, and make them records of
heaven's mercies, and providence's wonderful liberal-
ity to me; ſo, inſtead of being the ruin of fome, ,
they may chance to be the reclaiming of others. At
the bottom of the cheſt lay a runlet of brandy, a
Cheſhire cheeſe, a leather bottle full of ink, with a
parcel of pens, and a penknife: As for theſe, ſaid he,
they are of uſe; the pens, ink, and parchments have
equipped me to keep a journal, which will divert and
paſs away a few anxious hours: As for the cheeſe and
brandy, they will but cauſe me new cares : Before I
had them, I wanted them not : now, the benefit and
comfort I ſhall find in them, when gone, will make
me hanker after them moſt; I wiſh I had ſtill been
without them ; but now they are here, it would be a
ſin to let them be loft. I'll take them home, and
only uſe them at my need; which will both make
them hold out the longer, and me grow leſs fond of
them.
So, by degrees, he takes home the cheſt, and what
was in it; and now having materials to begin his
journal he immediately fell to work, that for want of
other books, he might, at his leiſure, peruſe his paſt
tranſactions, and the many mercies he had received
from heaven; and that, after his deceaſe, whoever is
directed thither by providence, upon reading his won-
derful eſcapes in the greateſt of dangers; his miracu-
lous living, when remote from human affiftance; in
the like extremity, might not deſpair. Thus he be-
gins from his being eight years old (as well as he can
remember,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
173
remember, he heard an old aunt of his fay) to the
day of his being caſt away, being then twenty-
eight years of age, reſolving to continue it to his
death.
Thus having written the preceding account of the
fipwreck, and what had befallen him fince, to the
finding of the cheſt, he proceeds: But calling to
mind his laſt dream but one, which did but warn him
to make proviſion againſt winter, and the ſeaſon being
pretty far advanced, he gathers a good ſtore of fuel
and roots : begins to line the outſide of his barrack
with a wall of turf, and lays the ſame at top, to keep
out the wet: And as he now and then found ſmall
Thell-fiſh and oyſters upon the rock, he makes a
bridge over the lake, which in warm weather he ufed
to wade, that in the winter he might go over dry: So,
having compleated his bridge, which was made of
two ſtrong poles, which reached from the land to the
rock, and ſeveral lefler branches laid acroſs pretty
cloſe, he retires home, the day being far ſpent : The
following night, there aroſe a violent ſtorm, attended
with dreadful claps of thunder, which the many echoes
from the rock, rendered more terrible ; and light-
nings flaſhing in a moft frightful manner, ſucceeding
each other, before the preceding was well out of the
ſky, which put poor loneſome Quarll in ſuch a con-
ſternation, that notwithſtanding his reliance on hea-
ven's protection, he would have given the world (had
it been in his poffeffion) to have been within the
reach of human aſliſtance; or at leaſt, to have ſome
company ;- ſolitude adding much to his terror and
affliction,
The glorious riſing of the next morning's ſun hav-
ing laid the mortifying rage of the bluftring winds,
Quarll
, whoſe late alarm was hardly quelled, ftill ſuf-
pecting its moſt reviving rays to be terrifying glances
and flaches of lightning : but having lain awhile, and
1 3
hearing
174
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
hearing no noiſe, but that which ftill raged in his
mind, was at laſt convinced the ſtorm was over ;
and ſo gets up with a reſolution to go and ſee if he
could diſcern any effect of the late tempeſt.
Being come at the other ſide of the rock, he ſaw,
indeed, ſurpriſing objects, but not afflicting ; the
miſchief that was done, being to the inhabitants of
the fea only, a vaſt number of which had, by the
wind, been diſ-elemented; a quantity of ſtately whit-
ings, fine mackerels, large herrings, divers lizes of
codlings, and ſeveral other forts of fiſh, with a great
number of ſhells, of different ſhapes and bigneffes,
lying up and down upon the rock. Heaven be praiſ-
ed! ſaid he, inſtead of damage to bewail, what
thanks have I now to return for this mighty benefit !
Here the powerful agent of mifchief is, by kind pro-
vidence, made a miniſter of good to me : Make me
thankful! I am now provided for all the next winter;
and yet longer ; by which time I am certain to have
a freſh ſupply.
::
* He who, when in diſtreſs,
TO GOD makes his addreſs,
And his bounties implore;
Is ſure, and may depend,
That relief he will ſend,
And at need help the poor.
Thus having taken up as many fiſh as he could
hold in his arms, he carries them home, and brings
his ſhirt, which he uſed inſtead of a ſack : So, at
ſeveral times, he brought away all the fiſh, and as
* Left the reader ſhould think, theſe and the fol-
lowing verſes to be the effect of my own brain, I lo-
lemnly proteft, they are what I found in his memoirs,
written with his own hand.
mang
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
175
.
many of the ſhells as he had occaſion for ; of ſome of
which he made boilers and ſtew-pans, of others diſhes
and plates : Some he kept water in, and others fish
ia pickle; ſo that he was ſtocked with neceffary veflies
as well as proviſion.
Being very weary with often going backwards and
forwards with his tiſh, which took up all that day to
bring them home, he fits down to reft himſelf, an:
the unlet of brandy lying by, he was tempted to take
a lupwhich was at that time very much wanted, his
fpirits being very low; but was loth to taſte it, leit
hc ſhould grow fond of the liquor, and grieve after it
when gone : Some moments were ſpent before he
could come to a reſolution; at laſt having conſidered
the uſe of it, which ſuited the preſent occafion, he
concludes to take a drain, and to uſe it like a cordial,
as it was firſt intended for ; but the veſlel out of
which he drarik, being at his mouth, the cordial turns
to a nectar , one gulph decoys another down; to the
intended dram became a hearty draught. The plea-
lantneſs of the liquor made him forget its nature ; fo
that poor Quarll
, who had, for the ſpace of, near
three months before, drank nothing but water, was
prefently overcome with the ſtrength of the brandy,
and fell aſleep in his chair, with the rundlet on his
bare lap, from whence it foon fell to the ground, and
being unſtopt, ran all out.
Being awaked with hunger, having flept from even-
ing till almoſt noon of another day, which he knew
riot whether the ſucceeding or the next to it; ſeeing
what had happened, he was forely vex’d, and could
have wept at the accident; but, cunfidering the li-
quor which occafioned it, might perhaps, in time,
have cauſed greater miſchief
, he was foon reconciled
with the loſs, but could not with that of the right
order of the days, which having intirely forgot, hide
dered the going on of his journal ; ſo was obliged to
I 4
mako
176 'THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
make only a memorial. That damage being repaired,
another appears of a far greater conſequence; the
Sunday is loſt, which he had ſo carefully obſerved to
that time : How can that be made up! Now, ſaid he,
ſhall I daily be in danger of breaking the fabbath,
knowing not the day. Oh fatal liquor! that ever
thou wert invented to cauſe ſo much miſchief! mur-
der, adulteries, and blafphemies, are daily, by thy
moſt pernicious uſe, occalioned. But why ſhould I
lay the blame upon the uſe, when it is the abuſe that
does the hurt ? and exclaim againſt a thing, which
being taken in moderation, is of ſo great a benefit,
reviving a fainting heart, raiſing ſinking ſpirits, warm-
ing cold and decay'd nature, and affuaging ſeveral
pains : So blames himſelf highly for gratifying his
appetite with that wherewith he only ought to have
refreſhed nature; and ſince that often miſguided fa-
culty had prompted him to commit the fault, he dedi'-
cated that day, in which he became ſenſible of it, to
prayers and faſting; and every ſeventh, from that he
fets apart for divine worſhip only, which he hoped
would keep him from breaking the commandments,
for keeping holy the fabbath day; it being not certain,
that the day appointed by the church for that purpoſe,
very day God had fanctified for reſt : So went
to the place where the echoes, in many different and
melodious ſounds, repeated his thankſgiving to the
Almighty, which he had fixed upon to pay his devo-
tion, and there ſpent the reſt of the day in prayers,
and ſinging of pſalms.
The next morning, having breakfaſted with ſome
of his uſual bread, and a ſlice of the cheeſe he found
in the cheſt, he goes about curing his fiſh, in order to
ſalt them: Having laid by as many, for the preſent
uſe, as he thought he could eat whilft freſh, he im-
proves the fair weather to dry one part of the remain-
der, and keeps the reſt in pickle.
The
was the
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
177
The winter being near at hand, and the weather
growing damp and cold, hinders him from his walks ;
ſo being confined within doors, he e ploys his idle
hours in beautifying his utenſils, which were not to
be uſed on the fire; and beſtowed fome pains in
ſcraping and poliſhing the reſt of his Thells, fome as
fine as tho’ they had been nakers of pearl ; which
made them not only more fit for their intended uſes,
but alſo a great ornament to his barrack, which he
ſhelved round with plaited twigs after the manner of
his table, and ſo fet them upon it.
Thus he ſpent the beſt part of the winter, making
no farther remarks, but that it was very ſharp, at-
tended with high winds, abundance of hail and ſnow,
which obliged him to make a broom to ſweep it away
from about his hut, which otherwiſe would have been
damaged by it.
But ſhivering winter, having exhauſted his froſty
ſtores, and weary with vexing nature, retired ; Bo-
reas alſo, grown faint with hard blowing, is forced to
retreat into his cave ; gentle Zephyrus (who till then
kept up in his temperate cell) now comes forth to
uſher in the blooming ſpring ; ſo mildly flips on to in-
form nature of her favourite's approach, who at the
joyful news put on her gay enamelled garb, and out of
her rich wardrobe ſupplies all vegetables with
new veſ-
ture, to welcome the moſt lovely gueſt. The fea-
thered choriſters alſo receive new ſtrength; their ten-
der lungs are repaired from the injuries the foggy and
miſty air did occaſion; and, thus revived, are placed
on every budding tree, to grace his entrance with
their harmonious notes.
Quarll alſo, whom bad weather had confined with-
in doors a conſiderable time, which had in a great
meaſure numb'd his limbs, and dulled his ſenſes, now
finds himſelf quite revived: He no longer can keep
within ; the fair weather invites him out; the finging
IS
birds
178 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
wa
birds on every fide call to him; nature itſelf fetches
him out to behold her treaſures.
Having with unſpeakable pleaſure walked ſome
time, diverted with the ſweet melody of various
kinds of ſinging birds, and the fight of abundance of
different forts of bloflom'd trees, and blooming flow-
ers; all things within the iſland inſpiring joy; he had
the curiofity to go and view the fea: So goes over
his bridge ; and then, at the other ſide of the rock,
where he finds more objects, requiring as much ad-
miration, but affording a great deal leſs pleafure; vaft
mountains of ice, floating up and down, threatning
all that came in their
way.
Theſe terrible effects of the winter, which to that
time he was a ſtranger to, occafioned his making
theſe reflections :
ing
-
He who on billows roves, riches or wealth to gain,
Is ever in danger, and labours oft in vain ;
If fortune on him ſmiles, giving his toil ſucceſs,
Each day new cares ariſe, which mar his happineſs.
The only treajure, then, worth laying up in ſtore,
Is a contented mind, which never leaves one poor ;
He is not truly rich, who hankers after more.
So, having returned heaven thanks for his happy
ftate, he creeps to the north-eaſt ſide of the rock, at
the foot of which lay an extraordinary large whale,
which the late high wind had caft there, and died for
want of water. If this, faid he, is all the damage
that has been done laſt winter, it may be borne ; ſo went
down, and meaſured the length of it, which was above
thirty yards, and proportionable in bigneſs: There were
ſhoals of ſmall fiſhes ſwimming about it in the ſhallow
water wherein it lay, as rejoicing at its death : Thus, faid
he, the oppreſſed rejoice at a tyrant's fall. What num-
bers
:
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 179
bers of theſe have been deſtroyed to make this monſtrous
bulk of fat! Well, happy are they, who, like me, are
under heaven's government only. So with his knife,
which he always carried in his pocket, cuts ſeveral
ſlices of the whiale, and throws them to the ſmall
fiſhes, ſaying, it is but juſt ye ſhould, at laſt, feed
on that which ſo long fed on you ; and, as oil ran,
in abundance, from the places he had cut the ſlices
out of it, vexed him to fee that waſted, which might
turn to good money: But why, ſaid he, ſhould I be
diſturbed at it? What uſe have I for any? Provi-
dence takes none, it gives me all gratis. So goes on
feeling for oyſters with his ſtaff which he always
walked with.
Having at laſt found a hole, where by their rattling
at the bottom with his ſtaff, he judged there might be
a pretty many, he marks the place, and goes home to
contrive ſome inſtrument to drag them up, being yet
too cold for him to go in the water; and as he had no
tool but his knife and hatchet, both improper to make
a hole in a board, as requiſite to make a rake, which
was wanting for that purpoſe; he beats out the end
of his cheſt, in which there was a knot: So having
driven it out, he faſtens the ſmall end of a pole to it.
Thus equipped, he went and raked up oyſters, which
added one diſh to his ordinary, and ſauce to others;
yet at length his ſtonnach growing qualmiſh with eat-
ing altogether fiſh, and drinking nothing but water
withal, he wiſhes he could have a little fleſh, which
he might eaſily, there being animals enough in the
wood apparently fit for food, but then he muſt de-
prive them of their lives, barely to make his own
more eaſy.
Thus he debates with himſelf for ſome time, whe-
ther or no it would not be injuſtice for kim (who on-
ly by a providential accident was brought thither to
fave his life) now to deſtroy thoſe creatures, to whom
16
nature
180 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
3
nature has given a being, in a land out of man's
reach to difturb: Yet nature requires whát ſeems to
be againſt nature for me to grant: I am faint, and
and like to grow worſe, the longer I abſtain from
fleſh,
Having pauſed a while ; why, ſaid he, ſhould I be
ſo ſcrupulous ? Were not all things created for the
uſe of man? Now, whether is it not worſe to let a
man periſh, than to deſtroy any other creature for
his relief ? Nature craves it
, and providence gives
it : Now, not uſe it in neceſſity, is undervaluing the
gift.
So, having concluded upon catching ſome of thoſe
animals he had ſeen in the wood, he conſiders by what
means, having no dogs to hunt, nor guns to ſhoot :
Having pauſed awhile, he reſolves upon making
gins,
wherewith he had ſeen hares cateh'd in Europe : Thus,
taking ſome of the cords which he found with the
fail at the outſide of the rock, he goes to work, and
makes ſeveral, which he faſtens, at divers gaps in the
thickfet, within the wood, through which he judged
that ſort of beaft, he had a mind for, went.
Impatient to know the fucceſs of his fnares, he gets
up betimes the next morning, and goes to examine
them; in one he found a certain animal fomething
like a fawn, the colour of a deer, but feet and ears
like a fox, and as big as a well-grown hare : He was
much rejoiced at his game, whoſe mouth he immedi-
ately opened, to ſee if he could find out whether it
fed upon graſs, or lived upon prey, the creature being
caught by the neck, and ſtrangled with ſtruggling,
before it died had brought up in its throat ſome of the
greens it had been eating, which very much pleaſed
him; accounting thoſe which lived upon fleſh as bad
as carrion.
Having returned thanks for his good luck, he takes
it honne in order to dreſs part of it for his dinner;
ſo
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
181
fo caſes and guts it : But its proving to be a female,
big with three young ones, grieved hiin to the heart,
and made him repent making thoſe killing nooſes :
What pity, ſaid he, ſo many lives thould be loſt, arrd
creatures waſted! One would have ſerved ine four
days; and here are four killed at once. Well, hence-
forth, to prevent the like evil, I'll take alive what I
just want, and ſave all the females. So, having ſtuck
a long ſtick at both ends in the ground, making a half
circle, he hangs one quarter of the animal upon a
ſtring before a good fire, and fo roasts it.
His dinner being ready, having ſaid grace, he ſet
to eating with an uncommon appetite; and, whether
it was the novelty of the diſh, or that the meat did
really deferve the praiſe, he really thought he never
eat any thing of Aeſh, till then, comparable to it,
either for taſte or tenderneſs.
Having dined both plentifully and deliciouſly, he
moſt zealouſly returns kind providence thanks for the
late, and all favours received; then purſuant to Iris
reſolution, he goes making nets, in order to take his
game alive for the future; and, as he had no ſmall
twine to make it with, he was obliged to unravel
fome of the ſail which he luckily had by him; and
with the thread, twift fome of the bigneſs he judged
proper for that uſe.
Having made' a ſufficient quantity, he makes a
couple of nets, about four feet ſquare, which he
faftens in the room of the killing ſnares; fo retired,
and reſolved to come and examme them every morn-
ing.
Several days paſs’d without taking any thing, ſo
that he wanted Aeth a whole week, which did begin
to diſorder his ſtomach, but hot his temper; being
intirely reſigned to the will of providence, and fully
contented with whatever Heaven was pleaſed to ſend.
One
*
182 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
One afternoon, which was not his cuſtomary time
of day to examine his nets, being too viſible in the day
time for game to run in; he happened to walk in
the wood, to take the full dimentions thereof, ſo
chanced to go by his nets ; in one of which were
taken two animals, as big as a kid fix weeks old, of
a bright dun, their horns upright and ſtrait, their
ſhape like a ſtag, moſt curiouſly limb'd, a ſmall tuft
of hair on each ſhoulder and hip. By their horns,
which were but ihort, they appeared to be very young
which rejoiced him the more, being in hopes to tame
thoſe, which he did not want for prefent uſe; ſo carried
them home, joyful of his game, depending upon a
good dinner; but was fadly diſappointed: The ani-
mals he found were antelopes (calling to mind he had
ſeen them in his travels) which proving both females,
he had made a reſolution to preſerve. Tho' they
were too young to be with kid, and he in great need
of Aeſh, yet he would not kill them; fo, with cords,
faftens them to the outlide of his lodge; and with
conſtant feeding them, in two months time made
them ſo tame, that they followed him up and down ;
which added much to the pleaſure he already took in
his habitation, which by that time was covered with
green leaves, both top and ſides; the ſtakes it was
made of having ſtruck root, and ſhot out young
branches, whoſe ſtrength increaſing that ſummer ; to
fill up the vacancy between each plant, he pulled the
turfs, wherewith he had covered the outſide and top
of the hut between them, to keep the cold out in the
winter.
His former hut, being now become a pleaſant ar-
bour, gave him encouragement to beſtow ſome pains
about it towards the embelliſhment of it, which ſeem-
ed to depend on being well attended. He reſolved
upon keeping it pruned and watered, the better to
make it grow thick and faft, which anſwered his in-
tent;
.
3
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
183
tent; for in three years time, the ſtems of every plant
that compoſed the arbour, were grown quite cloſe,
and made a ſolid wall of about fix inches thick, co-
vered with green leaves without, which lay molt re-
gular and even, and within had a moſt agreeable
Imooth bark, of a pleafant olive-colour.
His late arbour being, by his care and time, and
nature's aſſiſtance, become a matchleſs lodge, as in-
tended by nature for ſomething more than human
gueſts, he now conſults to make it as commodious as
beautiful. Here is, ſaid he, a delightful dwelling,
warm in the winter, and cool in the ſummer ; de-
lightful to the eye, and comfortable to the body;
pity it ſhould be employed to any uſe, but repoſe and
delight! So reſolved upon making a kitchen near it.
Thus having fixed upon a place convenient at the fide
of his lodge, about ſix feet from it, twelve in length,
and eight in breadth, which he incloſed with the turfs
that covered the outſide of his arbour, before it was
fufficiently thick to keep out the cold; then having
laid ſticks acroſs the top of the walls, which were
about eight feet high, he lays turf thereor, and fo
covers it, leaving an open place for the ſmoak to go
out.
The outſide being done, he goes about inſide ne-
ceffaries, as fire places, to roaſt and boil at ; thus
cuts a hole in the ground, at a ſmall diſtance from the
wall, after the manner of ſtew-ſtoves in noblemen's
kitchens; then, at another place, he ſets two flat
ftones, about eight or nine inches broad, and one foot
long, edgeways, oppofite to one another; near two
feet aſunder ; then puts a third in the ſame manner,
at the end of the other two; ſo makes a fire-place fit
to roaſt at: Then, for other conveniencies, he weaves
twigs about ſticks, ſtuck in the wall on one fide of
the kitchen, where he lays the ſhells fit for utenſils,
which both adorned and furnished it.
Having
184 THE ENGLISH HERMIT, .
e
..
Having compleated that piece of work, he goes
and viſits his plantations, which he finds in a thriving
condition; the roots, being, in fix months time,
grown from the bigneſs of a pea (as they were when
firſt fet) to that of an egg: His antelopes alſo, were
come to their full growth, and complete beauty,
which exceeded moſt four footed beafts; having a
majeſtic prefence, body and limbs repreſenting a ſtag,
and the noble march of a horſe : So every thing con-
curred to his happineſs. For which, having returned
his moſt liberal benefactor his grateful acknowledge-
ments, he thinks on means to prevent any obſtructi-
ons that may intercept the continuation thereof; and
as the want of cloaths was the only cauſe he could
think of, to make him uneaſy, having but the jacket
and hoſe which were given him on board, to ſave his
own cloaths, which when worn out, he could not
recruit; therefore, to accuſtom himſelf to go without,
he tuins thoſe he had, fo takes away the lining from
the outſide of his cloathing, in order to wear the
thickeft in the coldeſt weather, and fo thins his dreſs
by degrees, till at laſt, he went quite naked.
Having thus concluded, as being the beſt ſhift ne-
ceſſity could raiſe him, he falls to ripping his jacket,
in the lining whereof he finds ſeven peas, and three
beans, which were got in at a hole at the corner of
the pocket.
Thoſe few made him wiſh for more, which he had
no room to hope for, they being raiſed by feed, which
the iſland did not produce: Theſe few, faid he, which
at preſent are hardly ſufficient to ſatisfy a woman's
longing, may, with time and induſtry, be improved
to a quantity large enough to ſerve me for a meal;
then lays them up againſt a proper time to ſet them ;
ſo ſpent the remainder of that ſummer in walking a-
bout the iſland, watering his lodge, weeding his root
plantation, attending his nets, which now and then
fupplied
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 185
fupplied him with an antelope or goat, to eat at inter-
vals between fith he commonly found on the rock,
after high winds and ſtoris ; never failing to viſit the
ſea three or four times a week, according as the wea-
ther did prove ; thus diverting many anxious hours
with variety of objects that element affords. Some-
times he had the pleaſure of ſeeing great whales
chaſing one another, ſpouting large ſtreams of water
out of their gills and noſtrils ; at other times, num-
bers of beautiful dolphins rolling amongſt the waves;
now and then a quantity of Itrange monſtrous fiſh
playing on the ſurface of the ſea, fome whereof had
heads (not common to fithes) like thoſe of hogs ;
others not unlike thoſe of dogs, calves, horſes, lions,
bulls, goats, and ſeveral other creatutes : Some char-
ing another fort, which to avoid being taken, would
quit their element, and ſeek refuge in the air, and Ay
fome yards above the water ; till their fins, being dry,
obliged them to plunge in again.
Theſe paſtimes being generally ſucceeded with bad
weather, and dreadful ſtorms, 'checked the pleaſure
they gave, with a dread of the evil that threatened to
follow. Thus commiferating the caſe of thoſe whoſe
misfortune is to be expoſed to them; having ſpent
ſome time in reflection, he goes to his uſual devotion,
and calling to mind, that in all that time he never faw
young fiſh in the pond, he conjectured that ſomething
might deſtroy the ſmall ones; and as he imagined ſo
it proved: for, at his approach, a large fowl few
out of the pond with a fith in its bill, being too large
for it to ſwallow.
At that diſtance, the bird being alſo upon the wing,
he could neither diſcern colour nor make; but he had
the fatisfaction of diſcovering the cauſe why the fiſhes
did not increaſe, they being devoured when young by
that creature ; which to prevent, for the future, he
ftudies means to kill the deſtroyer, nets not being
proper
a
186 THE ENGLISH HERMIT,
proper inſtruments; it being requiſite, for that pur-
poſe, to have one all round, as alſo to cover the pond,
which was impoffible, by reaſon of its largenes; and
a leſs being of no uſe; the birds probably not coming
to one certain place. He wiſhed for a gun and am
munition fitting, as being the moſt probable things t';
fucceed; but no ſuch inftrument being within his reach,
he ponders again; during which time, a croſs-bow
offers itfelf to his mind, but is as diſtant from his
reach as the gun: It is true, there was ſtuff enough
in the iſland to make many, but no tools but a hatchet
and a pocket knife ; wherewith, if he made fhiſt to
cut and ſhape a bow, he could not make a latch and
ſpring neceſſary to it; ſo he muſt not think on it:
Yet, a bow being the only thing he could apply to,
he goes about one forthwith. I hus having picked
a branch of a tree, which had the reſemblance of
yew, and as tough, of which they are ſometimes
made, he, with the tools he had, made a fhift to make
one of about ſix feet long, and arrows of the ſame,
which he hardens and ſtraitens over the fire; then,
having ſit them at one end, about two or three inches,
he flips in a bit of parchment, cut ſharp at one end,
and about three inches at the other; then ties the end
cloſe, to keep it in, which ſerved for feathers; and,
with the ravelling of ſome of the fail, he makes a
ftring to it.
Thus equipped for an archer, wanting nothing
but ſkill, which is only to be gained by practice, he
daily exerciſes ſhooting at a mark for the ſpace of a
fortnight ; in which time he made ſuch an improve-
ment, that in three ſhoots he would hit a mark of a-
bout three inches ſquare, at near fifty paces diſtance.
Being ſufficiently ſkill'd, he goes and lies in wait
for his deſired game ; to placed himſelf behind a tree,
as near the pond, as he could, whither the bird came
in a few hours after.
The
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
187
The creature being pitch'd upon the bank, never
Itoud ſtill, but kept running round, watching for a
fizeable fiſh fit to ſwallow ; fo that he had no oppor-
tunity to ſhoot : 'Till having, at laſt, eſpied out one,
it launched itſelf into the pond, but raiſed more eaſily,
which gave him time to take aim ; nevertheleſs he
miſſed it, being in motion ; but when come to the
top, he ſtruck it through the body, as it opened its
wings, and laid it flat on the other ſide of the pond.
He took it up, wonderfully pleaſed at his good fuc-
ceſs the firſt time of his practiſing his new acquir’d
art; yet, having taken notice of the bird's beauty,
he had a regret for its death, though he might, in
time, have rued its living; the ſtock of fiſh weekly
decreaſing, by his own catching one now and then
with a ſmall net he made for that uſe, when ſhort of
other proviſions; and their recruiting prevented by
that bird's daily devouring their young:
The inexpreffible beauty of the feathers, which
were after the nature of a drake, every one diſtin-
guiſhed from another by a rim round the edge thereof,
about the breadth of a large thread, and of a change-
able colour, from red to aurora and green ; the ribs
of a delightful blue, and the feathers pearl colour,
ſpeckled with a bright yellow ; the breaſt and belly
(if it might be faid to be of any particular colour)
was that of a dove's feathers, rimm'd like the back,
diverſly changing; the head, which was like that of
a ſwan, for make, was. purple alſo, changing as it
moved, the bill like burnilhed gold: Eyes like a ruby,
with a rim of gold round it; the feet the ſame as the
bill; the ſize of the bird was between a middling
gooſe and a duck, and in ſhape reſembling a ſwan.
Having bemoaned the death of that delightful
ofeature, he carefully takes out its fleſh, which, cor-
rupting would fpoil the outſide; then fills the ſkin
with ſweet herbs, which he dried for that uſe; and
having
188 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
w
having fewed up the place he had cut open, to take the
fleſh out, he ſet it up in his lodge.
His good ſucceſs in archery, made him love the
exerciſe; ſo that what odd hours he had in the day
(beſides thoſe he fet apart for his divine worſhip, and
thoſe neceſſary occupations about his lodge, plantati-
ons, and making remarks) he-beſtowed in ſhooting
at the mark; which in time made him ſo expert, that
he hardly would miſs a ſtanding mark the bigneſs of a
dove, at forty or fifty yards diſtance, once in ten times ;
and would ſhoot tolerably well Aying ; having once
occafion to try it upon a monſtrous eagle, which of-
ten flew rounding over the place where his antelopes
and goats fed, near his lodge; which he thot at,
fearing
it would damage them, and killed it with the
ſecond arrow.
The ſummer being over, during which, having
been much taken up about his habitation and plantati-
ons, he had neither time nor opportunity to make re.
marks, farther than that it was ſome days very ſhow-
ery, and for the moſt part generally very hot , but now
the weather being grown fomething cold, and the
wind pretty ſharp, he muſt be obliged to put on ſome
cloaths to keep it off; being as yet too tender to go
any longer without, next, to provide for his antelopes
againſt the approaching winter; ſo makes a lodge for
them, at the backſide of his kitchen; with ſticks,
which he drove into the ground, about two feet from
the wall, and then bends them about three feet from
the ground, and ſticks them in the ſaid wall, and
ſmaller branches he interwove between them: He
thuts up the front, and covers the top, leaving both
ends open for the antelopes to go in at; then lays graſs
(which he dried on purpoſe) in the faid lodge, for
them to lie on.
Thus, having dug up a conſiderable
quantity of roots, and being already ſtock'd with ſalt-
fiſh, both dry and in pickle, he was pretty
well
pro-
vided,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 189
Turnino
vided for his cattle and himſelf, againſt the enſuing
winter, which proved much like the preceding one,
only not ſo ſtormy.
The ſucceeding ſpring having awaked ſlumbering
nature, and revived what the preceding hard ſeaſon
had cauſed to droop, every vegetable puts on new
cloathing and recovers their wonted beauty; each ani-
mal affumes freſh vigour; the beaſts in the wood
leap and bound for joy, and each bird on the trees
fings for gladneſs. The whole creation is, as it
were, repaired, and every creature deck' with new
life : Love, by nature's direction, for the increaſe of
every kind, warms their harmleſs breaſts; each ani-
mal' ſeeks a mate ; our tame antelopes quit their a-
bode, and range the woods for the relief ordained to
quell their innocent paſſion; which being aſſuaged,
they return home, pregnant with young, to their
maſter's great fatisfaction; who, having given them
over, was doubly rejoiced to ſee them come again in
an increaſing condition. Heaven be praiſed! ſaid he,
I ſhall have a ſtock of my own; and will not fear
wanting.
So, having made fitting preparations againſt their
kidding, he goes and examines the improvement of
his new plantation, where he found his roots grown
full as large as any of thoſe that grew wild. Make
me thankful! faid he; I am now provided with all
neceſſary food: I ſhall no more need to rob thoſe poor
creatures of that which nature had provided for their
own proper ufe. Next he goes and views his fmall
ftock of peas and beans, which he found in a very
promiſing cafe. So, whilſt the weather was fair, he
falls to clearing a ſpot of ground to ſet them in, as
roots that looked to be eatable, ſome whereof were
as big as a large carrot, other lefs. He broke a bit of
every
190
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
every one; ſome of which breaking ſhort, and being
not ſtringy, he judged they muſt be eatable : Then
he ſmells them ; and finding the ſcent not diſagreeable
,
he taſtes them. Some were ſweetiſh, others fharp
and hot, like horſeradiſh ; and thoſe he propoſes to
uſe inſtead of ſpice. Sure, ſaid he, thefe, being of
a pleaſant ſcent and ſavour, cannot be offenſive to na-
ture: So, having manured his ground, he takes a
ſample of every root which he judged eatable, and
boils them, as the fureſt way to experience their
goodnefs.
Moſt of them proved not only paſſable good, but
extraordinary; fome cating like parfneps, others al-
moſt like carrots, but rather more agreeable; fome
like beets and turnips; every one, in their feveral
kinds, as good as ever he eat in England, but of dif-
iferent colours and make ; fore being bluiſh, others
black; fome red and ſome yellow : Theſe tho' not
wanted, having fufficient to gratify a nicer taſte than
his, were nevertheleſs extreamly welcome, being
ſomething like his native country fare and product:
So having returned thanks for this most agreeable ad-
dition to his ordinary, he fets a mark to every herb
which thoſe roots bore, in order to get ſome of the feed
to low in a ground he would prepare : So, being
provided with Aeſh, fiſh, herbs, and ſeveral ſorts of
roots, he goes and examines what improvement
his peas and beans have made ; which he found in-
creaſed to admiration; the ſeven peas having pro-
duced one thoufand, and the three beans one hundred:
Having returned thanks for that vaſt increaſe, he lays
them by, in order to ſet them at a proper ſeaſon, as
he had done the year before.
By this time his antelopes had kidded, one of them
having brought four young ones, and the ſecond three :
This vaſt addition to his proviſions very much rejoiced
him, being ſure now not to want Aeth at his need,
*
which
.
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.; 191
which before he was in danger of; finding but ſeldom
any thing in his net: So makes account to live upon
two of the young bucks whilt they laſted ; killing
one as ſoon as fit for meat, and ſo now and then ano-
ther, ſaving only five to breed ; one whereof ſhould
be a mate to keep the females in rutting time, from
the wood; left, at one time or other, they ſhould ſtay
away for good and all.
The old ones being well fed, as he always took
care to do, providing for them ſtore of thoſe greens
he knew they loved ; as alſo boiled roots for them
now and then, of which they are very fond; the
young ones throve apace, and grew very fat; ſo that
in three weeks time they were large and fit to eat.
He killed one; which being roaſted, proved to be
more delicious than any houſe-lainh, ſucking-pig,
young fawn, or any other fuckling whatever.
Having lived upon that, with now and then a little
fiſh, about one month, which was as long as he could
keep it eatable, having dreſſed it at two different
times, five days interval; cating the cold remains in
ſeveral manners; reſerving one of the other two
males for a time he ſhould be ſcanted, and in want of
fleſh; but was unluckily diſappointed by a parcel of
large eagles, which flying one morning over the place
where the young antelopes were playing, being of a
gay, as well as active diſpoſition, who launched
themſelves with precipitation upon the male he reſerv-
ed for time of need, and one of the females which he
kept for breed, ſeeing his beloved diverters carrying
away by thoſe birds of prey, he runs in for his bow,
but came too late with it, the eagles being gone.
Having loſt his two dear antelopes, eſpecially the
female, having doomed the male for his own eating,
he hardly could forbear weeping, to think of their
being cruelly torn to pieces by thoſe ravenous crea-
tures ; Thus having for ſome time lamented his loſs,
and
.
.
ROMANI
ز
192 The ENGLISH HERMIT.
and bewailed their hard fate, he thinks on means to
prevent
the like evil for the time to come; and as his
bow was not always at hand, he reſolves upon mak-
ing a net, and faſtens it between the trees he ſaw them
come in at.
The ſucceeding winter proving very wet and windy,
gave him but little invitation to take his uſual walks;
ſo having every thing he had occaſion for at hand, he
kept cloſe to his net making; for which having
twine to twiſt, and thread to ravel out, to make the
ſaid twine, kept him employed till the following ſpring,
which eame on apace.
Having finished his net, and every thing which be-
longed to it, he goes and faitens it to the trees, as he
had propoſed; then takes a walk to his new plantati-
ons, which he found in a thriving condition ; for
which, and other benefits already received, he reſolves,
as in duty bound, to attend at his uſual place of wor-
ſhip, and fing thankſgiving pſalms, which the hard-
neſs of the weather had kept him from all the late
winter ; but it coming into his mind, that whilft he
was at his devotion, returning thanks for the fair proſ-
pect of a plentiful crop, his antelopes would break
into the cloſe, the hedge being as yet but thin, and
devour the promiſing buds, which are the principal
occaſion of his devotion; this not altogether improper
conſideration puts a ſad check to his religious intenti-
on: And though there was a vaſt obligation to
prompt him to the performance of that part of his
duty, yet he could not, with wiſdom, run the hazard,
out of mere devotion, to loſe ſo promiſing a crop,
which he ſhould never be able to retrieve; all his ſtock
of ſeed being then in grafs.
As he was debating in his mind between religion
and reaſon, whether the latter ought not to be a direct-
or by the former, he perceived his antelopes making
towards the peas, whither they, doubtleſs, would
have
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 193
3
#
kave got in, had he not returned, and driven them
another way: Which accident convinced him he
might find a more proper time to go about his devoti-
on; no man being required to worſhip to his preju-
dice: So, having put off his religious duty till he had
better ſecured his peas and beans, he cuts a parcel of
branches, wherewith he ſtops thoſe gaps to prevent
the creatures going in; and having compleated his
work, he goes to his devotion, adding to his uſual
thankſgiving, a particular collect for his luckily being
in the way to prevent his being fruſtrated ' of the
bleſſing heaven fo fairly promiſed to beſtow on his
labours.
Having paid his devotion, he walks about the iſland,
being all the way delighted with the birds celebrating
their maker's praiſe, in their different harmonious
notes! Every thing in nature, faid he, anſwers the
end of its creation, but ungrateful man! who, am-
bitious to be wiſe, as his creator, only learns to
make himſelf wretched. Thus he walks till evening,
making ſeveral reflections on the different conditions
of men, preferring his preſent ſtate to that of Adam
before his fall, who could not be ſenſible of happineſs,
having never known a reverſe; which, otherwiſe, he
would have been more careful to prevent. Being come
home and near bed time, he firſt eat his ſupper and
then, having performed his cuſtomary religious ſer-
vice, he goes to bed : The next morning, after pay-
ing his uſual devotion, he takes a walk to his planta-
tions, on which he implores a continuation of the
proſperous condition they appear to be in; next, he
goes to examine his nets, in which he finds a brace of
fowls -like ducks, but twice as large, and exceeding
beautiful: The drake (which he knew by a coloured
feather on his rump) was of a fine cinnamon colour
upon his back, his breaſt of a mazarine blue, the
belly of a deep orange, his neck green, head purple,
K
his
194
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
his eyes, bill
, and feet, red; every colour changing
most agreeably as they moved. The duck was allo
very beautiful, but of quite different colours, and
much paler than the drake's.
The diſappointment in catching thoſe delightful
fowls, inſtead of ravenous cagles, as he had purpo-
ſed, no ways diſpleaſed him, but he rather was rejoiced
to have ſuch beautiful fowls to look at; yet it went
much againſt his mind to deprive thoſe creatures of
their liberty (the greateſt comfort in life) which na-
ture took ſuch pains to adorn : But, ſaid he, they
were created for the uſe of man: So, in keeping
them for my plcafure, they will but anſwer the end
of their creation. Their confinement ſhall be no
ftricter than my own; they ſhall have the whole
iſand to range in. He then pinions them, puts them
in the pond, and makes baſkets for them to thelter
in, which he places in the branches of thoſe trees that
hung cloſeſt to the water, taking particular care to
feed them daily with roots roaſted and boiled; and the
guts of the fiſh, and other creatures, he uſed for his
own' eating, which made them thrive mainly, and
take to the place; ſo that they bred in their fealon.
The five antelopes had by this time kidded, and
brought fixteen young ones : His peas and beans al-
fo were wonderfully improved, having that ſeaſon
enough to ſtock the ground the year following,
Thus he returned kind providence thanks for the valt
increaſe, and concludes to live upon the young ante-
lopes as long as they laſted, reſerving only one for
fuck of the old ones, to keep them in milk, of which
he had taken notice they had plenty, deſigning to draw
it daily for his own uſe; ſo that in a little time, he
had enough to ſkim for cream, which he uſed for
fauce inſtead of butter, and made ſmall cheeſes of the
reft : Now having a pretty ſtore of dairy ware, he
reſolves to make a place to keep it in the kitchen
wherein
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
195
wherein he was obliged to lay his falt fiſh (which com-
monly ſmells ſtrong) not being a proper place for
cream and milk: For which end he makes a dairy-
houſe at the other ſide of his dwelling, with branches
of trees, after the manner of a cloſe arbour, and
thatches it over with graſs; which anſwering the
kitchen in form and ſituation, made uniform wings,
that added as much to the beauty as conveniency of
the habitation.
Having compleated his dairy, he proceeds in his
reſolution of making cheeſe, having learned the way
in Holland ; and for want of rennet to turn his milk,
he takes fome of the horſe raddiſh feed, which, being
of a hot nature, had the ſame effect : Having curd to
bis mind, he ſeaſons it to his palate, then with his
hatchet, he cuts a notch round in the bark of a tree,
about eighteen inches in circumference; and a fe-
cond in the ſame manner, fix inches below that :
Then llits the circle, and with his knife gently opens
it, parting it from the tree : Thus he makes as many
hoops as he judged would contain his paſte, which,
being girded round with cords to keep them from open-
ing, he fills with the ſaid pafte, and lays them by, till
fit to eat.
This being done, which compleated his proviſions,
he returns thanks for thoſe bleſſings which had been
ſo liberally beſtowed on him: Now, ſaid he, heaven
be praiſed! I exceed a prince in happineſs: I have a
habitation ſtrong and laſting, a beautiful and conve-
nient, freehold, ſtore of comforts, with all neceſſa-
ries of life free-coſt, which I enjoy with peace and
pleaſure uncontrouled : Yet I think there is ſtill fome-
thing wanting to compleat my happineſs: If a part-
ner in grief leſſen ſorrow, certainly it muſt in delight,
augment pleaſure. What objects of admiration are
here concealed, and, like a miſer's treaſure, hid from
the world! If man, who was created for bliſs, could
have
K 2
1996 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
have been completely happy alone, he would not have
had a companion given him : Thus he walks about
thoughtful, till bed-time.
In that diſpoſition he goes to bed, and ſoon fell a-
fleep: The night alſo, being windy, added to his
diſpoſition : But his mind finds no repoſe: it ſtill runs
heavy upon the ſubject, that took it up the day before,
and forms ideas ſuitable to his inclination, and as
folitude was the motive of its being diſturbed, he in-
dulges it with the thoughts of company, dreaming
that the fame of his ſtation, and happy ſtate of life,
was ſpread about the world ; that it prompted a vaft
number of people, from all parts, to come to is
which at laft induced ſeveral princes to claim a right
to it; which being decided by a bloody war, a gover-
nor was fent, who laid taxes, demanded duties, raiſed
rents, and warns him to be gone, having fixed upon
his habitation for himſelf to dwell in. Being fadly
disturbed, he cries out in his ſleep, this is a great pun-
iſhment for my uneafireſs : Could I not be contented
with being lord of this iſland, without provoking hea-
ven to bring me under the power of extorting gover-
nors.
There happening a great noiſe, he ſtarts out of his
ſleep, with the thought of hearing a proclamation;
and cries out, alas ! 'tis too late to proclaim an evil
which is already come: But, being thoroughly awake,
and the noiſe ftill continuing, he found he had been
dreaming, which very much rejoiced him: He there
fore put on his cloaths, and haſtens to the place he
heard the noiſe come from.
Being within forty or fifty yards thereof, he ſaw
a number of monkeys of two different kinds; one
fort ſquealing and fighting againſt the other, without
intermixing, but ſtill rallying, as they ſcattered in the
ſcuffle. He ſtood ſome time admiring the order they
kept in; and the battle ſtill continuing as fierce as at
firſt,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
197
firſt, he advanced to ſee what they fought about ; for
he took notice, they ſtrove very much to keep theit
ground.
At his approach the battle ceaſed ; and the comba-
tants, retiring at ſome diſtance, left the ſpot of ground,
on which they fought, clear; whereon lay a confider-
able quantity of wild pomegranates which the wind
had fhook off the trees the night before, and which
were the occaſion of their ſtrife.
His coning having cauſed a truce, every one of
thoſe creatures keeping ſtill and quiet during his ſtay,
he reſolves to uſe his endeavours to make a ſolid
peace; and as that difference had ariſen from the
fruit there preſent, to which he could ſee no reaſon
but that each kind nad an equal right; he divides it
into two equal parcels, which he lays oppoſite to each
other towards both the parties, retiring a little way, to
fee whether this expedient would decide the quarrel :
Which anfwered his intent; thoſe animals quietly
coining to that ſhare next to them, and peaceably car-
rying it away, each to their quarters. "This occaſi-
oned feveral reflections on the frivolous, and often
unjuſt quarrels that ariſe among princes, which create
fuch bloody wars, as prove the deſtruction of vaſt
numbers of their ſubjects. If monarchs, faid he,
always acted with as much reaſon as theſe creatures,
how much blood and money would they fave ! Thus
goes on to his uſual place of worlip, in order to re-
turn thanks, that he was free of that evil, the dream
whereof had ſo tortured his mind; tho he confeſſed
he juſtly deſerved the reality, for his uneaſineſs in the
happieſt of circumſtances,
Having paid his devotion, he takes a walk to fee
how his peas and beans came on, which he found in a
very improving difpofition, each ſtem bearing a valt
number of well filled pods. Heaven be prailed! faid
he;
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:::..
198 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. .
he; I ſhall eat of this year's crop, and have ſufficient
to ſtock my ground the enſuing one.
Thus being plentifully ſupplied with neceſſaries,
and in a pleaſant iſland, every thing about him being
come to perfection ; his dwelling, which ſeems in-
tended by nature for ſome immortal gueſt, being, by
time, yearly repaired and improved, leaving no room
for care ; yet the unwiſe man, as if an enemy' to his
own eafe, cannot be contented with the enjoyment of
more than he could reaſonably crave, but muft dif-
turb his mind with what concerns him not; What
pity, ſaid he, fo delightful a habitation, attended with
ſuch conveniences, and ſituated in fo wholeſome an
air, and fruitful a land, ſhould at my death, loſe all
thoſe wonderful properties, being become uſeleſs for
want of fomebody to enjoy them! What admiration
will here be loit for want of beholders ! But what
kind of man could I ſettle it upon, worthy of fo fine
an inheritance? Were it at my pleaſure to chufe my-
felf an heir, fuch only appear virtuous, whoſe weak na-
turc confides to chaſtity: Every conſtitution cannot
bear exceſs: want of courage occaſions mil nels, and
lack of ſtrength good temper : Thus virtue is made a
cloak to infirmity. But why do I thus willingly ham-
per myſelf with thoſe cares providence has been pleaf-
ed to free me of?
Leave the miſer the knowing care,
Who'll
ſucceed him, or be his heir ;
That racks his ſoul with diſcontent,
Left what he rak'd for ſhould be ſpent.
His gold to him is far more dear,
Than all his friends or kindred near.
Thus he holds the iſland from providence : Freely
he bequeaths it to whom providence ſhall think fit to
beſtow it upon : And that his heir may the better know
the
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
199
the worth of the gift, he draws a map of the whole
eſtate; and made an inventory of every individual
tenement, appurtenances, meſluages, goods and chat-
tels, and alſo a draft of the terms and conditions he
is to hold the here-mentioned poffeflions upon; viz.
Imprimis, A fair and moſt pleaſant iſland, richly
ſtocked with fine trees, and adorned with ſeveral de-
lightful groves, planted and improved by nature, ſtora
ed with choice and delicious roots and plants for food,
bearing peas and beans; likewiſe a noble fiſh-pond,
well ſtocked with divers forts of curious fiſh; and a
ſpacious wood, harbouring ſeveral ſorts of wild-fowl,
and beaſts, fit for a king's table.
Item, A dwelling commenced by art, improved by
nature, and compleated by time, which yearly keeps
it iv repair, as alſo its furniture.
Item, The offices and appurtenances thereof,
with the utenſils thereunto belonging; which faid
iſland, dwelling, &c. are freehold, and clear from
taxes; in no temporal dominion, therefore ſcreened
from any impoſitions, duties, and exactions ; defend-
ed by nature from invaſions of aſſaults; guarded and
ſupported by providence: All which incomparable **
poffeffions are to be held upon the following terms,
viz.
THAT whoſoever ſhall te by providence ſettled in
this bleſſed abode, hall
, morning and evening, con-
ftantly (unleſs prevented by ill weather or accident) at-
tend at the eaſt lide of this iſlard, and within the al-
cove nature prepared for the lodgment of ſevera: har-
monious echoes, and there pay his devotion; finging
thankſgiving pfalms to the great origin and director of
all
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200
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
all things, whoſe praiſes he will have the comfort to
hear repeated by melodious voices.
Next, he ſhall religiouſly obſerve and keep a
ſeventh day for worſhip only, from the rifing of the
fun untill the going down thereof: Therefore he
fhall, the day before, make all neceſſary proviſion for
that day.
THAT he ſhall, after any tempeſtuous wind or
ſtorm, viſit the ſea at the out ſide of the rock, at
the eaſt, fouth, weft, and north ends, in order to
affift
any one in diſtreſs.
He ſhall not be waſteful of any thing whatſoever,
eſpecially of any creature's life; killing no more than
what is neceflary for his health : But Thall every day
examine his nets, ſetting at liberty the overplus of his
neceflity, left they ſhould periſh in their confinement.
He muſt alſo keep every thing in the fame order
and cleanneſs he ſhall find them in; till and manure
the ground yearly; fet and low plants and feeds, fit
for food, in their proper ſeaſons.
Having written this at the bottom of the map he
had drawn, being ſupper time, he takes his meal ;
then goes to his uſual evening devotion; and, after
an hour's walk, to his bed, ſleeping quietly all night,
as being eaſy in his mind.
The next morning he takes his uſual walks, and
viſits his nets: In that he had ſet for eagles, he found
a fowl as big as a turkey, but the colour of a phea-
fant, vnly a tail like a partridge: This having no fign
of being a bird of prey, he was loth to kill it; but
having had no freſh meat for above a week, he yields
to nis appetite, and dreſſes it, eating part thereof for
his
TAE ENGLISH HERMIT.
201
his dinner : It was very fat and plump, and eat much
like a pheaſant but rather tenderer, and fuller of
gravy.
Tho' he was very well pleaſed with the bird he had
taken, yet he had rather it had been one of the eagles
which kept his young antelopes in jeopardy: But as
he could not deſtroy them with his net, which had
hung á conſiderable time without the intended ſucceſs,
he projects the prevention of their increaſe, by de-
ſtroying their eggs, leaving his nets wholly for the
uſe they had been ſucceſsful in; and ſearches the clifts
of the rock next the ſea, where thoſe birds common-
ly build; where having found ſeveral neſts, he takes
away the eggs that were in them, being then their
breeding time, and carries them home, in order to
empty the ſhells, and hang them up and down in his
habitation, amongſt the green leaves which covered
the cieling thereof; but having accidently broke one,
and the yolk and white thereof, being like that of a
turkey, he had the curioſity to boil one, and taſte it,
which eat much after the manner of a ſwan's : The
reſt he faved to eat now and then for a change, reap-
ing a double advantage by robbing thoſe birds ; leſ-
tening thereby the damage they might do him in time,
and adding a difh to his
preſent fare.
In this proſperous way he lived fifteen years, find-
ing no alteration in the weather or ſeaſons, nor
meeting in all the time, with any tranſactions worthy
of record : ftill performing his uſual exerciſes, and
taking his walks with all the content and fatisfaction
his happy condition could procure ; intirely forſaking
all thoughts and deſires of ever quitting the bleſſed
ſtation he then had in his pofleffion.
Thus having walked the iſland over and over (which
tho' delightful, yet the frequent repetition of the won-
ders it produces, renders them, as it were, common,
and leſs admirable)" he proceeds to view the ſea, whoſe
fiuid
K 5
W!
*
202
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
fluid element being ever in motion, daily affords new
objects of admiration.
The day being very fair, and the weather as calm,
he ſat down upon the rock, taking pleafure in ſeeing
the waves roll, and, as it were, chaſe one another;
the next purſuing the firft, on which it rides, when
come at; and being itſelf overtaken by a ſucceeding,
is alſo mounted on thus, wave upon wave, till come
to a bulky body, too heavy for the undermoft to bear,
funk all together : This, ſaid he is a true emblem of
ambition, men ftriving to outdo one another, are of
ten undone.
As he was making reflections on the emptineſs of
vanity and pride, returning heaven thanks, that he
was ſeparated from the world, which abounds in no-
thing elſe; a fhip appears at a great diſtance, a fight
he had not ſeen ſince his fhipwreck: Unlucky inven-
tion! ſaid he, that thou Thouldeſt ever come into
men's thoughts ! The ark, which gave the firſt noti-
on of a floating habitation, was ordered for the pre-
fervation of man; but its fatal copies daily expoſe
him to deſtruction. Having therefore returned hea-
ven thanks for his being out of thoſe dangers, he
makes a folemn vow, never to return into them a-
gain, tho' it were to gain the world. But his reſolu-
tion proved as brittle, as his nature was frail: The
men on board had fpied him out with their perſpec-
tive glaſſes ; and ſuppoſing him to be ſhipwreck’d,
and to want relief, ſent their long-boat with two men
to fetch him away.
At their approach his heart alters its motion; his
blood ſtops from its common courſe; his finews are
all ſtagnated; which intirely unframes his reaſon, and
makes him a ſtranger to his own inclination; which
ſtruggling with his wavering reſolution, occafions a
debate between hope and fear : But the boat, being
come pretty nigh, gave hope the advantage, and his
2
late
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
203
.
2
late reſolution yields to his revived inclination, which
being now encouraged by a probable opportunity of
being anſwered, ruſhes on to execution. He now,
quitting all his former reliance on providence, de-
pends altogether upon his getting away, bleſſing the
lucky opportunity of ſeeing his bleſſed country again,
for which pleaſure he freely quits and forſakes all the
happineſs he enjoyed! gladly abandoning his delight-
ful habitation, and plentiful iſland: He thinks no
more of providence; his mind is intirely taken up
with his voyage : But diſappointment, which often
attends the greateſt probabilities, ſnatches ſucceſs out
of his hand before he could graſp it, and intercepts
his ſuppoſed infallible retreat : The boat could not ap-
proach him, by reaſon of the rocks running a great
way into the ſea under water; nor could he come at
the boat for ſharp points, and deep holes, which made
it unfordable, as well as unnavigable ; ſo that after
ſeveral hours ſtriving in vain on both ſides, to come
at one another; the men, after they had itrove all
they could but to no purpoſe, ſaid ſomething to him
rage, which he underſtood not, and went with
out him, more wretched now, than he was when he
was firſt caſt away: His full dependance upon a re-
treat made him abandon all further reliance on provi-
dence, whom then he could implore; but now, hav-
ing ungratefully deſpiſed heaven's bounties, which had
been fo largely beſtowed on him, he has forfeited all
hopes of affiſtance from thence, and expects none
from the world: Thus deftitute, and in the greateſt
perplexity, he cries out, whither ſhall I now Ay for
help? The world can give me none, and I dare not
crave any more from heaven. O curſed deluſion! but
rather curſed weakneſs! Why did I give way to it?
Had I not enough of the world, or was
Í
grown.
weary of being happy? So ſaying, he falls a weep-
ing: Could. I thed a Spod of tears, fufficient to waſh
K 6
in a
away
204 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
away my fault or cafe me of the remorſe it does
create! But why does my diſtracted fancy propofe
impoſſibilities? Is not the ocean ſufficient to rid me
of this wretched life? Then adieu, infectious world,
thou magician of iniquity! The thoughts of which
are now more offenſive, than the moft nauſeous odour
of old fepulchre. Here he was going to caſt himſelf
into the ſea; but a vaſt large monſter, riſing out of
the water, with its terrible jaws wide open, looking
at him, in a moft dreadful manner, ſtopped the execu-
tion of his deſperate deſign: Thus, death appearing
in a different Thape than he had propoſed to meet him
in, frightens away his reſolution of dying : I may
ſaid he, condemn myſelf ; but vengeance belongs to
God alone, who rejects not tears of repentance, but
always extends his mercies towards the penitent, and
ſince St. Peter, after thrice denying his Lord and
Mafter was, by repenting and weeping over his fin,
received again into favour, I hope theſe my weak,
but ſincere tokens of repentance will be accepted of,
for ever divorcing myſelf from the world, and never
thinking of its alluring pleaſures, but to deſpiſe them.
And, for the better performance of that pious reſolu-
tion, he ſets that woeful day apart (in which he was
about to commit that fatal deed) for prayer and faft-
ing: Thus he went home, and ſpent the remainder
of that in fafting and praying, ſinging penitential
pſalms till dark night, thať nature urged him to re-
poſe.
The pains and labour he had been at in the day,
climbing up and down the rock, dragging himſelf to
and fro, to come at the boat, having very much rack-
ed his limbs, and the diſappointment of his full de-
pendance on the late promiſing ſucceſs, as alſo the
tormenting remorſe, and heavy grief, for his finful
reliance thereon, much fatiguing his mind, rendered
Aeep, wbich is ordained for the refreſhment of nature,
of
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 205
of no manner of help to him: His thoughts are con-
tinually diſturbed with frightful viſions; all his pait
dangers glare at him, as if threatening their return;
but that which terrified him moſt was, the frightful
idea of the terrible monſter which roſe out of the ſea
at that inſtant he was going to plunge himſelf in it.
Being awaked out of his reſtleſs ſleep, rather more
fatigued then when he lay down, having ftiil the ter-
rible aſpect of a fea monſter in his mind, he made ſe-
veral reflections on the execrable nature of his intende
ed fin; admiring the immenſe goodneſs of providence,
who, to deter him from the committing of the enor-
mous act, had ordered that (beyond imagination)
terrible object, as the moſt ſuitable to the barbarity of
his deſign, to ſtrike into him that terror which the
fpecies of death he had fixed upon could not. Thus
having with tears acknowledged the enormity of his
reſolution, he returns providence thanks for its inefti-
mable goodneſs, who (notwithſtanding his late moſt
ungrateful elopement) preſerved him from eternal, as
well as temporal ruin : Having paid his devotion,
and fung a thankſgiving pfalm, he takes a little nou-
riſhment, his ſpirits being low with his paſt fatigue
and faſting; and as he could not put out of his eyes
the terrible aſpect of the monſter, which was beyond
chimerical conception, he refolves to draw it accord-
ing to the idea he had in his mind : Perhaps, ſaid he,
having often the repreſentation before mine eyes, it
will make the object more familiar and leſs frightful.
Taking therefore pen, ink, and a ſheet of parchment,
now, ſaid he, how ſhall I repreſent what is paſt
imagination to conceive? A form without likeneſs,
and yet comparable to the moſt terrible part of every
frightful creature ; a large head, reſembling that of a
lion, bearing three pair of horns; one pair upright,
like that of an antelope ; another pair like wild goats ;
two more bending backwards ; its face armed all
round
3
WO
.
206 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
round with darts, like a porcupine, vaſt great eyes,
ſparkling like a fint ſtruck with a ſteel ; its noſe like
a wild horſe, always ſnarling; the mouth of a lion,
and teeth of a panther ; the fences of an elephant,
and the tuſks of a wild boar; ſhouldered like a giant,
with claws like an eagle, bodied and covered with
ſhells like a rhinoceros, and the colour of a croco-
dile.
Having likened every different part, he proceeds
in the repreſentation thereot'; which being finiſhed,
put him in the greateſt admiration ! Sure, ſaid he,
if nature had a hand in thy making, it was to affem-
ble, in one creature, all the fierceſt and dreadfuleft
animals that are moſt frightful and terrible! Now,
perhaps, this being conſtantly before me, may come
leſs in my mind. Then fixing it againſt his wall,
this, ſaid he will be always a memorandum of my
late vow, never to endeavour to wiſh to
go
from
hence, whatever opportunity offers, tho' attended
with ever ſo great a probability of ſucceſs, and prof-
pect of gain; fully ſettling his whole mind and af-
fe&tion on the Itate and condition heaven has been
pleaſed to place him in ; refolving to let nothing en-
ter into his thoughts, but his moft grateful duty to fo
great a benefactor, who has ſo often and miraculouſly
reſcued him from death.
Thus having intirely baniſhed the world out of his
mind, which before often diſturbed it; he limits his
thoughts within the bounds of his bleſſed poffeffion,
which affords him more than is ſufficient to make his
life happy; where plenty flows on him, and pleaſure
attends his delires ; abounding in all things that can
gratify his appetite, or delight his fancy: A herd of
delightful antelopes, bounding and playing about his
habitation, divert him at home; and in his
walks he is
entertained with the harmony of divers kinds of ſing-
ing-birds ; every place he cornes at offers him new
ܪ܆ ܀: ܀
.
objects
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 207
3
objects for pleaſure: Thus all ſeems to concur in com-
pleting his happineſs.
In this moft blelled ſtate he thinks himſelf as Adam
before his fall, having no room for wiſhes, only that
every thing may continue in its preſent condition, but
it cannot be expected, that fair weather, which ſmiles
on his beauty, will not change. The fun muſt go its
courſe, and the ſeaſons take their turn; which confi-
derations muſt, for the preſent, admit ſome ſmall
care: He is naked, and his tender conſtitution fuf-
ceptible of the cold; therefore the cloaths he was caſt
away in being worn out, he is obliged to think of pro-
viding ſomething to defend his limbs from the hard-
neſs of the approaching winter, whilft it was yet
warm. Having conſidered what to make a wrapper
of, he concludes upon ufing ſome of the graſs he
made his mats of, on which he lay, being ſoft and
warm, very fit for that purpoſe : Of this he cuts
down a fufficient quantity, which, when ready to
work, he makes ſmall twine with, and plaits it in
narrow braids, which he ſews together with ſome of
the fame, and Ihapes a long looſe gown, that covered
him to his heels, and a cap of the fame.
By that time he had finiſhed his winter-garb, the
weather was grown cold enough for him to put it
on,
The froſty ſeaſon came on apace, in which there
fell ſuch a quantity of ſnow, that he was forced to
make a broom, and ſweep it away from about his ha-
bitation twice a day; as alſo the fame he made to the
places he had occafion to go to, toffing the ſnow on
each ſide, which, before the winter was over, met at
top, and covered it all the way; which obliged him
to keep within doors for a conſiderable time, and melt
fnow inſtead of water ; left, going for ſome, he might
chance to be buried among the ſnow.
The winter being over, and the ſnow diſſolved,
the
gay ſpring advances apace, offering nature its
uſual
208 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
!!
uſual aſſiſtance, repairing the damages the late froſt had
done ; which joyful tidings made every thing finile.
Quarll, alla, finding himſelf revived, took his for-
mer walks, which the preceding bad weather had kept
him from, though there had been no conſiderable
ſtorm the winter before.
He having a mind to view the ſea, and being come
to the outſide of the northweſt end of the rock, fees,
at the foot thereof, fomething like part of the body of
a large hollow tree, the ends whereof were ſtopped
with its own pitch ; and the middle, which was flit
open from end to end, and kept gaping by a ſtick laid
acroſs.
This put him in mind of canoes, with which In-
dians paddle up and down their lakes and rivers; and
being on that ſide of the rock next to the iſland of
California, he fancied ſome of them were come to
viſit this iſland, tho not many in number ; their
canoes holding, at the moſt but two men, and for the
generality, one, only: Yet, as ſome of theſe people
are accounted great thieves, daily robbing one ano-
ther, he haftens home to ſecure what he had; but it
was too late : They had been there already, and had
taken away the cloaths he found in the cheft; which
bng, by far, too ittle for him, hung careleſsly on a
pin behind his door. Had they been contented with
that, he would not have regarded it; but they carri-
ed away fome of his curious ſhells, and, what grieved
him moft, the fine bird he had taken fuch pains to
dreſs and Ituff, and care to preſerve; as alſo his bow
and arrows.
Having miſſed theſe things, which he much valued,
he haſtens to the outſide of the rock, with his long
ſtaff in his hand, in hopes to overtake them before
they could get into their canoe ; but happened to go
too late, they being already got half a league from the
rock: Yet they did not carry away their theft: for
there
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 209
.
there ariſing fome wind, it made the ſea fomewhat
rough, and overſet their canoe; ſo that what was in
it was all loſt but the two Indians, who moſt dextrouſ-
ly turned it on its bottom again, and with ſurpriſing
activity leaped into it, one at the one ſide, and the
other at the oppoſite; fo that the canoe being trim'd
at once, they paddled out of fight.
Having ſeen as much of them as he could, he
walks to the north-eaſt lide, in order to diſcover the
effect of the high wind, which happened the night
before.
Being come to the outſide of the rock, he perceives
ſomething at a diſtance like a large chelt, but having
no lid on it. Taking that to be the product of ſome
late Chipwreck, he grieved at the 'fatal accident:
How long, reflected he, will covetoufneſs decoy
men to purſue wealth, at the coſt of their precious
lives ? Has not nature provided every nation and
country a ſufficiency for its inhabitants ? that they
will rove on this moſt dangerous and boiſterous ſea,
which may be titled Death's Dominions ; many pe-
riſhing therein, and not one en it being ſafe.
As he was bewailing their fate who he imagined
had been caſt away, he fees two men come down the
rock, with each a bundle in his arm, who went to
that which he had taken to be a cheft; and, having
put their load in it, puſhed it away till come to deep-
er water; then, having got in it, with a long ſtaff
ſhoved it off, till they could row to a long boat that
lay at ſome diſtance behind a jetting part of the rock,
which ſcreened it from his light, as alſo the ſhip it
belonged to
The ſight of this much amazed him, and made
him ceaſe condoling others ſuppoſed loſs, to run
home and examine his own; well knowing thoſe
bundles, he ſaw carried away, muſt needs belong to
him
210
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
>
him; there being no other moveables in the iſland but
what were in his lodge.
Being come home, he finds indeed what he ſur-
pected. Thoſe villains had moſt facrilegiouſly rified
and ranſacked his habitation, not leaving him ſo much
as one of the mats to keep his poor body from the
ground. His winter garb alſo is gone, and what elſe
they could find for their uſe.
The loſs of thoſe things, which he could not do
without, filled him with forrow: Now, ſaid he, I
am in my firſt ſtate of Being; naked I came into the
world, and naked fhall I go out of it; at which he fell
a weeping
Having grieved awhile, why, ſaid he ſhould I
thus calt myſelf down? Is not providence, who gave
me them, able to give me more? Thus, having re-
folved before winter to replenish his lofs, he rests him-
ſelf contented, and gives the ruffians evil action the
beſt conſtruction he could. Now I think on it, faid
hey theſe furely are the inen, who, about twelve
months ſince, would charitably have carried me hence,
but could not, for want of neceſſary implements;
and now, being better provided, came to accompliſh
their hoſpitable deſign; but not finding me, fuppof-
ing I was either dead or gone,
dead or gone, took away what was
here of no uſe: Much good may what they have got
do them, and may it be of as much uſe to them as it
was to me. Thus walks out, in order to cut graſs
to dry, and make himſelf new bedding, and a winter
garb.
Having walked about half a mile, he perceives the
fame men coming towards the pond : Heaven be
praiſed! faid he, here they be ſtill. Now when they
ſee I am not gone, nor willing to go, they will re-
turn my things, which they are fenfible I cannot do
without, with which words he goes up to them.
Ву
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
By this time they had caught the two old ducks
which, being pinioned, could not fly away as the
relt did. He was much vexed to ſee the beſt of his
ftock thus taken away; yet as he thought they were
come to do hiin ſervice, he could grudge them nos
thing, that would any wiſe gratify ſo good an intent.
But having returned them thanks for their good will,
he told them he was very happy in the iſland, and had
made a vow never to go out of it.
Theſe being Frenchmen, and of an employment
where politeneſs is of little uſe, being fiſhermen, and
not underſtanding what he ſaid, only laughed in his
face, and went on to the purpoſe they came about :
Then having as many of the ducks as they could get,
they proceeded towards the houſe where they had teen
the antelopes; ſome of which not running away at
their approach, they propoſed to catch hold of thein.
Being come to the place where they uſed to feed,
which was near the dwelling, the young ones, not
being uſed to ſee any men in cloaths, nor any body
but their maſter, preſently fled, but the two old snes,
which he had dred up, were ſo tame, that they ſtood
ſtill; only when the men came to them, they kept
cloſe to him, which gave the men opportunity to lay
hoid of them when, notwithſtanding Quarll's re-
peated intreaties, they tied a halter about their horns,
and barbarouſly led then away
Quarll was grieved to the heart to ſee his darlings,
which he had taken fuch care to breed up, and which
were become the principal part of his delight, follow-
ing him up and down; and which, by their jumping
and playing before him, often diſperſed melancholy
thoughts; notwithſtanding all theſe endearing qualif-
cations, thus hawled away, he weeps, and on his
knees begs they may be left; and though they under-
taod not his words, his actions were fo exprešlive
and moving, that had they had the humanity of canta
bais,
.
de loſs of
to
212 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
bals, who eat one another, they would have yielded
to lo melting an object as the poor broken hearted
Quarll was; but the inflexible boors went on, cruelly
hawling and dragging the poor creatures; which, as
if ſenſible of the barbarity of the act, looked back to
their amicted maſter, as craving his affiſtance; which,
at laſt, fo exaſperated him, that he was feveral times
tempted to lay on the ravifhers with his long ſtaff;
as often was ſtopt by the following confideration;
Shall I, faid he, be the deſtruction of my feilow crea-
tures, to reſcue out of their hands, animals of which
I have an improving ſtore left, and deprive them of
their healths, and perhaps of their lives, to recover
what coſt me nought? Let them go with what they
have, and the merit of their deed be their reward.
Thus he walks about melancholy, bemoaning his
poor antelopes fate, and his own misfortune : They
were uſed to liberty, faid he, which they now are de-
prived of, and for which they will pine and die,
which, for their fake, I cannot but with for life
Without liberty is a continual death.
As he was walking, thinking (as 'tis ufual, after
during the enjoyment, the ruffians, having ſecured the
poor animals, came back with ropes in their hands.
What do they want next ? faid he, have they not all
they defire; would they carry away my habitation al-
so Sure they have no delign on my perſon: If ſo,
they will not take it ſo eaſily as they did iny dear ante-
lopes. Thus he refolved to exerciſe his quarter ftaff
,
if they offered to lay hands on him. The villains,
way, ſeeing him armed and reſolute, did not judge it
ſafe for them to advance within the reach of his wea-
pon, but keep at fome diſtance, divining how to ſeize
hiin.
.
.
Quarlly
"THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
213
va ant
Quarll, who, by their conſulting, gueſſed at their
delign, not thinking proper to let them come to a re-
Islution, makes at the neareſt, who im nediately takes
to bis heels; and then to the next, who immediately
does the fame : Thus he follows them about for a
conliderable time, but they divided, in order to tire
him with running, till the night approaching, and the
wind riſing, made them fear their retreat might be
dangerous, if they deferred it; ſo that they went
clear away: Which being all he defired, he returned,
as ſoon as he ſaw them in the long-boat, which they
rowed to their fhip, that lay at anchor fome diſtance
from the rocks.
Theſe wretches being gone, he returns heaven
thanks for his deliverance, and as his bridge had fä --
youred their coming, he pulls it off, and only laid it
over when he had a mind to view the fear and goes
home to eat a bit, having not, as yet, broken his
falt
. Having, therefore, eaten fome of his roots
and cheefe, and being wearied with hunting thoſe
toors, he confults how to lie, his bed and bedding be-
ing gone, as alſo his winter
gown, and the nights be-
ing as yet cold: However, after a ſmall time of con
Sieration, he concludes to lie in the lodge, which was
left
ter being made of the fame graſs as his mats were, he
lay both foft and warm.
When laid down, being forely fatigued, he foon fell
alleep; and as the plunderers had the preceding day
100 up his cares, they filled his mind in the night;
he has them continually before his eyes, sometimes
with his beloved antelopes in their pilfering hands; at
other times barbarou ty hawling them by their horns
with a halter, which they cught to lave about their own
Theſe acts of auſterity provoking his anger,
and urging him on to revenge
, e lifts his last
, which
on a ſudden is turned into Hercules's club: Sexstled to
Ice
necks.
214
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
vapours, which the great grief for his late loſs had
a frivolous account, which by
fee that wonderful change, he ftops from laying on
the intended blow: Reſcuing, ſaid he, my darling
animals, I ſhall loſe my precious and ineſtimable
peace of mind : What can atone for the life of a
man? Whilft he was making theſe reflections, the
men got clear away with the fowls and antelopes,
leaving him in a deep melancholy: Thus, as he was
bewailing his lofs, calling to mind the agreeable pal-
times they had often been to him, and the many anx-
ious hours he had diſperſed with their diverfions, a gen-
"tlewoman appeared before him, of a moſt agreeable
,
yet grave countenance, dreſſed in plain dove-coloured
cloaths, in moſt places threadbare, and in others
patched with divers forts of ſtuffs, yet genteel and
becoming. He ſtarts at her appearing, wondering
what ſhe could come for, having nothing more to loſe:
I come not, faid ſhe, to feck ought from thee, but to
reſtore what thou haſt loft. He; being overjoyed at
the words, looks about, expecting his beloved ante-
lopes, and what else the men had taken away, but,
feeing nothing, he thought that viſion proceeded from
occafioned; and falls a thinking, till he was a ſecond
time interrupted by her, bidding him took her in the
face. Be fatisfied, be ſatisfied, woman, ſaid he:
Why, I neither know thee, nor what thou meaneft.
Well then, replied ſhe, I will inform thee of both : 1
am Patience, whom all the world ftrive to grieve,
and whom none can provoke; and what I promiſe to
reſtore thee is Content, which thou throweft away
after worthleſs things. So ſhe vaniſhes. At which
he awakes.
Having made reflections upon the latter part of his
dream, the firft part thereof being but a repetition of
what happened the day before, he makes this applica-
tion: This, ſaid he, is a check for my diſcompoſing
.
4
.
providence
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
215
*
providence was intended I ſhould enjoy, having fup-
plied me with all neceſſaries to maintain it: He there
fore makes a reſolution never to be vexed, let what
will happen; but with patience fubmit to the will of
God, who has the direction of all things. Then,
having paid his uſual devotion, he goes into the kit-
chen, in order to breakfaſt, and afterwards to take his
cuſtomary walk. Whilft he was eating, there arofe.
a noiſe in the air, as proceeding from a quantity of
rooks, jackdaws, crows, and ſuch like birds, whole
common notes he was acquainted with ; and as the
noife approached, he had the curiofity to go and ſce
what was the matter, but was prevented by the com-
ing of a large fowl, which few over his head, as he
was going out: He turned back to gaze at the bird,
whole beauty ſeized him with admiration; the plea-
ſure of ſeeing fo charming a creature quite put out of
his mind the curioſity of looking from whence pro-
ceeded the difagreeable noiſe without; whichi cealing
as ſoon as the bird was ſheltered, made him imagine
thoſe carrion birds had been chafing that beautiful
fowl, which, feeing itfelf out of danger, ſtood ſtill,
very calm and compoſed; which gave hiin the oppor
tunity of making a difcuffion of every individual a-
greement which compoſed fo delighted an object : It
was about the bigneſs and form of a fwan, almost
headed like it, only the bill was not fo long, nor ſo
broad, and red. like coral; his eyes like thoſe of a
hawk, his head of a mazarine blue, and on the top
of it a tuft of thining gold coloured feathers, which
ſpread over it, hanging near three inches beyond, all
round; its breaft, face, and part of its neck, milk
white, curiouſly ſpeckled with ſmall black fpots,
gold coloured circle about it; its back and neck be.
hind of a fine crimfon, fpeckled with purple; its legs
and feet the ſame colour as its bill; its tail long and
round, ſpreading like that of a peacock, compoſed of
fix
I
216
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
fix rows of feathers, all of different colours, which
made a moſt delightful mixture.
Having fpent ſeveral minutes in admiring the bird,
he lays peas, and crumbled roots, both roaſted and
boiled, before it; as alſo, water in a ſhell, withdraw-
ing, to give it liberty to eat and drink ; and ſtood
out peeping to ſee what it would do: Which, being
alone, having looked about, picks a few peas, and
drinks heartily; then walks towards the door, in a
compoſed and eaſy manner, much like that of a
cock.
Quarll, being at the outſide, was dubious whether
he ſhould detain him, or let him go; his affection
for that admirable creature equally prompts him to
both : He cannot bear the thoughts of parting with
fo lovely an object, nor harbour that of depriving of
its liberty, which it ſo implicitly intruſted him withal.
Thus, after a ſmall pauſe, generoſity prevails over
ſelf-pleaſure: Why fhould I, laid he, make the place
of its refuge its priſon? He therefore makes room for
it to go, which, with a flow pace, walks out; and
having looked about a ſmall time, mounts up a con-
fiderable height; and then takes its courſe north-weſt.
The bird being gone out of ſight, he made reflecti-
ons on the adventure, which he judges to be a prog-
noftic of ſome rebellion or revolution in Europe :
Whereupon, having recommended his native country
to the protection of heaven, begging a continuation
of peace, and an end of thoſe unhappy diviſions,
which often prove the ruin of nations; he goes and
fets down, in the memorial book, the tranſactions
of that year, being the 15th of his reſidence in the
iſland, which proved more fruitful in events than any
of the preceding. The picture which he had drawn
of the terrible lea monſter, being againſt his wall,
having accuſtomed him to the frightful object that
conſtantly diſturbed his mind, he draws that of the
two
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 217
two ruffians, commiting their barbarity, and hangs it
by the place ; the idea whereof being to him more
terrible than the preceding, he could not ſuffer it to be
long in his fight; but takes it down, and draws, on
the backſide of it, the villains on a gibbet : Now,
faid he, this being what ought to be the end and ex-
planation of the hiſtory, ſhall now be the right ſide of
the picture.
There happening nothing the remainder of the
year, worthy of record, he employs it in his cuſtom-
ary occupations ;' as pruning and watering his lodge
and dairy, making his inats to lie on, as alſo his win-
ter garb; every day milking his antelopes and goats ;
making now and then butter and cheefe, attending his
nets, and ſuch like neceſſary employinents.
The mean time, the French mariners, who, pro-
bably, got money by what they had taken from him)
the year before, returned, it being much about the
fame ſeafon; and being refolved to take hin away,
and all they could make any thing of, out of the illand,
were provided with hands and implements to accom.
plift their deſign; as ropes to bind what they could
get alive, and guns to ſhoot what they could not come
al, faws and hatchets to cut down logwood and bra
zil, pick-axes and ſhovels to dig up orris roots, and
others of worth, which they imagined the iſland pro-
duced ; likewiſe fiat bottomed boats to tow in thal-
low water, where others could not come; and thus
by degrees to load their ſhip with booty : But ever
watchful providence blaſted their evil projects, and
tonfounded their devices, at the very inſtant they
thought themſelves fure of ſucceſs : The implements
in a flat bottomed boat were towed to the very foot
of the rock, by a young fellow, who being lighter
than a man, was thought fitteſt to go with the tools,
which pretty well loaded the boat.
L
Their
218 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
:
to be too ſhrill for a man's voice, certainly, ſaid he,
Their materials being landed, to their great fatis-
faction, the men on board embarked in two more of
the fame fort of boats ; but were no ſooner in them,
but a ſtorm arofe, which daſhed their fender bottom
to pieces, and wafhed them into the ſea, in which they
periſhed, overſetting alſo the flat bottomed boat on
thore, with the load, and the lad underneath it.
The ſtorm being over, which laſted from about
eight in the morning till almoſt twelve at noon,
Quarll, according to his cuſtom, went to fee if he
could perceive any damage done by the late tempeft,
and if any, diſtreſſed by it, ſtood in want of help.
Being at that ſide of the rock he uſed to viſit
, he
could ſee nothing but a few fiſhes and ſhells the ſea
had left in the clifts: If this, ſaid he, be all the da-
mage that has been done, make me thankful; it will
recruit me with freſh fiſh and utenſils. Going to the
N. W. part, where he ſees a battered boat, Hoating
with the keel upwards, this, ſaid he, bodes fome mil-
chief; but thought it not to be of any conſequence.
Having gone about fifty yards further, he eſpies a
finall barrel at the foot of the rock, with ſeveral planks
and fragments of a ſhip, floating with the tide ; Alas!
ſaid he, theſe are too evident proofs of a ſhipwreck, to
hope otherwiſe,
As he was looking about, he hears
a voice cry out, much like that of a man, at fome
diſtance, behind a part of the rock: Being advanc-
ed a ſmall matter beyond where he was, Heaven
be praiſed! ſays he, there is ſomebody, whom I
am luckily come to ſave, and he is moft fortunately
come to be my companion : I cannot but rejoice at
the event, tho' I heartily grieve for the accident.
Haſtening to the place where he thought the cries
came from, which, as he advanced, he could diſcern
this muſt be ſon woman by the noiſe. This ſets his
blood a glowing; his heart alters its motion: Now,
faid he, joyfully, providence has compleated my hap-
pinels:
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
219
pineſs : I ſhall have a companion, and a help mate;
and goes on with freſh vigour, as tho' he had reco-
vered his ſtrength, and got new limbs: The rough,
and Lavage rock, which was before, in a manner, in-
acceſſible, is now made eaſy to walk on : He climbs the
higheſt places with activity, and goes down the ſteep
as nimbly; and ſoon arrived where he judged the per-
ſon to be : Yet, ſeeing nothing, but what he took to
be a cheft, began to be diſheartened: Sure, ſaid he,
this is not a ſecond illuſion, to decoy my fancy after
what is not to be had! Thus his joy on a ſudden
turned into a deep melancholy; but the creature un-
derneath, who, having heard fome noiſe near at hand,
ceafed crying, to liſten ; yet, finding nobody come,
cries out again ſomewhat louder than before.
This revived him quite, and recalls his hopes : It
is a woman, ſaid he, and in that cheft ;' wheti, go-
ing to break it open, he ſtops on a ſudden: What am
I going to do? How do I know the cauſe of her be
ing thus locked up? Tho' women are, in a manner bem
come a merchandize, yet they never are packed up,
or cheſted : She muſt be in there for a puniſhment,
which in ſome countries is inflicted on witches.
The boy, who heard a voice, calls out in French,
which Quarll not underſtanding, he was afraid to let
it out; but his mentioning Chriſt being intelligible
to him, made him change his opinion: For Chriſt's
fake doth the ſay? That holy name witchés feldom
make uſe of; however, in that name I'll let her out.
If the be under condemnation, was not I fo! Had
the by heaven been decreed to die, ſhe would not
have been here. At which words, with his ſtaff he
endeavoured to break that which he took to be the lid
uf the cheſt, but proved the bottom; and, as he was
striking, the boy underneath, calling to him to turn
it up, thruſt his hand under the fide, which he per-
ceiving, tho' he underſtood him not, ftood ſtill :
Finding his miſtake, this, ſaid he, is a flat bottomed
boats
L 2
220 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
boat, ſuch as the Frenchmen uſed the year before,
when they came and plundered me: Now, am I fafc
if I turn it up? Doubtleſs they are come in great
numbers. Pauſing awhile, and the lad (whom he
took to be a woman) ftill continuing his moan, he was
moved to compaffion: and, having conſidered the
boat could not hold any great number, he ventures :
Let what will come on it, or who will be under, for
the poor woman's fake I'll relieve them, there can-
not be many men.
However, I'll let but one out at
a time: If he be miſchievous, I am able to deal
with him. At this, he puts the end of the ſtaff
where he had ſeen the hand, and lifts it up about a
foot from the ground: Out of the opening immedi-
ately creeps the boy, who on his knees falls a begging
and weeping, expecting death every moment, as be-
ing the merited puniſhment for the evil purpoſe he
came about.
Quarll
, who expected there was a woman beſides,
fearing the gap the youth came out at would be too
uneafy for her to come through, made motions for
the boy to help him, in order to let the boat on its bot-
tom; which he did. Quarll, ſeeing the implements,
inſtead of the woman, was as much vexed as diſap-
pointed : His countenance changes; ſometimes he
looks at the things, and then at the boy; who ſeeing
him appear angry, thought of nothing but preſent
death, and again falls on his knees, holding up his
hands, almoff drowned in tears, begging for mercy in
ſuch a moving manner, that Quaril could not forbear
fhedding ſome tears, and tho' the late diſappointment
of his propoſed happineſs, and the ſight of the prepa-
rations made for his intended ruin had moved him to
anger againſt that mercenary nation; he helps the
young fellow up by the hand, and the night coming on
apace, he takes one of the hatchets that lay by, and
gave another to the boy, then falls a knocking the boat
to pieces, and directed him to do the fa me; which h
ac cordingly did.
T
The ENGLISH HERMIT:
221
3
The boat being demoliſhed, they carried the boards
up higher on the rock, as alſo the reſt of the things;
left, in the night, fome ftorm fhould riſe, which
might waſh them back into the fea; it being then too
late to bring them away. Having done, they each of
them took up what they could carry, and ſo went
home. The young Frenchman, finding a kinder
treatinent than either he deſerved or expected, was
extraordinary ſubmisſive and tractable; which iade
Quarll the more kind and mild; and inſtead of con-
demning his evil attempt, he commiſerated his mif-
fortune, and in room of reſentment fhewed him kind-
neſs : Thus, having given him of what he had to eat,
he puts him to bed in his lodge, wherein he lay, till
he had got his mats made up; then went to bed him-
felf, but could not ſleep for thinking of his late difap-
pointinent, which intercepted thole pleaſures he lo
much depended on, thinking himſelf fure of a female
partner, who, in ſharing happineſs with him, would
have much added to his bliſs.
Having tofled and tumbled a conſiderable time, he
begins to be heavy ſpirited: Nature is fatigued and
inuit be refreihed; Thus he falls aſleep; and, as his
hopes the preceding day had indulged his deſire, his
mind is ſo impreſſed in the night with the idea of a fe-
male object, that'he dreams he has her by his fide, con-
doling her for the dangers the had gone thro', con-
gratulating her lucky eſcape, and greeting her happy
arrival into fo bleſſed an abode.
Thus expreſſing his joy, in poſſeſſing the only ob-
ject which could compleat his happineſs, with all the
ſoftneſs and eloquence the moſt paſſionate love can
impreſs, he reaches out his arms to embrace the love
ly phantom his inclination had bred in his imagination;
but, having groped awhile, and finding nothing, he
Aarts out of his fleep at this moſt ſhocking diſap-
pointment.
Being
L 3
222
THE ENGLISH HERMIT,
Being awaked, the late deluſive pleaſures, called to
his mind the real, which he had formerly enjoyed,
and which he did then hanker after : What is man,
faid he, without that part of himſelf, out of which
God made him a mate? Adan, tho' poſſeſſing all the
world, was ftill wanting, till he had a woman to keep
him company: In this melancholy diſpoſition he again
falls aſleep, and dreams afreth ; in which his imagi-
nation gluts his inclination with thoſe pleaſures it ſo
much delired: Fruition, to him, is but like liquor to
a man ſick of a violent fever, which only for a mi-
nute quenches his heat, but augments the diſtemper,
and at laſt deſtroys the patient : Exceflive love is but
ſhort liv'd; what is violent is not laſting ; time with
pleaſure runs faſt away, but dwells long with ſorrow;
cares weaken love, and indifferences breed diſcon-
tent; the jarrings follow, which introduce diviſion,
the mother of poverty:
Theſe difmal accidents, incident to unconſide-
rate love, coming into the amorous dreamer's mind,
his great heat being quenched, he took time to conſi-
der his condition, and, ſeeing himſelf liable to them,
is ſtruck with ſuch a fear as blots all pleaſures out of
his thoughts, and fills them with dread of future cares,
which he unadviſedly run himſelf into, and all for the
fake of a ſhort pleaſure.
Starting out of his fleep at the approach of thoſe
fad troubles, he returns heaven thanks, that it was
but a dream, and begs pardon for having given fo
much way to the concupiſcence of fleſh; getting up,
tho' ſooner than ordinary, left he ſhall fall aſleep, and
dream again of women.
Having walked about till he thought it time for the
boy to riſe, he calls him up, and takes him to the
place that he uſually went every morning and evening
to fing pſalms; where the youth being come, and
hearing ſo many different voices, and ſeeing nobody,
OF
பக்க
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 223
was ſcared out of his wits, and took to his heels,
making towards the rock as faſt as he could: but as
he was not acquainted with the eaſieſt and moſt practi-
cable parts thereof, Quarll had made an end of his
pſalm, and overtook him before he could get to the
fea-ſide, into which he certainly would have cait him-
felt at the fright; but Quarll, who, by the boy's
Staring, gueſted his diſorder, not having the benefit of
the Luguage, endeavoured to calm him by his pleaf-
ing countenance, and prevented his drowning himſelf;
but could not keep off a violent fit the fright had oc-
cafioned, which held him ſeveral minutes.
The fit being over, he and the boy took away at
divers times, the remains of the boat, and of what
was in it, which they could not carry home the day
before : Then taking up two guns, now, ſaid he,
theſe unlucky. inftruinents, which were intended for
deſtruction, íhall be employed for the preſervation of
that they were to deſtroy, taking them to his lodge,
he ſets them at each ſide of the door ; then being
dinner time, he ſtrikes a light, and ſets the boy to
make a fire, whilſt he made ſome of the fiſh fit to fry,
which he picked up upon the rock the evening before;
then takes dripping, he ſaved when he roaſted any
fleſh, to fry them with. The boy, who had lived
ſome time in Holland, where they uſed much butter,
ſeeing dripping employed in room thereof, thought to
pleaſe his matter in making ſome; and as he had ſeen
milk and cream in the dairy arbour, wanting a churn
only, there being a 1 nall rundlet lying by empty, he
takes out one of the ends of it, in which, the next
day, he beat butter
Quarll
, ſeeing this youth industrious, begins to fan-
cy him, notwithſtanding the averſion he had conceiv-
ed for his nation, ever ſince the ill treatment he had
received from his countrymen; and, as ſpeech is one
L 4
ar
:
224 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
of the moſt neceſſary faculties to breed and maintain
fellowſhip, he took pains to teach him Engliſh.
The lad, being acute and ingenious, was ſoon
made to underſtand it, and in ſix months capable to
ſpeak it fufficiently, fo as to give his mafter a relation
of his late coming and to what intent. The men,
ſaid he, who about one year ſince carried away from
hence fome antelopes, with extraordinary ducks, and
ſeveral rarities, which they ſaid belonged to a mon-
ſtrous Engliſh Hermit, whoſe hair and beard covered
his whole body, having got a great deal of money
by ſhewing them, encouraged others to come ; where-
upon ſeveral
, joining rogether, hired a ſhip to fetch
away the hermit, and what elſe they could find; there-
fore brought with them tools, and guns, to ſhoot
what they could not take alive. Barbarous wretches !
replied he, to kill my dear antelopes and ducks!
Pray, what did they intend to do with me! Why,
ſaid the boy, to make a ſhew of you.
To make a
ſhew of me! Sordid wretches !' Is a chriſtian then
ſuch a rarity amongſt them? Well, and what were
the faws and hatchets for ? To cut down your houſe,
which they intended to make a drinking booth of,
Oh, monſtrous ! what time and nature has been fif-
teen years a compleating, they would have ruined in
a moment: Well
, thanks to providence, their evil
deſign is averted. Pray, what is become of thoſe
ſacrilegious perſons ? They are all drowned, ſaid the
boy. Then replies he, the heavens are ſatisfied, and
I avenged: But how cameſt thou to eſcape ? for thou
waſt with them. No, replied the youth, I was upon
the rock when their boat was daſhed againſt it, and
was overſet with the fame ſea, under the Hat Lottoned
boat, where you found me.
found me. That was a happy over-
ſet for thee. Well, is there no gratitude due to pro-
vidence for thy eſcape ? Due to providence! ſaid he,
why, I thought you had ſaved me: I am ſure you let
me
.
- M*
:
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
225
me out. Yes, replied Quarll; but I was ſent by
providence for that purpoſe. That was kindly done
too, ſaid the boy : Well, when I ſee him, I will
thank him : Doth he live hereabout? Poor ignorant
creature! replied Quarll; why providence is every
where : What! didſt thou never hear of providence ?
What religion árt thou of! Religion? anſwered the
youth ; I don't know what you mean: I am a fiſhera
man by trade, which my father lived by. Well, ſaid
Quarll
, did he teach thee nothing elſe'? no prayers ?
Prayers ! replied the lad; why, fiſhermen have no
time to pray; that is for them who have nothing elſe
to do: Poor folks muft work, and get money ; that
is the way of our town. Covetous wretches ! Well,
faid he, I grudge them not what they poſſeſs, ſince
it is all the happineſs they aſpire at; but thou ſhalt
learn to pray, which will be of far more advantage to
thee than work, both here and hereafter: From which
time he begins to teach him the Lord's prayer, and
the ten commandments; as alſo the principles of the
chriſtian religion, all which inftructions the youth
taking readily, won his affection the more: He like-
wife taught him to ſing pſalms, which farther qualifi-
ed him to be his companion in ſpiritual exerciſes, as
well as in temporal occupations.
Now, having company, he is obliged to enlarge his
bed, the lodge being wanting for his antelopes againſt
breeding time: He adds, therefore, to his mats.
His other proviſions alſo wanting to be augmented,
and he having both tools and boards, out of the fat
boat which he had taken to pieces ! he and the lad
went about making large boxes to falt fleſh and fiſh
in; then, with the boards that were left, they made a
table for his dwelling that he had before, and one for
his kitchen ; as alſo ſhelves in the room of thoſe that
were made of wicker: Then, having recruited his
fhell utenſils, that were ſtolen the year before, he
L 5
was
226
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
was compleatly furniſhed with all manner of conve-
niences; and, providence ſupplying him daily with
other neceſſaries, there was no room left him for
wiſhes, but for thankſgiving, which they daily mnoſt
religiouſly paid.
In this moſt happy ſtate they lived in peace and con-
cord the ſpace of ten years, unanimouſly doing what
was to be done, as it lay in each of their ways, with-
out relying on one another.
Quarll, who before, tho' alone and deprived of
fociety (the principal comfort of life) thought himſelf
bleſſed, now cannot expreſs his happineſs, there being
none in the world to be compared to it, heartily pray-
ing he might find no alteration untill death : But the
young man, not having met with ſo many diſappoint-
ments in the world as he, had not quite withdrawn
his affections from it; his mind ſometimes will run
upon his native country, where he has left his relati-
ons, and where he cannot help wiſhing to be himſelf :
Thus, an opportunity offering itſelfone day, as he went
to get oyſters, to make fauce for ſome freſh cod-fiſh
which Quarll was dreſſing, he faw, at a diſtance, a
fhip; at which his heart fell a panting; his pulſes
double their motion ; his blood grows warmer and
warmer, till at lak, infamed with defire of getting at
it, be lays down the bag he brought to put the oyſters
in, as alſo the inſtrument to dredge them up with,
and takes to ſwimming. The men on board, having
eſpied him out, fent their boat to take him up; ſo he
went away without taking his leave of him he had re-
ceived fo much good from ; who, having waited a
conſiderable time, fearing fome accident would befal
him, leaves his cooking, and goes to ſee for him;
and, being come at the place where he was to get the
oyſters, he ſees the bag and inſtrument lie, and nobo-
dy with them, Having called ſeveral times without
being anſwered, various racking fears tortured his
mind:
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
227
fince he had more conveniences, and tools to till hiss
mind: Sometimes he doubts he is fallen in fome hole,
in the rock, there being many' near that place where
the oyſters were : He therefore with his itaff, which
he always carried with him when he went abroad, at
the other ſide of the rock grabbled in every one round
the place; and, feeling nothing, he concludes fome
ſea monſter had ſtolen him away, and, weeping,
condemns himſelf as the cauſe of this fatal accident;
reſolving, for the future, to puniſh himſelf by deny-
ing his appetite ; and only eat to ſupport nature, and
not to pleaſe his palate.
Having given over hopes of getting him again, he
returns home in the greateſt afflictions, reſolving to
faſt till that time the next day ; but, happening to
look weſtward, in which was the point the wind ſtood,
he perceives ſomething like a boat at a great diſtance :
Wiping the tears off his eyes, and looking ſtedfaſtly,
he diſcovers a fail beyond it, which quite altered the
motive of his former fear: No monſter, ſaid he, hath
devoured him; 'tis too plain a caſe, that he has vil-
lainouſly left me: But what could I expect of one
who had projected ſuch evil againſt me? So ſaying,
he went homc, and made an end of dreſſing his din-
ner! and afterwards hangs up the picture which he
had taken down upon his account, being the true
emblem of what he deſerved; reſting himſelf con-
tented, being but as he was before, and rather bétter;
ground, and dig up his roots with. Having recom-
mended himſelf to providence, he reſumes his uſual
works and recreations, reſolving that no cares ſhall
mar his happineſs for the future, being out of the
way of all thofe irreſiſtible temptations with which the
world abounds, and daily lays the beſt mens hopes in
the duit.
Being again alone, the whole buſineſs of the houſe
lies
upon his hands; he muſt now prune and trim bis
L6
habitation,
228 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
habitation, that daily harbours him, being made of
fine growing plants, which yearly thoot out young
branches : This makes them grow out of ſhape.
He muſt alſo till the ground; ſet and gather his peaſe
and beans in their ſeaſon ; milk and feed his antelopes
daily; make butter and cheeſe at proper times; dig
up his roots ; fetch in fuel and water, when wanted;
attend his nets; go eagle neſting; and every day dreſs
his own victuals? All which neceſſary occupations,
beſides the time dedicated for morning and evening
devotions; kept him wholly employed; which made
his renewed folitude leſs irkſome. And, having
walked all that afternoon to divert his thoughts, ad-
miring all the way the wonderful works of nature,
both in the ſurpriling rocks which ſurrounded the
iſland, and in the delighful creatures, and admirable
plants, that are in it; being weary with walking, he
returns home, thanking kind providence for ſettling
him in ſo bleſſed a place, and in his way calls at his
inviſible choir ; where, having fung a thankſgiving
pſalm, and his uſual evening hymn, he goes to fupper,
and then to bed, with a thoroughly contented mind;
which occaſions pleafant dreams, to entertain his
thoughts.
During his ſleep, his fancy is delighted with being
in nature's garden of pleaſure, where none but her
friends are permitted to enter.
The place appeared. very ſpacious, and of an ad-
mirable form; full of all forts of nature's works,
both animals, vegetables, and minerals, every indivi-
dual thing in perfection. And tho' ſome were diſtant,
yet all appeared as at hand.
The lofty trees, which ſtood on a level ground,
covered with curious grafs, enameled with many dif-
ferent coloured- Aowers, exceeding in beauty any
carpet that the moft expert artiſt could make, ſpread
their branchy arms over creatures of all kinds, which
lay
perfet
:
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
229
lay beneath their delightful ſhades: There the bold
lion lies by the innocent lamb; the fierce panther
near the harmleſs ſheep; the ravenous wolf with the
mild goat ; leopard and deer, tyger and hare, repoſed
together in peace; on the trees, eagles, vultures,
falcons and hawks, quietly perched with the turtle and
the dove,
Theſe moſt agreeable objects, joined with the de
lightful noiſe of the fountains falling into their baſons,
and the purling ſtreams running their courſe, together
with the various harmonious notes of divers kinds of
ſinging birds, put him into an ecſtacy: Sure, ſaid
he, this is the garden of Eden, out of which unfor-
tunate Adam was caſt after his fall, as being a dwell-
ing only for innocence.
Having walked a little way, there being on every
fide curious lanes, every one affording new objects of
admiration, he comes to a walk, edged with orange
and lemon trees, full of fruit and bloſſoms, at the
foot of which was a narrow bank bordered with jon-
quils, tuberoſes, lacinths, and other delightful flowers,
both for fight and ſmell: At the end of it there was
an arbour of the fame, but ſo beautiful, that at firſt
ſight he took it for a tapeſtry the moſt expert artiſt
had exerted himſelf in making, to fhew the curioſity
of trade, and greatneſs of his ſkill: In it there fat
three ladies of uncommon beauty; the middlemoft,
who was the luftieſt, appeared to be the eldeſt, being
of a moſt fedate countenance, a moderate number of
years having both eſtabliſhed her judgment, and ſet-
tled her features: She, at her right hand, ſeemed to
be of a weaker conſtitution ; the had in her hand an
olive branch bearing fruit, which, when gathered
was immediately ſucceeded with boſſoms; fo that it
never was without the one or the other : The lady
who ſat on the left-fide, was more jolly and gay, yet
looked fomewhat careful: She had in her hand a long
vefiel
230 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
veſſel, broad at one end, and ſharp at the other, like
a horn, bending towards the point, full of all ſorts of
fruits.
Having ſtood ſtill a ſhort ſpace of time, looking at
thoſe ladies, thinking it ill manners to interrupt their
converſation ; they, perceiving his modeſty would
not permit him to advance, roſe up, and went ano-
ther way, to give him the opportunity of viewing
the garden: He accordingly went quite round, till
come to the place where he had begun his walk ;
where he ſaw a ſtately cock, of an extraordinary ſize,
ſtrutting from animal to animal, taking from moſt of
them fomething, whilſt they were aſleep; which
having ſecured, he falls a crowing in ſuch a loud man-
ner, that he ſtartled all the other creatures; which,
being awake, and every one miſſing fomething, chal-
lenged him with it : "But he, having crowed a ſecond
time in an inſulting and daring manner, frutted moſt
haughtily away; at which the loſers, being much
offended, conſulted together on means to retake by
force, what he had in fo clandeſtine a manner, tak-
en from them; chuſing the lion for their director :
But the watchful cock, which, whilſt they were in-
dulging themſelves, carefully made fufficient proviſion
to maintain what he had done, bid them all defiance.
There happening a great noiſe of ſqueeling, it
waked him out of his dream ; and his mind being
impreſſed with notions of war, it at firſt ſeized him
with terror : But being ſomewhat ſettled, and the
noife ſtill continuing, he perceived it proceeded from
the two different kinds of monkeys in the iſland,
which were fighting for the wild pomgranates that the
high wind had ſhook off the trees the preceding night,
which was very boiſtrous.
Having
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
231
Having gueſſed the occaſion of their debate, he
gets up, in order to go and quell their difference, by
dividing amongſt them the cauſe thereof: Getting
up, he opens the door, at the outfide of which, an
old monkey of each ſort were quietly waiting his le-
vee, to intice him to come, as he once before did,
and put an end to their bloody war.
He was not a little furpriſed to ſee two ſuch invete-
rate enemies, who at other times never meet without
fighting, at that juncture agree fo well.
That moſt ſurpriſing ſign of reaſon in thoſe brutes,
which, knowing his deciſion would compoſe their
comrades difference, came to implore it, put him
upon theſe reflections: Would princes, ſaid he, be
but reaſonable, as thoſe which by nature are irration-
al, how much blood and money would be ſaved!
Having admired the uneaſineſs of thoſe poor creatures,
who ſtill went a few ſteps forward, and then back-
ward to him; he was in hopes to decoy one or both
into his lodge, by throwing meat to them : But
thoſe exemplary animals, hearing their fellows in trou-
ble, had no regard to their feparate intereſt, taking no
notice of what he gave them but kept moving to
and again with all the tokens of uneaſineſs they could
expreſs: Which fo moved him, that he haſtened to
the place; where his preſence cauſed immediately a
ceſſation of arms, and each party moved a conſidera-
ble diſtance off each other, waiting his ſharing the
wind falls; which being done, they quietly took that
heap which lay next each kind, and went to their dif-
ferent quarters.
This accident, which in fome manner made out
his dream of wars, brought it alſo freſh into his
mind, which was full of cares about his country,
which he much feared, if any ſhould happen in Eu-
rope, would be involved therein ; and calling to re-
membrance the indigent diſpoſition he left it in, he
feared
...
x.
232
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
.
feared it would lay open to ſome ufurping prince's ·
power : But left farther ſpeculation ſhould occaſion
evil prognoſtication to diſturb his peace, he leaves
the event of all things to the direction of providence,
and goes home to ſet down his dream, and the year he
dreamed it.
Fourteen years more being paſt, every thing keep-
ing its natural courſe, there happened nothing extra-
ordinary, each ſucceeding year renewing the pleaſures
the preceding had produced: Thunders and high
winds being frequent, tho' not equally violent, he
thought it not material to record them, or their ef-
fects; as blowing and throwing fiſhes, Thells, empty
veſſels, battered cheſts, &c. upon the rock; only
tranſactions and events wonderful and uncommon :
And there happened a moſt ſurpriſing one a few days
after, which tho' of no great moment, is as worthy
of record as any of far greater concern; being a
wonderful effect of providence, manifeſted in a mira-
culous manner, tho' not to be ſaid ſupernatural.
One morning, when he had roaſted a parcel of
thofe roots which he uſed to eat inſtead of bread, and
this he commonly did once a week, it eating beſt
when ſtale; having ſpread them on his table and
cheſt to cool, he went out to walk, leaving his door
open to let the air in.
His walk, tho' graced with all the agreeables na-
ture could adorn it with, to make it delightful; a
grafs carpet, embroidered with beautiful flowers, of
different colours and ſmells, under his feet, to
tread on; before, and on each ſide of him, fine lofty
trees, of various forms and heights, cloathed with
pleaſant green leaves, trimmed with rich blofſonas of
many colours, to divert his eye; a number of yarious
forts of melodious ſinging birds perching in their moſt
lovely fhades, as tho' nature had ſtudied to excel
man's brighteſt imagination, and exquiſiteneſs of art :
Yet'
many
THE ENGLISH HERMIT..
233
him, which he hoped would be
Yet all theſe profuſenefles of nature's wonders are
not fufficient to keep away or expel anxious thoughts
from his mind. It runs upon his two dear antelopes,
the darling heads of his prefent ſtock, which he took
ſuch care to bring up, and were become ſo engaging,
always attending him in thoſe fine walks; adding, by
their ſwift races, active leapings, and other uncom-
mon diverſions, to the natural pleaſantreſs of the
place; which now, by their moſt lamented abſence
is become a dull memorandum of the barbarous man-
ner in which they were raviſhed away from him.
In theſe melancholy thoughts, which his loneſome-
neſs every now and then created, he returns home,
where providence had left a remedy for his grievance:
A companion, far exceeding any he ever had, waits
his return; which was, a beautiful monkey of the
fineſt kind, and the moſt compleat of the fort, as tho'
made to manifeſt the unparelleled ſkill of nature, is
ſent him by providence, to diffipate his melancholy.
Being come to his lodge, and beholding that won-
derful creature, and in his own poffeffion, at the
fartheſt end of it, and him at the entrance thereof to
oppoſe its flight, if offered, he is at once filled with
joy and admiration : Long, ſaid he, I endeavoured in
vain to get one, and would have been glad of any,
though of the worſt kind, and even of the meanert of
the ſort; and here kind providence has fent me one
of an unparalleled beauty.
Having a conſiderable time admired the beaſt, which
all the while ſtood unconcerned, now and then eating
of the roots that lay before him, he ſhuts the door,
and goes in, with a reſolution of ſtaying within all
no difficult matter, his diſpoſition being already pretty
familiar, little thinking that providence, who ſent him
thither, had already qualified him for the commiſſion
be bore; which having found out by the creature's
furpriſing
:
st
234 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ſurpriſing docility, he returns his benefactor his moft
hearty thanks for that miraculous gift.
This moſt wonderful animal having, by its furpriſ-
ing tractability, and good-nature, joined to its match-
Iefs handſomeneſs, gained its maſter's love, beyond
what is uſual to place on any ſort of beaſts; he
thought himſelf doubly recompenſed for all his former
loſſes, eſpecially for that of his late ungrateful com-
panion, who, notwithſtanding all the obligations he
held from him, baſely left him, at a time he might be
moſt helpful : And, as he fancied his dear Beautidelle
(for fo he called that admirable creature) had ſome ſort
of reſemblance to the picture he framed of him, he
takes it down, thinking it unjuſt to bear in his fight
that vile object, which could not in any wile claim
a likeneſs to ſo worthy a creature as his beloved mon-
key.
One day, as this lovely animal was officiating the
charge it had of its own accord taken, being gone
for wood, as-wont to do when wanted, he finds in his
way a wild pomgranate, whoſe extraordinary fize
and weight had cauſed it to fall off the tree, He iakos
it home, and then returns for his faggot; in which
time Quarll, wiſhing the goodneſs of the inſide might
anſwer
its outward beauty, cuts it open ; and, find-
ing it of a dall luſciouſneſs, too flat for eating, ima-
gined it might be uſed with things of an acid and
Tharp taſte : Having therefore boiled ſome water, he
puts it into a veſſel, with a ſort of an herb which is
of the taſte and nature of creſſes, and ſome of the
pomgranate, letting them infuſe ſome time, now and
then ſtirring it; which the monkey having taken no-
ticë of, did the fame : But one very hot day, hap-
pening to lay the veſſel in the ſun, made it turn ſour.
Quarll, who very much wanted vinegar in his
fauces, was well pleaſed with the accident, and fo con-
tinued the fouring of the liquor, which proving ex-
cellent,
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 235
cellent, he made a five gallon veſſel of it; having ſeve-
ral, which at times he found upon the rock.
Having now ſtore of vinegar, and being a great
lover of pickles, which he had learnt to make by
feeing his laſt wife, who was an extraordinary cook,
and made of all ſorts every year; calling tp mind he
had often in his walks ſeen ſomething like muſhrooms,
he makes it his buſineſs to look for ſome : Thus he
picked up a few, of which Beaufidelle (who followed
him up and down) having taken notice, immediately
ranges about; and being nimbler footed than his
maſter, and not obliged to ſtoop ſo low, picked dou.
ble the quantity in the ſame ſpace of time; ſo that he
foon had enough to ſerve him till the next ſeaſon.
His good ſucceſs in making that ſort of pickle,
encourages him to try another; and, having taken
notice of a plant in the wood that bears a ſmall green
flower, which, before it is blown, looks like a caper,
he gathers a few; and, their taſte and flavour being
no way diſagreeable, judging that, when pickled they
would be pleaſant, he tries them, which according
to his mind, were full as good as the real ones, and
gathers a ſufficient quantity, with the help of his at-
tendant; ſtocking himſelf with two as pleaſant pick-
les as different ſorts ; But there is another which he
admires above all: None, to his mind, like the cu-
cumbor; and the iſland producing none, left him no
room to hope for any ; yet (as likeneſs is a vaſt help
to imagination) if he could but find any thing, which
ever ſo little reſembles them in make, nature, or tafte,
it will pleaſe his fancy: He therefore examines every
kind of buds, bloſſoms, and feeds; having at laſt
found that of a wild par nep, which being long and
narrow, almoſt the bigneſs and make of a pickling-
cucumber, green and criſp withal, full of a ſmall flat
feed, not unlike that of the thing he would have it to
be, he pickles ſome of them; which being of a com
tour,
236 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ܕܶܕ݁ܺܕ݂ܢܕܝܢܐ
lour, and near upon the make, he fancies them quite
of the taſte.
His beans being at that time large enough for the
firſt crop, he gathers fome for his dinner : 'The ſhells
being tender and of a delicate green, it came into
his mind, they might be made to imitate French
beans : They are, faid he, near the nature, I can
make them quite of the ſhape, fo be they have the
fame ſavour. Accordingly, he cuts them in long
narrow flips, and pickles fome; the other part he
boils; and there being none to contradict their taſte,
they paſſed current, for as good French beans as any
.
that ever grew.
The diſappointment of having ſomething more
comfortable than water to drink being retrieved by
producing, in the room thereof, wherewithal to make
his eatables more delicious, he proceeds in his firft
project; and, taking neceſſary care to prevent that
accident which intercepted ſucceſs in his firſt under-
taking, he accompliſhes his deſign, and makes a
liquor no wiſe inferior to the beſt cyder : So that now
he has both to revive and keep up his fpirits, as well
as to pleaſe his palate, and fuit his appetite.
Having now nothing to crave or wiſh for, but ra-
ther all motives for content, he lies down with a
peaceable mind, no care or fear diſturbing his thoughts :
His fleep is not interrupted with frightful fancies, but
rather diverted with pleaſant and diverting dreams;
he is not ſtartled at thunder or ſtorms, tho' ever ſo
terrible, his truſt being on providence, who at ſundry
times, and in various manners, has reſcued him from
death, though apparently unavoidable ; being for a-
bove thirty years miraculouſly protected and main-
tained in a place ſo remote from all human help and
aſliſtance.
Yet, notwithſtanding his firmneſs, and whole truſt
on providence, he is obliged to give way to the weak-
neſs
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
237
4
neſs of his nature; a ſtrange and ſhocking noiſe is
heard at a diſtance in the air, which, having reached
the place where he ſtood, covers it with darkneſs for
leveral minutes; at which he is ſo alarmed, that he
thinks himſelf paſt all hopes, till the noiſe being
ceaſed, and that which intercepted the light diſperſed,
his ſcared fenfes returning to their proper ſeat, and
his ftrayed reaſon recalled, he is afhamed of the weak-
neſs of his faith, and begs pardon for his late miftruft
of the contiifuation of providence's protection, who
had all along given him all imaginable reaſon to de-
pend on it at all times : Thus, having opened his
door, he ſteps out to ſee if he could diſcover the cauſe
of the late moſt ſurpriſing and ſudden darkneſs, in a
bright ſun ſhining day; which having found out by
the vaſt number of dead birds of ſeveral kinds, lying
up and down the ground, he was ſeized with no ſmall
amazement, tho' with leſs fear.
From that moſt ſurpriſing aſpect he infers, there
had been a battle of thofe creatures in the air, the
great numben of which had occafioned the late
decreaſe.
Having made reflections upon that aſtoniſhing
tranſaction, he can draw from thence no other infer-
ence, but a prognoſtication of dreadful wars in
Europe, from which he begs heaven to protect his
native country: And left the dead birds, that lay in
great numbers, ſhould (with lying) infect the iſland,
he and his monkey carried them to the other ſide of
the rock, throwing them into the ſea; only as many
of them as had ſoft feathers on their breaſt and bel-
lies, he plucked away, to Ituff a pillow for the beaſt,
being a little too hot at nights for it to lie upon the
bed. So having cleared the place, and being tired
with often going up and down the rugged rock, he
Itayed at home the remainder of the day, and at night
goes to bed; but, as the late omen of approaching
evil
238 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
evil had pre-occupied his thoughts in the day with
cares concerning his country, his mind ran upon it in
the night; dreaming he ſees wives weeping, and
melting into tears, taking their leaves of their indul-
gent huſbands; hanging, deftitute of ſtrength, about
their necks, whoſe grief weighed them to the ground,
Turning from that afflicting object, he ſees another
as ſhocking; the old father, bathed in tears, embrac-
ing his only fon, bidding him farewel, and, with him,
all the comforts of this life, and ſupport of his age.
Moving his eyes from that, they light on full as bad a
fight; the tender mother ſwooning in her dear child's
arms, whom an inexorable preſs gang is hawling a-
way. Thus every face expreſſing grief for a relation,
or a friend, not being able any longer to behold thoſe
terrifying objects, with which the town abounded, he
betakes himſelf to the country; that, by keeping from
the amięted, he may avoid grief.
Having quitted the town, he finds himſelf, on a
fuddenly in a place as full of terrors, where he ſaw
ftreams of reeking blood here and there; looſe horſes
kicking and prancing about; fome dragging their late
riders by the ſtirrups; others wounded, and their
guts hanging about; at a diſtance, crowds of men
in flame and ſmoke, confuſedly moving like heaps of
duft in a whirlwind, leaving behind them, as they
moved, vaſt numbers of men and horſes, both dead
and dying; ſome without legs, -others without arms,
and abundance with but one of each.
At a diſtance from thence, fome in purſuit of their
enemies, hacking and cutting them down all the way
before them, like wood for fuel; others, flying from
being lain, caſt themſelves into rapid rivers, where
they perifh by thouſands.
As he was looking at thoſe terrible objects, he finds
himſelf on a fudden ſurrounded by ruitical foldiers,
Holding their ſwords and bayonets to his breaſt, and
aſking
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
239
$
aſking him, in a ſurly manner, who he was for?
at which being very much ftartled, not knowing
what to anſwer, nor, indeed, what they incant; be
told them, he was an Engliſhman; which they ap-
pearing to be alſo, made him hope for better uſage :
But they ſeizing him in a violent manner, ſaid, he
might be Engliſh, and yet an enemy to the country.
Then he awaked, in a wonderful fright; but, being
come to himſelf, he concludes, that his dream pro-
ceeded from his late ſurprize at the preceding day's
aſtoniſhing tranſactions : Therefore, having again
recommended his country to heaven's protection, he
goes about making the bed for his monkey, as he had
concluded on before, and with ſome fail cloth makes
a caſe, ſtuffing it with the feathers he had faved for
that purpoſe.
The night being come, he lays the couching, which
he made for the beast, by his own bed; which very
readily went to it, being very ſoft and eaſy.
And, as cares for his country had in the day occu.
pied his thoughts, his mind in the night is impreſſed
with the ſubject, tho' not with fo diſmal an idea as the
preceding; having ſince been diverted with fuch ob.
jects as removed the terrifying aſpects, which before
offered themſelves to his imagination ; which now is
taken up with being in St. James's Park, where he
had formerly taken pleaſure, and which he fancies had
fince loft many of its former agreeablenefies.
As he was walking, a report was raiſed, that a
certain great perſon" (who, by his late great ſervices
to the nation, had gained a title to the palace) was
juſt deceaſed; having, before his death, intailed the
fame upon a foreign prince of great renown: This
ſurpriſing piece of news occafioned a ſudden alterati-
on in every body's countenance : Some looked pale
with grief, others red with wrath ; but every thing in
؛
nature
ar
44
Brew,
240
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
nature ſeemed to expreſs a feeling for the loſs; the
trees ſhed half their virtues, and the graſs withered.
This dull ſcene having laſted ſome ſmall time,
the trees and graſs recover their former verdure,
brighter than before, the lofty oaks, which he fancied
bordered the mall, bore fine rofes in vaſt number.
This additional beauty in thoſe noble plants, al-
ready ſo famed abroad for their toughneſs and ſtrength,
prompts people of all nations to come and refreſh
themſelves under their lofty and fragrant ſhades.
Having with great fatisfaction admired the ſupriſing
improvement of the oaks, which, to his imagination,
prognoſticated proſperity to the nation, he walks on
northward, where he law abundance of thiſtles,
which made him wonder they were permitted to
grow in a place where every thing ought to contribute
to its agreeableneſs and pleaſantneſs, but having con-
fidered the ſtoutneſs of the plants, which denoted
their being well rooted, he judged it impoſſible to
clear the ground: Beſides, the bees loving to ſettle
on them, and probably fucking more honey from their
bloſſoms than any more agreeable or ſweet ſcented
flower; for that reaſon, he imagined they were not
gathered.
Walking back again, he meets with ſeveral noble-
fome with a blue cordoon, others with green,
each with a gardening tool in his hand, going to turn
up and till the ground, between that where the thif-
ftartled to ſee thoſe great perſons, who hardly will
concern themſelves avith their own lands and pofleffi-
ons, labour to improve that wherein every private
perſon had a ſhare. He ſtood ſome time admiring
their dexterity, and readineſs at their work, then
walks on to the mall, which he found thronged with a
multitude of people of all nations, every one baving a
role
The ENGLISH HERMIT. 241
:
roſe in his hand, wherewith they diverted themſelves
as they walked.
Having gazed about him a conſiderable time, he
had a fancy to go and ſee how the noble gardeners
went on with their work; where, being come, he
finds, to his great admiration, the ground had been ſo
wonderfully well manured, that the oaks and thiſtles
had ſtruck their roots through it, and met; ſo growing
together, had produced a plant which bore both roſes
and thiſtles, to every body's wonder; which made the
thiſtles ſo valued ever fince, that there are but few
great or fine gardens, which have not more or leſs
of them.
His monkey, Being ſtartled out of his ſleep in a
mighty fright, ran behind his back ſqueaking, and
awaked him in the midſt of his ainazement ; being
exceedingly pleaſed with his late dream, of which he
conceived a mighty good omen to Old England, dif-
fering ſo very much from the preceding, both in na-
ture and ſignification.
Thus, though earlier than he uſually roſe, he gets
up to ſet it down, whilſt freſh in his mind, and alſo
the year, then takes a walk before breakfaſt, and the
bealt with him; which, being not yet recovered of its
late fright, keeps cloſe to his maſter, every now and
then looking behind, as though ſtill afraid, at which
Quarll concludes the creature muſt needs have been
diſturbed in its ſleep, the night before, with ſome
frightful dream; which made him wonder, that an
animal void of reaſon, and incapable of reflection,
ſhould be fuſceptible of imagination.
The day being pafied without any extraordinary
occurrence, he made no farther remark, but followed
his uſual occupation, and then went to his reſt; and the
monkey to his new bed, as the night before, which he
took care to draw as cloſe to his maſter as hé cuold;
then, having been twice or thrice about the room,
M
examining
242
The ENGLISH HERMIT.
eyes are taken
4
examining every corner, he lies down, and Neeps
quietly till the dawning of the morning; at which
time he ſtarts up again, as the night before.
Quarll, being a ſecond time awaked in the ſame
manner, and much about the ſame hour, concludes
the cauſe muſt proceed from the pillow, and reſolves
to try it himſelf the next night; at which time
crowds of terrifying aſpects appear in his imagi-
nation, which allure his whole faculties, and ſet all
his ſenſes in an uproar ; his
up
with
frightful objects, and his ears filled with a terrible
noiſe; at which the reſt of his ſenſes have loſt their
offices, and are become uſeleſs.
Being awaked the next morning, he finds himſelf
inclined to believe, that the pillow had really ſome in-
fluence on his imagination ; but as one night's expe-
rience was not a ſufficient ſolution to his inquiry into
that ſupernatural operation, having often dreamed be-
fore he uſed the pillow; he reſolves to try it ſeveral
nights fucceffively; during which, his monkey ſlept
very quiet, and he much diſturbed. This works a great
way towards the perſuaſion of what he had a ſtrong
fancy to believe: Yet, to be better ſatisfied of the
reality of it, he lays by the pillow for three or four
nights together; during which time, both he and the
beaſt ſlept very quietly.
This added much to his opinion, that evil effluvia
iſſued out of thoſe feathers the pillow was ſtuffed
with ; but as he formerly dreamed, and had many
nights intermiſſion between thofe that were entertain-
ed with dreams, he will once more try it, before
concludes that it is fo; thus puts it again under his
head that night: And, as it was the laſt experiment,
it proved alſo the moſt troubleſome, he being at that
time terrified with more ſhocking objects than the
preceding; which, tho they repreſent fierce and
bloody battles to his imagination, yet were leſs terrible
to
THE ENGLISH 243
HERMIT.
.
HERMIThim; having not, as yet, diſcerned his native country
engaged therein, whom now he finds to be the prin-
cipal party concerned, on which all ſucceſs depends,
and which cannot be ſtrove for without vaſt expences,
and irretrievable loſs of his dear countrymen , for
which his heart bled as plentifully as for thoſe whom
he dreamed he ſaw in their gore.
Having with terror and grief fatigued his eyes with
the moſt ſhocking and affiliating effects of war, tren
and horſes lying as thick upon the ground as graſs 1:7
a meadow, and treams of blood running like lo ma-
ny brooks, ſupplied by a ftrong ſpring ; he lifts up his
eyes to heaven, inploring an end to that execrable de-
vourer of mankind.
And whilſt his eyes were ſtill fixed to the heavens,
he fees victory ruihing through thick clouds of obfta-
cles approaching to her ; which having overcome,
the ſettied over the army his countrymen belonged to;
over whoſe head ſhe ſhook and flouriſhed her colours,
pointing at approaching peace, attended with plenty ;
but on a ſudden there aroſe an infectious mift out of
the ground, which cramping the Engliſhmens hands,
that they could no more uſe their conquering arms,
this fatal accident having both encouraged and
ftrengthened the enemy, they fell on the unfortunate
remains of the army, with unmerciful furs , who,
now having lost all their ſupport and dependence,
were moſt cruelly cut to pieces ; at which moſt diſ-
mal and afflicting object he awaked: And tho this
dream was a ſufficient proof of the feathers influence,
yet h: cannot be ſatisfied but it muft be ominous,
having ſo much relation to the preceding; therefore
ſets it down with them: and, for a more certain con-
viation of what he had all cauſe imaginable to believe,
he is reſolved to try his monkey once more the night
following : But the beaſt, who had not yet forget the
uneaſineſs that the bed had cauſed him, choſe to lie on
M 2
the
244 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
the ground; which intirely convinced Quarll, that
there was
a malignant quality in thoſe feathers :
Wherefore he throws them into the ſea, and fills the
caſe with a ſort of ſoft mors, which grew at the bot-
tom of a particular tree, on which the creature lay
very quiet ever after.
And as yearly ſtripping the eagles of their eggs,
had prevented their increaſe, it allo favoured and ad-
vanced that of the creatures in the iſland, on whoſe
young they fed; ſo that the number of the wild mon-
keys being conſiderably augmented, made their food
ſcant, which cauſed them now and then to come and
fteat ſomewhat out of Quartl's ground, Beaufidelle,
whoſe good keeping and warm lying had made him
thrive in bigneſs and ſtrength exceeding his kind,
finding ſome of them ſtealing his maſter's roots,
beat them away ; which obliged thoſe fubtle creatures
to come ſeveral together, the better to be able to en-
counter him; which Quarll having taken notice of,
and being willing to add a new ſport to his uſual diver-
ſions, cuts a ſtick of the length and bigneſs that the
creature could manage, which he gave him; and,
taking his own ſtaff, exerciſes it before him, which he
did the ſame with his; and, apprehending what uſe it
was given him for, he had it often in his hands, and
with it drove away the o:hers, when they came, tho’
ten or a dozen together; ſo that the roots were very
well guarded, by his continual watching; which
made thoſe fly and ſpiteful creatures watch an oppor-
tunity to take him at a diſadvantage : Thus finding
him one morning, as he was going
for water by him-
ſelf, as he was wont to do, and being then without his
ſtaff, of which they ſtood in great fear, a conſidera-
ble number fell upon him, and ſo bit and beat him,
that he lay as dead; but his maſter appearing, who,
being uneaſy at his extraordinary ſtay, was gone
ſee what was the occaſion thereof, put them to the
flight;
to
โพสอนใจ คน
sex
1
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
245
flight; and they left the poor creature with juſt breath
enough to keep its life in, and ſcarce ſtrength fuffici-
ent 'to draw it.
Quarll, being come to the place where his beloved
Beaufidelle lay in a moſt diſmal bloody condition,
could not forbear ſhedding tears to ſee him thus mi-
ſerably dying ; but, finding ſtill breath in him, it
gave him hopes of his recovery: And taking him up
in his arms, with all the cáre he could, he haftens
home, and gives him a little of the liquor he had
made, which by. that time had got both body and fpi-
rit; then having laid him upon his bed, and covered
him with his winter wrapper, he makes a fire and
warms ſome of the ſaid liquor, and freth butter,
wherewith he waſhes his fores; fo lays him down a-
gain, giving him all the careful attendance he could,
during his illneſs, which held but one week; at the
end of which he died, to his unſpeakable grief; who,
from that time, grew fo melancholy, that he had not
the courage to go on with his memorial ; till having
a moſt remarkable dream about twelve months after,
he changed his reſolution, and proceeded in his me-
moirs : And as he fet down his dream, he alſo did the
death of his beloved beaſt, it happening near the fame
time.
Having ſpent the year but dully, for want of his
diverting company at home; to put this as much out
of his mind as he could, he walked the ſpare hours
he had left from his uſual occupation. Thus being
one day fomewhat fatigued, having loſt his wonted
alacrity, he ſat down under the next cluſter of trees
he came at; and being in a dull diſpoſition, was foon
lulled to ſleep, at a loneſome note of a certain fort of
melancholy bird, which ſhuns others company (tho*
of its own kind) at all times but in breeding time;
which, having placed itſelf in the thickeſt and ſhadieſt
part of the grove, where Quarll had made choice
M 3
246 THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
lie, falls a ſinging his melancholy notes ; which being
ſuitable to his diſpoſition of both body and mind,
foon lulled him to ſleep; during which he dreamed,
that he ſaw an old man fitting in a large circle,
around which all the ſigns of the zodiac were, and the
old gentleman appeared extremely buſy, ſtringing of
ſmall beads, ſome white, and fome black; and,
when he had ſtrung a certain number, he began ano-
ther ftring, and ſo on. He had the curioſity to tell
how many he put in a ſtring, ſo keeps an account of
the next he did begin, and tells juſt fixty: Having
made 'as many of thoſe ſtrings as there were beads in
each, he puts them together, and begins again to
ſtring, mixing white and black as they came to his
hand, twiſting every fixtieth ſtring in parcels, till he
had made fixty of them, which he neatly plaits toge-
ther, proceeding as from the beginning, and makes
twenty-four of thoſe plaits, which he weaves toge-
ther, 'making a flat piece of bead work, changeable
upon black, which, when looked upon one way,
feemed pleaſant ; and, being feen from another, as
diſagreeable. He worked on till he had made three
hundred and fixty-four ſuch pieces, then lays them up
in a bundle, and goes to work again, beginning to
ftring as at firſt.
Having looked himſelf weary with ſeeing ſtill the
fame, of which he could make nothing, he goes a-
way leavipg the old gentleman ſtringing his beads ;
who, ſeeing him go, lays by his work, and follows
him, and having overtaken him, aſked him, what
he ha 1 been looking at all that time? He, being
ſurpriſed at the ſurly queſtion, modeftly replies, he
had been admiring his work; in doing which he
hoped there was no offence. No, ſaid the old man,
provided thou learneſt fomething by what thou haſt
ſeen. To which he anſwered, it was impofſible for
him to learn fuch a myſterious buſineſs, with once
ſeeing
:
.
247
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
ſeeing it done ; ſo much leſs, being intirely a ſtran-
ger to it. A ſtranger to it art thou ? replied the
old man, in a furly manner; and haft waſted ſo
much of my work! I am Time, whom thou haſt of-
ten ill uſed; and thoſe white and black beads that
thou haſt ſeen me ſtring, are good and bad moments
I croud into minutes, which I link into hours; thus
weave days, wherewith years are compoſed. Thou
haft feen me complete the preſent year. I tell thee,
before the enſuing is ended, I will grace the Britiſh
throne with an illuſtrious race to the end of kings
reigns; ſo vaniſhed. Then he awaked in a great
ſurpriſe, and goes home, pondering on his dream; of
which he inferred, that if there be any fignification
in the roving conceptions of the mind, this muſt
prognoſticate the ſpeedy acceſſion of fome great mo-
narch upon the Engliſh throne: So ſets down in his
memorial his dream, heartily wiſhing the accompliſh
ment thereof, for the quiet and proſperity of his dear
country.
There happening nothing after, for the ſpace of
four years, but great thunders and lightnings in the
fummer, and abundance of hail and ſnow in the win-
ter, with now and then ſtorms, which left ſeveral
forts of fiſhes in the clifts and holes of the rocks,
and ſometimes fragments of fiaved thips, and batter'd
caſks, or broken cheſts, with a plank, and ſuch like
products of ſhipwrecks, not worth recording : By
which means, for want of employment, he has ſeve-
ral idle and fullen hours in the day time, which his late
beloved animal's diverting company made flip away
with pleaſure, and for want of which they now creep
flowly on ; being loaded with dull and heavy thoughts,
which made thoſe walks irkſome, he at that time took
for eaſe; that by the diverſity of objects abroad,
his mind might be withdrawn from his anxious
folitude.
Having
248
THE ENGLISH HERMIT.
Having one day peruſed his memorial, as he com-
monly did once a year, the dream he had, wherein
Time predicted ſuch great happineſs to his country,
made ſuch an impreſſion on his mind, that he always
thought of it Accordingly, being walking, and
the day proving extraordinary hot, he goes to thelter
himſelf in one of his natural groves; where, having
laid himſelf down on the graſs, he was ſoon lulled
aſleep during which, the idea he had conceived of
his former dream repreſented to his imagination a
molt majeſtic and graceful monarch, ſitting on a
magnificent throne, round which ſtood many delight-
ful Olive plants which much added to his luſtre.
Having, with a great deal of pleaſure, gazed at
the inolt graceful countenance of the king, which
denoted juſtice, equity, love, and clemency; he gave
ticaven thanks for the mighty bleffi
. g beſtowed on
liis country." Coming away, in order to return to his
illand, with this additional happineſs to the many he
already enjoyed.
Being come from court, on his journey he meets
the fame old gentleman of whom he dreamed the
year before ; who, taking him by the hand, faid, I
find thou haſt been to ſee the accompliſhment of my
predi&tion: Now I will tell thee more.
Ere One thouſand Seven hundred and Ninety is written,
All diviſions, remember, will ceaſe in Great Britain.
Next, I will ſhew thee what I have done to ſecure
the accompliſhment of my prophecy : Then takes
him to a high place, from whence he could fee into
the cabinets of all the princes in Europe ; in ſeveral
of which, he took notice, lay a vaſt heap of rich and
coſtly
THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 249
coſtly things, but confuſed, ſhapeleſs, and fit for no
ufe ; Now, ſaid the old man to him, theſe are dif-
appointments, and defeated projects, made to inter-
cept what I determined; then vaniſhes: At which he
avaked, exceeding glad to find himſelf ſafe in his
bleſſed iſland, and wonderfully pleaſed with his dream,
which betokens ſo much good to his dear country.
This was the conclufion of his records,
Ep. DORRINGTON.
.
.
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