dickory cronke(迪克雷·克龙克)-第1节
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DICKORY CRONKE
DICKORY CRONKE
By Daniel Defoe
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DICKORY CRONKE
PREFACE
The formality of a preface to this little book might have been very well
omitted； if it were not to gratify the curiosity of some inquisitive people；
who； I foresee； will be apt to make objections against the reality of the
narrative。
Indeed the public has too often been imposed upon by fictitious stories；
and some of a very late date； so that I think myself obliged by the usual
respect which is paid to candid and impartial readers； to acquaint them； by
way of introduction； with what they are to expect； and what they may
depend upon； and yet with this caution too； that it is an indication of ill
nature or ill manners； if not both； to pry into a secret that is industriously
concealed。
However； that there may be nothing wanting on my part； I do hereby
assure the reader； that the papers from whence the following sheets were
extracted； are now in town； in the custody of a person of unquestionable
reputation； who； I will be bold to say； will not only be ready； but proud； to
produce them upon a good occasion； and that I think is as much
satisfaction as the nature of this case requires。
As to the performance； it can signify little now to make an apology
upon that account； any farther than this； that if the reader pleases he may
take notice that what he has now before him was collected from a large
bundle of papers； most of which were writ in shorthand； and very ill…
digested。 However； this may be relied upon； that though the language is
something altered； and now and then a word thrown in to help the
expression； yet strict care has been taken to speak the author's mind； and
keep as close as possible to the meaning of the original。 For the design； I
think there is nothing need be said in vindication of that。 Here is a dumb
philosopher introduced to a wicked and degenerate generation； as a proper
emblem of virtue and morality； and if the world could be persuaded to
look upon him with candour and impartiality； and then to copy after him；
the editor has gained his end； and would think himself sufficiently
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DICKORY CRONKE
recompensed for his present trouble。
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DICKORY CRONKE
PART I
Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the
accounts of this last century； I know none that merit more an entire credit；
or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am
now going to lay before the public。
Dickory Cronke； the subject of the following narrative； was born at a
little hamlet； near St。 Columb； in Cornwall； on the 29th of May； 1660；
being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored。
His parents were of mean extraction； but honest； industrious people； and
well beloved in their neighbourhood。 His father's chief business was to
work at the tin mines； his mother stayed at home to look after the children；
of which they had several living at the same time。 Our Dickory was the
youngest； and being but a sickly child； had always a double portion of her
care and tenderness。
It was upwards of three years before it was discovered that he was
born dumb； the knowledge of which at first gave his mother great
uneasiness； but finding soon after that he had his hearing； and all his other
senses to the greatest perfection； her grief began to abate； and she resolved
to have him brought up as well as their circumstances and his capacity
would permit。
As he grew； notwithstanding his want of speech； he every day gave
some instance of a ready genius； and a genius much superior to the
country children； insomuch that several gentlemen in the neighbourhood
took particular notice of him； and would often call him Restoration Dick；
and give him money； &c。
When he came to be eight years of age； his mother agreed with a
person in the next village； to teach him to read and write； both which； in a
very short time； he acquired to such perfection； especially the latter； that
he not only taught his own brothers and sisters； but likewise several young
men and women in the neighbourhood； which often brought him in small
sums； which he always laid out in such necessaries as he stood most in
need of。
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DICKORY CRONKE
In this state he continued till he was about twenty； and then he began
to reflect how scandalous it was for a young man of his age and
circumstances to live idle at home； and so resolves to go with his father to
the mines； to try if he could get something towards the support of himself
and the family； but being of a tender constitution； and often sick； he soon
perceived that sort of business was too hard for him； so was forced to
return home and continue in his former station； upon which he grew
exceeding melancholy； which his mother observing； she comforted him in
the best manner she could； telling him that if it should please God to take
her away； she had something left in store for him； which would preserve
him against public want。
This kind assurance from a mother whom he so dearly loved gave him
some； though not an entire satisfaction； however； he resolves to acquiesce
under it till Providence should order something for him more to his
content and advantage； which； in a short time happened according to his
wish。 The manner was thus：…
One Mr。 Owen Parry； a Welsh gentleman of good repute； coming from
Bristol to Padstow； a little seaport in the county of Cornwall； near the
place where Dickory dwelt； and hearing much of this dumb man's
perfections； would needs have him sent for； and finding； by his significant
gestures and all outward appearances that he much exceeded the character
that the country gave of him； took a mighty liking to him； insomuch that
he told him； if he would go with him into Pembrokeshire； he would be
kind to him； and take care of him as long as he lived。
This kind and unexpected offer was so welcome to poor Dickory； that
without any farther consideration； he got a pen and ink and writ a note；
and in a very handsome and submissive manner returned him thanks for
his favour； assuring him he would do his best to continue and improve it；
and that he would be ready to wait upon him whenever he should be
pleased to command。
To shorten the account as much as possible； all things were concluded
to their mutual satisfaction； and in about a fortnight's time they set forward
for Wales； where Dickory； notwithstanding his dumbness； behaved himself
with so much diligence and affability； that he not only gained the love of
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DICKORY CRONKE
the family where he lived； but of everybody round him。
In this station he continued till the death of his master； which happened
about twenty years afterwards； in all which time； as has been confirmed by
several of the family； he was never observed to be any ways disguised by
drinking； or to be guilty of any of the follies and irregularities incident to
servants in gentlemen's houses。 On the contrary； when he had any spare
time； his constant custom was to retire with some good book into a private
place within call； and there employ himself in reading； and then writing
down his observations upon what he read。
After the death of his master； whose loss afflicted him to the last
degree； one Mrs。 Mary Mordant； a gentlewoman of great virtue and piety；
and a very good fortune； took him into h
