Upon the approach of his fit, he made signs to be put to bed, which was no sooner done but he was seized with extreme agonies, which he bore up under with the greatest steadfastness, and after a severe conflict, that lasted near eight hours, he expired.

Thus lived and thus died this extraordinary person; a person, though of mean extraction and obscure life, yet when his character comes to be fully and truly known, it will be read with pleasure, profit, and admiration.

His perfections at large would be the work of a volume, and inconsistent with the intention of these papers.  I will, therefore, only add, for a conclusion, that he was a man of uncommon thought and judgment, and always kept his appetites and inclinations within their just limits.

His reason was strong and manly, his understanding sound and active, and his temper so easy, equal, and complaisant, that he never fell out, either with men or accidents.  He bore all things with the highest affability, and computed justly upon their value and consequence, and then applied them to their proper uses.

A LETTER FROM OXFORD

Sir,

Being informed that you speedily intend to publish some memoirs relating to our dumb countryman, Dickory Cronke, I send you herewith a few lines, in the nature of an elegy, which I leave you to dispose of as you think fit.  I knew and admired the man; and if I were capable, his character should be the first thing I would attempt.

Yours. &c.

An elegy,
in Memory of Dickory Cronke,
the dumb philosopher.

   Vitiis nemo sine nascitur; optimus ille est,
   Qui minimus urgetur.—­Horace.

If virtuous actions emulation raise,
Then this good man deserves immortal praise. 
When nature such extensive wisdom lent,
She sure designed him for our precedent. 
Such great endowments in a man unknown,
Declare the blessings were not all his own;
But rather granted for a time to show
What the wise hand of Providence can do. 
In him we may a bright example see
Of nature, justice, and morality;
A mind not subject to the frowns of fate,
But calm and easy in a servile state. 
He always kept a guard upon his will
And feared no harm because he knew no ill. 
A decent posture and an humble mien,
In every action of his life were seen. 
Through all the different stages that he went,
He still appeared both wise and diligent: 
Firm to his word, and punctual to his trust,
Sagacious, frugal, arable, and just. 
No gainful views his bounded hopes could sway,
No wanton thought led his chaste soul astray. 
In short, his thoughts and actions both declare,
Nature designed him her philosopher;
That all mankind, by his example taught,
Might learn to live, and manage every thought. 
Oh! could my muse the wondrous subject grace,
And, from his youth, his virtuous actions trace;
Could I in just and equal numbers tell
How well he lived, and how devoutly fell,
I boldly might your strict attention claim,
And bid you learn, and copy out the man.