%fm 
 
 FAC'LITYi
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 I 
 
 THE 
 
 ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 1 
 
 OR, 
 
 UNPARALLELED SUFFERINGS 
 AND 
 
 SURPRISING ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 Mr. PHILIP QUARLL 
 
 WHO WAS LATELY 
 DISCOVERED ON AN UNINHABITED ISLAND IN THE 
 SOUTH SEA ; WHERE HE HAD LIVED ABOUT 
 '«***"FIFTy YEARS WITHOUT ANY HUMAN 
 
 ASSISTANCE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 B, PERRY, 198 MARKET STREET. 
 1855.
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Truth and fiction have, of late, been so 
 promiscuously blended together in two 
 performances of this nature that, in the 
 present case, it seems absolutely necessary 
 to distinguish the one from the other. If 
 Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders, and 
 Colonel Jack, have had 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 enter- 
 tertainment to the superior class of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Now it may, without the least arrogance, 
 oe affirmed that, though this surprising nar- 
 rative be not so replete with vulgar storiei 
 
 550121
 
 dS the former, or so interspersed Tvith a 
 satirical vein as the last of the above-men- 
 tioned treatises, yet it is certainly of more 
 use to the public than either of them, be- 
 cause every incident 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. , 
 
 It was put into my hands, about a yeai_ 
 ^go, by Mr. Dorrincton, an eminent mer- 
 ^ chant, with full liberty to publish it when 
 and in what manner 1 thought most proper. 
 I hope, therefore, it will not be deemed 
 impertinent to give some account of my 
 friend, as a reputation to the work itself. 
 
 ,^Ir. Edward Dorrington is descended 
 from a very ancient and honourable family 
 in Staffordshire. His grandfather, Mr. 
 Joseph Dorrington, removed, out of that 
 county, to Frome in Somersetshire ; his 
 employ was that of a very considerable 
 graziei - The issue he left at his decease 
 Wcis one son, Richard (the father of my_ 
 friend), and two daughters. Mr. Richard
 
 PREFACE. T 
 
 Dorrington, for some time, was a studen* 
 of Graj's Inn ; but, liking a country life 
 best, he having thoroughly qualified him 
 self, 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' for- 
 tune. Soon after his marriage, he went and 
 settled at Bath, where the integrity of his 
 fair practice soon rendered him eminent in 
 his profession. He acquired a very com- 
 petent estate, and died in the j-ear 1708, 
 having no other issue than his only son, the 
 present Mr. Edward Dorrington, whom he 
 -iia^'pul^o be bred a merchant, under the 
 care of Mr. Stephen Graham, of Bristol. 
 His diligence and courteous behaviour, 
 during his servitude, 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 her a handsome por- 
 tioil suitable to his merit. 
 
 The happiness of my acquaintance with 
 him began in his apprenticeship : and has.
 
 with the greatest satisfaction to me, conti- 
 nued ever since. 
 
 As to the genuineness of this treatise, I 
 am farther to assure the reader that, as Mr. 
 Dorrington is allowed, by all who knew 
 him, to be a gentleman of unquestionable 
 veracity, and above attempting an imposi- 
 tion on the public ; so the first Book hereiij^ 
 was wholly written by himself, and the 
 second and third Books were faithfully 
 transcribed from Mr. Quarll's parchment- 
 roll, which was a continuation of what my 
 'triend had begun. 
 
 When Mr. Dorrington undertook this 
 voyage, he set sail, as is well kno^vn, from 
 Bristol to the South Sea ; and traded all 
 along that coast to Mexico, now called New 
 Spain. 
 
 And he is now making a second voyage 
 to the same plases. 
 
 To proceed to the work itself. The first 
 Book contains a relation of Mr. Dorrington's 
 discovery of Mr. Quarll ; his several con- 
 ferences with him ; a description of the 
 island, and the manner of our hennit's living 
 there ; with many other curious particulars.
 
 The second and third Books are the con- 
 tents of the hermit's parchment roll aljove- 
 mentioned ; and contain the most surprising, 
 as well as various, turns of fortune ever yet 
 recounted in any work of this kind. And 
 although 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 so closely by 
 dnparalleled crosses. If poh'gamy could 
 call down such divine resentments, we must 
 be silent ; nor farther urge his fate. 
 
 However, for this fact, he was brought to 
 justice by the laws of his country ; and he 
 accounts for the inducements of his com- 
 mitting that sin at his trial. This reflection 
 therefore, should be wiped off, since he is 
 now become the humblest of penitents. 
 
 The observations throughout these sheets 
 will be found to be modest, serious, and 
 instructive, and all centre in the unerring 
 moral, tha,t —
 
 Whate'er we do, or wheresoe'er we're driven. 
 Still, we must own, such is the will of Heaven. 
 
 To conclude. In the publication of these 
 papers I have discharged two promises ; the 
 one made by Mr. Dorrington to the Hermit, 
 and the other made by myself to Mr. Doi> 
 rington : and that they may meet Avith a 
 reception as candid as they are useful is 
 the hearty wish of 
 
 The public's humble servant, 
 
 P. L.
 
 ON THE 
 HERMIT'S SOLITUDEy 
 
 Behold a man in his first class of years, 
 
 When youthful sports made way for growing cares. 
 
 The chequer'd fortunes of a manly age, 
 
 Busies reflecting sense with thoughts more sage : 
 
 Various affairs will cause a world of woes ; 
 
 Then, in the fall of life, how sweet 's repose I 
 
 The calm, he now enjoys, makes full amends 
 
 For all he felt; Heav'n never ill intends. 
 
 Suff' ringsare sent to us from God above. 
 
 To make us practice faith and sacred love ; 
 
 Aw'd into patience by fresh scenes of fate. 
 
 We live too soon, and learn to live too late. 
 
 In busy worlds, and trading peopled towns. 
 
 More fast we sin than sin itself abounds. 
 
 jn 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 splten.
 
 X ON THE HERMIT'S SOLITDDE. 
 
 Methinks I with him share of Eden's grove. 
 And wish 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 slumb'ring nights upbraid; 
 In peace he rests, unenvy'd or unknown, , 
 And pities monarchs on their toilsome throne- 
 No king that reigns but must, as mortals, die ; 
 And when they rule, no subject should ask. Why ? 
 Heav'n grants them license ; ^nd, when God gives 
 
 laws, 
 Where's the bold man that dares dispute the cause ? 
 Would the great men from one so mean be told 
 They serve a crown for int'rest 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 his country, and it's present prince. 
 That he may reign in heav'n when call'd from hence. 
 Here, in these lonely shades, he just uprose, 
 A type of resurrection to disclose; 
 A resurrection from a watery hell. 
 Where shoals of terrors strove which should excel; 
 A resurrection, emblem of the last. 
 Which will recal 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 wish myself as happy — not more great : 
 I'd know no change ; but, when God calls, obey, 
 Prepar'd in my account for judgment-day :
 
 OK THE HERMITS SOLfTUDE. XI 
 
 Then happy rise, from cares and worldly toys. 
 
 To more substantial and eternal joys. 
 
 This honest 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 opposes 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 trum4)et's sound. 
 
 By true repentance here on eartli, be found 
 
 Acceptable in heav'n, where joys abound 1 
 
 In grateful hymns hail in the new spring-day; 
 
 And, like the angels, never cease to pray. 
 
 A kingdom Quarll doth undisturb'd enjoy ; 
 
 He's rais'd a monarch from an abject boy. 
 
 And here I can't omit the pencil'd plan 
 
 Oi Bean-fidelle his monkey, and his man : 
 
 The docile bea?t most servilely 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 : 
 
 Where's human servant we can thus intrust ?
 
 THE 
 
 ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT HOW MR. QUARLL WAS FOUND OUT; 
 WITH A DESCRIPTION OF HIS DRESS, HABITATION 
 AND LTENSU.S ; AS ALSO HIS CONVERSATION WITH 
 THE PERSONS WHO FIRST DISCOVERED HIM. 
 
 Having concluded those mercantile affairs which I 
 •indertook by this voyage to negociate, and bein^ 
 up on my return for England, and wind-bound, 
 during; my stay I daily walked about tlie sea-shore. 
 Very early one morning, the weather being ex- 
 tremely fair, and the sea wonderfully 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 some 
 land, by its great extent ; but the access to it was 
 very dangerous, by reason of the rocks, A\hich reach 
 so 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 further research, supposing the advantage
 
 2 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 which might accrue from the land woula not couu- 
 tervail the cost and trouble of making it habilabJe ; 
 for that he and some friends had, on a fine day, as 
 now it was, tiie curiosity to go as near as they 
 could with saiety, which was about fifty yards 
 from the main rock, but were forced to return 
 as unsaiistied as they went, only that he had the 
 pleasure of catcliing some delicious tish, which lay 
 playing upon the surface of the water, having a 
 rod in his hand, and lines in his pocket, being 
 seldom without when he walks on tlie sea-shore. 
 These <ish are somewhat larger than a herring in 
 its prime, skinned like a mackarel, made as a 
 gudgeon, and of divers beautiful colours, especially 
 if caught on 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 bein'^, as usual, provided with t.ickle, we 
 picked up a parcel of yellow maggots, which breed 
 in dead toriui.-es upon the rock, at which those 
 fishes bite very eagerly. 
 
 Thus equipped with all necessaries for the sport, 
 we agreed with a young fellow, one of tlie 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 rea<lily con- 
 sented to row us thither for about the value of a 
 shilling. 
 
 Being come to the place, we found extraordinary 
 sport : the fishes were so eager that our lines were 
 uo sooner in but we had a bite. 
 
 Whilst we were fishing, the young man, who 
 rowed usthitlier, spying a cleft in the rock, through 
 whidi he saw a liglit, had a miud to see what was 
 at tlie other side, so put ott his clothes in order to 
 wade to it : thus, having taken the hitcher of the 
 boat, he gioped along for sure footing, the rock 
 being very full of holes.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 3 
 
 Being come to the cleft, he crept through, and in 
 a short time returned, calling to us with precipita- 
 tion, which expressed both joy and surprize — 
 " Gentlemen ! gentlemen !" said he, " I have made 
 a discovery of a new ]»nd, and the finest that the 
 sun ever shone on : leave ott" your fishing; you 'II 
 find here much better business." Having by 
 that time caught a pretty handsome dish of fish, 
 we put up our tackling, fastened onr 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 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 Alvarado nor myself 
 could swim ; but the young fellow, who could, hav- 
 ing leaped into the water, finding it all the way 
 but breast-high, we went in also, and waded to the 
 other side, which ascended gently, about five or six 
 feet from the lake, to a most pleasant land, flat 
 and level, covered with a curious grass, some- 
 thing like chamomile, but of no smell, and of an 
 agreeable taste : it bore also abundance of fine lofty 
 trees, of difterent kinds and make, which in several 
 places stood in clusters, composing groves of differ- 
 ent height and largeness. JBeing come to a place 
 where the trees stood in such a disposition as gave 
 our sight a greater scope, we saw, at some dis- 
 tance, a most delightful wood of considerable extent. 
 
 The agreeableness of the perspective made by 
 nature, both for creating pleasure, and condo- 
 lence of grief, prompted my curiosity to a view 
 of the delights which the distance we were at 
 might, in some 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, lest we 
 should of a sudden be sallied upon by wild beasts 
 out of the wood ; and as I could not discommend 
 
 b2
 
 4 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 his precaution, the thickness of it giving room to 
 believe there might be dangerous- creatures in it ; k> 
 we went souihNvard, finding numbers of fine trees, 
 and here and there small groves, which we judged 
 to be composed of forty or fifty several trees : but 
 npon examination we found it, to our great amaze- 
 ment, to proceed from only one plant, whose out- 
 most lower blanches bending to the gronnd, 
 about seven or eight feet from the middle stem, 
 struck root, and became plants, which did tlie 
 same ; and in that manner covered a considerable 
 spot of ground ; still growing less, as they stood 
 farthest from the old body. 
 
 Having walked some time under that most sur- 
 prizing and wonderful plant, admiring the greatness 
 of Nature's works, we went on, finding several ui 
 the same in our way, wherein harboured monkeys, 
 but their swift flight prevented our discerning 
 their colours : yet, going on, we found there were 
 ^wo kinds, one having green backs, yellow faces and 
 iiellies ; the other grey, with white bellies and 
 iaces ; but both sorts exceeding beautiful. 
 
 At some distance we perceived three things stand- 
 ing together, which I took to be houses : " I be- 
 lieve," said I, " this island is inhabited ; for, if I 
 mistake not, yonder are dwelling places." 
 
 " So they are," said Alvarado ; " and therefore 
 I don't think it wisdom to venture any farther, 
 lest they should be savages and do us hurt." So 
 would have gone back, but I was resolved to see 
 what they were, and persuaded him to go on, say- 
 ing, it would be time enough for us to retreat w hen 
 ive perceived danger. 
 
 " That may be too late," said he : " for, as evil 
 doth not always succeed danger, danger doth not 
 always precede evil ; we may be surprized." 
 
 "Weil, well," said I, "if any people should 
 come upon us, we must see them at some distance, 
 &ad a we can't avoid them, here are three of as^ a
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 5 
 
 good long staiF with an Iron point at one end, and 
 an liook at the other; I shall exercise that and keep 
 them ort', 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 
 arbours, being apparently made of sireen tiees : then 
 iadeed, I began to fancy some wild people inhabited 
 them, and doubted whether it were sale to go 
 nearer; but concealed my doubt, lest I should 
 intimidate Alvarado so that he should run away, 
 to which he was very much inclined. I only slack- 
 ened my pace, whicii Alvarado perceiving, imagined 
 that I saw some evil coming, which he thougiit un- 
 avoidable ; and not daring to go from my company, 
 he only condoled his misfortune saying he dearly 
 repented taking my advice, that he feared we should 
 pay dearly for our silly curioyty ; for indeed those 
 tilings were more like thieves' dens, or wild people's 
 huts, than Cliiistians' 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 
 flight at our appearing: however, I inferred by their 
 shynegs that we were out of the way in our judg- 
 ment concerning the arbours : " For," said I, " if 
 these were inhabited, those creatures would not have 
 been so scared at the sight of men, and if by nature 
 wild, they would not graze so near mens' habita- 
 tions, had there been any body in them. I rather 
 believe some hermit has formerly lived there, 
 and is either dead or gone." Alvarado, who to 
 that time had neitiier heard nor seen any thing Hiat 
 could contradict what I said, began to acquiesce to 
 it, and goes on. 
 
 Being come within reach of plain discernment, 
 we were surprized. " If these," said I, " be the 
 works of savages, they far exceed our expert
 
 rRE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 artists." Their regularity appeared unconfined to 
 the rates of art, and complete architecture without 
 the craft of the artist ; nature and time only being 
 capable of bringing them to that perfection. They 
 were neither houses, huts, nor arbours; yet had aU 
 the usefulness and agreements of each. 
 
 Having sufficiently admired the uncommon 
 beauty of the outside without interruption, but 
 rather diverted with the most agreeable harmony 
 of various singing birds as perched on a green 
 hedge whicli surrounded about one acre of land 
 near the place, we had^the curiosity to see the 
 inside, and, being nearest the middlemost, we ex- 
 amined that first. It was about nine feet high, 
 and as much square ; the walls were straight and 
 smooth, covered with green leaves, something like 
 those of a mulberry-tree, lying as close and regular 
 as slates on a slated house : the top went up round- 
 ing like a cupola, and covered in the same manner 
 as the sides ; from each corner issued a straight 
 stem, about twelve feet higher, bare of branches to 
 the top, which were very full of leaves, and spread 
 over, making a most pleasant canopy to the man- 
 sion beneath. 
 
 Being full of admiration at the wonderful structure 
 and nature of the place, we came to a door which 
 was made of green twigs, neatly woven and fastened 
 with a small stick, through a loop made of the same. 
 
 The door being fastened without, gave us en- 
 couragement to venture in, it being evident that the 
 host was absent, so we opened it, and the first thing 
 we saw being opposite to the door, was a bed 
 lying on tlie ground, which was a hard dry earth, 
 very smooth and clean. We had the curiosity to 
 examine what it was made of, and found it another 
 subject of admiration. The covering was a mat 
 about three inches thick, made of a sort of grass, 
 which, though as dry as the oldest hay, was as green 
 as a leek, felt as soft as cotton, and was warm as
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 7 
 
 wool ; the bed was made of the same and in the 
 same manner, but three times as thick, which made 
 it as easy as a down bed : under that lay another, 
 but somewliat harder. 
 
 At one side of the room stood a table fiade of 
 two pieces of tliin oak board, about three feet long, 
 fastened upon four sticks driven into the ground, 
 and by it a cliair made of green twigs, as tlie door ; 
 at the otlier side of tlie room lay a chest on the 
 ground like a sailor's small cliest ; over it, against the 
 wall, hung a linen jacket and breedies such as sea- 
 men wear on board; on another pin hung a largs 
 coat or gown, made of the same sort of grass, 'and 
 after the sanie manner as the bed s covering, but 
 not above iialf an inch thick, and a cap by it of the 
 same : these we supposed to be a winter garb for 
 somebody. 
 
 Having viewed the furniture of the dwelling- 
 place, \Ne examined its fabric, which we could not 
 tiiid out by tlie outside, it being so closely covered 
 with leaves; but the inside being bare, we found 
 it to be several trees whose bodies met close and 
 made a solisl wall, wliich, by the breadth of every 
 stem, we judged to be about six inches thick, their 
 bark being very smooth and of a pleasant olive 
 colour, made a mighty agreeable wainscoting ; the 
 roof, which was hung very thick with leaves, was 
 branches which reached from end to end, and were 
 crossed over by the side ones that were woven be- 
 tween, wliich made a very even and smooth ceiling, 
 so thick of leaves and branches that no rain could 
 penetate. My companion's uneasiness, expecting 
 the host's return every moment, hindered my ex- 
 amining every thing more narrowly ; and having 
 slightly looked into the chest, which lay open, wherein 
 we saw nothing but sheets of parchment, which his 
 haste would not permit me to look into, we went away. 
 
 Going out, we saw at one corner of the room 
 behind the door, a couple of firelocks, the sight oi
 
 8 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 which much alarmed mj' companj', and I must con- 
 fess, startled me; for till then, I was iiiclineable to 
 believe some hermit dwelt in the place, but linding 
 arms in the room of a crucifix and religious pictures, 
 which were the common ornaments of those religious 
 men, made me waver in my opinion : and having 
 taken the pieces in my hands, which, for rust, ap- 
 peared not to have been fit for use for many years, 
 renewed my former opinion, supposing them to be 
 the effects of some shipwreck, which the hermit 
 found upon tiie rocks. But my company persisting 
 in their own, hastened out, and wouki^' have gone 
 quite away without seeing any more, had I not, by 
 many arguments, made them sensible that, if those 
 arms had been intended for the evil use Alvarado 
 imagined, they would have been kept in better 
 order; to which being obliged to acquiesce, he con- 
 sented to go and examine the other, it being as 
 worthy of admiration as that we had seen, though 
 quite of another nature, but much of the same height 
 and make. 
 
 The next we came at was covered all over with 
 the same sort of grass as grew on the ground, which 
 lay as even as though it had been mowed and rolled : 
 behind it were several lodges, made as it were for 
 some dogs, but we neither saw nor heard any. 
 
 Having viewed the place all round, we posted 
 the young fellow with us at the outside, to t^ive notice 
 when any body appeared, lest we should be sur- 
 prized whilst we saw the inside : so having opened 
 the door, which was made and fastened after the 
 manner of the first, we went in, expecting to find 
 another dwelling-place, but it proved rather a 
 kitchen; 'here being no bed, but only a parcel of 
 shells of ditferent sizes, which we supposed to be 
 applied for utensils, some being scorchtM at the out- 
 side as having been on the fire, but exceedingly 
 clean within : the rest were both inside and outside 
 as fine as nakes of pearl.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 9 
 
 At one end of the room was a hole cut in the 
 {.'round 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 ashes fresh made : this confirmed 
 my opinion that it was a hermitage. Alvarado, who 
 all along feared we should meet with men who would 
 misuse us, was not a little pleased to find fire-places 
 in room of beds, and kitchen utensils instead of 
 weapons. " I hope," said he, " we are not in so 
 great a danger as I feared ; here cannot be many 
 men, unless they crowd together in yonder place, 
 and if so, they would have been here before new, 
 had any been in the way." His fears being in a great 
 measure dispersed, we looked about more leisuely, 
 and seeing several shells that were covered, 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 
 sorts of pickles. 
 
 " Let them," said I, " be who they will that dwell 
 here, I am sure they know good eating, and there- 
 fore, probably, may be no strangers to good man- 
 ners." Upon another shelf, behind the door, lay divers 
 sorts of dried fishes; and upon the ground stood, un- 
 covered, two chests with fish and fiesh in salt. 
 
 These provisions being somewhat too voluptuous 
 for a hermit, gave us room for speculation. " I have 
 lived," said Alvarado, "at Mexico these six jears, 
 and have been at Peru above twenty times, and yet 
 never heard talk of this island ; the access to it is so 
 ditficult and dangerous that I dare say we are the 
 first that have been on these sides of the rocks. I 
 am very apt to believe that a company of deter- 
 mined Buccaniers, which are said to frequent these 
 seas, shelter here ; and that the habitation we have 
 seen and this place belong to their captain, anci Ihst
 
 10 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 the company resort in caves up and down these 
 rocks." Really I could not well, gainsay it, being 
 too probable, yet I would not altogether acquiesce 
 to his opinion, lest he should thereby take a motive 
 to go away before, we had seen the other place. 
 
 " I must confess," said I, " here 's room for con- 
 jectures, but no proof of certainty : however, let it 
 be a? you say, it is a plain case there are none to 
 disturb us, therefore, whilst we have liberty, let us 
 see the other place." So we fastened the door as 
 we fo nd it, and went to the next, which was shut 
 after the same manner is the two preceding, but 
 made of quite dirterent stutt", being a complete arbour 
 composed of trees, planted within a foot of one 
 another, whose branches were woven together in 
 such a regular manner that they made several 
 agreeable 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 uni- 
 form wing to it. 
 
 The coolness of the arbour removed our doubts 
 of its being another dwelling, unless only used in 
 hot weather. 
 
 Having sufficiently 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 con- 
 firm the opinion we were in that it was no hermit- 
 age, there being sullicient to gratify the appetite, as 
 well as to support nature. Therefore, not knowing 
 what to think of the master of the house, we made 
 no long stay, but concluded to haste and get our 
 fish dressed, it being near dinner-time ; and as the 
 trees stood very thick in-land, and might conceal
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. H 
 
 men from our sight till we came too near to shun 
 thcnii, we thought it proper to walk on ihe outside 
 near the rocks, that we might see at some distance 
 before us. 
 
 Walking along, a phlegm sticking in my throat, 
 I happened to hawk pretty loud, the noise was an- 
 swered from, I believe, twenty places of the rock, 
 and in as many ditterent sounds, ^^hich alarmed 
 Alvarado, v,;\\o look it to be a signal from men con- 
 cealed up and down the rock, not considering the 
 difliculty 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 reason, 
 represented the evil infallible to his thought, which 
 was morally impossible. 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 apprehension 
 that somebody beside myself had hemmed also. My 
 companion, whose countenance being tinned as pale 
 as death, expressed the excess of his fears, would 
 have run away, had not the voice come from the 
 very way we were to go. " Now," said he, (hardly 
 able to utter his words for trembling) "you are, I 
 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 weeping, 
 saying, he wished he had missed the getting of that 
 money which was likely to be dearly earned. I must 
 confess I began to be a little apprehensive of dan- 
 ger, and wished myself sale away, but concealed my 
 thoughts, heartening them as well as I could, and 
 representing the danger equal, either moving for- 
 wards or standing stUl, I at last pcrsViaded Ihein to 
 go on.
 
 IZ 1HE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 We were scarcely gone forty paces farther before 
 we perceived, at a considerable distance, some- 
 thing like a man, with another creature, but pre- 
 sently lost them among the trees before we could 
 have a full view of them ; which made every one of 
 us conceive a ditfercnt idea of what we had seen. 
 Alvararlo would have it it was a giant and a man of 
 common size witii him, and both armed cap-a-pie. 
 
 The poor lad, who was already as bad as a slave, 
 being bound to a severe, ill-tempered master, feared 
 death more than bondage, so took what he had 
 seen for some she-bear an<l one of her whelps with 
 her to make her yet more dreadful; and, by all 
 means, woidd have thrown himself into the lake, in 
 order to get at the other side of the rock : thus the 
 danger appeared to each of ihem to be what they 
 dreaded most; but I was somewhat better composed 
 in mind than they. I gave the object I saw the 
 likeliest rc-emblance the time it was in sight would 
 permit, which I could adapt to nothing but a man 
 of common size, and somewhat like a dog with 
 him ; so persisting in my opinion, made them waver 
 in theirs: thus we went on something better com- 
 posed. 
 
 Being gone about an hundred yards farther, we 
 saw the same agiin, but nearer hand and without 
 interruption, the place being pretty clear of trees; 
 thus, having a full view, we were all, to our griat 
 satisfaction, convinced that what had been taken 
 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 perceived us, pre- 
 vented our discerning what animal it was; but the 
 man, who walked on apace, soon came within the 
 leacii of a more certain discernment, and appeared 
 to be a venerable old man, with a worshipful white 
 b<?ard which covered his naked breast, and a long 
 heart of hair of the same colour, which, spreading 
 over bia shoulders, bung down to his loins.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 13 
 
 His presence, which inspired respect more than 
 fear, soon recalled the frightened folks' scared senses, 
 ■who, to recover their faint - heartedness, excused 
 themselves by tlie misrepresentation distance causes 
 in objects. The old man, who by that time was 
 come near enough to discern our speaking Englisli, 
 let fall a bundle of sticks he had under one arm and 
 a hatchet he carried in the other hand, and runs to 
 to me, being the next to him, embracing me, and 
 saying, 
 
 " Dear countrymen, for I hear you are English- 
 men, by what accident are you come hither? a 
 place, tlie approach whereof is defended by a tliou- 
 sand perils and dangers, and not to be come at but 
 by a narrow escape of death. Are ye shipwrecked J" 
 
 " No, thank God," said I, "most reverend father, 
 it was mere curiosity that brooght us hither ; these 
 perils which you say defend the approach of this 
 island being absent 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 me in this safe and peaceable spot 
 of land. 1 was shipwrecked, thanks to my Maker ! 
 and was saved by being cast away." 
 
 " I conceive, sir," said I, " you have been chaced 
 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 trom a place 
 so remote trom human assistance, wliich your age 
 makes you stand in need of." 
 
 " Thai's your mistake," replied the old man : 
 "he who trusts in God needs no other help." 
 
 " I allow that, sir," said I ; " but our trust in 
 God doth not require us to cast away, or desoise, 
 the help of man. 1 do not in tlie least question vouf 
 piety, but mistrust the frailty of nature and deDiluy
 
 14 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 of age ; therefore would have yon come and live 
 within the reach of attendance. You may, without 
 slackening your devotion, live in the world ; yoa 
 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 Uie universe, 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 %vilh me ; and if, after you have seen 
 how I live here, you persist in your advice, I will 
 say you have no notion of a happy life." 
 
 " I have, good sir," said I, " already seen, with 
 great admiration, your matchless habitation; but 
 there are other necessaries your age requires, as 
 clothes to exclude the injuries of the air, and meat 
 suitable to the weakness of your stomach." 
 
 " That is your mistake," replied the old man : " I 
 want for no clothes ; I have a change for every 
 season of the year; I am not confined to fashions, 
 but suit my own conveniences. Now this is my 
 summer dress; and I put on warmer as the weather 
 grows colder : and for meat, 1 have fish, flesh, and 
 fowl, and as choice as any man can wish for. 
 Come, you shall dine with me, and ten to one but 
 I may give you venison, and perhaps a dish of wild 
 fowl too; let us go and see what Providence has 
 sent ns." So we went to a wood about a mile far- 
 ther, where he had fastened several low nets in 
 ditferent gaps in the thickset; in one of which hap- 
 pened to be an animal something like a fawn, twice 
 as big as a hare, the colour of a fox, and faced and 
 footed like a goat. " Did I not tell you," said the 
 good man, " I might chance to give you venison ? 
 Now let us 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 
 was fastened a bag of the same to receive the fowls, 
 who iu the night, being stopped by the net, fluttered
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 15 
 
 to the bottom. There also happened to be game ; a 
 couple of fowls made like voodcocks 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, it is but going luilf a mile or thereabouts." 
 
 " There is no need. Sir," said I, " for any more ; 
 there are but four of us, and here is 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 tliem." 
 
 " Very well," said the old man, " it is but 
 going about a inile, 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 pleasant walk, all the while diverted with 
 the sweet hannony of a number of fine birds. Look 
 here ; this complaisance often puts men to a world 
 of needless trouble : come, we'll make a shift to 
 pick a dinner out of these." 
 
 " Sir," said I, " it is^no shift where there is such 
 plenty." 
 
 ^ Plenty !" said the old man, " why I tell ye, 
 this is a second garden of Etlen ; only here is no 
 forbidden fruit, nor women to tempt a man." 
 
 " I see. Sir," said I, " Providence supplies you 
 plentifully with necessaries, if age does not deprive 
 you of strength." 
 
 " Age I" replied the old man, " why I am not so 
 old as t.'iat comes to, neither : I was but eighl-and- 
 twenty when I was cast away, and that is but fifty 
 years ago. Indee I, if I lived as you do that 
 dwell in the wise world, who hurry on your days 
 as if your end came on too slow, I might be ac- 
 counted old." 
 
 " I do not gainsay, reverend father, but that
 
 16 THE ENGLISH HERHIT. 
 
 j'on bear your age wonderfully well ; but a multipli- 
 city of days must make the strongest nature bend : 
 yes, time will break the toughest constitution, and, 
 by what you say, you have seen a considerable 
 number of years." 
 
 " Yes," replied the old man, " a few days have 
 run over my head ; but I never strove to out-ran 
 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 strength and clearness that the sound 
 made my ears tingle for some minutes after. 
 
 " Indeed, Sir," said I, " you have so far out- 
 done what I can pretend to do, that) I will not pre 
 sume to imitate you." 
 
 "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 ott. 
 
 "I will endeavour. Sir," said I, "to roll it; 
 for I dare say 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," said the old gentleman, " I fijjd 
 that must be work for me." With that he goes, 
 takes up the stone, and tosses it to the place he bid 
 me bring it. " I see," said he, " you have exerted 
 your strength too often, which makes you now so 
 weak : well, you see the advantage of living re- 
 mote from the world. Had you had less of human 
 assistance, I am apt to believe you would not want 
 it so soon as you are likely to do. Come, let us 
 make much of that little strength we have left, 
 taking necessary support at proper times; it is now 
 past noon, therefore let us lose no time, but haste 
 noine 10 get our dinner ready." 
 
 So we went back to the place where tie bundle
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 17 
 
 of Sticks lay, which we made the young: fellow with 
 us carry, and went directly to the kitchen, where, 
 whilst he made a fire, one cast the animal, and the 
 other two pulled the fowls. 
 
 " I am sorry," said the old man, " you must 
 take that trouble, but your presence has Iri-hteiied 
 away my servant, who used to do that work for 
 me." 
 
 " Have you a servant, then. Sir V said I. 
 
 "Yes," said he, "and one a native of this 
 island." 
 
 "Then I find. Sir," said I, "this island is in- 
 habited." 
 
 " Yes," answered the old man, "with monkeys 
 and myself, but nobody else, thank God; other\w.se, 
 I can tell you, I should hardly have lived so long." 
 
 "Then, Sir," said I, " I suppose that was it we 
 saw run up a tree?" 
 
 " Yes," said he, " my monkey, like myself, loves 
 not much company." 
 
 " Pray, Sir," said I, "how did you bring him so 
 well under command, as to keep him with you 
 when he has 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 sutler him amongst them, so 
 he was forced to remain with me. I iiad another 
 before this ; but he, I may say, was sent by Provi- 
 dence, both to be a help and diversion to ji.e ; 
 for he was so knowing that lie took a great deal of 
 labour off my hands, and dispersed many auxions 
 hours, which the irksomeness of my solitude had 
 created. It is now about twelve y(!3"s since; 
 for I keep a memorial, which indeed I designed to 
 have been a journal ; but I unTortunately let the 
 regular order of the days slip out of my memory ; 
 however, I observed a seventh day, and reckoned 
 
 c
 
 18 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 the years from winter to winter ; so I cannot v.ell 
 mistake. 
 
 " One day, when I had roasted a quantity of 
 roots, which I eat instead of bread, liaving 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 Ihe air in. 
 
 " Having walked an honr or two, I returned 
 home, where I found a monkey, whom the smcil 
 of the hot roots had broiiijht ; who, during my 
 absence, had been eating. My presence very much 
 surprized him, yet he still kept his place, only dis- 
 conlinned eating, staring me in the lace : the unex- 
 pected guest at once startled me and tilled me 
 M'ilh admiration; for, certainly, no creature of its 
 kind could be compared 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 extraordinary beauty of the 
 creature rai>ed in me an ardent desire to keep 
 him ; but 1 despaired of ever making him tame, 
 being come to his full growth : therefore, having 
 resolved to k<jep him tied, I went in and shut 
 the door. The beast, which, till then, had not 
 offered to make his escape, appeared very much 
 . disturbed, and stared about him for some place to 
 get out at. Perceiving his disorder, I did iiot 
 advance, but turned my back to him, to give liim 
 time to compose himself, which he in a short time 
 did, as appeared by his falling to eat again ;' which 
 made me conceive hopes that I should in time 
 make him familiar. Having about me stale roasted 
 roots which eat much pleasanter than the fresh and 
 are less stutting, I threw some at him, at which he 
 seemed di.-pleased, and stood still a while staring in 
 my face; but my looking well pleased, which I believe 
 the animal was sensible of, made him pick them 
 up and fall to eating with a fresh appetite. I was 
 overjoyed at his easy composure ; so reached him
 
 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 19 
 
 water in a shell, that the want of nothing might 
 induce liim to a retreat. I set it down as near 
 him as I could without disturbing him ; he came 
 to it very orderly, and, having drunk his fill, he 
 laid it down and looked me in the face, care'essly 
 scratching his backside : seeing he had done, I ad- 
 vanced and took away the shell, at which he never 
 stirred. 
 
 " 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 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, 
 and continued very quiet till the next morning 
 when I got up ; at which time he was also watching 
 my actions. I made very much of him, wliich he 
 took very composedly, standing still to be stroked. 
 Then indeed I thought myself in a manner secure 
 of him, and gave him his belly-full, as I had done 
 the day before ; but having a pressing occasion to 
 go out, I went to the door, thinking to shut him in 
 till my return ; but he followed me so close that 
 I could not open it without endangering his getting 
 out, which, tliough he appeared pretty tame, I did 
 not care to venture, our acquaintance being so 
 very new ; yet, as I was obliged to go, I ran the 
 hazard : so I opened the door by degrees, that, in 
 case the beast should ofter to run, I might take 
 the opportunity to slip out and keep him in ; but 
 the creatine never ottering to ^o 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 surprize, as well as satisfaction, he 
 readily returned with me, having waited my time : 
 yet, as I had occasion to go out the second time, 
 wanting sticks to make a fire, for which I was 
 
 C 2
 
 30 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 obliged to go near the place where most of his 
 kind resorted, I was afraid to trust him with me, 
 lest he should be decoyed by the others ; therefore, 
 having taken up a bundle of cords with which I 
 tie up my faggots, I watched an opportunity to 
 get out and leave him behind : but the beast was 
 certainly apprehensive of my design, for he always 
 kept near tiie door, looking steadfastly at my 
 bundle of cords as desirous of such another; which 
 I not having for him, cut a piece off mine, and 
 gave it him ; and, seeing I could not leave him 
 behind, I ventured to let him go with me, which 
 he did very orderly, never ottering to go one step 
 out of the way ; though 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 sufficient 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 sooner 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, that was abund- 
 antly too large a load for him. 
 
 "Our faggots being made, I took up that which I 
 had made to see how he \vould go about taking 
 up his ; which being much too heavy for him he 
 could not lift : so, 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 shifts he made, I gave him mine and took 
 up his : the poor animal appeared overjoyed at 
 the exchange ; therefore cheerfully took up the 
 bundle and followed me home. 
 
 " Seeing myself, according to all probability, sure 
 of the dear creature, whose late actions gave me 
 such ground to hope from him both service and 
 pleasure, I returned my hearty thanks to kind Pro-
 
 THE ENGLISH RER3IZT. 2] 
 
 vidcnce for Jts late prodigioHS gift ; for certainly 
 it was never lieard of before, tliat in a desert place 
 one of those wild animals who fly at the single ap- 
 pearance of a human creature should volnnfarily 
 give itself to a man, and from the very beginning 
 be so docile and tractable. Oh ! siuely it was en- 
 dued with more than natural instinct, for perfect 
 reason was seen in all its actions ! Indeed I was 
 happy whilst I had him; but my happiness, alas! 
 was not ol long standing." 
 
 As he spoke, I perceived tears in bis eyes. 
 " Pray, Sir," said I, " what became of that 
 wonderful creature V 
 
 " Alas !" said he, " he was killed by monkeys of 
 the other kind, which fell upon him one day as 
 he was going for water by himself: for the poor 
 dear creature was grown so knowing that if at any 
 time either firing or water was wanted, I had 
 nothing to do but give him the bundle of cords or 
 the empty vessel, and he would straight go and 
 fetch either : in short he wanted nothing but 
 speech to complete him for human society." 
 
 " Indeed, Sir," said I, " I cannot blame yon 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." 
 
 " Oh ! not by far," replied the old man : " indeed 
 he goes about with me, and will carry a faggot or 
 a vessel of water, pick a fowl, turn the spit or 
 string when meat is roasting ; yet he is nothing 
 like my late dear Beau-fidelle, for so I called 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 six hours ; I had occasion to go out, and hap- 
 pened to leave my pen and ink upon tlie table, and 
 the parchment I had been writing on close by 
 it : I was no sooner gone, but the mischievous
 
 22 THE ENGLISH HEBMIT. 
 
 beast falls to work scribbling over every •word I 
 had been writing; ; and, when he had done, he lays 
 it by in the chest, as he saw me do what I had 
 written, and takes ont another, which he does the 
 same 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 six months writing. 
 Indeed I was anjiry and could have beaten him; 
 but that I considered my revenge would not have 
 repaired- the damage, but rather perhaps added to 
 my loss, by making the beast run away." 
 
 "Pray, Sir," said 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 unsought for; 
 having lost both time and labour about getting one 
 in the room of him I had so unfortunately lost. 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 tliey watch all oppor- 
 tunities to catch all they can of the contrary sort, 
 wLich they immediately strangle ; which keeps their 
 increase very backward, that would Otherwise grow 
 too numerous for the food the island produces ; 
 which, is I believe, the cause of their animosity. 
 
 " About eight years ago, which is about the time 
 I have had this beasr, I was walking under one of 
 the clusters of trees where the green sort 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 sm;dl distance from me this 
 creature dropt otf a tree and lay for dead, which 
 being of the grey kind njade me wonder less at the 
 accident. I went and took him up ; and acci- 
 dentally handling his throat I opened his windpipe, 
 which was almost squeezed close by that which 
 
 I
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 23 
 
 took him, which my sudden coining frevented 
 from strangling quite. I was extremely well pleased 
 at this event, by which I 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 L soon might 
 recover it quite ; so hastened home \\ ini it, gave it 
 warm milk and laid it on my bed: so that with 
 careful nursing I quite recovered him; and with 
 good keeping made the rogue thrive to that degree 
 that he has outgrown the rest of his kind." 
 
 " No question, Sir," said I, " having taken such 
 pains witli him, you love him as well as his pre- 
 decessor." 
 
 *' I cannot say so neither," replied the old man ; 
 " though I cannot say but that I love the creature: 
 but its having the ill fortune to be of thaf unlucky 
 kind which was the death of my dear Beau tidelle 
 in a great measure lessens my alt'ectinn. Hesides, 
 he falls so short both of his merit and beauty, that 
 I must give the (feceased the preference : and was 
 it not for his cunning tricks, which often divert me, 
 I shoidd hardly value him at all ; but he is so very 
 cunning and facetious that he makes nie love him, 
 notwithstanding I mortally hate his kind. I must 
 diveit you, whilst dinner is getting ready, with an 
 account of some of his tricks. 
 
 " Being extremely fond of mc, he very seldom 
 would be from me, but followed me every a\ here ; 
 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 
 me busy writing, go and fetch what 4iappened to 
 be taken. 
 
 " One day, finding a fowl in the net-bag, he 
 pulled it alive as he brought it home ; so that I 
 could not see any thing whereby to disctru its 
 kind. As soon as he came in, he set it down with 
 such motions as expressed joy : (he poor naked
 
 24 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 fowl wa? no sooner out of his clutches than it took 
 to Its legs, for want of winjs ; its sudden escape 
 so surpri/.ed the captor that he stood amazed for a 
 while, which gave the poor creature time to gain a 
 considerable scope of ground ; but the astonished 
 beast, being recovered from liis surprize, soon made 
 after it, but was a considerable time before he could 
 catch it, liaving nothing to lay hold of; so that the 
 fowl would slip 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 liefore its pursuer, who immediately 
 threw himself upon it ; so took it np in his arms, 
 and brought it home, but was not so ready to fet it 
 down as before, for he held it by one leg till I had 
 lai I hold of it. 
 
 " I had a second time as good diversion, but 
 after another manner. One morning early, whilst 
 I was busy in jny cottage, he went out unperceived 
 by me ; and, having been a considerable time 
 absent, I feared that such another accident had be- 
 fallen him as that which had happened to his pre- 
 decessor; so I went to see after him; and as he 
 would often go and vi>it the nets in the woods, I 
 went there first, where I found liim very busy with 
 such an animal as this we have here, which he 
 found taken in oue of the gap-nets, and being nearly 
 as big as himself, kept him a while struggling for 
 mastership. Sometimes he would take it by the 
 ears, now and then by one leg, next by tlie tail ; 
 but could not get him ah>ng : at last he l.tid hoid 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, still made towards the thickset, wlrire he 
 certainly would have hailed the driver, had I not 
 come up to help him." Thus the old gentleman 
 entertained us with his monkey's tricks whilst 
 diuner was dressing.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 25 
 
 The dinner being ready, we went to tlie dwelling- 
 place to eat it, leaving tlie young fellow that was 
 with us to attend the roasted meat, while we ate 
 the tirst dish. 
 
 The old gentleman having laid the cloth, which, 
 thoughsomethingcoarse, being made out of a ship-sail, 
 was very clean, he laid three sliells on it about the 
 bigness of a middle-sized plate, but as beautiful as 
 any nakes of pearl I ever saw. " Gentlemen," said 
 he," if yon can eat otf of shells, ye are welcome; 
 1 have no better plates to give yon." 
 
 " Sir," said I, " these are preferable to silver 
 ones, in my opinion, and I very much question 
 whether any prince in Europe can produce so cu- 
 rious a service." 
 
 " They may be richer," replied the old man, "but 
 not cleaner." 
 
 The first dish he served was sonp in a large deep 
 shell, as fine as the first, and one spoon made of 
 "shell, which he said was all his stock, being not 
 used to, nor expecting, company ; however, he fetched 
 a couple of muscle -shells, whicli he washed very 
 clean, then gave Alvarado one, and took the other 
 himself, obliging me to make use of the spoon: 
 so we sat down, Alvarado and I upon the chest, 
 which we drew near the table, and the old gentle- 
 man, though much against his will, upon the chair. 
 
 Being set down, we fell to eating the soup, whose 
 fragrant smell excited my appetite ; and I profess 
 the taste thereof was so excellent that I never ate 
 any comparable to it at Pontac's, nor any where 
 before ; it was made of one half of the beast we took 
 in the morning, with several sorts 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 most, 
 there were green peas in it, whose extraordinary 
 
 .veetness was discernible from every other ingre-
 
 26 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 dient. " Pity," said I, " the access to tliis island 
 is so difficuit; what a blessed spot of land would it 
 make, were it but inhabited! Here naturally grows 
 what in Europe we plough, till and labonr hard for." 
 
 " Yon say," replied the ohl man, " this woidd be 
 a blessed spot of ground if it was inhabited. Now 
 I am quite of another opinion; for I tiiink its bless- 
 ing consists in its not being inhabited, being free of 
 those curses your popidous and celebrated cities 
 abound in; here is nothing but praises and thanks- 
 givings heard, and as for nature bestowing 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. Consider 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 
 nature, when it is the ettect and fruit of his corrup- 
 tion? So Nature, who attended the great Origin of 
 all things at the crea'ion, is now, by vile wretches, 
 deemed in fault for all theic wickedness. Had man 
 remained in his first and natural state of innocence. 
 Nature would also have continued her original in- 
 dulgence over him. We may now think ourselves 
 very happy if that blessing attends our labour which, 
 before the fall of man, flowed on him, accompanied 
 with ease and pleasure. 
 
 " Now these peas, which have so much raised 
 your surprise, are indeed the growth of tliis island, 
 though not its natural product, but the gitts of Pro- 
 vidence and the fruits of labour and industry. I have 
 tilled the ground, Providenre procured the seed. 
 Nature gave it growth, and Time increase. With 
 seven peas and three beans I have, in four years, 
 raised seed enough to stock a piece of ground, out 
 of which 1 gather yearly a sufhcient quantity for my 
 use, beside preserving fresh seed." 
 
 ■'No doubt. Sir," said I, "but when right means 
 are taken prosperity will attend."
 
 THK ENGLISH HERMIT. 27 
 
 By that time, having eaten fufficienlly of the 
 sonp, he himself wonhl cany the remains to the 
 young man in the kitchen, and fetch in the boiled 
 meat and oyster sauce, which he brought in another 
 shell much of the same nature with that which the 
 soup was served in, but something shallower; which 
 ate as delicious as house-lamb. 
 
 Having done with that, he fetches in the other half 
 of the beast roasted, and several sorts of delicate 
 pickles, which I never ate of before, and mushrooms, 
 but of a curious colour, flavour and taste. " These," 
 said he, "are the natural product of a particular 
 spot of ground;" where, at a certain time of the 
 year, he said, he gathered, for the space of six days 
 onlj', three sizes of mushrooms; for, though 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, Sir," said I, " though far exceed- 
 ing any I ever ate 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 ottered 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 eaten so 
 heartily of the meat; but having, at his pressing re- 
 quest, tasted them, my appetite renewed at their 
 inexpressible deliciousness, so I fell to eating afresh. 
 
 Having done with that dish, the young man, having 
 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 re- 
 lated to us the unaccountable manner he came by he 
 antelopes which supplied him with the milk it was 
 made with, which introduced several weighty re-
 
 28 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 marks on the wonderful acts of Providence, and the 
 strictness of the obligations we lie under to our 
 great Benefactor; likewise the vast encouragement 
 we have to love and serve God, the benefits and 
 comforts of a clear conscience, as also flie inestima- 
 ble treasure of content. From that he epitomized 
 the ditierent tempers and dispositions of men, much 
 commending timely education, as being a means 
 to reverse and ciiange evil inclinations ; highly 
 praising the charity of those pions people who 
 choose to bestow good schooling upon poor folks' 
 children, before clothing, and even food ; the first 
 being rather the most necessary, and the last the 
 easiest to come at. 
 
 That discourse being ended, he enquired very 
 carefully after the state of his dear native country, 
 which he said he left fifty years ago in a very in- 
 dulgent disposition. I gave liim tlie best account I 
 could, at that time, of all the transactions that had 
 happened in England since liis absence. 
 
 " The relation of past evils," said he, " is like 
 pictures of earthquakes and sliipwreck, which affect 
 tiie mind but slightly ; and though I think myself 
 out of my Prince's power, yet I shall always partake 
 with my countrymen's grief. Pray lie explicit. 
 What king have we now ?" 
 
 " A complete patriot, and father to his subjects," 
 paid I ; " both tender-hearted and merciful, en- 
 couraging virtue, and suppressing vice ; a promoter 
 of religion, and an example of charily." 
 
 " Then," said he, in a manner which expressed 
 zeal and joy,. " long may that pious monarch live, 
 and his posterity for ever grace tlie British throne! 
 And may Old England, by its faithful obedience 
 an 1 loyalty, henceforth atone for its past rebellions, 
 that it may remove that execrable reproach it now 
 lies under !" To which we all said — " Amen." 
 
 Then he filled up the shell we drank out of and 
 drank good King George's health, which was sue-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 29 
 
 ceeded with that of the royal family, and prosperity 
 to the church. Thus ended a most delicious and 
 splendid dinner, and a conversation both deiightful 
 and instructive. But having not as then mentioned 
 any thing about Ids own history, which I exceed- 
 ingly longed to enquire into, I begged him to inform 
 us by what accident he came hither, and how he 
 had so long maintained a good state of health. To 
 which he answered, time would not permit him to 
 relate his own history, being very long, and the 
 remainder of the day loo sliort ; but that he would 
 before we parted give it me in writing; having, for 
 want of other occupation, made a memorial. But as 
 to the maintaining of his healthy he would tell me 
 by word of mouth. 
 
 " The receipt," said he, " is both short and easy ; 
 yet I fear yon will not be able to follow 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 many powerful obstacles, the 
 world and the flesh from wliom your affections must 
 be entirely withdrawn, and all commerce prohibited, 
 H'hich is morally impossible whilst living ; therefore 
 tflnce you are obliged to converse with the world, 
 I will give you a few cautions, which, if rightly 
 taken, may be of use to you. 
 
 " Make 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.
 
 30 TUE ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 " Waste not your vigour or substance on women, 
 lest weakness and want be your reward. 
 
 " Secrets are not safe in a woman's breast ; 'tis 
 a confinement the sex 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 whom unlawful means advance to gain, 
 Instead of comfort, finds a constant pain : 
 What e'en by lawful artb we do possess, 
 Old a^re and 'sickness make it comfortless. 
 Be riil'd bv me, not to increase your store 
 By means ui.^st ; for 'twill but'make ycu poor, 
 Take but your due, and never covet more.' " 
 
 I returned him thanks for his good morals, the 
 copy of wliich I begged lie would give me in 
 writing, for my better putting them in practice. 
 To which he readily consented, wishing 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 
 8o taken with his company that, if I had not had a 
 father and mother, whose years required my pre- 
 sence, I would have spent the rest of my days with 
 him. I was so delighted with his company, and 
 pleased with his way of living, that I almost over- 
 looked my duty ; but, after a struggle with my in- 
 clination,! was obliged to yield to nature. Thus, 
 having expressed my vexation to leave so good a 
 man, 1 took my leave. The good old man, perceiv- 
 ing my regret to leave him, could not conceal his 
 to part with me.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 31 
 
 " Indeed," said he, with tears in bis eyes, " I 
 should have been very glad to have had a fellow- 
 creature in this solitary island, especially one whom 
 I think possessed of a good inclination ; w^ich I 
 perceive you liave, by your reluctance at leaving 
 tliis innocent garden of life. I imagine that you 
 have relations in the world that may stand in need 
 of }ou ; Heaven protect you, and send you safe to 
 them ! I don't imagine that you will ever see this 
 island again ; nor would I advise you to venture, 
 the approacii of it is so dangerous: therefore, before 
 you go, let me show you some of the rarities with 
 which it abounds." I told him I was afraid time 
 would not permit; but, as he said that 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 
 door, I asked what he did with tliem. 
 
 " 1 keep them," said lie, " for a trophy of Provi- 
 dence's victory over my enemies, and a monument 
 of my fourtli miraculous deliverance." 
 
 As we went along, he related to us the manner 
 in which he had been sacrilegiously robbed once by 
 Indians ; villainously infested twice by pirates ; 
 the ruffians having combined to carry him away, 
 like a slave to their own country, and there make a 
 show 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 : being come to one larger than the 
 rest, and which he said he frequented most, it being 
 the largest in the island^ 
 
 " Tliis," said he, " covers with its own branches 
 a whole acre of land ;" so made several remarks 
 on the wonderful works of Nature ; " which," said 
 he, " were all intended for the use and pleasure of 
 man ; every thing in the universe containing such 
 ditterent virtues and properties as were requisitti to 
 render life happy." From that he made se\erai
 
 32 . THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 more reflections on the fatal effects of disobedience, 
 which is accounted a slight breach in duty, but is 
 the mother of all sins. 
 
 That discourse held for a considerable time, till a 
 parcel <>f each different kind of monke3s having 
 met, fell to fighting, observing an admirable order 
 during the fray ; which withdrew our admiration 
 from the preceding subject, and stopt us awhile to 
 observe them. 
 
 The scuffle was very diverting whilst it lasted, 
 ■which was but a short time ; for they happened to 
 perceive us : at which they parted, each sort 
 running to their own quarters, which were not very 
 distant from one anotlier, so that from it they 
 could see each othe-'s motions. 
 
 " I am sorry," said I, " the battle was so soon 
 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 
 soon set them at it again." With that he took out 
 of his breeches-pocket some roasted roots, which he 
 commonly carried about him, to throw at them 
 when he went tliat way, which made them less'shy 
 of him. 
 
 Having broke the roots in bits, he laid them down 
 in their sight ; for they on both sides were peeping 
 from under tlie leaves of the trees where tliey har- 
 boured : then he cut a score of sticks about the 
 bigness of one's finger, and near a foot and an half 
 long, and laid them over the bits of roots : then we 
 retired to some small distance, and hid ourselves 
 behind the trees. 
 
 We were no sooner out of sight but they hastened 
 to tbe meat ; the green monkeys, having less ground 
 to go, were at them first, yet never stopt, but went 
 on to hinder the others' approach, wlio vigorously 
 -strove to gain ground. The struggle was hard, and 
 the victory often wavering ; each party alternately 
 gave way : at last the grey sort kept the advantage.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 33 
 
 and drove their adversaries back, who being come 
 wJiere liie sticks lay, ininitdiattly toolc them up, 
 and charged their enemies with tVesli coinage, like 
 a yielding army thabhas received new forces; tims, 
 with their cliib.sters in the front, they fell on their 
 adversaries with great vigour, knocking them down 
 like our Engli.^li mob at an election ; and so drove 
 them batk again almost to their own quarters. 
 
 In the mean time, stragglers of both the kinds, 
 who had not joined with the main bodies of the 
 armies, seeing the coast clear, and the provisions 
 unguarded, unanimously fell to plunder, and quietly 
 did eat what their comrades fought for; A\luih the 
 combatants perceiving, left ott fighting, and of one 
 accord turned upon tiie plunderers, who, by that 
 time having' devoured the booty, left them the field 
 without contending any farther. 
 
 The battle being over, the old gentleman would 
 have us to go on, " Lest," said he, " tliey should fall 
 to it aeain out of revenge; for those creatures are 
 very spiteful." 
 
 Having dispersed them by our advancing, as in 
 tended, Me walked from under the trees at the outside, 
 to have a better view of the rock, which, in some 
 places, he said, changes its form as one approaches 
 it. And, as he said, being got clear of the trees, ^^e 
 saw at a distance, as it were, a considerable nuni- 
 ber of buildings, and here-and- there something like 
 steeples, which represented a handsome city ; and 
 seemingly the houses appeared so plain that, had I 
 not been apprized of the illusion, I should have 
 taken it for such; but Alvarado and the young 
 fellow could not be persuaded but what we saw 
 were really buildings, and even in the island, 
 though the old gentleman made 'is stop a wlule 
 the better to observe everything; then bid us kee]) 
 our eyes fixed on what we looked at, and go on. 
 We perceived every particular of what we observed 
 to change its form ; that which at first seemed to 
 
 13
 
 34 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 be fronting, shewed itself either side-waj'S or back- 
 wards ; an(l so of every object, till, being come at a 
 certain distance, all the agreeablenc-ss of the per- 
 spective, of a sudden, turned into its real shape, 
 like a phantom, which whilst visible screens that 
 which it stands before, but, by its vanishing, 
 leaves it discovered. 
 
 Being come as near the rock as the lake that 
 parts it would permit, we could discern nothing in 
 it that could in the least soften its ruggedness, or 
 give it a more agreeable aspect, than those which 
 are represented in the pictures of shipwrecks. 
 
 The old gentleman, thereupon, made several 
 learned observations on the alterations that dis- 
 tance works upon objects, and shewed how easily 
 our organs of sight may be deceived; drawing 
 thence this inference, that we ought not to be too 
 positive of the reality of what we see afar off, nor 
 to athrm for truth that which we only hear of. 
 
 Having ended that discourse, he carried us to the 
 Other side of the jetting part of the rock, which, 
 advancing like a bastion ot a fortified wall, screened 
 from our eyes a second piece of wonder ; a fine 
 rainbow issuing, as it were, out of tlie month of a 
 giant, lying on a rock, reaching quite over the lake : 
 at the bottum of it I could not but stop to admire 
 the various colours it consisted of, which far ex- 
 ceeded in beauty and liveliness any I ever saw in 
 the sky. I presently imagined that it proceeded 
 from tlie rays of tiie sun falling upon some pond, 
 or other standing water, whose reflections rose and 
 met the tops, \\hicli caused that beautiful circle. 
 But Aivarado, who by wiiat he had seen before, 
 conclude I that the island was enchanted, said it wag 
 another illusion, which tlie place was full of; and 
 would have gone away, but that the old man fell a 
 laughing, and said — " 'Tis a sign you seldom enquire 
 ioty natural causes. Well, do but come a little 
 uearer to it, and you will find that which yoa term
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 35 
 
 an illusion 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 
 clearest and sweetest water that ever was tasted ; 
 but the place it issued out of was ciiant'ed from the 
 liiteness of a giant to that of some strange sort of 
 creature ; which, though having no particular re- 
 semblance, yet woid(l bear being compared to 
 several different things. The old man\s ooinion 
 was that it resembled a whale spurting waier oi.t 
 at one nostril. Alvarado supposed it was more liko 
 a horse or a cow, and rather the last, there being 
 horns plainly to be seen. For my part, I could 
 find no proper simililnde to it, but that of an old 
 ruined monument, whicii formerly lliey built over 
 the heads of springs. Timotliy Anchors (for that 
 was the name of the young fellow that was with us) 
 being asked what he could make of it — " Why,^ 
 really," said he, " noliiing, unless it be an old 
 patched up pump that stands at tlie end of my 
 mother's court in Rosemary Line, which every 
 spring runs out of itself;" which comparison made 
 us all to laugh. 
 
 Thus we differed in our opinions as to the like- 
 ness, yet agreed that it was tiie finest fountain and 
 the best water we ever saw or drank. What sur- 
 prized me most was the force wherewith it sprung 
 from the rock liiat stood full live yards from the 
 place it fell on, which was another subject of ad- 
 Jiiiration ; for certainly the arts of men coidd not 
 have invented nor completed a more compact or 
 pleasanter bason, though it had been for a fountain 
 to adorn a monarch's garden : indeed there were 
 no masons, nor any expert artists' work to be seen, 
 but a great deal of Nature's matchless understand- 
 ing: there regularity, dimensions, and proportions 
 concerted to make ii useful, convenient, and 
 agreeable. 
 
 D 2
 
 36 THE ENGLISH UERUIT. » 
 
 The b.i'on was very near roniid, about eight feet 
 diameter, a bank around i( near a fuot lii^h, ami 
 as broad at lop, slanting genily at tiie boiic)ni, botii 
 insiile and outside, wliicli made a mo«t pleasant 
 yaiul iinilorni bank, adorned with varions small 
 flowers and herbs of divers beautiful culours, and 
 •uost frasjratit sniells. 
 
 Having viewed with pleasure and amazemeni 
 snch regularity in a wild and uninhabited place, 1 
 walked about it as long as the time I could stay 
 would permit : I proposed going, but the old gen- 
 tleman, taking me by the hand, stopt me. " Voq 
 have," said he, " bestowed a considerable time it 
 observing the fertility of this island ; now pray 
 allow one minute for consideration : the object you 
 have been admiring all this time is as wondertul and 
 surprizing, as beautiful and pleasant. You see this 
 fountain, which runs stitf, and as large as your 
 thumb, and, therefore, by computation may be 
 allowed to give near a 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 
 same Ikeight." 
 
 " This, as yon say, Sir," said I, " is really worth 
 inquiring into:" so I went several limes 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 so well concealed : I have spent many 
 hours in that inquiry, and still remain ignorant ; 
 but have found the place out of which it runs into 
 a tine fish-pond, about a mile inland; we will make 
 it 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 a h«)lK)W 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 where figures stand. " Now," said 
 the old man, " we are here, 1 will entertain you
 
 * THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 37 
 
 wi:Ii an invisible c-lioiiis of hannonions voices, liiile 
 iiilfiior Id liaiiiboys, tiniiipfls, or oilier melodious 
 niiisick. Here I twice come and pay my devotions 
 each day." Alvara<lo, who, by what he ha<l already 
 seen, was prepossessed iliat ihe island was full of 
 enchaniinents, was now certain of it ; and looked 
 upon that place in the rock to be the receptacle of 
 fiends and evil spirits; so wonid by no n-eansstay; 
 but takes his leave, saying he was not very curious 
 of siipernatiual things. 
 
 "Supernatural," said the old man, "yon can't 
 ■well caJI it, thou^ih to yon it may seem very amaz- 
 ing : it is therefore well deservint; yonr sii;ht ; I 
 mean yonr hearing; the eyes have no share in the 
 entertainment: we shall only sing a few psalms; 
 1 am s.ire there can be no harm in that, but ralher 
 good, being a holy exercise in divine worship, in 
 wiiich all good souls ought to join." 
 
 " Thai may be," said Alvarado ; " but 1 love to 
 see those wiih whom I worship: 1 don't think 
 myself as yet company ft-r spirits. As for yonr 
 part," continued Alvara(lo,spcaking to me," y on may 
 do what you please; but take care your curiosity 
 don't cost you dear. Tim and 1 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 attronted. 
 
 " What," said he, " do your friends imagine I 
 deal with S] irits ? Hesides, where did th»-y ever 
 hear that devils loved to sing psalms? lor here 
 shall nothing else be sung: 1 would not for the 
 world that those admirable echoes, that hitherti^ 
 have repeated nothing but the Almighty's praises, 
 should be poIhite<l with the sound of any profane 
 words." I excused their timorousness, saying, it 
 'vaf not a failing pecidiar to themselves oidy, bnt 
 to many besiiles. The old man allowed it,attribut* 
 ing the. cause thereof to a very pernicious custom
 
 38 THE ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 nurses have to fii<;liten children vlien they cry, 
 wilh bn<;<:abo.<, anil such thins;s, to make them 
 quiet ; which frightlul ideas often make »iich deep 
 impression on thtir puerile minds that \vlien they 
 come to mature age it is hardly worn out, which 
 intimidates many. 
 
 That discourse bein^ ended, we advanced as near 
 that part of the rock as the lake would permit, 
 Mhich In that place was not above seven or eight 
 feet broad ; so hat we were within the concavity 
 of the rock. " Now, " said the old man, " let iis sit 
 riown on this bank, and sing the Hundred and 
 Seventeenth I'salm." 
 
 "Indeed, Sir," 'aid I, "I dont know^ it by 
 heart, and I have no psalm-book about me." 
 
 " Well then," said he, " I'll sing myself;" so he 
 begins; but with such a clear and loud voice, 
 managed with so much skill and judgment, that it 
 exceeded all the singiiHj I ever heard before ; and 
 was repeated by such a number of melodious 
 echoes ihat one wcudd 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 succeeding also ; the ecstasy having 
 quite put out of my mind the necessity of mj' going, 
 and the danger of delaying: but the go^jl man 
 having sung an evening hymn after ihe psalm, 
 which he said he sung every night, he takes me by 
 the hand : " Now," said he, " is not this emulaiion 1 
 Who would not sing with such a chorus of choristers 
 as you might imagine was there ?" 
 
 " Indeed Sir," said I, "this has so great a re- 
 semblance to the relation we have given us in holy 
 history of the superior joys the blessed possess in 
 heaven that I thought myself already there; for 
 which reason I would willingly end my days 
 here." 
 
 " This is impossible," said the old gentleman ;
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 39 
 
 "nor can yon spend here man)' more moments: 
 I lirtve the fish-pond to shew you yet; come, let's 
 go." So we went on abont fifty paces thence 
 iiioie inland : ^^e saw at a small distance, between 
 tJif trees, a parcel of fowls like ducks, but con- 
 siderably larger, which flew away from the pond 
 at onr approach towards them. He told me how 
 he came by the old one that bred them, of which 
 was robbed. 
 
 At length being come to the pond, I was surprised 
 at the clearness of the water, at the bottom of 
 vhich seemed to be large rubies, emeralds, jacinths, 
 and other coloured stones ; till, bein? come to the 
 brink of it, those which I took for precious stones 
 proved to be fishes by their swimming about, which 
 to my thinking, looked like stars, shooting from 
 place to place in the sky. Having spent several 
 minutes in admiring the surprising nature 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, 
 sinking in jind out here and there, which made it 
 the more agreeable ; all around it grew divers sorts 
 of herbs intermixed with flowers of different colours, 
 and here and there a basket on sticks, which the old 
 man told me he had made and set there for his 
 ducks to breed in. The day being far spent, the 
 old man, after having shewed me the places at one 
 side of the pond wherein the bason emptied itself, 
 as also the other side whereby the pond ran into the 
 lake, takes me by the hand : " Come," said he, " I'll 
 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 dangers 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 ahd hearty prayers for your safe 
 departure, and happy arrival." So ne weut to his
 
 40 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 habitation, where he gave me a roll of parchment. 
 " Here it is," said he, " written in a rough and unpolite 
 language ; for I did not compose it out of ostentation, 
 nor to ex*rt 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 
 elfects 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 to the afflicted, that 
 he who rightly applies himself, and firmly trusts in 
 the Almighty, shall at his extremity tind relief: 
 and now my intent is in some measure answered, 
 expecting you will revise and publi--h it when you 
 come to Old England. I must enjoin you not to 
 give it jis my own dictation, but a history taken 
 from heads out of my memorial ; for I have been 
 obliged to insert particulars, and use such expres- 
 sions, 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 censure I would willingly 
 avoid." I told him he miglit depend upon it I 
 should always, and on all accounts, be very tender 
 of any thing that could in the least h ssen the 
 merit of the subject, or tarnish the lustre 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 : say- 
 ing, with tears in his eyes, that my exit was a 
 renewing of his past grief, and would for a con 
 siderable time damp the pleasures be, before my 
 coming, did enjoy in his solitude ; since now he 
 again "had had the comfort to converse with one 
 of liis dear countrym.en, after full fifty years being 
 severed from human society. .The height of his grie>' 
 having for some moments stopt the uiteranee of his
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 41 
 
 words, he, sighing, laid his head upon my neck, 
 sqiieezins; me close in his arms. 
 
 This most tender and moving action moved me 
 to a reciprocal grief: never did any man reflect 
 with more reluctance than when I parted with that 
 good old man, who having recovered in some mea- 
 sure liis former tirmness of mind, his soul being 
 again resigned, we repeated our embraces with a 
 mutual attection. Tlien I took my leave ; but he 
 •would not part with me there ; he would by all 
 mean* wait on me to the lake I was to wade over 
 to come at the rock, on the other side of Mhich the 
 boat waited 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 wise permit 
 him. Thus having prevailed upon him to stay be- 
 hind, I prepared to wade over: so after a few 
 more embraces, I crossed the lake and came to my 
 impatient companions, who received me witli heavy 
 reprimands for trusting myself so long alone with 
 that necromancer. " For nothing," said they, 
 " shall ever persuade us a man can have such plenty 
 of dainties with only the help of nature : No, no, 
 he may talk of Providence as much as he pleases ; 
 he applies to the black art; and those voices he 
 calls echoes are his invisible imps, which, if truth 
 be known, are often employed in raising the wind, 
 and causing storms, which render these seas often 
 so dangerous : and it has been observed tliat few 
 or no ships come near those rocUa, and escape being 
 staved. For my part, I assure jvni, I don't think 
 myself safe whilst within the reach of his enchant- 
 ments." With that he takes one of the oars out ot 
 young Tim's hand, and falls to rowing. 
 
 " Indeed," said Tim, " as you say, he looked 
 very much like a conjurer with his long; hair and 
 beard ; and I believe he is conjuring now. See
 
 42 THE ENGLISH HEBMIT. 
 
 here is bad weather coming ; let us make haste 
 fiom these rocks." 
 
 Even as he said, in short so it happened, for in a 
 little time after the wind ro«e, and the sea began 
 to be a little rough ; so that I was forced to take 
 the hitchcr, and with it keep the boat from the 
 rocks, whither the waves very often drove us ; bot 
 standing out to sea, the wind grew more calin, and 
 fair for the continent. I took one of the oars, and 
 by help of our sail, in a short time we got safe to 
 shore; where being arrived, very much fatigued, 
 we put up at the first cottage, which was inhabited 
 by an old m:in and woman, Indians, where we 
 dressed our fish, and went to supper ; wiiich ^vas 
 scarce over, but I was hurried on board, the wind 
 being tacked about and fair for o \r departure. 
 
 We weighed anchor on the seventeentli day of 
 May 1724, and stood out to sea, and sailed south 
 and by east, till we arrived on the twenty-sixth at 
 Panama on Terra Firma, after meeting with some 
 
 ormy weather. Here we began to traffick, in our 
 way home, for some corn necessary for our follow- 
 ing voyage ; as also cotton, some metals, rosin, 
 gums, and pepper. Our stay was not long here ; 
 for we sailed thence on the fifth of June, the 
 wind then being very favourable : but we had not 
 sailed above twenty leagues when we met with a 
 violent storm which lasted some hours, and thp 
 wind blowing hard at north north-east ; wherein 
 we had the misfortune to lose our surgeon, one 
 John Davis, who, being imprudently upon deck, 
 was washed overboard by a prodigious wave coining 
 in at the forecastle. Our ship received no damage 
 in that storm ; but our loss of Mr. Davis was ver/^ 
 great, and worse than if any otlier man en 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 belonged to our ship, 
 he might really be called a divine. He was a man.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 43 
 
 '«'ho, as he told me, had been educated at Hart- 
 Hall, Oxon, in his early days, and desis^ned for the 
 sacred robe : but his genins very much inclining to 
 those most pleasant studies, viz. physick and 
 surgery, he afterwards made them his practice; 
 
 "btft meeting with some misfortunes about the 
 thirtY-fitjtl},,^egr of his life, he left England in the 
 yearjjl], and embarked on board the John and 
 Mary for ]Ne\^England, where he lived till the 
 year 1723, when our ship arrived at that country, 
 
 "afthat time wanting a surgeon ; for our own died 
 at our approach near flTe^continent. Our captain, 
 on inquiry, having an excellent character of Mr. 
 Davis, agreed with him for our voyage till we re- 
 turned 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 
 virtuous ; ready to serve, but never to olt'end, any 
 man. His morals were instructive to all those who 
 knew him, and his constant exhortation, while oh 
 board our ship, to frequent daily prayers, was the 
 reason we esteemed him the doctor of cur souls, as 
 well as a surgeon to our bodies. Nay, which is 
 still more, wliile he was with us, though he never 
 entered 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 after divine service, as I may call 
 it, was performed by him in a very solemn manner, 
 he would frequently discourse on the nature and 
 heinousness of the sin of man, whicli occasioned 
 the sufferings of Christ ; on the terrors of hell, and 
 the joys of heaven ; as also on the glorious creation 
 of the world, setting forth the works of Omnipo- 
 tence in very lively colours, telling the advantage, 
 pleasure and beauty that attended a godly life. 
 Sometimes his discourses would be oo nataral
 
 44 THE ENGLISH HERHIT. 
 
 pliiloeophy, which were extremely well delivered ; 
 at other tiiTies on some of the sciences, most of 
 which he well understood, and to which we gave 
 very great attention, as being desirous of such use- 
 ful knowledge : in short/his death was greatly la- 
 mented by tlie captain as well as myself, and iodeed 
 by all the ship's crew ; for he was a man of a quick 
 thougiit and lively apprehension ; had an universal 
 knowledge in things, entirely free from 'reserved- 
 ness, but of perfect humility and condescension; 
 most agreeably entertaining 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 
 needless to make any mention thereof, they having 
 been so well described already by our modern 
 geographers, nor is it in any-wise useful to my pur- 
 pose ; so that I shall entirely omit it ; and only give 
 an account of tliose places where we traded or 
 touched at for fresh provisions or necessaries, and 
 remark what happened most worthy our notice in 
 our voyage Jiome 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 sj'mpathy did I share 
 with iiim in the multitude of his misfortunes during 
 his minor years! Nor coiild I less sympathize with 
 him on the ecstacies of his hermetical lite. I read 
 with pleasure and amazement what he had labo- 
 riously transcribed, being at that time doubtful 
 whether it would ever be perused by any mortal ; 
 where he set forth a continued scries of misfortunes, 
 as if linked together by divine Provi<Ience (while 
 he lived in the wise world as he called it): and in 
 this account, during his abode on that desolate island, 
 denotes that the omnipotent Being had always an 
 immediate direction in every circumstance or point
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 45 
 
 of time. I was more and more astonished and amazed 
 by tliis good man's precepts, who has abandoned the 
 world, content to live in a desolate and lonesome 
 island, uninhabited by any mortal but himself; where 
 he has had ihe space of lifty years to reflect and con- 
 template 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 see that 
 dear old man, whose habitation is free from all 
 anxious cares, frnm oppression and usury, and all 
 the evils that attend this populous world .' There 
 would I abide, and never depart from that happy 
 solitude, wiiich he so peaceably enjoys — But whither 
 am I running ? These contemplations have made 
 me forget the remarks of my voyage. 
 
 We sailed from Panama on the sixth day of June, 
 and had frequent thunder and lightning,- attended 
 with seme rain ; but nothing else extraordinary 
 happened. On tlie lifteeuth we made Gorgona Bay 
 in Peru, where our boat went on shore to a village 
 on the main, with twenty hands well armed, re- 
 solving to get some fresh provisions at any rate ; for 
 we began to be in want, having taken in but very 
 little at Panama. It is a low land, full of mangrovt 
 trees, and, w itliin land, pretty high : the village was 
 but poor ; however, they brought away six hogs 
 and four goats, some limes, and plantains. Not far 
 thence are some gold mines, but of no great note, 
 as we were informed by some Indians. They are a 
 very warlike people who live on that coast, and 
 often engage one another with clubs and darts made 
 of hard wood. The island is about six leagues in 
 length. There a..e monkeys, lizards, hares, and 
 Guinea pigs ; also several sorts of snakes, some of 
 which are as big as one's leg, so that it is dangerous 
 to walk in some parts of the i^land : one of our men 
 happened to be bit by one, and did not live above 
 six hours after ; though his death had been prevented, 
 I believe, had we not met with that misfortune of
 
 40 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 . losing Mr. Davis our surgeon. Here, also, we canght 
 some mullets, and several sorts of fish, extremely 
 good, though unknown to us as to their names. In 
 this island there is a creature which the Indians call'^--- 
 a mundago, but the Spaniards a sloth, which I think 
 is its properest name ; for it is a creature which 
 seems to sleep as it walks, by its slow motion ; and 
 it is reported that it eats the leaves of trees, which 
 are its only food ; but is so prodigiously lazy that, 
 when it has cleared one tree of its leaves, it will be 
 almost starved to death before 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 ashore ; 
 and, in fciy conversation with a Spaniard, he related 
 
 to me the following account of one Thomas Jenkins, ^ 
 
 a Lancashire man, who was boatswain on board a 
 merchant's sliip, whose name I have since forgot, 
 who 'was left on that island, and lived alone there 
 wo years and three months ; but was first seen on 
 that island by some Indians who came from the 
 main for oysters, and oilier shell-fish, wliich they 
 frequently gather for the Spaniards. He ma^le his 
 escape from them, and hid himself in the woods ; 
 fearing that tliey would carry hiin to the Spaniards, 
 and by that means he might be made a slave ; choos- 
 ing rather solitude than to enter into bondage for 
 life. However, an English ship, trading on that / 
 coas., had notice of it Irom the Indians, and, ima- / 
 gining 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 seas, they sent their 
 boat with SIX hands to the isiand in search of him. 
 They took their speaking-trumpet with them, and 
 by that means, after about six hours' stay on the
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 47 
 
 island, they found him out. He told them that, at 
 his tirst being set on shore on the island, it seemed 
 very melancholy and frightful; when he began to 
 reflect on the barbarity of the pirates, to leave him 
 there without provisions, or any manner of neces- 
 saries whereby he might support himself (they 
 leaving him only his wearing clothes and his pocket 
 knife). If they had left him any lire-arms and am- 
 munition, his case would not have been near so 
 desperate; because he then might not have only 
 defended himself against any enemy, but likewise 
 have killed some goats or fowls for his subsistence. 
 He also said that what made him very melancholy- 
 was to think his habitation and place of abode was 
 where he could have no human society, and in an 
 island that he, at first, knew not whether there was 
 any thing on it for his subsistence, never having 
 been on that coast before- But the second day of his 
 being there, he took a survey of the island, and 
 found that there were monkeys, goats, &.C., and also 
 good liih. 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 plea-ed to find such good shellfish, 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 ; til! having nothing to employ 
 himself with but thinking, he remembtiied 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 toge- 
 ther, 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, wliich 
 was a delicious meal to him. He alterwaids begau
 
 48 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 to buiid himself a hut to dwell in, where he lived, 
 and dressed his fish and goats' flesli ; but could at 
 first only broil it, till he had driven two stakes in 
 the ground, where lie roasted it with a wooden spit. 
 As to fresh water, as I observed betbre, there were 
 very good brooks in the valleys. At length he in- 
 vented a way, by tiiickets, to ensare a goat some- 
 times, which furnished him with flesh. Here were 
 cabbage-trees, wliich furnished him with sauce to 
 his meat, it being very agreeable when seasoned 
 with the fruit of the pimento-tree, wliich 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 some young teal also, and, by cutting their 
 wings, and keeping them always cut, he preserved 
 them in a brook, just ty his hut, which he had en- 
 closed. Tliere they bred, and were tame. But, being 
 one day gone a pretty distance from his hut, a great 
 number of monkeys finding them out, and that they 
 could not fly away, destroyed them all. His clotlies 
 were almost worn out, nay, his shoes were quite 
 gone, and had been for some time; but lo preserve 
 his feet, he cut the goat skins in the shape of stock- 
 ings, and sewed tliem.or laced them up with thongs 
 of the same ; 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 reli.^h 
 either drink, or any kind of victuals which was 
 dressed on board the ship. I gave tiie Spaniard an 
 account of the hermit, to which he give very great 
 attention. 
 
 So, having refreshed ourselves, we sailed thence, 
 after a stay of three days only in the bay ; having 
 got a pretty many goats from the island, and some 
 luaize, or Indian corn. Thence we steered for the
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 49 
 
 Galliapago islands, but in our passage met with seve- 
 ral storms and tornadoes, attended with very great 
 rains. Some of our men began to be very sickly, 
 which we thought proceeded from their eating the 
 livers of some young seals tJiey had caught, they 
 being unhealthy. After about three days' sail, we 
 met with frequent calms. During this voyage, one 
 of our negro women, of whom wc had three on 
 board, being with child, and near her time, was de- 
 livered of a line boj', 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. ; bnt 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 negrp women who were on board, per 
 formed the othce of a midwife, and delivered her. 
 I had purchased a little wine at Panama, which 
 proved very useful to mull for Juno, tc 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 occasion. The 
 captain was somewhat displeased at this accident ; 
 but being unwilling (in so long a voyage, attended 
 with so many ditticuliies 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 ashore at Brazil, to 
 take care of the cliild. Tom readily agreed thereto, 
 but had some remorse of conscience, and began to 
 reflect; and was really very much concerned to 
 think that the child got by him (though en a negro, 
 yet she was a woman, and the child in likeness of 
 himself, and tirmly believing that it was really be- 
 got by him, and no other person) should be bred up 
 in Paganism. Accordingly, he grew very dull and 
 melancholy at the thoughts thereof, which he com- 
 municated to me, asking my advice about it. So I 
 persuaded him to be merry, and not cast himself 
 
 B
 
 90 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 down ; for that many snch accidents had happened 
 in the West Indies, before then, among the English- 
 iren, wlio never thought much of it afterwards. 
 However, this had no ettect at all on him. He told 
 me that, whatever crimes other people harl been 
 gnilty of, he could not reconcile himself thereunto. 
 Finding hini so very uneasy, I acquainted the cap- 
 tain of it : " All !" says he," is Tom nnder so great 
 a concern about the child's being not to be educated 
 in the Cinistian religion?" 
 
 " Yes, Sir," said I ; " and I am apprehensive 
 that it will grow upon him very much to his preju- 
 dice, he is so extremely concerned about it : for less 
 things tliaii that, I have known people grow melan 
 choly (as he seems to be); and they have entered 
 into a state of lunacy, and never coiiM be brought 
 to their former reason, bnt have laid violent hands 
 on themselves. As he is a very honest, good-na- 
 tured fellow (setting aside this slip)," said I, " I 
 •wish some expedient could be found .out to make 
 bim easy." 
 
 "Weil, then, Mr. Dorringfon," says the captain, 
 "we have the Common-Prayer Bt>ok on board; 
 and 'tis a pity we lost poor John Davis our surgeon 
 and chaplain : he could have ciiristened the child, 
 and tlial would have satisfied Tom." 
 
 " O, Sir," said I, " with your leave, as we have 
 no chaplain belonging to the ship, now Mr. Davis is 
 <ead, yet, as we are tolerated to bury our dead, 
 pray why may we not christen the living also ? It 
 can be no crime to do a good action." The captain 
 approved of what I said; so 1 told him, with his 
 leave, I would bo chaplain in that case, as well as 
 I had been man-midwife before : " But, Sir," said 
 I, " there is an obstacle that will hinder us still." 
 He asJvcd me ^^hat tliat was ? " ^^'hy, Sir," said I, 
 " we have neither godfathers nor godmothers ; and 
 you know that it is not accounte<i lawfid to perform 
 that ceremony, which is one of the sacraments, un-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 51 
 
 less it be done with order and decency, as the' 
 Church diiects." To which the captain replied — 
 
 " Is there not Mr. Clark, onr lieutenant ? I and 
 he will stand godfathers; and he siiall, as lie is 
 Clark by name, perform the office of clerk in the 
 ceremony." 
 
 " But, Sir," said I, "what must we do for.a god- 
 mother ? You know there ought to be one, and we 
 have no woman on board that is a Christian." 
 
 " Well then," said the captain, " the women we 
 have on board, by a little persuasion, may be wil- 
 ling to be christened tiiemsclves ; and, if they con- 
 sent, they are of age, and therefore capable of 
 answering for themselves, by which means they 
 may become godmothers, on occasion, to the child." 
 So, accordingly, the captain called for a botile 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 she had drunk it, the captain said — 
 
 " So, Diana, 'tis to be hoped that you wont be 
 troubled with the wantons, and play the trick your 
 sister Juno did. Pray, how does the child do?" 
 To which she answered — 
 
 '* 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 V 
 
 "Yes," says she, "me ver well know him ; he 
 give me ver gret goot stuff (meaning a dram)." 
 
 " But," says the captain, " you know, Diana, he 
 was a very good man, and used to tell you yoar 
 duty, and teach you how to say your prayers." 
 
 " Yes," says she, " me ver well remember dat he 
 be ver goot man." 
 
 " Why, then," says the captain, " Diana, what 
 do you think .of being made a Christian, and chris- 
 tened as we Christians are 1" 
 
 X2
 
 52 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 " Me mak Christian," savs she, " 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 V 
 
 " Yes," says she ; " they be ver goot prayer ; me 
 love dem ver gret mush." 
 
 " Well, then," says the captain, " are you wil- 
 ling to be good, and do as those prayers learn yoii 
 to do 1" 
 
 " Yes," said she, " me be always ver goot, me be 
 ver glad, me lern me prayer, me lern more, me 
 tank you." So, by the captain's advice, I read the 
 public baptism of those of riper years, and baptized 
 her; she answering to the questions by the instruc- 
 tion of the captain ; and we christened 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 dressed, Elizabeth carried it 
 to the captain, who sent for Thomas Higgins, and 
 told him that Diana was christened, and that he 
 himself, and the lieutenant, were to stand god- 
 fathers to his son, and Elizabeth godmother ; and 
 that it was to be christened ; and desired to know 
 ■what name shoifld be given to the child : to which 
 he answered his own, viz. Thomas. I never saw 
 snch an alteration in any man in my life as I imme- 
 diately observed in him ; so suddenly it appeared 
 that it surprised us all ; lor he, who before was de- 
 jected, even to the greatest degree imajiinable, now 
 appeared fully satislied in his mind; and, conscience 
 no longer seeming to fly in his face, he became full 
 of mirth and jollity. So, by the captain's order, I 
 christened the child in a very decent manner; the 
 captain and lieutenant stood godfathers, and Eliza- 
 beth stood godmother. When the ceremony was
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 53 
 
 over, the captain said— "Tom, as this child M'as 
 bt-'got and born on board my ship, and I am its god- 
 father, and as it is now a Christian, I think it pro- 
 perly belongs to me (thoujjh 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 lite, I will 
 see performed ; and not only that, but will take care 
 of it, if it lives, 'during my life, and see it well edu- 
 cated." So the captain ordered half a goat to be 
 roasted ; and he, the lieutenant, and I, with Tom 
 and Elizabeth, whom he permitted on that occasion, 
 supped at his table, and were very merry : which 
 so rejoiced Elizabeth that she, immediately after 
 supper, related what had happened to her fellow 
 negro woman, who was called Antiope : and they 
 both went to Jung, 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 sailed, on the twenty-fifth, at night, the sea 
 very much surprized us, it seeming to be as red as 
 blood; which occasioned Stephen Jones, who yas 
 upon the watch with some others, to call us up ; 
 for they had never seen the like before. When we 
 came tipon deck, we supposed it to be a great quan- 
 tity of the spawn of fish swimming on the water, it 
 being very fair. Having passed the line, we made the 
 Galliapagoes on the fifth of July, where we anchored 
 about a mile off the shore, in a good, smooth, sandy 
 ground. We sent our boat ashore for water, but 
 could find none. Some of our men began to be sick, 
 but none of them died before we arrived at Puna 
 Isle, in Peru; whence we sailed a little way up 
 the river Guaquil, where we saw a great many alli- 
 gators, and sold some of our goods : but the Spani- 
 ards being jealous that \^ came as spies, and be- 
 longed to some other ships on that coast, wmch
 
 54 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 ^,,*-^ere Bnccaniers, ■ne thought it best to leave that 
 place, having taken in some fresh water, and a few 
 provisions, to serve us to the Isle of Labos. We 
 stood out to sea, and made the island of St. Clara, 
 where we anchored on the tenth, for that night 
 (our ship proving crank, and sailin? very heavy), 
 the next morning, when we were preparing to sail, 
 we found that our ship had sprung a leak; so that 
 we were obliged to liave one hand at the pump con- 
 tinually. Before we liad sailed six leagues, the 
 wind tres^hened upon us, and the sky looked extra- 
 ordinary black at north-east, and it moved towards 
 us, which made ns take in our top-sails; and after- 
 wards we reeved our main-sail and niizen ; at which 
 time it began to rain, and poured down as if through 
 a sieve. The sea seemed as if it had been all on 
 fire, by the prodigious thunder and lightning. It 
 then being night, the elements over our head looked 
 most dismally black, but all round the horizon was 
 as red as blood : the waves, which seemed to dash 
 against the clouds, by the violence of the wind, 
 sparkled like lightning, which, together with the 
 thunder, made a terrible noise ; at last, breaking in 
 upon our deck, it carried away one of our anchors; 
 and we durst not bring our ship to the wind, for 
 fear of her foundering, it being dangerous, in a 
 storm, to turn a sliip backward and forward ; so we 
 were obliged to lie in the trough of the sea. ^ut 
 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 seen 
 aloft; but bad omens, and denote a great storm, 
 when seen on the decks. It is a small glimmering 
 light, like a star, when aloft ; but when on deck it 
 appears like a glow-worm. It is the opinion of 
 mariner? that it is a sort of jelly, incorporated by 
 the wind, rain, sea vapours, and air; because it is 
 i.ever observed unless in stormy weather. 
 
 We sailed right before the wind, which was
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. OS 
 
 south-west, bHt were obliged to keep continually 
 pumping till the eighteenth day ; when we made 
 the isle of Labos, about twelve at noon. That night 
 we got safe into the harbour, and anchored at 
 twenty fathoms' water, in clean ground between 
 the two islands : here we resolved to careen our 
 ship. Accordingly, observing (he time of high water, 
 we put lier into a cove in the soutliermost island, 
 where 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, 
 sea-lions, boobies, and penguins ; a sea fowl about 
 as big as a duck, whose flesh is very ordinary food, 
 but the eggs exceeding good : here also we found a 
 small black fowl, which iiiakes ho'es in the ground 
 to roost in at night, whose flesh is very good ; and 
 a great many vultures and crows. We had careened 
 our ship, and were in readiness to sail on the 
 twenty-sixth, and sailed 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 
 verbal accounts here of several men who have been 
 left or cast away, and have lived some time, and 
 very well on this island. Here we mended our 
 sails. There is plenty of very good fish of divers 
 sorts. It is very pleasant on the shore, and very 
 healthy ; so that the men who had been ill on our 
 voyage, perfectly recovered their healths; for the 
 green pimento-trees dittiised a very agreeable and 
 refreshing healthy smell all over tlie island. Here 
 we spent some time in taking wood on board, and 
 likewise in laying water up, which here is very 
 good; we also boiled a considerable number of sea- 
 lions, of which there are plenty here: we had also 
 plenty of young seals, which eat very well ; only 
 their livers are unwholesome : and at tiie soutii end 
 of the island we found some goats, of which we
 
 56 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 killed about thirty, which were excellent food. 
 Here were also plenty of turnips and water-cresses, 
 which were of great service to us in curing the 
 scurvy ; of which we gathered a very large quan- 
 tity. 
 
 So having refreshed ourselves very well on this 
 island, we resolved to steer for Cape Verde in 
 , Chili ; 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 
 some corn and maize. Here the people, from the 
 ill usage they had formerly met with from the 
 French, are extremely sharp and really dishonest ; 
 for if they trade with you, and cannot get tlie ad- 
 vantage 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 sailed 
 hence round Cape Horn, in 51o and 15' south lati- 
 tude, as our pilot informed me, I being only a mer- 
 chant on board, and therefore do not pretend to 
 make a metiiodical journal, only as I promised to 
 give an account of the mo.u material passages in 
 our voyage home. Round the Cape the weather 
 favoured us extremely, and notliing liappened that 
 was material, only that we were chased by a pirate- 
 ship for about twelve hours on the twenty-ninth ; 
 but the night coming on, it favoured us so that we 
 lost her. On the fourth of September we made 
 Faulkland's Island. Here we saw a gjcat number 
 of porpuses, which often leaped out of the water, 
 of an uncommon sort. On the fifth we had the 
 iii.sfortune to have one of onr men fall into the sea, 
 as he was throwing tlie lead ; and he was drowned 
 before we could give liim any help. A\'e had very 
 brisk gales at south-west. We sailed, and made 
 Cape St. Antonio, near the mouth of the river De 
 la Plata, in Paragua, on llie tweuty-fifih, the wind
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 57 
 
 south by west ; when we stood out to sea, and 
 made the isle of Grande, and the coast of Brazil, 
 on the twenty-ninth. We got a pilot, who con- 
 ducted us into the watering-cove, at the inner 
 Mestermost point of the island. In sounding as we 
 went in, we hardly met in any place with less 
 than ten fathoms w^ter. The island is about nine 
 leagues long, high land near the water side ; it 
 abounds with wood ; has monkeys and other wild 
 beasts; plenty of good timber and fresh water, 
 oranges and lemons. We had pleasant weathiM-, but 
 extremely hot. We here received a letter from our 
 owners, commanding us home, and not to sail for 
 New England, as designed. Here we got beef, 
 mutton, hogs, fowl, sugar, rum, oranges, and lemons; 
 so that now we did not want good punch. During 
 our voyage from the Galliapagoes, I applied myself 
 to the perusal 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 designed them to 
 be published at my arrival in England, to digest 
 them in a more regidar manner than I found them 
 wrote in his manu«crij3t ; but neither ad'ied nor 
 diminished ; nor did I m the least vary from what 
 he himself had wrote, as to the accidents of life ; 
 only I made some amendments which I thought 
 necessary: for his absence from England so long as 
 fifty years had occasioned him, in some manner, 
 not to be well acquainted with tiie language as it is 
 now spoken ; and, by his living witiiout any con- 
 versation so long a time, had made him, in some 
 measure, forget his own mother-tongue. Though I 
 really think, taking that into consideration, that his 
 account was very polite ; yet, had l)is life been 
 published, as in his memoirs, it would have ap- 
 peared very obsolete, and dithcult to be read, though 
 ever so entertaining. I accordingly collected all
 
 S8 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 the passages of his first twenty-eight years^ogether, 
 arwi thou-ht proper to make a book, or part by 
 themselves, that part of his life being diiterent 
 from his hermetical confinement on the island, 
 which at first sight appeared so full of horror, and 
 nothing but a pro.-pect of the most miserable con- 
 dition that could befal him. He no sooner looked 
 round hiui, depending upon Providence as a 
 supporter of the distressed, but he found almost 
 every thing necessary for human life on that small 
 island ; and he, who then thought of nothing but 
 immediately perishing in the most miserable condi- 
 tion, has lived, by the help of divine Providence, 
 in a safe and plentiful manner ; and is now so 
 inured thereunto that he despises the populous 
 world and its vanities ; he also considers its pomp- 
 ous glory to be of no more substance than a shadow; 
 and that there is no felicity on earth unless in 
 solitufie. 
 
 I likewise methodized his account, during his 
 residence on the island, in the former manner; 
 and made another book or part; which, wiih tliis 
 account of my finding him on the island, and my 
 conference %\ith him, completes my design : so tha»: 
 it cannot be called an imperfect description, but 
 complete, in three books. So I return to my 
 voyage. 
 
 In our voyage from Juan Fernandez, 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 called Liboya, 
 or the roebuck serpent, the report of which is in- 
 credible (in my opinion), but athrmed by some of 
 the Portuguese ; viz. that there are some of them 
 thirty feet long, the body being as big as a hogshead, 
 and "that he destroys a roebuck at one meal. Here 
 we trafficked for several sorts of drugs. We treated 
 the Portuguese very civilh', who supplied us with 
 all things necessary for our use. During our stay
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 99 
 
 horc, there arrived a brisantinc laden with negroes, 
 for the golden mines. Here four of onr men died, 
 and tliree ran away from us, the last of which m'c 
 had just occasion to be thankful for, rather than 
 sorry ; ft)r Timothy Anchors overheard them dis- 
 coursing that they designed to mutiny at our next 
 sailing, but was doubtful whether or no they might 
 get enough on their side to overpower the captain 
 and liis party ; and agreeing among themselves that 
 it was a very ditlicult matter to become masters of 
 the ship ; and, besides, considering the hazard they 
 run, in being punished, after such a severe manner 
 as they should be, if found out by any means, before 
 they could accomplish their de>ign,or if they should 
 fail in their attempt ; made them rather chuse to 
 desert the ship 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 usage 
 can make such characters perform their duty in 
 their stations. 
 
 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 sail, 
 but kept Elizabeth and Juno on boarrl ; the captain 
 resolving that she should live with him as his ser- 
 vant, and by tliat means he would bring up Tom's 
 child. We did not meet with any thing very re- 
 markable ; but after about twenty-four hours' easy- 
 sail, we passed the tropic, and the next day saw 
 land. We stood from it south south-west, and had 
 close cloudy weather all night, with sh' wers of 
 rain. When day broke, we i^aw Ascension Island 
 at about a league's distance ; and about nine o'clock 
 we came to an anchor. The sea is here very deep. 
 The next day we weighed anchor, and sailing north 
 north-east, till the seventeenth, with a fresh gale at 
 west south-west, we crossed the line. I'he next 
 day an ugly accident happened ; for we brought a
 
 CO THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 j-.inns; bear from Mexico ; and onr men bein<; often 
 iiM'd t<> play with iier and teaze lier, it proved very 
 lalal to one Tliad Obrian, an Irish boy, of about 
 sivteen years of age, who had been fretting the 
 creature with a small rope, which he made a noose 
 to, and slipped her hind leg into it, and so worried 
 her. Her blood growing warm, and >he being 
 enraged at his hunting her to-andfro on the deck, 
 where he happened to slip down, the bear imme- 
 diately seized poor Thady by the neck, with such 
 violence that, before any body could deliver him 
 from her paws, the poor boy's throat was torn to 
 pieces ; so that he died instantly. 
 
 We sailed but very slowly now, meeting with 
 continual calms, and directed our course for the 
 Cape Verde islands ; b it on the twenty-sixth we 
 had a heavy tornado, attended with lightning, 
 which fell as if the elements had been on tire ; but 
 it continued only for a short time : afterwards the 
 weather proved extremely fair, the wind being fidl 
 south. A sailor going up to furl the main top- 
 gallant on the third of November, in the morning, 
 saw land, and supposed it to be' one of the Cape 
 Verde islands, bearing north-east, distant about 
 seven leagues, smooth water, and fresh gales. About 
 four o'clock we bore north north-west, and went 
 with an easy sail 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. These islands are so 
 called from Cape Verde in Africa, anS are mostly 
 inhabited by Portuguese. One of them is called 
 Sal : it derives its name from the prodigious quantity 
 of salt which is naturally congealed in salt-ponds. 
 There are some poor goats on this island, and some 
 wild fowls. Here are flamingoes, a large fowl much 
 like a heron, but bigger, and of a reddish colour :
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT 61 
 
 they feed together in muddy ponds, or where there 
 is but little water. They are hard to shoot, being 
 very shy. . ^ 
 
 In St" Nicholas we traded with some of the Spa- ^ 
 niards for ambergris ; but they were very fraudu- 
 lent, having counterfeited it much. Here are some 
 vineyards and plantations belonging to the Portu- 
 guese, and wine much like Madeira, of a pale colour 
 and thick. The people are swarthy, and the inha- , 
 
 bitants live scattered in the valleys. 
 
 Wliile we were at this island, we scrubbed our 
 ship's bottom, and dug some wells on tiie shore, 
 where we got fresh water. Here an ugly accident 
 had like to have happened ; for one of our men, 
 going 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 smother, just before 
 it began to blaze out ; so that by immediate help 
 we got it extinguished. Very soon after we hoisted 
 it upon deck, for fear any of the fire should remain 
 and revive again, and because we would have it in 
 mind for our safety. 
 
 On the eighth we ^yent to the isle of Mayo, 
 another of the Cape Verde islands, but made no y 
 stay. We saw at south-west the island of Del Fago, 
 which is remarkable for being a volcano, or burn- 
 ing mountain, out of- which issue flames of fire; 
 but they are only discerned in the night, and then 
 they are seen a great way off at sea : notwithstand- 
 ing, tliere are inhabitants on this island (as I have 
 been informed by tlie Portuguese of the island of 
 St. Nicholas) who lived at the foot of the mountain, 
 near the sea. There are also cocoa-nuts, plantains, 
 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 same Portuguese) which weaves its 
 web between the trees; and it is so strong that it
 
 62 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 is difficult for a man to get through. Here are also 
 wild asses ; likewise salt-pits, where great quanti- 
 ties of salt are naturally made by the sun's heat; 
 with which they load yeaily several ships, and are 
 able to sell much greater quantities than they do, if 
 they had but vent for it. 
 
 Having dispatched our affairs at the Cape Verde 
 islands, we wtii;hed with the flood, having a small 
 gale at south south-west. On the seventeenth it be- 
 gan to blow, and veered to the south-west by south. 
 That evening we saw three sail of ships at west 
 north-west,' bearing, as we supposed, for the Canary 
 islands, as well as ourselves. The night coming on, 
 which was extremely clear and fine, we passed the 
 tropic 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 de- 
 note. Tlie wind was at north-west. We brought 
 the ship under our main-sail and mizen only, and 
 ballasted our mizen ; but yet the wind and seas 
 were too hit;h 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 
 foundered us, in case it had so happened : we also 
 lowered our main-\ard and fore-yard down a port- 
 last, as I observed the sailors called it, that is, pretty 
 near the deck ; and the wind blew so extremely 
 fierce that we did not dare to loose any head-sail 
 at all ; for, if we had, they certainly would have 
 been blown away. During the storm, it rained 
 exceedingly fast, which continued 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 six 
 the next evening we saw the Peak of Teneriffe at 
 about nine leagues' distance. We saw some flying- 
 fish and a trreai deal of sea-thistle swimming. We 
 sailed ail night with a small easy gale, and at break
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 63 
 
 nf day made the Canaries; bearing at north-west uy 
 west about tliree leagues. We crowded all our sail, 
 and came to an anchor in the harbour t)f Santa Cruz 
 in the island of Tenerirte, on the twenty-first, in 
 about thii ty fathoms water, black slimy ground, and 
 about half a mile from the shore. Tlie land being 
 for the must part pretty high, it is very bad going 
 ashore here in boats; and hhips riding here are oft*?n 
 forced to put to sea, or slip their anchors, by reason 
 the road lies so open to the east. Siiips are h re 
 Buppjied wiih good water between the coves, where 
 they generally water. 
 
 Santa Cruz, a small town frontin-^ the sea, has 
 two forts to secure the road. Here some English 
 merchants reside: their houses are low and uniform, 
 covered with pantiles. Here are oranges, lemons, 
 and otiier fruits; also flowers and sallading, and a 
 great number of pleasant gardens. At Oratavia the 
 country is so full of risings and fallings t.-at it is 
 troublesome to walk up and down in it: mules and 
 asses 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 ^lip their cables, per- 
 haps tliree or four times, by reason of the winds, 
 and put to sea before they can take in all their 
 ladins;. Here are wheat, barley, maize, beans, peas, 
 apples, pears, plums, cherries, pomegranates, citrons, 
 oranges, lemons, and several other fruits, excellently 
 good; also horses, asses, mules, cows, goats, hogs, 
 deer, and fowl, both tame and wild, in gieat plenty. 
 Provisions are dear on the trading islands, but cheap 
 on the otheis. 
 
 Faro isle 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 drop great quantities 
 of excellent water. These Canary i;lands are com- 
 monly the rendezvous of the Spanish West-India
 
 M THE ENGLISH HEBMIT. 
 
 fleet, where they generally receive orders for un 
 lading their wealth. 
 
 From the harbour of Santa Ctnz we sailed on 
 the twenty - fifth of November, to the Canary 
 Islands : here the soil is so fertile that they have 
 tv/o harvests in a year. Its commodities are honey, 
 waX; sugar, and the best of wines ; of which we 
 took in a sulficient quantity of each : here is also 
 dragon's- tree, which produces a red liquor, called 
 dragon's blood. These islands are exceedingly 
 wholesome, though they are inclinable to heat. 
 
 Having taken in the cargo which we designed 
 from these i^ilands, we sailed thence on the third of 
 Deceinbei for the Madeira Island, with a fair wind 
 at south south-west, and saw several ships sailing 
 towards the Lizard. The next day, at eisjht in the 
 morning, we made land, which was the Madeira, at 
 about four leagues' distance, and came to an anchoi. 
 Here are many fountains and rivers, which refresh 
 the country. It is a very beautiful island, exceed- 
 ingly fertile, and produces excellent wine, which is 
 very strong. We anchored in the port, which re- 
 sembles a half moon, not far from the town. Near 
 this island is another, not so large as this (which is 
 about sixty leagues in compass,^ called Porto Santo, 
 which atiords much the same commodities as Ala- 
 deira: here we took in about thirty pipes of Madeira 
 wine ; and, having accomplished our business, we 
 left that island on the tenth, and sailed for the 
 Lizard with a westerly wind. We had not sailed 
 above six leagues, but it changed to north-east, and 
 the sky began to be covered with small hard clouds, 
 very thick one by another, which we imagined an 
 approaching storm : accordingly we provided for it 
 by rjeving our top sails, and took in our sails as 
 fast as possible. The wind began to blow a very 
 brisk gale, and soon after the storm began ; the 
 wind still increased by squalls of rain and hail, 
 which came very thick and fast, and the s-ta ran
 
 THi »jNglish hermit. 65 
 
 very high, so that we were obliged to run before 
 the wind. We shipped little or no water, though 
 some washed into onr upper deck ; and with soine 
 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 veered to the west, 
 and the foul weather broke np, and we had smaller 
 gales, with some calms, and fair weather. On the 
 eighteenth the wind veered to south south-east, 
 which continued a brisk gale till the twenty-ninth, 
 and we kept right before wind and sea, the wind 
 Still increasing ; and we made the Lizard on the 
 twenty-seventh, at about three leagues, and stood in 
 for the land, an<l came to an anchor in King's Road, 
 January 3, ITU 5. 
 
 Thus 1 liave given an account of our voyage from 
 Mexico, as I promised, which I hope may not be 
 oflfensive to any body ; it being my intention to 
 divert the readers, rather than displease them. 
 
 N.B. The ship belonged to Bri^ol. I commu- 
 nicated the following memoirs to a friend in London, 
 in order to be published; which, if approved of by 
 the public, I shall, at my return, be very well satis- 
 fied. Li the mean time I have that business calls 
 me k) Peru and Mexico again ; in wliich voyage I 
 hope to see poor Phil, my good old hermit. Ani 
 80 I take my leave and end the First Part. 
 
 Edward Dorrington. 
 
 Bristol, Nov. 6, 1725. 
 
 Z'
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 A.V ACCOUNT OK THE BIRTH AND EDVC<TIO\ OP 
 PHII.II' yi ARM, ; AS ALSO THK MOST SI K I'K ISl NG 
 TRANSACI 10N>> OK HIS I.IKE, KKOM HIS INKA.NCV 
 TO HIS BKING CAST AWAY. TAKKN KKOM THE 
 MKMOIKS HK C A V K TO MR. KOWAKIJ L)OK K I SGTO.N, 
 THK PKKSO.N WHO FOL'.NU HIM O.N THE ISLA.NU. 
 
 Philip Qcari.l was born in Ihe parish of St. Giles, 
 in the year ltJ47. His father, Thomas Qiiarll, for- 
 merly a master biiiUler, having iinfortiinaiely niined 
 himself ill building, was at last reduced to work at 
 the hiburions and mean business of brick-making. 
 His poor wife also was obliged to lay lur hand to 
 the labonring oar, so went a charing: which slavish 
 and cuutiniiig occupation robbed her of the necess- 
 sary time to attend to the frnit of her conjugal attec- 
 tion, her beluvtd Phil, so that she was obliged, 
 whilst she and her poor yoke-fellow were drudging 
 to ge; hiin bread, to commit him to the care of one 
 kind neighbour or another, for a small consideration, 
 till he cimld prattle and .o alone ; at which time 
 she put him to school to a good old almswoman, 
 Where he continue(i till he was six years old. 
 
 One day a neighbour, who formerly had the cart 
 of tlie cliild in liis mother's absence, having con- 
 tracted a piuticniar love for him, being a very pretty 
 child; finding him, after school-time, sitting at bji
 
 . THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 67 
 
 father's door, takes him by the hand and leads him 
 to his mother, then at work at an old lady's house 
 in Great Riissel-street. 
 
 The housekeeper, who was naturally fond of 
 children, seeing this pretty child, takes him up in 
 her arms, and runs np 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 handsome ; 
 being tall for his age, and well-shaped, his features 
 regular and well-proportioned, his complexion fair, 
 his hair long and curling, his countenance mild and 
 sprightly, his behaviour gentle and easy : all which 
 qualifications rendered him completely amiable, and 
 made the old lady conceive an inclination for him 
 uncommon for a stianger's child, especially of so 
 mean a birth. 
 
 Thus having often kissed him, she wished he had 
 been her own. " But why," said she, "can't I do 
 f«r this lovely creature, though no kin to me by 
 birth ? Nature, who has endued him with qualifi- 
 cations so proximal and suitable to my inclination, 
 has, by sympathy, made him related to me. His 
 mother gave him birth, which, without prejudice 
 to her own life, she could not refuse ; now I'll give 
 him education, the principal and most necessary care 
 by which real love can be expressed to a child." 
 
 So, having given orders that a good school might 
 be enquired after, she put him to board to a master, 
 whose most commendable character of instructing 
 his scholars in their duty to God and man, as well 
 as in literature, had procured him a considerable 
 number of children of the best families ; where she 
 intended to have kept him till he was, in years and 
 learning, qualified for some genteel trade; intending 
 to leave him, in her will, forty pounds to set him up, 
 when out ot his time. 
 
 But now ill fate begins to show its averseness to 
 F 2
 
 68 THE fi,*GUSH HBRttIT, 
 
 poor Phil's happiness : the worthy lady died sud- 
 denly, and was interred a few days after, to his 
 unspeakable prejudice and tiireatening ruin. But 
 watchttil Providence, who had decreed him good, 
 averted the apparent evil, and only permitted some 
 interception to her purposes, the better to raise 
 his esteem of her succeeding favours when sensible 
 of them. 
 
 The master, having conceived a particular love 
 for the boy (whose uncommon docility, and extra- 
 ordinary aptness in learning, had overtaken the rest 
 of his school-fellows, though of a much longer stand- 
 ing), was very much vexed at the thoui^hts 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 lose 
 twelve pounds a year for a boarder. His love for 
 the child, whom he had in a manner adopted for his 
 own, would now and then rouse slumbering Charity, 
 whom self-interest too often casts asleep. " Pity," 
 said he, " such blooming wisdom and forward learn- 
 ing should wither away for want of cultivation." 
 Thus having pondered awliile, love and charity, 
 after a long struggle with interest, gained the vic- 
 tory. The old man concludes to give him his learn- 
 ing, if his relations would only find him in board 
 and otlier necessaries. 
 
 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- 
 tic ; he also made a vast improvement in singing, 
 having all that time been taught by a master, who 
 attended some boarders three times a week ; who, 
 finding an extraordinary voice, and natural dispo- 
 sition 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 per- 
 mitted it. But as he was as yet too young to keep
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 69 
 
 the scholars in that awe which is necessary in a 
 school, the master only gave him his board, till the 
 elder scholars left oft", and he was grown bigger; 
 intending then to allow him a sufficiency to main- 
 tain himself, as others in that station. But ill fate 
 still attends the poor boy ; the good old man died 
 in less than a twelvemonth, and was succeeded by 
 a superannuated nonconformist minister; who, hav- 
 ing not so prosperous, a school as his predecessor, 
 had no business for an assistant : so Phil was a 
 second time obliged to return to his poor mother 
 (his father being dead) ; who, not being in a capa- 
 city 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 credit- 
 ably, when she should be no more able to help him, 
 having, by her hard working and frugal living, made 
 snift to lay up five pounds, which she dedicated to 
 that purpose. 
 
 Poor Phil, who had conceived a notion that there 
 is a servitude and hardship entailed upon that sta- 
 tion, 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 npon some- 
 thing, to make his choice the more easy, he con- 
 sults the master's nature and temper, rather than 
 the goodness and profitableness of the trade ; and as 
 there lived in the neighbourhood 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 farthings 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 
 being very kind and good-natured, and the man as 
 diligent and careful ; so that those fears of meeting 
 with hardships being dispersed, he cheerfully worked 
 on, without thinking the time tedious. But this hap-
 
 70 THE EifGLESH HERMIT. 
 
 piness, though slight, was but of a short lasting ; for 
 the poor man,l)aving been bound for a relation who 
 failed, had all his etlects seized upon, and himself 
 thrown into gaol ; and poor Phil, in a year's time, 
 was obliged to go 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 seek 
 after 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 neiglibours' children. 
 
 One day, as he was playing at leap-frog with 
 other boys, there happened to go by one James 
 Turner, a house-breaker, who, takijig notice of his 
 activity, which much exceeded the rest, judged he 
 might be of great use to iiim in the practice of his 
 art. The meanness of his dress, whicli spoke him 
 of no considerable family, gave him room to hope that 
 he might easily get him : so, having stopped awhile 
 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 arin, saying — " Do 
 you mean to kill yourself, child, to go and drink 
 cold water now, when you are hot ? Come along 
 with me, and I will give thee a draught of good 
 ale : you shall only go a short errand for me." 
 
 " Will you, master?" the innocent boy answered; 
 " I will go your errand, if it is not too far." So 
 followed him to an alehouse in a blind alley, not far 
 thence', which he commonly used. 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 sat. 
 
 The seducer thinking himself secure of him, leaves 
 bim to take his nap, shutting the door upon him.
 
 THE ENGLISH V^eRMIT. 71 
 
 aTl charging the people of the house not to awake 
 him, nor let him go away when awake, till he re- 
 turned ; so went to get ready the implements neces- 
 sary to set his evil project into execution, having 
 determined to rob a rich merchant that night ; in 
 wliich wicked action he intended to make the harm- 
 less boy his chief instrument, by putting Iiim in at a 
 hole he was to break, and then to (ipen 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 shutting 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 custom, being used to orderly' hours; and would 
 have gone away, had not Turner, whose projects 
 would have been quite unhinged, used all the de- 
 vices he was master of to persuade him. First he 
 bespeaks a supper of that which the boy liked best, 
 wlio, since his being come from the boarding-school, 
 had been used to none but coarse meat, his poor 
 parent's ability affording no better: then, to divert 
 away the time he intended to prolong till liis oppor- 
 tunity suited, he told him sereral stories, and most 
 particularly that of his pretended uncle's unkind- 
 ness to lock him out of doors, and of his cunning 
 invention to get in at his own time, and unknown 
 to him ; hut that he was afraid he must be forced 
 to lie out tiiat night, wiiich would be his death, not 
 ';eing used to such hardship. Ti;e poor tender- 
 hearted boy, who could scarce forbear crying, whilst 
 he related this dismal story of his uncle's unkind 
 usage, asked him what was the matter lie could not 
 get in that night as well as at other tiintw ? " Be- 
 cause," replied the slj' knave, " the poor boy that 
 used to let me in is sick of the small-pox, as 1 have 
 heard since you fell asleep." 
 
 " What ! can't you get somebody else 1" said
 
 72 THE ENGLISH HEhMlT. 
 
 ■simple Phil. " I would do that for yon, if I conld 
 tell how to get into my own home ; for my mother 
 goes to bed betimes, being obliged to get up early." 
 " As for that matier," answered the subtle ser- 
 pent, " do not trouble yourself ; I will provide a 
 bed for yon." Thus, having removed botli that and 
 all other obstacles the boy raised, he persuades him 
 to stay. 
 
 But ever-watchful Providence rescues his ensnared 
 innocence. Some Lours before he was to go about 
 the execution of that evil project. Turner was ap- 
 prehended for a great robbery he committed the 
 night before in Liine-street ; and the boy being in 
 his company, was also carried before a magistrate. 
 But the justice understanding, by the innocent boy's 
 defence, he hardly was yet guilty of any robbery, 
 having regard to iiis 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 discliargtd liim, and com- 
 mitted Turner, who was hanged. 
 
 That accident, though very lucky by preserving 
 innocent Pliil from being made accessory to a robbery 
 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 willi him, 
 which grieved his poor mother. 
 
 The poor widow (being left with her unfortunate 
 son, who she feared would take to some evil owing to 
 want, which often tempts the innocently-inclined) 
 not being able, out of her small gettings, to main- 
 tain him as when assisted by her late husband ; and 
 seeing no prospect of his master's coming out of 
 prison and being set up again, endeavouieil to get 
 him into some place to wait upon some of her mis- 
 tresses : but the unlucky accident of being had be- 
 fore a justice of the peace, with a notorious house- 
 breaker, frustrated her endeavouris ; so that poor
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 73 
 
 Phil was obliged to continue with his mother, in a 
 very mean condition, which his honest mother very 
 much feared would induce liim to evil company, of 
 which the parish she lived in swarmed : 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 thoiiglits all 
 wicked devices. Thus, seeing no probability of 
 amendment in the station he was in, he resolved 
 upon going to sea, wanting for that employment 
 neither character nor recommendation, which he 
 was sensible would be a hard matter to get, by 
 reason 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 she once had hopes to see him well settled ; 
 she, with weeping eyes, implores the Almighty to 
 direct and receive him into his protection : and as 
 she was acquainted with no one that conld direct 
 and advise him in that matter, she bid him go to 
 St. Catherine's ; " there," said she, " you may chance 
 to hear of some captain or master of a ship, bound 
 for some short voyage, who perhaps Jiiay want a 
 cabin-boy; which is, my dear child, all that your 
 age and strength qualifies you for : in a few years, 
 with tliehelp of God, you may find some advantageous 
 opportunity to advance yourself by your learning." 
 So, having given him sixpence to bear his charges, 
 with a tender kiss, she goes to her wonted occupa- 
 tion, and he straight to St. Catherine's, where 
 Providence had prepared a master for him ; he 
 being no sooner come thither than a captain of a 
 ship, 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 '.he boy,
 
 74 THE ENGL\=.a HERMIT. 
 
 and his mild countenance, made a vast progress in 
 his (Hffction : ?o, luiviiig joyfully accepted his offer, 
 he desires that he may run home, and acquaint his 
 nintlier of it. Tlie captain, iiaving taken his name 
 and place of abode, ijave him half-a-crown to spend 
 with his mother, and then to come to him, at the 
 si.cn of the B ack Boy, near the Iron Gate; that 
 he need bring no clothes with him ; for he would 
 provide every thing necessary for the voyatje. 
 
 The overjoyed boy, having told his mother of his 
 extraordinary success, gave her the money, being 
 in great haste to return to iiis new master : so, hav- 
 ing embraced liis tender mother, and she her dear 
 son, weeping over one another for some time, he 
 leaves her at lier work. 
 
 The good woman, though 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 
 reconciled at his going from her : but, seeing no 
 remedy, she send? crowds of prayers afier him, 
 accompanied with showers of tears, reconi mending 
 him to tiie 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 but this newly intended voyage running 
 in his mind ; so he hastened to the rendezvous his new 
 master had appointed him ; wiio, not expecting that 
 he would return, was so glad to see him liiat he 
 went that moment and bought him botli clothes and 
 linen fit for the sea ; so equipping him anew cap-a- 
 pee ; then took him home, and, in a few days after, 
 set sail for a three years' voyage. 
 
 During their sailing, Phil, whose agreeable aspect 
 and temper had gained him all the ship's crew's 
 love, being often with the man at the helm, soon 
 learned the compass; and, by the instructions every 
 body o board strove to give hini, in a little time 
 ii« was qualified for a sailor; which his master
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 75 
 
 being made sensible of, whom he had often diverted 
 with his singing during that voyage, alljovved him 
 sailor's pay, the following voyage, which was soon 
 after; for, in less than tliree weeks' time, the ship 
 was new-laden, and set out again for the same 
 place, and was gone as long as before ; at the end 
 whereof, it returned home richly laden, and in a 
 shorter time than was common : which being put in 
 the news, as usual, prompted a certain number of 
 Drury Lane nymphs to go down to the place where 
 they heard the ship was arrived ; supposing that 
 the lusty sailors, having a long time been confined 
 to salt meat, would at their arrival, being flush of 
 money, pui chase a bit of fresh at any rate. 
 
 Being come to Gravesend, where the ship lay, 
 they found, according to custom, the jolly crew in an 
 alehouse, spending like asses, what they had earned 
 like horses, even before they had received it. 
 
 At the ladies' coming, the elevated sailors, who 
 had been sailing on salt water for the space of three 
 years, and since set their brains floating in strong 
 drink for six hours, having lost the rudder of their 
 reason, ran headlong upon those quick - sands, 
 where most of them lost all they had, before they 
 could get ofl:". 
 
 The ingenious ladies, who had more wit than 
 honesty, improved the absence of their understand- 
 ing; and, being very expert in the art of fathom- 
 ing, they fell to examining the depth of those 
 shallow-brained fellows' pockets ; which finding 
 very low, they were much disheartened from going 
 on, for fear of running a-ground : but, understand- 
 ing that their ship had not yet been cleared, they 
 cast their anchor there, waiting for a fresh gale. 
 
 Mean time, the merry sailors, fearing no storm, 
 gave themselves up to sport ; and, for better diver- 
 sion, every man takes a play-fellow, and goes aside, 
 leaving bashful Phil behind ; 'ho, being a stranger 
 to they game they were sjoing to play at, did not
 
 7(5 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 dare to pet in for a partner : but, cross fate still at- 
 tending liini, a snare is laid, in wliich lie must fall. 
 
 Every man, except modest Qiiarll, being gone 
 away with a wench; one being come, supernu- 
 merary, staid behind. The crafty creature, who, 
 from her first coming in, had fixed on ihe innocent 
 young man for fier quarry, kept at some distance 
 from her comrades ; waiting their absence to work 
 her design. 
 
 Unthinking Phil, having no su<:picion of her 
 cunning devices, lying entirely unguarded against 
 her sly attacks, stood no long siege, but capitulated 
 at the first summons. It is true, she was provided 
 with such artillery as no fortifications against love 
 could withstand, but would force tlie most stubborn 
 to surrender, or at least parley down the fore-runne' 
 thereof. 
 
 Thus having opened her basilisk's eyes upon him, 
 as being the first battering-piece the sex plants, 
 when they purpose a breach in a man's heari; she 
 charges him with a volley of engaging words, whilst 
 her looks and carriage ofter iiim such prevailing 
 terms as no man of any feeling can refuse ; there- 
 fore, being an exquisite mistress of her art, she 
 soon obtains her ends. 
 
 Poor Quarll, whose heart till then had never been 
 besieged, finding the invader more tempting than 
 dreadful, she having a very agreeable shape, charm- 
 ing complexion, and most engaging features, sur- 
 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 critical minute. 
 
 By that time, the absent revelling crew were 
 cloyed with their mistresses, and had dismissed 
 them with rough usage and ill language, of which 
 they generally are flush, when money is scant. 
 
 The disappointed wretches, seeing no redress for
 
 TSK ENGLISH HERMIT. 77 
 
 their treatment lately received, which they well 
 knew proceeded from want of money, concluded 
 upon staying in that place till flieir ship was 
 cleared ; hy which time their appetite being sharp- 
 ened again, and they flush of money, and hoping 
 they would also be better chaps; they took a garret 
 in a little strong-water-shop, where they made shift 
 to kennel together, and live upon short commons. 
 
 Our new married couple,^ whose money was but 
 scanty, were also obliged to put up with indifferent 
 quarters ; but the hopes of receiving the poor 
 husband's pay soon, and, withal, the thoughts of 
 being protected from a gaol, 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 she and all 
 the rest of her companions were disappointed. The 
 ship being unladen, the cargo proved damaged, by 
 the leaking of the vessel, 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 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 nevir 
 lodgings. 
 
 Phil, who, during his voyage, had saved a little 
 money, which his master gave him at sundry times, 
 being disgusted at the sea 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 what little he had, and arrived 
 pretty bare. Finding no friends in London, his 
 master being dead whilst he was at sea, he resolves
 
 78 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 to enlist in the foot-guards for bread, having no other 
 dependence ; so he consults with his spouse about a 
 lodging, till he had quarters appointed for him. She 
 indeed was '"est acquainted with the town, and 
 knew of several that would suit both their stock 
 and station, but durst go to none, having bilked 
 most of tliein, and left a score with the rest. But 
 lodging must be had before night ; and the day was 
 far spent; which set lier a thinking, neces.«ity being 
 vhe mother of invention : and she, as is peculiar to 
 women of tier employment, 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, though she 
 was considerably in debt, she questioned not but she 
 should still tind a kind reception, and that her land- 
 ladj', 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 tisage : so having fixed a rendezvous for 
 her husband, she hastens there ; where she found, 
 as was expected, the old woman as overjoyed as 
 Burprized to see her; and much more when she 
 understood she was married to a sailor, lately 
 arrived from a three years' voyage ; who in a short 
 time would be cleared, 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 welcome ; and that she hoped she 
 would take no other lodging but in her house ; that 
 she would make every thing as easy and convenient 
 as she should desire ; being as welcome to score as 
 with ready money. 
 
 The subtle woman, having gained her ends, goes 
 and fetches her husband, whom the over-reached 
 old woman receives most kindly, expressing her 
 lore by a quartern of all-fours, the chief commodity 
 of her house : that being drunk, was succeeded by
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 79 
 
 a seronil, at the new tenant's «.ost ; wliich being 
 brr.iii;til, Willi a clieeiriil wilroiiR' to as many us 
 Ihey |)Ii-a-til, enc<mra<;ed llie coming in of lialf a 
 dti/eii more : lhe«e warnieil the ciMiipany, ami 
 pariiciilaiiy the landlady ; who, having giicifd 
 Qnaill lor liis most happy tnaniage, over and ovir 
 lell upon praising his wife, whom she had l^nowii 
 for a long time; giving her all the encomiiiins that 
 viitiie ilsilf coidd deserve. 
 
 in this manner they lived about a fortnight, still 
 upon score; which increasing very fast, and no 
 prospect of money, it obliged the landlady to put 
 Ihein in mind; often asking wiien they expected llie 
 ship to be cleared. Qiiarll, who discerned, by the 
 cloud which appeared over her brow , a threalening 
 storm, begins to think of a harbour, and forthwith 
 goes and enlists himself in the foot-gnards. 
 
 In that mean station, which often is the last spite 
 of a surly fate, a continuation of misfortunes at- 
 tends him : the company in which he enlisted is full 
 of iriercers and sliopkeepers, who, for a protection, 
 took on in the- sei vice, and quitted their pay to the 
 covetous colonel, to be exempted from duty, which 
 made it fall heavy on the effective men : but kind 
 Providence, who ever limited the evil that attended 
 him by fortune, ordered this its vexatious influence 
 to turn to his advantage. 
 
 One day that he inonnted gnard out of liis turn, 
 being upon duty at the Park-gale next to Chelsea, 
 about (en at niglit, the place being clear of people, 
 he fell a singing, to divert melancholy thoughts, 
 •which solit de is apt to indulge : at that time hap- 
 pened to come by a colonel of the same regiment, 
 ■vvho, being merrily disposed, stopped for several 
 minutes to hear hiin sing : Quarll, having made at* 
 enn or nis song, fell a whistling the tune ; at which 
 tiie colonel came to him, saying — " How can you 
 profane such a fine tune with whistling, when you 
 can smg it so well ? Pray let me hear you do it
 
 80 THE ENGLISH HERHIT. 
 
 once more : and grace it with that good voice 
 nati^re has given you." Quarll, having made some 
 few modest excuses, yields to his pressing solicita- 
 tion, and sings the same song over again, and with 
 more care than before ; which so pleased the gen- 
 tleman that he stood half an hour with him, asking 
 Lim questions, and being by him informed whose 
 company he belonged to, having his consent to be 
 exchanged, 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, heing olf duty, the next day went to the 
 place, at the time appointed ; where he finds the 
 colonel, in company with half a score more gentle- 
 men, who received him with more civility and 
 complaisance than is commonly paid to men of his 
 ccat ; so, having desired him to sit down amongst 
 them, and the glass going round once or twice, the 
 colonel having praised his singing to the company, 
 he was desired to compliment them with a song ; 
 if he pleased, with that he sung to the colonel the 
 night before. Quarll, having modestly told the 
 genileintn he wished that his skill and voice 
 deserved the honour of their hearing, and that he 
 would do the best he could, having at their request 
 drunk another glass, sung the song they desired, 
 to their- great satisfaction and applause. 
 
 After a short space of time was spent in the 
 praise of singing, and a talk of what an engaging 
 accomplishment it is, either in man or wojnan ; 
 some of the company holding that the charms of 
 musick are no wise inferior to the power of love ; 
 it occasioned a very agreeable debate ; there being 
 in the company a gentleman unfortunately under 
 that circumstance, who would give love the supre- 
 macy over all that can attect our minds ; seeing it 
 Strips a man of the benefits of his own senses, of
 
 THE ENGLISH HKRMIT. 81 
 
 the strength of his reason, and soundness of judg- 
 ment. No object is fair but that whose idea hath 
 impressed tlie mind ; no harmony heard but in the 
 beloved voice, or that which sounds its praise; 
 dainties have no savour in tlie absence of tliat which 
 every tiling relishes; the fairest days are but dull, it 
 not enlivened 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 
 exceedingly that he made him a present of half a 
 guinea. The gentleman who was altogether for 
 musick, having asked Quarll whether he had any 
 thing in the praise thereof, having also his request 
 answered, he made the rest of the company crave 
 a song in the commendation of what suited their 
 inclinations ; some being for a bottle, others for 
 roving, and others for a country life. 
 
 Quarll, being provided with such songs, enter- 
 tained thein to their desires till supper was brought 
 np ; which being over, the company, which had 
 been so well diverted with Quarll's singing, ctm- 
 sulted together to do him service : and, as he was 
 well qualified to teach, they proposed to recommend 
 him scholars. A gentleman in company havirg a 
 sister who intended to learn, he writes a letter to 
 her, desiring she would make use of no other 
 master ; which letter he was to carry the next 
 morning : and, as his regimewtal clothes might lessen 
 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 clothes, which he wore but part 
 of last summer, and therefore little the worse for 
 wearing. And, as he wanted but a hat to be 
 completely dressed (having an extraordinary hand- 
 some head of hair), another gentleman bids him call 
 on him for one ; so that he had all that he wanted 
 to set him out. 
 
 a
 
 OS THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 The gentleman having given him his directions 
 where to go for the things, and the colonel hiiving 
 made him a promise to get him discharged out of 
 the coiiipany he did belong to ; at least, to have 
 him exchanged into his own; they every one gave 
 him their crown apiece : so they departed, strictly 
 bidding him not to fail coining thither again that 
 day seven-night. 
 
 This unexpected, but Incky, adventure, like a 
 sudden surprize, niiframed his reason, and makes 
 poor Qiiarli overlook tlie only obstacle that could 
 obstruct his blooming happiness. Thas transported 
 with seeing himself master of more money than 
 ever he was worth before, and, as he concluded, 
 in a fair prospect of advancing iiimself, he now 
 hastens home, and dressed jn his guard-clotlies, 
 in which he ouj^ht not to be seen there ; tiiat 
 being a dress obnoxious to most, and more espe- 
 cially to creditors. 
 
 His landlady, who, till then, had been made to 
 expect her money, thinking he only waited the 
 ship's being discharged, to go another voyaL'e, 
 seeing him in that hope-killing dress, gave a shriek, 
 as if she liad seen the devil : slanders and abuses, 
 striving utterance, croud in her foaming mouth and 
 like a rapid torrent which, running from a large 
 extent into a narrow channel, swells and overflows 
 its banks ; so her passion, finding her mouth too 
 small a passage, breaks out through her eyes : thus, 
 having shrieked and roared awhile, which occasion- 
 ed all lier lodgers to come down, she charges poor 
 Quarll with shoals of abuses, in the vilest and most 
 insulting terms the most inveterate malice can 
 express. 
 
 Thus having exhausted her stock of slanders, her 
 tongue having uttered all the evil she could, she set 
 her mLscliievous hands to work upon his wife ; who, 
 being come to see the occasion of her shrieking, 
 stood like one berpft of her senses: so having torn
 
 THB ENGLISH HEKMIT. 83 
 
 her head-cloalhs off her head, with words suitable to 
 the barbarous deeds, she thrust them both out of 
 doors ; which, though the rudest action that could 
 denote the unmerciTiilness of her intended revenge, 
 was to them, at that time, the kindest act she 
 could perform. 
 
 That unexpected treatment was no small check 
 to Qnarll's cheerful disposition ; but having con- 
 sidered that one time or other he must have stood 
 the shock, he rejoices that it is over; and, being 
 free from tlie care of gettinsi lier paid, he has at 
 that time nothing to think of but to find another 
 lodging; wliich being 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, his w ife mildly blamed him for his unadvised 
 coming in that dress, which, he might imagine, 
 could produce no better effect. To which he 
 answered, he never could have wished for better; 
 for, by her turning him out of doors, she had paid 
 herself, which he would have done had he stayed: 
 but now he was come away, being better provided, 
 and in a better way, he would have better lodg- 
 ings : he then told her of the adventure, which much 
 rejoiced her ; and from that time made her resolve 
 to forsake her former Way of living, which mis- 
 fortunes only drove her to, being not led by evil 
 inclination, as many are. The morning being come, 
 whilst she went to seek her lodging, he went for 
 the clothes he was promised the evening before, 
 which fitted him as if made on purpose, and made 
 him appear as one of the genteel employment he 
 was recommended for. Being newly shaved and 
 powdered, he went with the letter, according to 
 order; and was received suitably to the recommen 
 dation given him. The lady being just 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, 
 
 G 2
 
 84 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 as it is common ; and so began that very morning, 
 jtromising to recommend him to a lady, who had 
 two daughters; which she accordingly did, and 
 sent him thither the next time he came. 
 
 This fair prospect of a handsome and genteel 
 living, which he always was desirous of, made him 
 forget 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 
 she had fixed 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 endeavour. She sat down, expecting 
 his coming, not knowing he had already waited 
 hers; his change of dress concealing liim from her, 
 not expecting to see him in so different a garb from 
 that which she left him in : which he perceiving, 
 comes up to her, and takes her by the hand, going 
 to ask her the success of her walk ; but she putting 
 it out of his power, in an angry manner bidding 
 him go about his business, having none with her, 
 prevented his speaking. His silence, which she 
 took to proceed from bashfulness, occasioned her 
 looking him in the face; in which discovering her 
 dear luisband's features, to whose natural hand- 
 someness his genteel clothes were no small addition, 
 she was seized with such a surprize that it struck 
 her speechless for some minute*. 
 
 Quarll, discerning her disorder by the fading of 
 her fresh complexion, was as much surprized as 
 she. Thus trembling, he takes her in his arms. 
 *' My dear," said he, " what's the matter? Are you 
 not well ?" Having recovered her speech, she 
 embraced him : saying, 
 
 " How can I be ill, when my dear heart and 
 soul appears so well 1" 
 
 These kind words, and the return of that flush 
 which first kindled love's fire in his heart, enflames 
 at afresh ; hardly can he govern his new-raised
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 85 
 
 passion : thus, giving her a kiss, " My love," says 
 he, " have you got me a lodging V 
 
 " Yes, my dear," replies the loving vife ; " you 
 shall ever dwell. in my iieart." 
 
 " 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 though she has for 
 some time enjoyed the fruition, the only bliss pains- 
 taking lovers aspire at for the reward of all their 
 toils and labours, and the happy shore love's 
 compass points at, yet she seems uneasy, as ex- 
 pecting something more : she cavils with time for 
 flying too fast. Whole days and nights are too 
 short for lier to behold 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 she consecrates to chaste embraces ; devoting 
 herself wholly to the diligent and assiduous practice 
 of the necessary qualifications in a ^^ ife, to render 
 a husband truly happy ;, the execution of which 
 wise and virtuous resolutions gained her the ten- 
 derest and most sincere love and artection a really 
 fond husband can skew 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 
 incomparable 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 some to garnish her windows and chimr.ey, 
 being the only things wanting to complete the 
 neatness of her lodging, which she keplt in the
 
 86 THE ENGLISH HEKMIT. 
 
 greatest order. As she was going, the most nn- 
 fortunately met with the perjurert knittht, who de- 
 ceived her out of her virtue, and with \\hom she 
 had lived f(jr a considerable time, in expectation of 
 his fulfilling the promise he made her when she 
 put him in possession of her maiden-treasure ; who, 
 being glutted with his sacrilegious theft, most basely 
 and ungratefully left her destitute. Fain would she 
 have shunned the fatal principle and origin of her 
 part misfortunes and hellish motive of her late evil 
 life, which she mortally abhorred, and zealously 
 renounced : but inexorable fate has decreed her 
 ruin ; she can no wise avoid him ; he was too near 
 before she perceived that he had hold of her hand 
 ere she could shift it out of his way. 
 
 Being thus suddenly stopped by him, she would 
 have embraced the severest death, to avoid the vile 
 seducer by whom her innocence was first betrayed. 
 The irreconcileable antipathy she had conceived 
 for the mortal enemy of lier newly retrieved virtue 
 being startled at his terrifying appearance, set her 
 whole faculty in an uproar, and scares away her 
 senses; not >o much as a word being left her. 
 
 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, flattering his hopes ^^itll 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 stopped it, he puts in the poor 
 dispirited woman, altogether insensible of what was 
 done, or designed ; but having, with tiie shaking of 
 the coach, recovered a little spirit, and finding her- 
 self so much in his power, as aimerl at her total 
 ruin, she gave a loud shriek, which occasioned the 
 coach to be stopped by some people who were 
 ^oing by ; but his protesting he had no other design
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 87 
 
 but to take her to a friend's house till she was en- 
 tirely recovered, representing also the danger o 
 exposing herself by opposing his kind intention, 
 being then near a street where he and she had lived 
 together a considerable time, in some measure paci- 
 fied her : so, having pnt his head out of the coach, 
 lie tells the people who stood by that his wife, who 
 had been lately overset, was afiaid of the like acci 
 dent, which made her scream, so bid the coachma/i 
 drive on ; during which time he entertains her with 
 all the marks of a passionate love, swearing, over- 
 and-over, he was her slave for ever ; and tliat now 
 kind fortune once more brought them together, 
 none but death should sever him from the person 
 he loved so dearly ; and that he would expire in those 
 soft arms which often gave him life. 
 
 These fond expressions, which she formerly had 
 given credit to, are now upbraidings and reproaches 
 for her too easy credulity, and only increased her 
 hatred for the deluder; which, at that time she 
 thought proper to conceal : thus, restraining her 
 passion, she assumes a feigned calmness, and mildly 
 returns him thanks for his love, which she cannot 
 indulge, being married. " Married !" said he, " and 
 I living ! Was you not mine 1" 
 
 " I was indeed," replied she, blushing with anger 
 and shame. " Eut what was I ? I tremble to 
 think on't." 
 
 " Why," saia ^e, " my love and heart's delight, 
 and shall be, whilst breath keeps it in motion." 
 
 " Oh, false man I" said she, weeping most bit- 
 terly, " repeat not those deluding words, which be- 
 trayed my virtue." 
 
 " Come," said he, " cease that flood which over- 
 flows my soul with the bitterest of sorrows, and 
 reprieve the most penitent of men from the cruellest 
 of deaths : my submissive observance of your incli- 
 nations shall henceforth atone for all past given 
 displeasures."
 
 88 TUE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 " Mean you," said she, " as you speak ?" 
 
 " By all that's sacred, I do," replied he. 
 
 " Then," said Sally, joyfully," set 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, re 
 fuse; I must see you quite re-established first." 
 
 By this time the coach was arrived to the directed 
 
 Clace, which proved to be a house where she liad 
 ist lived with the knisjht, which being open, and 
 the landlady at the door, obliged her to go in with- 
 out resistance, feaiing it would be of no use, but 
 rather prejudicial to her design : so she quietly 
 went in, hoping she should have a better opportu- 
 nity to get away, after she had made the landlady 
 understand that she was married. But the sordid 
 wretch, hoping the knight woulillodge there again, 
 who proved an extraordinarily beneficial lodger 
 before, went out of the room, and left her to his 
 pleasure. 
 
 Poor Sally, seeing herself at the point of being a 
 second time undone, there being no one to assist 
 her within, nor hopes of any help from abroad, the 
 room she was in being backwards, next to large 
 gardens, and distant from the house, and therefore 
 out of hearing, gives herself up to despair, sought 
 the opportunity of laying hold of his sword, on 
 which she was resolved to fall, rather than yield to 
 his adulterous desires. Thus, whilst the knight was 
 labouring to express the height of his love, by the 
 most endearing terms and prevailing words the 
 most passionate lover could invent, she, of a sudden 
 snatched the sword from his side, and turned the 
 point thereof towards 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 yon 
 basely refuse:" so falls into a violent fit, which 
 lasted some minutes ; which was no sooner over
 
 THE ENGLISH HEKMIT. 89 
 
 but it was succeeded by another, and so on for the 
 space of three hours ; at the end of which time she 
 was so faint and weak that her life was despaired 
 of, and so continued all day ; which made tlie knight 
 repent that he had forced her to stay, so much 
 against her will, heartily wishing that he knew 
 Avhere she lived, that he might send her home ; 
 which she not being well enough to tell, the land- 
 lady, by the knight's order, got the best room of the 
 house fitted up for her; and, the bed being warmed, 
 she was carefully laid ii) it, and a doctor sent for ; 
 who, having felt her disordered pulse, said her in 
 disposition proceeded from passion and grief, and 
 ordered that she should be let blood, which would 
 give her oppressed spirits 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 ease, and in a little time caused her 
 to sleep, which lasted all the niglit. 
 
 This great and sudden amendment much rejoiced 
 the most afflicted knight, who made a vow not to 
 leave her till she was restored to her wonted health; 
 sitting up by her all night. 
 
 The next morning, Sallv, whose good night's rest 
 had in a great measure recoveied both strength and 
 reason, finding herself in a strange bed, and from 
 her husband, was again seized with surprise, which 
 did much threaten a relapse. " Hea\tns !" said 
 she, " by what enchantments am I here ? What 
 fiends could ravish me out of my dear spouse's 
 arms '?" Then, seeing the knight stand by the bed- 
 side, she gives a loud shriek. " Oh! vile ravisher !" 
 said she, " is it then by another of your hellish 
 stratagems that I am again betrayed into your 
 power?" at which she fell into a violent fit of 
 crying. 
 
 " No, most virtuous woman," replied the knight, 
 falling on his knees ; " it is by accident, of which 
 I own myselA to be the most miserable cjcasicn ;
 
 90 THE Iw^fLISH HERMIT. 
 
 for which I heartily ask both Heaven and your 
 pardon." Then he relates the whole matter, which 
 the late illness her excessive grief and passion 
 brought upon her had made her forget. 
 
 That woeful relation did but add to her trouble, 
 by heightening her grief. " Oh !" said she, with a 
 fresh shower of tears, " how can I look my dear 
 husband in the face, when my very justification 
 turns to my shame ?" 
 
 The knight, who was in as great a consternation 
 as she could be in, takes her hand, which lay motion- 
 less out of the bed, and, bathing it with tears, begs 
 her to forbear terrifying his most penitent soul, 
 promising to rectify all past wrongs. " You re- 
 member, my life," said he, " the vows I made when 
 first y<ju gave yourself to me : I renew them now, 
 and woidd fulld them, but that it would expose you 
 to the rigour of the law : therefore, I'll only, for the 
 present, settle five hundred poimds a year upon you 
 for your life, till, by your husband's death, I am 
 empowered to make you lawful mistress of all my 
 estate. Pray compose yourself, and sedately con- 
 sider on't, and when 'tis come to a conclusion, I'll 
 attend for your answer." So withdrew for a while. 
 
 This generous otfer, expressing the sincerity of 
 his love, for whom she had formerly more than a 
 common esteem, in a great measure appeased her 
 passion ; the ottered atonement disarms her revenge; 
 she now pleads for him she had condemned, and 
 blames herself for the crime she had charged him 
 with. " How could I," said she, " think my virtue 
 safe in his hands, on whom love has such an as- 
 cendant (which is itself guilty of as many faults as 
 it covers) ? If he went away with my heart, it was 
 but a breach of trust : besides, his absence was no 
 flight, it being occasioned by business." 
 
 Having made these reconcileable reflections, and 
 being at the point of accepting his offer, conscience 
 starts, and opposes her resolution : her husband
 
 THE ENCl-lSH HER-am 91 
 
 Stands in the way, riga;ed in all those enjcaging qua 
 lificaiions which had won her aliection. This coming 
 into her mind, in a manner scares asvay her rea- 
 son ; she cannot lielp loving both : her love for the 
 knijiht pleads seniority, and that for her husband 
 justice. The fust is attended with interest, the last 
 IS prompted by virtue. The debate is great, and 
 both their argimients strong. Reason is called to 
 decide the matter, which having (as it is her cus- 
 tom) sedately weighed the cause, examined both 
 accidents and incidents, at last seems inclineable to 
 favour the love for the knight ; but Justice, who is 
 always in the right, w ill not resign it : Peace and 
 Content, the only motives worth contending for, 
 must be consulted. They being also cautious of 
 giving a rash verdict, examined on which side they 
 were in most safety; and finding themselves most 
 screened from upbraidines and reproaches (their 
 mortal enemies) for the knight, gave it of his side. 
 So Justice, who seldom gets its due, is forced to 
 drop the cause, and tacitly withdraw. 
 
 The knight's otfer, 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 
 h«r virtue (which, although at that time blame- 
 less, she could not with modesty vindicate), hav- 
 ing sent for the knight, she speaks to him after this 
 manner : 
 
 " I have had so much reason to repent my being 
 too credulous, by the many vexations it has occa- 
 sioned me now, that should I, upon the bare re- 
 peating of broken promises, expose myself to the 
 same, you yourself could not but blame me." 
 
 " Indeed, dear Sally," said the knight, interrupt- 
 ing her, " I own you have sufficient cause to ques- 
 tion my sincerity ; but I will this moment remove 
 t." So he that moment sends for a lawyer, and makes 
 the proposed settlement ; then gives orders that a
 
 9Z THE EWGUSH HERMIT. 
 
 mercer should be fetched for her, to take her choice 
 of the most modiih silks, and then for a silk night- 
 gown, for her to wear till her. clothes were made: 
 as also for all manner of linen, shoes, and stockings. 
 Then, having new rigged her from top .to toe — 
 " Now," said he, " my dear, you are entirely mine ; 
 give me directions that I may send your husband 
 what he can challenge as his own :" so he writes 
 the following letter : 
 " Sir, 
 " Lest tlie absence of her who nntbiiifcingly gave herself to 
 Toil for a wife (ihouich not at her own disposal, being mine 
 before) shiiuld cause you any further trouble, these are to 
 Satisfy you that I have letaken possession of my own ; to 
 send vou back her clothes, as being all you can claim a right 
 to. i am yours, 
 
 R. S." 
 
 Having sealed np the letter, and bundled np the 
 clothes, a porter was called, to whom oiders were 
 given to carry the bundle and leiter to the most 
 perplexed and concerned Quarll, who had spent the 
 ni5;ht in unspeakable torment. A thousand dismal 
 accidents glared at his alarmed fancy, w hich created 
 new racks for his tortured soul. He tumbles on his 
 bed like an unmasted ship tossed about by a violent 
 storm, cursing the tedious hours for creeping thus 
 in the dark night ; taxing tke sun with sloth, and 
 nature with unkindness. Thus, like one bereft of 
 his senses, and quite void of reason, he snarls at 
 the wbole creation. 
 
 At length, the long wished-for day having sent 
 forth its dawn, to proclaim its approach, he starts 
 from olf the bed wliereon he lay as if upon thorns, 
 and, like a madman, runs about to inform himself of 
 what he dreads, more than death, to know. But 
 having spent several hours in diligent enquiry after 
 lately befallen accidents, without hearing of any, 
 jealousy creeps in, which in some measure re- 
 moves his former fears, but no wise lessens his 
 pains. T'lus he returns home as much racked as 
 before.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 93 
 
 Being arrived, he finds on his table a bundle anri 
 a letter, wliich his landlady told him were brought 
 by a porter. His impatience to know the contents 
 of both were equal ; but the bundle being more 
 surprising to him, he precipitately opens it first; 
 which finding it to be every individual part of the 
 clothes his wife had on the day before, when she 
 went out ; with the surprise, he lets it drop out of 
 his hands, and, like one thunderstruck, remained 
 speechless for several minutes. Then fetching a deep 
 and heavy sigh, attended with a shower of tears, he 
 bitterly exclaims against himself for questioning the 
 faithfulness of that love of which he now has such 
 fatal proofs. 
 
 Thus, concluding she had drowned herself, and 
 that the letter would inform him of the cause thereof, 
 he takes it up, saying — " O that thou hadst been a 
 timely forerunner of the fatal tidings thou art bearer 
 of! ifet, for her dear sake that wrote it, I'll peruse 
 thee, though 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 <>ght, his apprehen- 
 sion for mistaking the meaning; : his blind lo\^ 
 taxes his reason with rashness, the mistaken ex- • 
 pressions being but illusions pr»jceeding from an. 
 oppression upon the intellects; s'l belays down the 
 letter till his disturbed mind wa« better settled : yet 
 he cannot be easy; he must witb come other writing 
 try whether his eyes are still d^^fective ; on wiiich, 
 finding no fault, he hastily takes >^p the letter again, 
 but alas ! it was the same as before. " My judg- 
 ment," said he, " has been as mi»vh wronged as my 
 love." So, alter a few considerations, calling to 
 mind that, as an accident had procured her to him, 
 he ought, without reluctancy t > surrender her
 
 94 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 again ; having made a resolution never to venture 
 any more on that uncertain state which commonly 
 promises happiness, but often brings sorrow ; he 
 shifts his lodging, and goes to live where be is un- 
 known, the better to pass for a bachelor ; in which 
 free station he enjoyed peace undisturbed, and plea- 
 sures uncontrolled, for the space of twelve months. 
 But cross fate still pursues him ; he must again be 
 fettered, and bear yet heavier chains than before. 
 A second mate is allotfetl him, who, though very 
 ;ha.ste, dooms him wretched, being short of otiier 
 qualifications necessary in a wife to make a man 
 happy. 
 
 This woman had been bred up from her infancy 
 under the care of the lady, whose two daughters 
 Quarll taught to sing, and had lived with her in the 
 station of chamber-maid, ever since she was big 
 enough to otficiate in that place ; during which time, 
 having behaved herself to her mistress's content, 
 she gained her affection ; so that tliis good hidy, 
 being desirous to advance her maid, whose age fitted 
 her tor marriage, the chief settlement for a woman, 
 she cast her eyes upon iter daughters' singing-mas- 
 ter, who she thought would make her a good hus- 
 band, having observed him, ever since he came to 
 her house, 'to carry and behave himself very de- 
 cently. Tlius having declared her mind to her, who 
 had already a great inclination that way, she 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 opportu- 
 nity 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 
 woman being also very agreeable in her person, and 
 extraoidinarily obliging to him, he readily accepted 
 thecfftr.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT, 95 
 
 The old lady, having so far prevailed upon him 
 is resolved to push on tiU quite concluded ; so has 
 them married in less than a week, and gave them 
 lodgings in her house, where they continued but one 
 monili. The new-married wife, thinking herself in 
 some measure under confinement, wliilst in the good 
 lady's house, to whom duty and gratitude obliged 
 her to be more than indifferently observing, being 
 somewhat ambitious of living great, persuades her 
 husband to take a house, and furnish it ; which be- 
 ing done according to her desire, they went away 
 from the kind old lady to live by themselves, with- 
 out considering the expense of housekeeping, which 
 they both till tlien had been strangers to, but in a 
 little time became too well acquainted with. 
 
 The tliree hundred pounds being gone in furnish- 
 ing the house and paying two years' rent, and as 
 many years' wages to a couple of maids, one where- 
 of she kept in the station she herself had but lately 
 overcome, Quarll was obliged to reduce his charges, 
 and level liis expenses to his income ; so he discharges 
 the superfluous servant, whose business was only to 
 indulge her indolence, and increase her pride. 
 
 That sudden lessening of her attendants checked 
 her ambitious disposition in such a manner that i 
 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, ordered her medicines >o 
 make them both in the same condition. 
 
 Her strength decaying, and the apothecary's bill 
 increasing, which are the usual etfects of imjiginary 
 illness, made her husband apprehensive that con 
 siderable charges might accrue from her lanciful 
 and imaginary distemper, which he would not iu-
 
 yo THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 dulge ; and feared to check too suddenly, lest it 
 might produce some other ill effect ; so, in compli- 
 ance to her natural pride, he promises her going in 
 the country, as being a proper expedient to save his 
 money, and to be rid of a grunting companion, at 
 least during the summer. 
 
 This proposal, suiting hpr ambition to imiXate 
 quality (who, for the generality, go out of town 
 about that time of the year), was soon accepted of; 
 and that opportunity of being freed from one of tlie 
 greatest plagues which can befal a man, by him as 
 soon approved. 
 
 Qnarll, having got her in the mind, was no wise 
 dilatory to get it performed ; but made diligent en- 
 quiry about the most convenient place in the conn- 
 try, for remoteness and cheapness ; which being 
 informed of, he forthwith takes horse, and having 
 found a good old countryman, with his wife anfl 
 daughter, in Yorkshire, whose diligent cares, and 
 .frugal living, while young and strong, had been re- 
 warded 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 boar'l, 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 she never would consent, nor he 
 be able to force her to it, by violence, he applies to 
 stratagems. Thus, having given her the best cha- 
 racter 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, provided one gave 
 her her way : she is very vapourish, and looks for 
 great attendance. " O dear ! that's quality dis- 
 temper. Well, if that be all," replied the old'folks, 
 " she shall not want for any one thing."
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. OT 
 
 " More," said he, " I must caution you of, which 
 is this : she will be soon be tired of her lodging, 
 and will be for returning to London ; so will seek 
 all opportunities to steal away, if she finds herself 
 opposed in her desires : tlierefore it is best not to 
 contradict her directly, but be sure watch her nar- 
 rowly, lest she give you the slip." 
 
 " Never fear," replied the good people ; " we 
 will take care of that : she never shall go one step 
 alone. She is not apt to lay violent hands upon 
 herself, and do herself a mischief?" 
 
 *' No, no," replied he, " there is no danger of 
 that; you may trust her alone within doors 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 will 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 
 will guess when proper, by her railing, which will 
 be a token of her being discomposed : and as for 
 her diet, she is something 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, flesh and fowl, when she pleases. 
 We have a fine pond in the ground, well stocked 
 with fish ; and cocks and hens enough, you see, 
 about the yard ; and for butcher's meat, it is but 
 "a two or three hours' ride to the next town." 
 
 So Quarll having agreed, and paid one quarter 
 before hand, which he promised to do wh'lst she 
 boarded there, he returns to London, in order to 
 fetch his wife ; who having projected a greatness 
 of living in the country, ^^hich she was disappointed 
 of in town, immediately inquired into the appear- 
 ance of the house, the handsomeness of the lodg- 
 ings, and the gentility of the neighbours : to which 
 questions Quarll took care to answer suitable to her 
 inclination. So, having concludied to go the next 
 
 H
 
 06 THE E\OLISH HERMIT. 
 
 ^ay, theywent out to make provision of such thing* 
 as .cannot well be had in the country; as Nantz 
 brandy, ratafia, iisqntbangh, cottee, chocolate, and 
 inch things as were necessary for genteel company. 
 
 Being provided for everj' thing, they set out the 
 aext day ; but, as neither lodgings, liouse, nor neigh 
 JO'irhood, an3\vere(i iier ambition, or 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 itKjiiired no 
 further into the matter. The next morning, Quarll 
 having represented to his sponse it would be of 
 prejudice to him if he stayed any longer from his 
 scholars, having already lost six days, took his 
 leave of her, and left her in bed, it not being her 
 nsual time to rise : so, having promised to be with 
 her in a short tin)e, to see how she liked her lodg- 
 ings, he returned to London, having first renewed 
 his charge to the good people of the house, of giving 
 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 she 
 vould be very desirous of. 
 
 Quaill being gone, the old people, according to 
 their charge, were extraordinarily diligent and care- 
 ful in plea'ing their new lodger; who, finding her 
 ambition gratified 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 shew her; there 
 being neither house nor habitation, but their own 
 little cottage, within sight. She, who thought her 
 lodgings to be in a handsome and creditable house, 
 near a genteel neighbourhood, with whom she 
 miglit converse, finding the reverse of her expecta- 
 tions, could not conceal her passion at the disap-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. SRj 
 
 pointment; hnt falls a railing against her hnsband 
 in such a rage as frightened the poor young woman; 
 who, doubting she was going iiito 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 countenance, the blood 
 being ready to start out of her face, and her eyes 
 out of her head. Thus, fearing she would grow 
 unruly, each of them took hold of one of her arms, 
 and so in a manner dragged her home ; where^ 
 being come, they would have laid her upon the 
 bed : but she, who took tiiis act of their caution 
 for an effect of their carefid attendance, told them 
 that indeed she could not tind fault with them ; and 
 that their habitation niiglit suit their birth, but 
 really it did not hers, which her husband very well 
 knew ;»,and therefore she never would forgive him 
 for bringing her thither, and that he should soon 
 know : so she desired them to give her paper and 
 ink, if the house could altbrd such a thing. 
 
 The good people, who had been cautioned to give 
 her her humour in that at the beginning, having none 
 at home, sent the boy that attended their sheep on 
 horseback to the next town for thtm ; then leaving 
 her to compose herself, they retired to bewail among 
 thenifelves her misfortune, which they perceived to 
 be the elfect of pride, reflecting upon the happiness 
 of their own condition, and the pleasure of a con- 
 tented life. 
 
 " Now," said they,* " she has been brought np in 
 a city, where excess of pleasure and luxury aie 
 made the only means to arrive at content ; but, 
 alas I how widely do they miss their aim ! their lile 
 
 • N. B. The lines tnsrked with ( " ) are set dow-n word for 
 word with his Memoirs, for these reasons : 1. 1 thought 
 it a pity to alter any thing: from his notion of tl.c p ea- 
 gures of a country life. 2. And the rather, because it give* 
 ns very lively idea* of the perfect happiuesi he eiijoyg iii hi 
 ■olitude. 
 
 BS
 
 100 THE ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 is a continiied series of cares ; their emulation and 
 vanity in fa>hi«ns, entertainments, and such like, 
 together with their inseparable companion, envy, 
 only contribute to make an unhappy life still more 
 miserable. Here this gentlewoman wants for no 
 manner of necessaries to make a life comfortable, 
 but has rather a superabundancy. Could she reject 
 that horrid pain-causing quality of pride, and learn a 
 little humility, it is that brings content and sweetens 
 all the misfortunes of this life. How preferable 
 is our station to hers ! how solid is the pleasure 
 we enjoy in this solitary habitation, compared to 
 the trifling joys the great ones possess in the most 
 populous cities ! happy fields and silent groves ! 
 ■where nothing but eternal rounds of pleasure centre! 
 Here no debaucheries, riotings, fashions, and luxuri- 
 ous entertainments ; no envy of others' good fortune, 
 no drunkenness, swearing, and blaspheming the 
 mercies of the Almighty God, ever take pl.ice, as in 
 flourishing cities ; but Providence gives us all things 
 with a bountiful hand : in short, we have all we 
 desire, and more than we justly deserve. Here the 
 beauteous birds, joj fully hopping from bough to 
 bough, stretch their tuneful throats, and warble out 
 melodious anthems to their great Creator's praise ; 
 whilst flowery hills, in harmonious echoes, repeat 
 the same to the fruitful neighbouring vales. Here is 
 nothing to be seen or heard but universal acclama- 
 tions of praise to the great God of all things. This 
 is the real solid pleasure; this is what makes us per- 
 fectly 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 shape, whereby to dis- 
 tint^nish them from the most deformed brutes, or, 
 indeed, from more horrible devils '. This gentle- 
 woman has put us in mind of our own happiness, of 
 which, before her coming, we were almost ignorant ; 
 Lilt DOW we may see that happiness consists not in
 
 THK SNOLISH BERUIT. 101 
 
 riches, nor content in gaudy apparel. — But why do 
 we tarry here ? It is not proper to leave the gentle- 
 woman so long alone, lest, in one of her fits, she 
 should do herself a mischief : therefore let one of us 
 go to her." So the good woman of the house went 
 to her, and finding her in tears, used all possible 
 endeavours to divert her melancholy, but all to no 
 purpose; for still she was interrupted by exclama- 
 tions against " that villain ! that rogue ! " her hus- 
 band. The good woman finding tliat words could 
 not prevail, thought a glass of ratafia might do better ; 
 so desired her to comfort herself, and take a glass 
 of her cordial ; to which she soon consented, and 
 after that four or five more, which had the desired 
 effect ; for her melancholy was by this time turned 
 into most violent fits of the spleen, and presently 
 into drowsiness. The landlady perceiving her con- 
 dition, 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, she retired. 
 
 After she had slept an hour or two, she awakes, in 
 a very splenetic humour, and calls to know the 
 reason why pen, ink, and paper were lefused her. 
 " Indeed," said the old woman, " we did not knov? 
 that your ladyship was awake : and we did not caro 
 to disturb you : but I will bring it to you presently." 
 So went and brought it. Whicli she no sooner re- 
 ceived, but she began to write the following letter : 
 " Most barbarou* of men, 
 
 " Was you afraid ihut my indisposition (for which yon ino»t 
 deceitfully did persuade me to leave Lomloii) would" .*ot kill 
 me fiuick enough itself, tb:it you have decoyed me to an oven, 
 the dulnejs whereof is sufficient to make any well-bred dog 
 pine itself to death ; here not being a rational creature to talk 
 to, but the insipid folks of the hut ; who, being stript of their 
 clumsy human shape, will be as complete brutes as their 
 oxen and cows. Pray see that you forthwith fetch me hcucc, 
 or expect to incur all the resentment an injured wife c«in 
 •hew, as soon as arrived to London, where I shall surely 
 come in a few days, though I was to travel all the way 
 barefoot. Your*, &c. " Mi.aY Qvahli.."
 
 102 THE ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 This letter being written, tte good people of the 
 house were in a great consternation whether they 
 ought to send it or not ; but, after gome consultSr 
 tion about the matter, they concluded it should 
 go, lest her husband should take it amiss. 
 
 Quarll, who expected some such letter from his 
 haughtj' dame, as soon as she had discovered the 
 cheat, had, with a great deal of judgment, pre- 
 pared the following answer : 
 
 « My Dear, 
 "If your pride and vanity do outrun your reason, it is r.' 
 argument my compliance to them should tiasten my ruin; and 
 if you consul' your circumstances, as 1 do my ability, you wil 
 uot discommeud 
 
 " lour careful husband, 
 
 " i^IUP QCASLU" 
 
 And with that, one to her landlord and landlady, 
 whom he thanked for their care of sending the 
 letter ; but desired thej' would not trouble them- 
 selves with sending any more, nor give her oppibr- 
 tunity of writing, seeing it did but aggravate her 
 distemper; and, above all things, to Lave a par- 
 ticular care she should not give them the slip, and 
 he would take care to gratify them for their trouble. 
 
 This obliging letter, together with a pair of hand- 
 some green stockings, and lemon-colour gloves to 
 the daughter, did so win the old folks' affection that 
 they were extremely punctual in observing his 
 orders : but that to his wife had quite a different 
 success; for, instead of putting her into consider- 
 ation, it set her into such a violent rage as would 
 scarce permit her to read it throughout : so, tearing 
 it to pieces, she stormsout— "Consider my circum- 
 stances! vile wretch! let him behold my portion, 
 whether it deserves me no better a being than a 
 hovel !— Landlady, send immediately to the town, 
 and get me a place in the stage against to-morrow; 
 for I will go and tear that villain to pieces." 
 
 The good woman wa,s not a little displeased to
 
 THn ENGLISH BERMIT. 103 
 
 hear her thus despise her house, which was the best 
 within a mile round ; but as she imagined it was the 
 cfl'ect of her vapours, instead of viudicatins; her 
 house, which, though old and low built, was tole- 
 rable large, and very convtnient, she seemed to 
 acquiesce with her, wishing it had been better for 
 her sake: but as for sending to take a place, it v.as 
 then too late ; for by that time i messenger could be 
 got to town the office would be shut up ; so that the 
 next time she went out she would take care a place 
 should be taken: so excused it for that week. In 
 the mean time she gave her her humour, being very- 
 respectful and observing; which, suiting her pride, 
 made her something more easy, and in some mea- 
 sure diverted her raving fits ; for she fully depended 
 upon going the week following, but wa'« again dis- 
 appointed 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 tliere : she thus 
 reswved, to go herself; but, not knowing ttie ^^ay, 
 she desired somebody might be sent along with her; 
 which they were ready to grant, but never could be 
 had, being always out of the way, about some bui>i- 
 uess or other. 
 
 Thus 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 she understood he had done before- 
 hand, and agreed to do so during her stay, which, 
 very probably, might be for her life; but she resolved 
 to disappoint him by privily stealing away, and at 
 a venture seek out tlie road to the next town, not 
 questioning but she should find somebody as she 
 went that would direct her: but the ohi folks, having 
 been warned of such an enterprize by her husband, 
 were too vigilant to give her an opportunity of 
 attempting it, never leaving her by herself from the 
 tim« of her getting up to her going to Irer bed again :
 
 104 THS ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 which over-attendance convinced her of her impri- 
 eonment. 
 
 Then finding herself curbed in her ambition, dis- 
 appointed in her pride, and tricked out of her 
 liberty, without hopes of being relieved ;lhe letters 
 she sent to her friends being intercepted ; she falls 
 into a passion suitable to her case and disposition ; 
 which having vented upon tiie people of the house 
 for abetting and adhering to her perfidious husband 
 in so trailerous a deed, her spirits beii.i; exhausted 
 so prodigiously, witli raving, that nothing but a 
 cordial dram could ever have brought theni to their 
 usual tone, and which she by long experience knew, 
 calls for her grand specific ; and, after she had drunk 
 three or four rcfresliing glasses, she became more 
 easy, and retired to rest : when, having slept a few 
 hours, she awakes something better composed. 
 Thus, considering that all the resentment she was 
 capable to shew could not mend her condition, she 
 therefore concluded to make her landlord and land- 
 lady her friends, that if she did not enjoy her liberty, 
 as she proposed, she might at least enjoy a little 
 more content in her confinement. 
 
 Thus she resolved, and indeed kept her resolo- 
 tion a loug time ; laying aside her haughty temper, 
 and curbing those violent passions she had so long 
 accustomed herself to, she now began to be much 
 more familiar and conriescending than wliat she had 
 hitherto shewn, to the great joy and surprise of the 
 good people ; who by this strange alteration were in 
 great hopes her madness was wearing ott; and, upon 
 that account, were extremely industrious to humour 
 iier in every point ; using her with all the good man- 
 ners they were capable of ; which she, easily per- 
 ceiving, thought to make use of their credulity to 
 her advantage ; for she was a woman of quick pene- 
 tration : and, finding how egregiously tliose ignorant 
 people had been imposed upon, in relation to her 
 pbreuzy, saw the only means to regain her liberty
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 105 
 
 was to pretend a recovery. And, accordingly, by a 
 counterfeit change of temper, she endeavoured to 
 persuade the people into a good opinion of her ; tell- 
 them slie could never requite their extreme good 
 good services to her during her indisposition ; and 
 lamenting her own unhappiness in being so trou- 
 blesome and fatiguing to persons of so kind and 
 obliging a behaviour. They, in like manner, an- 
 swered that, if their poor services had contributed 
 any thing to her ease and recovery, they were suffi- 
 ciently Miadc amends for all their trouble. 
 
 Now the scene was entirely changed ; the raving, 
 proud, ill-natured gentlewoman became the most 
 pleasant, sociable, and best-natured person they had 
 ever met with ; and they, who just before conceived 
 so great a dislike to her, were now so delighted with 
 her company and conversation that she was less 
 alone than formerly, they always contriving some 
 diversion or other to drive away her melancholy, 
 and to prevent a relapse ; hoping to send the wel- 
 conje news of her perfect recovery to her husband ; 
 frequently pleasing her with odd country tales ; 
 shewing her all the pleasures their fields, gardens, 
 and orchards could atford, with many other little 
 contrivances to pass the time away ; while she en- 
 deavoured to divert them with the comical adven- 
 tures of the Londoners. This she endured almost 
 a month, with all the seeming good-nature imagi- 
 nable; but finding herself in no way to procure her 
 enlargeinent, and rather more strictly guarded than 
 formerly, she resolved to obtain her liberty by stra- 
 tagem, which she designed in the following manner. 
 
 There was a servant in the house, wliose name 
 was Thomas, and a lively, brisk, fresh - coloured 
 ycung man, indeed a fellow of admirable sense and 
 good manners : this spark was of a very amorous 
 disposition, well versed in intrigues, and extremely 
 b!ij,ing in his temper and beliaviour; who, as S'-on 
 £ lie saw QuarU's wife, began to think of his former
 
 00 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 way of livins;. Now this yo'ing fellow was born in 
 L>jiidon of veiy mean parents, whose friends not 
 being able to give him a trade, he was obliged to 
 enter himself a member of the ancient and honour- 
 able society of lacqueys. His first service was to a 
 widow gentlewoman, where he learnt all tlie neces- 
 sary qualifications of his emp'oy ; but his mistress 
 being a very religious woman, going to church two 
 or three times every day, where he was obliged con- 
 stantly to attend her, and so much gravity not suit- 
 ing his mercurial temper, soon obliged him to quit 
 his post. But he being an arch wag, and ssly knave, 
 soon aovanced liimself to be a footman to a young 
 nobleman. Here he began to shew his genius ; for 
 his master being a young gentleman very much de- 
 lighted witli love adventures, frequently made use of 
 him in those cases; and, finding him to be ot a sharp 
 ready wit, very careful, and well skilled in tacitur- 
 nity, soon made him secret messenger in ordinary 
 to all his intrigues ; in which station he behaved 
 himself admirably well, having all the accomplish- 
 ments necessary for so weigiity a trust, viz. vigi- 
 lance, despatch, and secrecy ; and tliese so well 
 managed that he seldom failed in his designs. This 
 post of honour he enjoyed for a long time, with 
 great credit and reputation ; and gained so great a 
 share of his master's artections that he likewise 
 made him first minister to all his aflairs. 
 
 Now Tom is arrived to the very summit of his 
 fortune; regaling himself in all kinds of pleasure, 
 beloved and trusted by his master, honoured and 
 respected by his fellow-servants, and, in short, might 
 be said to be perfectly happy. But here that jilt, 
 which so long flattered him with her kind em- 
 braces, at one fatal blow removes all the means 
 whereby he ascended, and pushes him from the lofty 
 precipice to the deepest sink of poverty imaL.Uiable. 
 
 Tom's master being a lover of variety, his curio- 
 sity prompted inm to see the diversion of a country
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. iO« 
 
 wake, In order to start some fresh game; and, to 
 that purpose, disguises himself as a plain country 
 gentleman, and equips 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 ; so 
 each mounted his horse, and away they rode : 
 when, being arrived at the town, nigh which they 
 were to hunt their game, they both alight, and pi.i 
 np their horses at an inn ; and, having pulled otT 
 their boots, out they walk to the place of rendezvous. 
 As soon as they came within sight of the place, they 
 beheld the fields prettily bespotted with different 
 companies, at as many dirterent diversions. In one 
 place, a parcel of wrestlers, eagerly contending with 
 broken shins, for a pair of gloves ; in another, a 
 company of cudgel-players, with battered ribs, light- 
 ing for a laced hat; some at one game, and son.t at 
 anotlier; but Tom and his master, who cared for 
 neither broken shins nor bloody brows, resolved to 
 seek out softer combatants. 
 
 After they had walked up and down the field, 
 seeing the several diversions; " Well, Tom," says 
 the young nobleman, " where is our diversion ?" 
 
 " O," says Tom, " we shall be with them pre- 
 sently. Hark, I hear the noise of catgut ; and I 
 warrant we find them there." So, following their 
 ears, instead of noses, they came to a most spacious 
 dome, vulgarly called a barn ; which they no sooner 
 entered, but Tom says to his master— " Here, Sir, 
 here's variety for you; here's nymphs of all sorts 
 and sizes ; and, faith, of all compltxions; they're all 
 clean and neat ; all fit for the game : come, sir, pick 
 and choose: which pretty smiling rogue must be 
 your nymph ? Come, let's see what you'll do; for 
 I long to be at it." 
 
 *' Do you long to see what I'll do ? " says the no- 
 bleman; " why I intend to work miracles; I shall 
 make my nymph a goddess, before I leave her^"
 
 108 THZ ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 " Well, then," replied Tom, " I suppose I may 
 take the privilege to make my girl a nymph, at 
 least." While they were thus talking, they stood 
 like two hawks hovering over their prey, not know 
 ing on which to fix their fatal talons ; and the rus- 
 tics staring at them with open month, and distended 
 nostrils, not knowing what to think of them. At 
 length Mr. Scrape, by tuning his melodious battered 
 fiddle, summons all the girls to readiness, each pre- 
 paring her feet for the sport ; while every Hob 
 began to seize 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-cheeked rogues, as Tom called them, the 
 innocent girls very fladly accepted their oflFers, 
 little dreaming their wicked intentions ; but the 
 mischief was, the nobleman had gut the girl which 
 Tom had the most inclination to, which caused such 
 a secret envy in his breast that became the fatal 
 cause of his unfortunate disgrace. 
 
 Now the dance was begun with great fury on 
 both sides; the girls romping and tearing, and the 
 fellows pulling and hauling, and shoving', and kiss- 
 ing, and tumbling like so many mad devils; while 
 Tom and his master, being strangers to such kind of 
 diversion, stood like two images, and the country 
 fellows mocking thei'.i ; which Tom observing, and 
 seeing his partner very dull, thought they should 
 never out-do him in caterwauling: therefore, shrug- 
 ging up his shoulders, and rubbing his eyes a little 
 bit, he began to be as brisk as the best. The noble- 
 man, observing his man Tom's alteration, thought 
 proper to follow his example ; so, pushing down two 
 or three gifls, fi.ll upon them, and kissed them till 
 they were almost stifled; then hoisting them up, 
 extends his mouth to a full yawn, and laughs as loud 
 aid with' as great a grace as any of them; while 
 Tom, to shew his activity, jumps about a yard high, 
 alwa^-s taking care to light upon somebody's toei;
 
 THE ENGLISH fiERUIT. 199 
 
 which generally put tlie whole company into a loud 
 fit of laughter, except the person hurt ; who, in 
 compliance 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 gentlemen's 
 good humour and activity) and, in short, became 
 the wonder of the whole company. But Tom and 
 his master, having tired themselves and iheir part- 
 ners sutficiently, began to think of retiring, in order 
 to refresh their weary limbs ; and, motioning the 
 same to their nymphs, the poor girls very willingly 
 accompanied them. Now they thought themselves 
 secure of their intended sport, and conducted them 
 for that purpose to the inn where they had put up 
 their hoises. 
 
 As soon as they were set down, they ordered wine 
 to be brought, and a supper got ready, in order to 
 detain and intoxicate the girls, if possible ; and 
 therefore they plied themselves very close with 
 liquor. Now Tom's partner, being a very brisk 
 lively girl, never refused her glass ; but the noble- 
 man's was of a very mild, easy deportment, and 
 would drink but little : he seeing her temper, be- 
 gan to be very amorous on purpose to try what 
 that would do ; but she in so sweet and easy a 
 manner checked his rudeness, that it raised in 
 Tom a most violent passion for his master's partner. 
 At length supper was brought to table, which was 
 no sooner over but night began to appear : the two 
 girls, perceiving the time, desired leave to go home, 
 which the nobleman absolutely refused; but Tom, 
 thinking to make sure of his game upon the road, 
 consented to go with his partner, which the other 
 hearing, begged 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 gentleman
 
 110 THE EXGI-ISH HERUrr. 
 
 returned (meaning Tom) they both .would coudnct 
 her home : so, by mere dint of argument, prevailed 
 open 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, 
 surrendered at discretion ; so Tom rased the walls 
 to the ground, entered the castle^ and took posses- 
 sion 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 impatit-nce, jnuttering these words as he 
 •went — *' What a 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 rao<lestly 
 checks any thing that looks like rudeness. Well, 
 faith, since it is so, I'll make the best on't, and try 
 whether I can't chouse him of his partner." So 
 said, so resolved, and indeed so done. 
 
 For, as soon as Tom came in, the girl claimed 
 their promise ; saying, the gentleman was so rude 
 that she would stay no longer: desiring them either 
 to go home with her, or let her go by herself. Bnt 
 Tom, desirous to renew the sport, begged of her, 
 with all the prevailing arguments he was capable 
 of. to tarry ; telling her he was a little tired with the 
 Malk he had taken, and wanted to refresh himself: so 
 desired her to stay while he only took a glass, and he 
 would go with her. The girl very unwillingly com- 
 plied, and sat down again. The nobleman, finding 
 Tom had no mind to part with her, imagined he 
 was bringing about what himself had so long endea- 
 voure<l iu vain ; and therefore, pulling out his 
 watch, he starts up in haste, and says he must needs 
 go, for it was past the lime that he promised to be 
 ai 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
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. Ill 
 
 a visit in a short time, desiring to be excused for 
 this time; and he believed he could prevail upon 
 the other gentleman to conduct her home. Tom, 
 vho understood liis meaning, lollows him to the 
 door, and tliere receives his charge, which was, that 
 he shoidd biing her to a house they both knew, 
 about tluee miles off, as soon as possible : so took 
 his leave, mounted liis horse, and went thither, im- 
 patiently wailing for his prey. 
 
 Now Tom was exceedingly pleased with his 
 master's intentions, resolving to put tlie bite upon 
 the' biter ; and, as soon as the nobleman departed, 
 began to attack tiie fortitication with all the artil- 
 lery 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 cessation of arms, desiring leave to go home : 
 but Tom, acquainted with the various turns of in 
 trigues, resolved not to lose his game, being well 
 assured he should bring her to articles in a little 
 time ; and began a fresh attack, which lasted so 
 long that she was obliged to cry for quarters ; but it 
 being too late for going home, Tom persuaded her to 
 lie there ; assuring her that he woidd see her well 
 providef' for; and so she blushingly consented. 
 
 Thus Tom having gained his point, orders a bed 
 to be got ready; ai.d then desired 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, tremb- 
 ling, denies Aviiat her looks desired : and, after a 
 great many arguments on both sides, she resigns 
 herself entirely to him. The sly knave, joyful of his 
 prey, conducts his mistress to bed; but, as they weie 
 going, the old crafty innkeeper cries, in mere form 
 — " 1 hope, sir, that's your wife, for I woidd by no 
 means have any tiling dishonest done in my house." 
 — " Yes, yes," (says our rogue) " you may assure 
 yourself it is my wife, or else I »hould not Jiave
 
 11* THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 offered to go bed with her," while the poor girl, 
 hiding her face, ran np 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 
 inquires after the couple he left. " Why, sir," said 
 the host, " they're abed." 
 
 " Abed! " says the nobleman, " abed ! " 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered he, " it being too late to 
 go home, they took up their lodgings here." 
 
 " What! are they a-bed together?" said the gen- 
 tleman. 
 
 " Yes," says the inn-keeper, " I left 'em toge- 
 ther." The nobleman, hearing this, stood like one 
 thunderstruck, his eyes .darting lightning and his 
 blood all/In flame ; but, bridling his passion, very 
 coolly inquired where they lodged, saying he had 
 some business of moment to impart to the gentle- 
 man, and he must that minute spe^k to him. The 
 innkeeper, unacquainted wiih his design, verycom- 
 plaisantly conilucted 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 resentment he was snre to meet 
 •with, opens the window, and out he jumps, without 
 Baying a word ; and, having bruised himself with the 
 fall, lay sometime 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 thinking 
 bims«Jf out of danger, down he sits, reflecting upon 
 his melancholy circumstances. " miserable wretch !" 
 Bays he, " what have I done? How dare I ever see 
 iry master, who always reposed his tru'^t in me ? 
 And I, 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 ;
 
 THE EXGLI?H HERMII. 113 
 
 I have at once lost all credit and reputation, and see 
 notliiii}; but ruin, unavoidable ruin. O woman, 
 voman! cnrseri, bewitching woman ; what an infinite 
 niiniber of mischiefs are you the simrce of! But 
 wlio do I exclaim against a woman so innocent, and 
 so cliarniiiii;, wlien I, the traiterous dtceiver, souglit 
 nothing bin her eternal misery ? O just Heaven! 
 'twas yon that saved her from impending ruin, an 
 deservetlly tlirew all the fatal etlects upon myself: 
 ■well, I'll bear them patiently ; load me with all the 
 evils yon can bring, till they mount so high you can 
 lay no more." Raving and cursing in this manner, 
 he tired his spirits and fell asleep. 
 
 Having slept some time, he awakes, wondering 
 where lie was : " Did I dream," says he, " or is ft 
 real ? No, it must certainly be true ; I am the most 
 wretched mortal breathing. The very same 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 hiilierto protected her, it will likewie preserve 
 her from the evil intents of my master." Reflect- 
 ing upon himself in this manner, he walked about 
 till day-light, not knowing what to do, nor whitiier 
 to go : he was not a great way from London, desti- 
 tute of friends or acquaintance, little or no money 
 in his pocket, and durst not see his master. De- 
 spairing, in this condition, he s:tw a company of hay- 
 makers going to work, it being summer-time; and 
 re.solved to make one of their number, if possible ; 
 hoping by that means to keep himself from starving, 
 and work liis passage up to London. 
 
 With this resolution he attacks the haymakers, 
 asking them whence they came, and whither they 
 were going : which they answered very civilly, tell- 
 ing him they came from London, and were going 
 towards the North of England : so, being baulked in 
 his expectation of coming to London along with 
 them, he knew not what to do ; but at last resolved 
 
 I
 
 114 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 to go alon? with them, hoping to meet something in 
 his way that might make his journey pleasant ; so 
 tells them his resulution to make one aniongst them : 
 but they, seeing a man genteelly dressed petitioning 
 for a poor haymaker's place, took him to be only in 
 jest, and told him they should be glad of such a 
 companion, if he spoke as he thought. He protested 
 to them the sincerity of his intention, telling thera 
 his misfortunes drove him to such low circum- 
 stances. 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 with them, and tarried 
 till the old farmer came, who, finding a well-dressed 
 young fellow wanting an employment of that kind, 
 a!4ced him a great many questions, which Tom an- 
 swered very pertinently : the farmer, therefore, 
 taking it only as a frolick, was willing not to baulk 
 him, and so liired 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 ; so hires a man to go to 
 the next town to buy him one, with which, as soon 
 as bought, he falls to work very pleasantly. 
 
 Tom went with them from place to place, con- 
 forming himself to their customs in every point, 
 being a verv merry companion, and much beloved 
 by his fellows : his present life became much plea- 
 santer than his former, never inquiring after his 
 master, or country girl, nor did he know what ^\as 
 become of them.' At last, it fell to his lot to be 
 hired by tlie farmer he then worked for ; who, seeing 
 him a tractable, bri;k young fellow, asked him whe- 
 ther he would be his servant; for he then wanted 
 one. Tom, after a little hesitation, told him he 
 should be glad of such a master; so struck a bargain, 
 and hired himself for a year. 
 
 Tom had not been there much above a year, 
 b*.tore Quarll's wife came down thither, who, being
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. lift 
 
 a genteel London madam, reminded him of his 
 former 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 tind a fa- 
 vourable opportunity ; and so took all occasions to 
 oblige her, and was better respected by her than any 
 of the others, she often saying that that fellow had a 
 certain Je ne scaiqnoi 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 converse than before, and often diverted 
 her with entertaining stories ; and one day, being 
 alone with her, opened to her the whole series of 
 his past fortunes and misfortunes, which she heard 
 with great attention and pleasure ; for Tom had 
 never before discovered himself to any; but, think- 
 ing to gain credit with this gentlewoman, made her 
 only privy to it. When Tom was gone, she began 
 to reflect on the fellow's dexterity ; and, believing 
 him well skilled in all kinds of adventures, thought 
 he might be a tit instrument for her escape, and 
 resolved to advise with him about it : accordingly, 
 the next day took an opportunity to call him to her 
 again, when she was alone, desiring him to divert 
 her with some of his merry tales, telling him she 
 was then very melancholy. " Madam," says Tom, 
 " I am sorry I should find you melancholy ; but I'll 
 do all I can to please you." 
 
 " Ay," says she, " if you knew the occasion of 
 my melancholy, you would pity me, as well as be 
 sorry ; but you cannot be ignorant what a prisoner 
 I am made liere, how constantly I am attended, and 
 have scarce any thing but brutes to speak to. I can 
 assure you, that this usage is enough to make me as 
 mad as the people take me to be ; for I never was 
 hrought up in this manner, which my husband 
 knows ; it is only a contrivance of his to keep me 
 12
 
 116 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 here a close prisoner, if possible ; but I'll deceive 
 him : for if a woman's invention can find any means 
 to escape this cursed place, he shall be sure to see 
 me in London quickly, and that to his great mor- 
 tification." 
 
 The sly rogue heard her very quietly, and thought 
 he might now have his de-ired ends ; so tells her 
 she should be released that very night, if she 
 pleased, and he himself would accompany her to 
 Ldffdon ; for he longed to be there again. She 
 was glad to hear him say so ; and asked him by 
 ■what means he intended to convey her thence. 
 "O Lord!" says he, "easy enough. I'll tell yon 
 how. I'll take a ladder, and set it against your 
 window, and so come into your room, and take your 
 clothes, and every thing you have a mind to send 
 to London, and send them to a particular acquain- 
 tance of mine ; then I'll come back and fetch you, 
 and conduct you to the next town, wliich is not 
 above five or' six miles off, and stay there for the 
 stage coach, and so go both to London together." 
 The gentlewoman, willing to get her liberty at any 
 rate, agreed to the proposal, only desiring another 
 day to look after all her things, and pack them up 
 conveniently, because she would not hurry herself, 
 lest they should mistrust, and stop her journey. 
 
 Tom consented to what she said, and wished for 
 the approaching time ; which being come, and all 
 things in readiness, he brings the ladder, and 
 mounts up towards the room ; while she as readily 
 delivers him, from tlfe window, all her baggage 
 ready packed up; vliicii Tom takes and carries 
 away, and presently returns to fetch the gentle- 
 woman ; who, overjoyed to think herself freed from 
 that tiresome place, gets out of window, and began 
 to descend the ladder ; but, being over-eager, and 
 not used toenterprizesof that kind, her fool slipped, 
 and down she tumbles, ladder and all ; which Tom 
 seeing, knew the consequence, and ran away as he
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 117 
 
 could, leaving Mrs. Qiiarll to get np by herself; fw 
 tlie ladder, in tumbling, broke the windows where 
 the old farmer lay, and made a horrid noise, so 
 that it scared tiie good man out of his sleep, who 
 got up to see what was the matter ; and, perceiving 
 the gentlewoman's window open, and a fellow run- 
 ning across the yard, criesout — " Murder! Thieves I 
 thieves !" which alarmed the whole family ; some 
 getting pitchforks, some pokers ; some one thing 
 some another, in order to scare the thieves ; bu 
 the old man, 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 lost, 
 carefully looking into every hole and corner, not 
 daring to advance too fast, for fear of a surprize ; 
 and coming to Mrs. Quarll's room, whose window 
 he had seen open, calls to her a long time ; but, 
 hearing no answer, fancied she was murdered, and 
 therefore breaks open the door, and searches the 
 room ; but tiiere 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 sallied into the yard to hunt the 
 thieves there ; and, looking about, they perceived 
 something under the ladder, which looked like 
 women's clothes ; so, taking it up, they pulled from, 
 under it a real woman, something like Mrs. Quarll ; 
 and, looking more narrowly, perceived it to be the 
 very same individual person, almost dead with the 
 fright and the bruises she had received. 
 
 And now their greatest wonder was, how she 
 came thither. The old man said he believed that 
 some thieves had gotten into the house, and, to 
 prevent her crying, had stopped her mouth, and 
 thrown her out of the window. "But," says another 
 wiseacre, " how came she to have her clothes on ? I 
 am sure she ought to have been abed. Now," adds 
 he, " I believe the devil tempted her to throw 
 herself out of the window ; and that must certainly
 
 118 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 be him yon saw run across the yard so swiftly." 
 Thus they disputed a long time, 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 be i, and sat up with her all that night. 
 
 After all was finished, the old man, willing to 
 know what quantity of men he had lost, calls a ge- 
 neral muster; 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 (here 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 not 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 belter things than 
 to come tliither again ; for he knew the adventure 
 would be blown, and then he should be certainly 
 discarded with disgrace ; so was resolved to make 
 the best of what he had got ; went away, and was 
 never heard of again. 
 
 Mrs. Quarll, 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 mur- 
 dered ; and now he had his desired end, only that 
 she was the unhappy cause of her own death. The 
 old man, as soon 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, lie had no 
 occasion to send for his wife's clothes, for she had 
 before lost them ; and he te Is him by what means. 
 Quarll, as soon as he had the letter, was very much 
 troubled at his wife's fully ; but resolved, if she re 
 covered, she should tarry sometime without clothes ; 
 which be knew would be punishment enough to her
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 119 
 
 pride : so he writes back to them that they should 
 take all possible care to restore 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 soine clothes, and make them 
 amtiids for their trouble. 
 
 Mrs. Qnarll, in about a month, began to be upon 
 the mending hand ; which her husband being in- 
 formed of, resolved to make her stay another month 
 without clothes, which he knew would be a greater 
 punishment than the other month of sickness. But 
 here he was mistaken ; for it was almost three 
 months before she perfectly recovered ; who, find- 
 ing that, before that time, her husband had sent her 
 some fine new clothes, was, in great measure, re- 
 conciled to him ; and resolved, during her stay tliere, 
 to be much more easy in her mind tlian before. 
 
 The good people, wiiom 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 necessaries, free from 
 that subjection she might be under, if with her 
 husband, whose cross and ill humours she woidd be 
 obliged to bear with : besidestwenty other vexations 
 incumbent to a married life, from which she was 
 screened by his being from lier. 
 
 The old woman's wise remonstrances being backed 
 with the sudden arrival ot a fresh supply of several 
 sorts of choice drams, as also the ensuing quarter's 
 money for her board, and tlie season rendering the 
 country extremely agreeable, made her patiently 
 submit 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 
 country, had enjoyed the uncontrolled pleasures of 
 a single life, having no mind to interrupt them by 
 her presence, took care to secure her there ; send-
 
 120 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 ing her guardians now and then fresh charge to be 
 watchful over her, and a small present to encourage 
 them to it. 
 
 But surly Fate, who was ever averse to his hap- 
 piness, 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 intolerably proud and con- 
 ceited ; which was the cause of licr bejiig still un 
 married, thinking herself too good for any trades- 
 man, or anything below a gentleman ; which seeing 
 no prospect to get, being courted by none, she 
 became a general man-hater : but Quaiil, who was 
 a handsome young man, and of a genteel employ, 
 tliough not a gentleman, coming to lodge at her 
 house, reconciled her to the sex in a little time, and 
 made her change her resolution never to marry, 
 heartily wisliing he would court her: therefore, by 
 her more than common attendance for a lodger, did 
 all slie could to give him invitation, but all to little 
 success ; for Quarll, wlio hail 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 expecta- 
 tion : but lier love increasing daily, without being 
 taken notice of, she was obliged to declare it to an 
 old gentlewoman, who lodged in the next room to 
 him ; who, having doubtless been in the same con- 
 dition, was, by experience, capable to give her 
 advice. 
 
 The old gentlewoman (as it is peculiar to them, 
 when past the sport themselves, to love to promote 
 it in others) took upon her the management of that 
 artair ; and from that time watched the opportunity 
 of speaking to him, which was only in the morning 
 oefore he went out, or at night when he came home, 
 Deing abroad all the day beside : so, having resolved 
 upon it, the next morning she leaves her own door
 
 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 121 
 
 open, which was opposite to his, jvaiting his coming 
 out, to invite him to a dish of chocolate, which she 
 had ready for that purpose. 
 
 Having, according to her desire, got him into her 
 chamber, as he was drinking his dish, she feigns a 
 lit of laughing. " You wonder," said she, " what 'tis 
 I 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 m*an-haler, Madam !" says he ; " who is 
 that I" 
 
 " Don't you know?" replied she: "why, our land- 
 lady, who has refused so many fine otters. Lord, 
 liow happily 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 pkase her. 
 'Tis true, indeed, she is very deserving : the worst 
 part of her is in the sight, and that you know is not 
 disagreeable ; but did you see vhat a fine body she 
 has, you would be ready to run niad for her: surely 
 she has the finest leg and foot tliat ever woman went 
 on; and, for a skin, she may challenge the whole 
 sex : in short, she is fit for a king's embraces. She 
 has several good properties besides ; and one above 
 all, which perhaps you 11 say is the principal; she 
 has money, and a great deal; well, that \\ill be 
 soon disposed of, I dare say; 1 NNi*h I knew on 
 whom ; sure it must be some angel ; for I have 
 heard her find fault with very handsome men that 
 have addressed to her. Pray, did you ever observe 
 any man to come here? He must be the person; 
 for all her concerns are with women." 
 
 " Indeed," replied Quarll, " I never take notioe 
 who comes : besides, I am seldom at home ; so have 
 ni)t an opportunity to make observations." 
 
 " But I have," said she ; " and made it my 
 bu.-iness to mind ; yet never saw any man in this
 
 22 THE EBiOulSb b£hun. 
 
 louse since I came, but yoa : suppose you should 
 #e he at last ?" 
 
 " Oh Maflara, there is no danger," answered 
 ^•jarll ; " she, who has refused so many rich matches, 
 ftill hardly set her mind on a poor singing-master." 
 
 " How do yon know that ?" replied the old lady : 
 ' love comes by fancy, and marriage by fate, and . 
 t may be yours to have her : so I woidd have yoa 
 ;nltivafe her love, Mhich I could almost swear yon 
 jossess ; yon will find it worth your while : here is 
 m agreeable woman in an extraordinarily good 
 jusiness, a honse well furnished, and, I'll warrant, 
 jioney-bags well filled : now, if you are disposed to 
 nake your fortune, here is a fair opportunity." 
 ^uarll was sadly puzzled what answer to make. 
 His present circumstances prompt him to soothe 
 Ahat his condition obliges him to deny : his business 
 ilackens, and his charges no wise lessen ; his income 
 IS dubious, and expenses certain — the most prevail- 
 ing 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 living is 
 paid for, which this proposed marriage will enable 
 him ly» do, though other business failed. That ob- 
 jection being removed, his answer was, He feared 
 that happiness wonld be above his aspiring to ; 
 which being according to the mediatress's wish, she 
 promised him her as'i'tance. So he took his leave, 
 and went aboirt his daily atfairs, leaving the manage- 
 ment of that to her ; who immediately went to 
 inform the amorous landlady of her success. 
 
 Quarll being returned at night, the old lady, pnr- 
 snant to the business she had taken in hand, foUowi 
 him to his chamber, with the joyful news that she 
 had, by her landlady's blushing, discovered what 
 her modesty would have concealed ; that he was the 
 man beloved ; and, therefore, she would not have 
 him delay his being made happy. To which he 
 answered. As she had been the first cause of bis
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 123 
 
 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 blessed day." And 
 so bid him good night. 
 
 The old gentlewoman, being made sole directress 
 of that affair, was very diligent in the accomplish- 
 ment thereof; so had them married on the day she 
 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 ; so that greetings daily filltd tiie 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 
 churlish Fate, which ever persecuted him, would not 
 permit that happy state to continue ; and, the more 
 to aggravate his loss, makes love, the chief author of 
 his bliss, now the principal instrument of hi' sor- 
 row; jealousy, the greatest plague that can befal a 
 married life, infects his wife. She is npon thorns 
 whilst he is ab?ent, 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 disturbed, leaves her abode, ^^hich is 
 immediately taken up by Strife, and is commonly 
 attended with ruin, the decreed influence of poi-r 
 Quarll's surly fate. Business falling otf from both 
 their hands, makes them negligent of the little they 
 have: the husband diverts his cares abroad, whilst 
 the wife drinks away her sorrow at home. Thus 
 money growing scant, credit must be pledged ; 
 which, being not redeemed, exposes the owner to 
 disgrace, which is commonly the poor man's lot. 
 
 The mercer and silkman, with whom his wife 
 dealt before she was married, having received 
 money but once since her marriage, and seeing her 
 discontent, imagined her husband (who appeared
 
 1^ THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 something too airy for one of her sedate years) was 
 the occasion thereof, by his extravagant spending 
 what she, with much care and frugality, had saved, 
 arrested him, without giving him notice ; lest, 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 of 
 gaol. 
 
 His proud wife, who thought men of the best and 
 genteelest trades inferior to her merits, seeing her- 
 self at last married to one whose station was looked 
 upon to be as odious as that of a cojnmon bailiff, 
 fell into such a passion that it cast her into a violent 
 fit ; from which being recovered, she flies out of 
 the house in a great fury, swearing by all that was 
 good she would no more live with a foot syldier; so 
 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, 
 a Judgment is served upon the goods of the house, at 
 tlie suit of an upholsterer; so, the house being en- 
 •irely unfurnished, he was obliged to seek new 
 I »!gings, where he continued a full quarter without 
 hearing of his wife. 
 
 Quarll, hoping his wife had left him in good ear- 
 nest, indulges himself with the thoughts of being a 
 third time delivered from the greatest incumbrance 
 Jiat can' involve a man ; wondering how he could so 
 Jtren fall into the same snare. " Three wives," 
 OHid he, •' in three years! and everyone equal 
 , la^o«s, though of a different nature! The first a 
 Ali()re,of whom I was most luckily rid. by accident: 
 Ju- second a proud, lazy, indolent creature , she by 
 itrdtdgem is secured : and the third a conceited
 
 THE ENGLISin HERMIT. 125 
 
 jealous wretch ; to her ostentation I owe my deli- 
 verance. Well, now I am once more free, I'll take 
 care how I hamper myself again :" so he makes a 
 strong resolution, let what would happen, to live 
 single from that time ever after. 
 
 But his resolution, though ever so strong, cannot 
 avert Fate's irrevocable decree : a fourth wife is 
 allotted him, which will bring upon him more vex- 
 ation and trouble than he has yet gone through; his 
 peace will not onl^ be broken, and his ease dis- 
 turbed, but his life must be in jeopardy. 
 
 One evening that he was diverting his colonel, 
 and the rest of his club, with singing, 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 pro- 
 pose a match between Quarll, who went for a ba- 
 chelor, 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 ascendant 
 upon the sex, especially on widows, made a consi- 
 derable impression upon the hostess; who, being 
 already above forty, was willing to intermix her 
 supernumerary years with those of a husband of a 
 lesser age : so, turning to jest w hat she heartily 
 wished to be in earnest, answers, in a joking man- 
 ner, that Mr. Quarll doubtless had before that time 
 made a better choice ; so would hardly agree to 
 their proposal. " A better choice," said the gen. 
 tieman, " I deny that : — here is 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 ; so here's 
 to its good success : " thus he drinks to her, whs^ in 
 ajoking way, puts it about. The glass having been 
 roufid, " Now, Mr. Quarll," said the colonel, " let 
 us have a love song to conclude the matter."
 
 126 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Quarll, who thought the gentlemen had been 
 but in jest, in his heart wished it conjd turn to 
 earnest. The notion of a good establishment, and 
 prospect of considerable advantage, having blanched 
 over those great obstacles his present low circum- 
 stances, and elevated condition, made him overlook, 
 be did all he could to forward what had been pro- 
 posed : so having, according to request, gi>en the 
 land-lady a love-song, he goes and salutes her w ith a 
 hearty kiss; who, smiling, asked him whether he 
 thought she was to be purchased with a song ? to 
 ■which he replied, the song was only to express the 
 thoughts of his heart, which he ottered 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," .said these gentlemen, "yoa 
 cannot, in gratitude and good manners, but answer 
 them kindly." 
 
 " Indeed, gentlemen,'* said she, " I can say no 
 more, but that they are mighty pretty words and 
 charmingly sung." 
 
 " Well, then," replied the colonel, " fU say the 
 rest for you. The lover having expressed his pas- 
 sion in so soft terms and engaging a way, you can- 
 not, without doing violence to your good nature, 
 deny him m hat he requests in so melting a manner ; 
 nor shall ; I say the word." Which was confirmed by 
 all the company. To which slie making no answer 
 it was taken for granted. So the marriage being 
 concluded on, the next day was fixed upon for the 
 performance thereof; being resolved not to adjourn 
 till it was over, they besjjoke a splendid suppev, and 
 80 spent the night merrily. 
 
 The wedding was kept all the week, during which 
 time every gentleman was profuse in his expenses, 
 as an encouragement to the new-married couple, 
 whose trade increased daily. 
 
 Their prosperous beginning &eemed to promise
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 I lar 
 
 a happy life, living in love and peace at home, and 
 being in good repute and credit abroad ; but the 
 same 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 liim immediately in her eye, 
 which as speedily conveyed him to her heart. The 
 addition which a charming new suit of clothes 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 pas- 
 sionate love than ever. She cannot live any longer 
 from him ; she must have him w ith her at any 
 rate, and will not rest till she finds out his lodgings ; 
 whence she resolves to wash all sorrow away with 
 her tears, and settle him again in her arms. So she 
 straight goes to the tavern she saw him come out of, 
 supposing it might be a house he constantly used, 
 on purpose to inquire where he lodged. 
 
 Tlie new wife, who was then in the bar, to whom 
 she applied, perceiving in her some sort of disorder, 
 was very inquisitive to know her business ; in which 
 the poor Moman 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, oil the ground, deprived of all her senses ; 
 and, for a considerable time, lies as though bereft 
 of life. 
 
 This dull scene turns the new wife's passion 
 into commiseration ; and she pities that misfortune 
 which in lier mind she before condemned as a 
 crime. " This," said 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 
 mislortiine." So, having ordered fair water and 
 hartshorn drops to be brouglit, gave her some in a 
 glass of water, which in a small time fetched her a 
 iitUe to life ; who, recovering, cried out " Had I
 
 128 THE E!SGLlSfl HERMIT. 
 
 not been so bewitched as to go from him, he would 
 not have left me." These words in a moment turut-d 
 the officious condoler into a revengeful rival, who 
 immediately imagined she had lately lived with him 
 as a mistress, and, doubtless, would endeavour to 
 do the same again: so, giving her hand (wiiich she 
 kindly held before) a scornful toss 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 certi- 
 ficate (which she happened to have about her) : 
 "Which caused almost as much disorder in tfee be- 
 holder as she herself was lately in. 
 
 Having recovered her speech, which the late sur- 
 prize had obstructed, she asked lier, in a violent 
 passion, why she had been so base as to give him 
 the opportunity to come and cheat her, by her leav- 
 ing him; for she was his wife also? To which she 
 answered that slie could not justify her going from 
 him, though indeed she had great provocation, he 
 not proving the man she took him to be. " What!" 
 replied slie in the bar, " was he not man enough for 
 j'ou ? I think you are very hard to please : however, 
 since the deceit made yon leave him, why do you 
 disturb yourself about him? He has not deceived me, 
 nnless it be in having a wife before: but as you left 
 him of your own accord, he had no more to do with 
 you." 
 
 " No ! " replied she, in a passion ; " but he shall 
 find, and so shall you, that I have to do with him," 
 aud so went away. 
 
 It being tiien about noon, his usual time to come 
 home from market, she went into a public house 
 opposite to the tavern, there to wait his return, 
 which was a little after. As soon as she saw him, 
 she gave him a call over. 
 
 The sudden and unexpected sight of the only ob- 
 stacle to the happiness he then enjoyed was most
 
 THE KNGUSH HERMIT. 129 
 
 terribly shocliing 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 resolved to have him 
 in her arms ere she went; and as he did not come 
 as quick at her call as her impatience required, she 
 attempted 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 ex- 
 posed him, and brought it to his new wife's know- 
 ledge, being near home : so he hastens over to the 
 house she A\as in, to prevent her coming; and, judg- 
 ing his beginning to upbraid her with her elopement 
 would, ^1 some measure, moderate her railing at 
 him, he tells her, as he enters the room — " I hope, 
 madam, you have, by this lime, 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 : hers is but 
 a fault, but his a crime. Bi>t, as reproaches are not 
 proper nie:uis to advance a reconciliation, which 
 was her intent, she bridles her passion, and forces 
 hernature to a submission; so throws herself at his 
 feet, and falls a weeping; owning she had com- 
 mitted a fault, for which she heartily repented, and 
 promised to atone by her future behaviour ; calling 
 Heaven to witness her chastity during her most 
 unhappy separation. 
 
 Quarll, beinK of a compassionate temper, was 
 soon made flexible by her tears : so takes her np by 
 the hand, who as soon fell into his arms, incapable 
 of speaking for weeping; but Quarll, who was in 
 haste to be gone, being waited for at home, it being 
 about his time of dinner, complied with the poor 
 afflicted woman's eying and sobbhig, whose chief 
 request was that herwoiild only see her home tl.at 
 time : which he i resently granted, to be quit of her ; 
 so ordered a coach to be called. 
 
 His new wife, at home, being uneasy at his stay- 
 ing beyond his time, came to the door to look w he-
 
 130 THE ENULISB HKRMIT. 
 
 tlier she could see him come. At that most unlucky 
 time he was handing his other wife into the coach ; 
 which she iinloi innately spying, ran over, as swift 
 as a hawk flies after his prey, and pulls him back 
 by the lappet <jf liis coat, as he was stepping into 
 the coach after her. The disorder this second sur- 
 prize put liiin in obliged him to go again into the 
 house he just came out of, where she immediately 
 followed hiin, raving and railing as much as the 
 provocation and her passion did allow, leaving in 
 the coacli his former wife ; who, by that second ter- 
 rible surprize, was again struck speechless, and like 
 one bereft uf sense. 
 
 The roachinan, having waited some time, being 
 impatient, calls in the house, desiring the gentleman 
 to make liasie, or else to allow him for waiting; at 
 whicli the new wife comes out in a violent passion, 
 and bids him be gone, for he was not wanted. 
 *' What shall I do wiih the gentlewoman in my 
 coach ?" said he; "you had best 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 so went in. 
 
 " You may carry her there," j-eplied the surly 
 coachman; " you best know the way." So goes to 
 the coach an<l shakes her till she comes to herself: 
 then, taking her up in his arms, " 1 am biil to carry 
 you to the clevil," sai<l he; " but I believe you are 
 able to go yourself; so I will set you down here that 
 you may take your own time." Having set her 
 down, he then drives away. Tiiere being a milliner's 
 shop just by, she goes in, desiring leave to sit 
 awhile, till she was able to go. J>he had scarce been 
 there three minutes, but she sees her husband haml- 
 ing his new wife over, very complaisantly ; which 
 so exasperated her that she fully resolved upon re- 
 venge ; cht)osing be should be hanged, rather than 
 her rival should enjoy him : so went directly, and
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 131 
 
 took ont a warrant, which she immediately served, 
 and had him before a justice of the peace, who 
 committed liim forthwilli to Newgate. 
 
 The following sessions happening to be extraordi- 
 narily great, by the vast number of criminals, his 
 trial, and several more, were put off until 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, 
 lest they should inquire into the occasion of his 
 sending that money, he desired one who often came 
 to visit a prisoner to do liim that favour, which he 
 readily promised, but did not perform; so that the 
 people in the country, who were used to be paid a 
 quarter before-hand, were a quarter in arrear: 
 which, with the boarder's pressing importunity to 
 come up to London, made them at last resolve upon 
 it; where, being arrived, they immediately inquired 
 after the unfortunate Quarll, whose imprisonment 
 they soon heard of, as also of the cause thereof. 
 
 This did not a little exasperate the already suffi- 
 ciently-provoked inquisitress ; who, presently ima- 
 gining, with good reason, that his confining her in the 
 country was merely for that intent, resolved to pro- 
 secute him according to the utmost rigour of the law; 
 wondering who that good person was that had him 
 apprehended : so she 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 
 woidd know the prosecutor, and, at her own dis- 
 cretion, back tiie prosecution. 
 
 In the mean time, his first wife, who had lately 
 been dismissed Ohe knight who kept her being not 
 long since married to a vast fortune), having heard 
 of Quarll's being in Newgate, went straiglit to visit 
 him. Her grief and his surprise at her coming 
 stopped, for some time, the utterance of both their 
 minds: at last, Quarll, who had just reason to tax 
 her as the author of his present misfortune, re- 
 
 1
 
 Bt THE KXGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 proached her with her leaving him, which was the 
 original cause thereof. The innocent, yet guilty, 
 SalJy, wliose inclination, disposition, and resolu- 
 tion, had been violated, related the dismal acconnt 
 of her fatal ravishment, and pleaded her cause with 
 Buch a prevailing eloquence, as new-kindled his 
 former love, and made him (though the suflerer) 
 give it on her side. 
 
 Being thoroughly reconciled, and having spent 
 some hours in expressing both their griefs, they at 
 last parted, after a thousand cordial embraces ; and, 
 as she was enabled, by the settlement the knight 
 had made upon her, she supplied him w ith money and 
 necessaries during his confinement in Newgate ; and 
 ■was with him constantly every day, almost from 
 morning till night ; and, when he was called upon 
 trial, she attended in tiie court, more concerned 
 his than if she herself had been arraigned. 
 
 The sessions being commenced, he was tirst called 
 to the bar : his indictment being read, he desired to 
 be heard by his coimsel, 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 
 Lis first wife : at which she whom he kept in the 
 country starts up — " That belongs to me," said she; 
 " I am the first wife : " so produces her certificate. 
 A third wife appearing, startles both the j idges 
 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 hei 
 right, which she may chance to turn to the prisoner's 
 advantage ; so addressing the bench — " My lords," 
 Baid she, " I did not tiiink to apply for justice ; but 
 seeing these women contending for that which be- 
 longs to neither of them, I think myself obliged to 
 claim my right : I am the first wife, an piea3e 
 your lordships."
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 133 
 
 " How! a fourth wife, and indicted but for two!" 
 said the judges in a great surprise. 
 
 " Why, my lords," replied an old surly judge 
 npon the bench, " if truth be known, he has half a 
 score ; I see it in his looks : these smock-faced young 
 fellows are so admired by the women that they 
 have not the power to refuse any thing." Sally, 
 who thought to do the prisoner service in taking 
 the privilege of first wife into her own hands, find- 
 ing the success of her good intent quite reversed, 
 heartily repented appearing, and would have with- 
 drawn, 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 mis- 
 chief she had done; so put her in a way to invali- 
 date her deposition. — " Now, madam," said the 
 counsel, " I very much question whether you can 
 make your assertion good ; pray produce your cer- 
 tificate ; you can do us no hurt else." Sally, over- 
 joyed to hear that, said — " She had none ; " choosing 
 to undergo the greatest disgiace, rather than he 
 should come to the least hurt. 
 
 " I thought as much," said the counsel. 
 
 " Well, well," replied the surly judge, " she may 
 have lost it: where was was you married, child?" 
 
 " At Chatham, my lord, I think," answered she, 
 very much discountenanced. 
 
 " At Chatham, did you say'?" replied the counsel. 
 " I doubt yours has been a sailor's wedding, over » 
 pot of drink ; a man's wife till the next voyage, and 
 any body's when he is gone. Your lordship sees 
 how this case stands." 
 
 " Yes, yes," ans^vered a judge; " if she is first 
 wife that way, I dare say he is not her first husband, 
 by many." So she was hissed out of the court.
 
 l34 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Then the judge addressing the next pretender— 
 " I hope," says he, " yOurs will not prove a sailor's 
 wedding, as her's did." 
 
 " A sailor's ! No, my lord," replied the second 
 wife; "I have witnesses enough to mine: my lady 
 Firebrass, with whom I lived, and her two daugh- 
 ters, saw 3ne fairly married in St. Martin's church." 
 
 " How came it," said the judge : " yo« did not 
 sue him before he married the third wile ? You 
 shonld have prevented his cheating any other poor 
 woman." 
 
 " Why, my lord," said she, " I knew nothing of 
 it ; he kept me a prisoner in the country, at this 
 good woman's house, where he decoyed me, under 
 pretence of being careful of me : I must go into the 
 country for a month or two, to take the air ! but 
 when he had me there, there he kept me ever since, 
 chargmg the people of the house not to suffer me 
 to come up to London, nor yet to go out; pretend- 
 ing I was mad, because I complained I was not 
 well." 
 
 " A very pretty device :" j-eplied the old judge. 
 
 " Yes, my lord," cried out all the women in 
 the court (wlio were come in great numbers to 
 hear a trial about a rape, committed by a Quaker 
 npon 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 pleasure 
 of the country air, shall, when he has got 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 sick at will, and 
 groan at tlieir pleasure, and also accept of their 
 husbands' kindnesses when offered. 
 
 The court being silenced, the proceedings went 
 on, and several of the judges having been spoken to
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 135 
 
 by some of Qiiarll's particular friends, who were 
 related to some of them, they were more favourable 
 in their judgment, all but the old surly 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. 
 
 Qiiarll^vvho thought his wife in the country was 
 secure frmii coming against him, not having given 
 his counsel instructions concerning her, was obliged 
 to plead himself. " My lords," said he, " the lirst 
 deponent against me being run mad, and thereby 
 untit for human society, I was obliged to think of 
 some retirement for her, as it is necessary for people 
 in her case." — " Unfit for human society !" replied 
 the second wife, in a great fury ; and was going on 
 in the same temper, but was bid to be silent, and he 
 to proceed. **' So, my lords," 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 country in the sum- 
 mer; which made her accept the otfer: there, my 
 lords, i boarded her with very honest and suffi- 
 cient people, in a handsome, creditable, and pleasant 
 house." 
 
 "A pleasant house!" replied she; "a perfect 
 hovel. ' — " There, my lords, I provided her every 
 thing she could want or desire, as her landlady, here 
 present, can testify." His cotmsel, who, by what 
 he had said, had taken sufficient hints to proceed, 
 ook the plea out of his hand, and went on : '* An't 
 please your lordship," said he," since by her mad- 
 ness," — " My madness! " said she interrupting the 
 counsel; "I desire, ray lords, this good woman 
 (with whom I have lived many years) may be sworn, 
 whether she, in all that time, did see or discern the 
 least symptoms of madness in me." -" Indeed," re- 
 plied the old woman, " 1 have often seen you in the
 
 IM THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 vapours, bnt I cannot say I ever saw yoa what 
 they say raving mad, but once." 
 
 " My lord," said the prisoner, " I beg this letter, 
 which she sent me a week after she was there, may 
 be read, and then your lordships may judge whe- 
 ther I do her wrong." 
 
 Orders being given from the bench, the letter was 
 read. The old woman hearing her house so despised, 
 where a well-bred dog would rnn mad, if kept in ; 
 and then her husband and herself compared to oxen 
 and cows, was not a little displeased. " My house, 
 Madam," said the old woman, " is not so despicable 
 neither, as that comes too : I'm sure, there's hardly 
 a better, or more convenient, within ten miles round 
 it. As for the room you lay in, no gentlewoman, in 
 her right senses, but would be contented with, espe 
 cially in the country; I must be obliged to side 
 with your husband there: and for my husband and 
 me to be reckoned no better than brutes, you have 
 little reason to say so; for no woman can be used 
 with more humanity than you have been : and as 
 for your being confined, you never ^^ere shut up 
 any where, but always had the liberty of walking 
 about our ground ; only indeed, I would not consent 
 you should trudge to London, as you often did otter 
 to do." Tiie old woman, having done speaking, 
 Quarll's counsel put it to the bench \\hclher the 
 prosecutrix oiiglit to be accounted in her right 
 senses. The judges having given their opinion that 
 she was frantic, the old judge being displeased at 
 their answer, asked them, whether a man or wo- 
 man's being frantic (which but few in this town are 
 more or less) does empower either to marry again ; 
 and if they will allow that, why did he marry a 
 third ? The second is not mad." 
 
 "The second," replied the counsel, " eloped, my 
 lord, and was from her husband half a year ; and 'lis 
 to be questioned w helher she would ever have come 
 near him, had she not accidentally found this oppor- 
 nity to trouble him."
 
 THE KNOLISa HERMIT. 137 
 
 " Tis a plain case, my lord," said another judsre, 
 " the prisoner is guilty of tlie crime he stands in- 
 dicted for: yet 1 don't see bist that there is room 
 for favour. His constitution perhaps maj^ require a 
 woman for the maintenance of his health, and his 
 inclination is averie against vile women : besides, 
 my lord, we don't hear that he did cohabit or cor- 
 respond with more than one at a time; and never 
 sought 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 tried according to the 
 laws of his country ; and must expect to sutier the 
 penalty of those laws : but he could see no room 
 for favour, unless his Majesty (Charles the Second) 
 would graciously be pleased to show it him ; and it 
 was entirely out of his i)wii power : so sums up the 
 evidence, and refers it to the jury. 
 
 The jury went out accordingly ; and, after having 
 staid some time, brought in their verdict—" Death." 
 Sally, who was just by, no sooner heard the terrible 
 news, but fainted away, and was oblieed to be car- 
 ried out of court. The three wives likewise went 
 away, upbraiding and reproaching one another with 
 being the fatal cause of losing their husband, wish- 
 »ng one another never to be relieved by man ; and 
 go 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 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 were brought 
 him ; and wrote the following letter to Lis colonel: 
 " May it please your honour, 
 
 I am now under the terrible sentence of condemnation ; I 
 need not tell you upon what account, my case lieinif too welJ 
 inOM-n to the world already: but as you have hcstowed go 
 mriny particular favours upon mc hitherto, this emboldens lue 
 oafjQ more, in thii mv extreme necessity, to rely upon yoar
 
 138 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 goodness. It is trne, mv merit cannot lay claim to the least 
 ir.:irk of your esteem ; but it is your generosity prompts me 
 to Uc^ my life at your liaiids, wliicli, if you preserve, siiall 
 always be devoted to your service, by your unfortunate iium 
 ble servant, "Fuilif Quabll." 
 
 As soon as he had finished, 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 she flies. Bein<< come to 
 the house, she delivers tiie letter to the colonel ; 
 who, having opened and read it, tuhi her, That she 
 might assure him he would do all that lay in his 
 power to serve him : so Sally, expressing her grati- 
 tude, retired to carry the news to her htisband. 
 When she came to the prison she found him read- 
 ing very seriously, leaning upon his hand, with tears 
 in his eyes: she stood some time to look at him; 
 but finding he never stirred his head, nor moved his 
 eyes, she went softly up to him, and spoke to him : 
 he no sooner heard her voice, but he 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, desiring him, with all tt nderness, to 
 stop the torrent ; for she 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 the 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 1 Tis you that now make 
 me wretched : had you not so compassionately 
 assisted me in this my dismal calamity 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 mis- 
 lortunes ? 'Tis that adds to my uneasiness. Oh 
 
 that I had not seen you in these my last moments!" 
 
 Saily interrupting him, said
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 139 
 
 " Come, talk not of last moments ; yon may yet 
 enjoy many happy years ; your colonel has promised 
 to nsehis utmost endeavours to preserve your life." 
 
 " I don't flatter myself with any thins; of that 
 kind," says he, " but if such a thing should happen, 
 I am fully resolved not to tarry long in England, 
 which has brouiht upon me so many (lire mishaps." 
 
 The colonel was as good as his word ; for he loved 
 Quarll extremely well : and therefore, as soon as 
 J^aliy was gone, he orders his coach to be got ready, 
 and away he posts to my Lord Daiiby, 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 wailed till he got 
 up ; wlio, as Soon as come down, cries out, " So, 
 colonel, what brings you here so soon ? Did yon 
 come to breakfast with me?" The colonel seeing 
 him so facetious and pleasant, tohl him his message. 
 My lord, as soon a- he heard it, answered, "That, 
 upon his honour, he certainly would grant his re- 
 quest ;" and made him stay to breakfast with him. 
 
 As soon as breakfast was over, he took leave of 
 his lordship, and away he comes to bring the tidings 
 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 such 
 cases; and related to him the success he had with 
 my Lord Danby: so desired him to be of good cheer. 
 Quarll fell at his leet, and expressed liis 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 satisfied; 
 and, after a little more conversation, left him. 
 
 Sally, in the mean time, was not idle ; for she 
 went anil bought a rich piece of plate, and presented 
 it to the Recorder, that he might favour Quarll in bis 
 report to his Majesty ; which had the desired etfect: 
 for, when the death warrant came down, he was 
 excluded : and in a few days after, my Lord Danby
 
 J40 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 procured his Majesty's most gracious pardon ; which 
 Lis colonel brought him with great joy. 
 
 Quarll being discharged out of Newgate, resolved 
 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 iier why she desired to be wretched, telling 
 her he was doomed to perpetual misciy; but she 
 was resolutely bent to follow him wherever 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 Barba- 
 does, the captain of her having been first mate of 
 the ship to which Quarll had formerly belonged; 
 this encouraged iiim to venture the voyage. Ac • 
 cordingly, he went to the commander, in order to 
 agree with him about it. The captain, after some 
 talk, began to call to mind their former acquaint- 
 ance, but wondered to see him so much altered as 
 to his condition, Qivarll being very handsomely 
 dressed, and his behaviour much better polished 
 than formerly : so desired him to give him an ac- 
 count how this strange alteration had happened, 
 and by what means he came to this good fortune. 
 " Good fortune! do you call it?" says Quarll; " I 
 suppose then you look upon men by iheir 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 thin I'll leave you to say whether I am 
 not rather the perfect 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," says the captain, " I 
 inought that my way of living brought upon me more
 
 , THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 141 
 
 troubles than landmen are subject to; for, since 
 I saw you, I have been shipwrecked twice; once 
 upon the coast of Guinea, where I lost the ship and 
 cargo, and but live men saved ; the other time, home- 
 ward bound from the East Indies, a violent storm 
 arose, and drove us upon the coast of France, 
 where with great ditficulty we cast anchor, in order 
 to refit our ship, wliich was very much damaged in 
 the late storm. But about twelve o'clock the same 
 night we came thither, a most violent hurricane 
 blew in upon us, broke our cables and drove us 
 ashore ; where again I lost the ship and cargo, but 
 all the men saved. Thus I think I have been un- 
 fortunate; but since they are past never think of 
 them: we shall have a pleasant voyage ; and as you 
 say j'ou have a mind to reside at Barbadoes, A\here 
 I mast touch in my return, I'd have you lay out 
 your money in the woollen manufacture, and cutlery- 
 ware, which are very good commodities in those 
 parts." Qi'«ill thanked him for his advice, and 
 parted with liim. 
 
 Away then he goes to Sally, and told her what 
 he had been doing, and whither he intended to go. 
 Sally answered what was his pleasure should be 
 hers; and that she would be a partner in his for- 
 tunes or misfortunes, go whither he woulcf. So 
 Quarll went and bought the goods which the cap- 
 tain advised him to, and sent them on board ; and 
 soon after followed with himself and w ife. 
 
 They had not been long at sea, 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. Tiie capta»n was afraid 
 that he would die also ; and did all he could to divert 
 him ; but w as a long time before he could bring 
 him to his former temper. 
 
 They sailed on with a side-wind for the sp>?ce of ?. 
 month; though, it changing full in their teeth, aud
 
 M3 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 very high withal, obliged them to cast anchor, in 
 order to lie by till the viind did serve ; but seeing 
 themselves ninde upon by a pirate, they were obliged 
 to weigh their anchor, and make the best of their 
 way before tiie wind, in order to avoid being taken 
 by those infidels, who pursued them from four of the 
 clock on Friday morning, till ten at night the fol- 
 lowing Sunday ; at which time there arose a storm; 
 the sky looked very black, tlie wind being at north- 
 west, and clouds began to rise and move towards 
 them, having hung all the morning in the horizon: 
 8o that they took in their top-sails, and furled their 
 inain-sail ; the sea ran very short, and broke in upon 
 their deck : however, they put right before the 
 M'ind, and sailed so fortliree weeks, when they made 
 Cape Horn : they had no sooner got round the 
 Cape, but the wind veered to the south, and it fell 
 flat calm ; which continued for two days, when the 
 wind sprung up at south-west, and they scudded 
 before the wind very swiftly, and made an island 
 whose name none of them knew, the ship having 
 never been the coast before ; but there they found 
 wood, water, and herbs of several sorts, some seals 
 and sea-fowls. Here they refreshed themselves 
 for four days, and then weighed anchor, the wind 
 being fair at full south, and traded at several ports 
 on the coast of Peru, Ciiili, and Mexico. From 
 Port Aqnapulco they sailed, havirg a fresh breeze 
 at NK.E. They had not sailed above one day, 
 before the wind veered to the south-west, and blew 
 a violent gale; 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 lime they perceived themselves near 
 Bome rocks. The storm rather increasing, and it 
 growing dark, they despaired of saving the ship; 
 and as the niiun yard could not lower, the ship's 
 tackling being disordered by the violence of the
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 143 
 
 •form, Qiiarll, being bold and active, took a hatchet 
 which tumbled about the deck, and ran up the 
 Bhrowds, 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 dashed tiie ship to 
 shatters against the rock, and with the violence of 
 the shock flung Quarll, who was astride upon the 
 main-yard, on the top of the rock ; wliere, having 
 the good fortune to fall in a clili, he was hindered 
 from being washed back again into the sea, and 
 drowned, as every body was that belonged to the 
 ship. 
 
 Quarll, in a dismal condition, remained the snc- 
 ceeding night in the clitt", being continually beaten 
 with the dashing back of the sea ; and being both 
 bruised and numbed, pulled otf his clothes, which 
 were dropping wet, and spread them in the sun; 
 and, being over-fatigued, laid himself down on the 
 smoothest place of the rock he could find, being 
 quite spent with the hardships he had undergone, 
 an<i slept while his clothes were drying. 
 
 His sleep, though very profound, was not refresh- 
 ing : the danger he had been lately in so ran in his 
 mind that grim death was ever before his eyes, 
 which constantly disturbed his rest; but nature, 
 who wanted repose, would be supplied, though it 
 be broken. Having slept a few hours, he awakes 
 almost as^nuch fatigued as before, and faint for 
 \frant of nourishment, having taken none for thirty- 
 six hours before : so, liaving looked upon his clothes, 
 which he perceived were not qtiite dry, he turned 
 the other side to the sun, and laid himself down to 
 sleep again; but still nothing but horror entered his 
 mind ; his soid was continually harrassed with tne 
 dismal apprehensions the eliects of the late storm 
 had impressed upon him. He dreamt he was in a 
 terrible tempest, and the ship he was in dashed 
 backwards and forwards through the waves wi'i^ 
 prodigious violence, the clouds pouring down vast
 
 144 THE ENGLISH HERMIT 
 
 Btreams of liquid ^re, and the raging ocean all in 
 flames In this dismal condition he knew not what 
 to do ; but, spying some land, as he thought, at a 
 little distance from the ship, he was endeavourina; 
 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 ashore ; 
 bnt, jnst as he was going to leap, he saw a horrid 
 frightful monster, with glaring eyes, and open 
 mouth, rush from the boiling flames, and make at 
 him to devour him ; which "scared him out of his 
 Bleep. 
 
 When he awoke, he was very much terrified 
 with his dream, and stared about him in a frighted 
 manner, expecting every minute some creature to 
 devour him: but, taking a little courage, put on 
 his clothes, which by tliis time were quite dry. He 
 then looks about him; but alas! could see nothing 
 but the dreadful ettects of the late tempest, dead 
 corpses, broken planks, and battered 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 
 escaped, he sees at the other side the prospect of 
 one more terrible, hunger and thirst, attended with 
 all the miseries that can make life biirthensome. 
 Being seized with the terror of the threatening evil, 
 he turns again towords the sea, 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!" said he, " past all dangers ! I have shared 
 ■with you in the terrors of death: why did I not also 
 partake with you in its relief? But why should I 
 complain who have so much reason to be thankful ? 
 Had I been cut off, when the cares of saving this 
 worthless carcase intercepted me from seeking the 
 salvation of my soul, I should not have had the pre- 
 sent opportunity of taking care of it." So, having
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 145 
 
 returned llianks for his late deliverance, he resigns 
 himself to Providence, on whom he fully relies ; 
 climbs up the rock, and, being come to the topjSees 
 land at tiie inside, bearing both trees and grass. 
 *' Heaven be praised I" said he, " I shall not perish 
 npon these barren rocks." So made a shift to go 
 down to it, the weather then being calm.
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF QUARLL S WONDERFUL SHIFTS, AND 
 fcURPRIZlNf. MANNER OF LIVING; OF THE MIRA- 
 CULOUS ACTS OF PROVIDENCE, ANU OF THE 
 STRANGE EVENTS WHICH HAPPENED IN THE 
 ISLAND SINCE HIS BEING THERE. 
 
 Being come to the other side of the rock, he finds 
 at ti.e bottom of it a narrow lake, which separated 
 it from thf land : therefore; pulling ott" his clothes, 
 the water being but shallow, he wades over with 
 them in hisarnis; and, dressing himself, walks up a 
 considerable way in the island, withoit seeing any 
 human creature, or perceiving any sign of its being 
 inhabited, which struck a great damp to his spirits. 
 He walks it over and over, cros?-ways and long- 
 ways ; yet could see nothing but monkeys, strar^^e 
 beasts, birds, and fowls, such as he had never seen 
 before. 
 
 Having ranged himself weary, he sat down nnder 
 a cluster of trees, thai made an agreeable arbour : 
 the place being pleasant and cool, made, as it were, 
 for repose, and he being stiU very much fatigued, 
 prompted him to lie down ar.-«l sleep ; during which, 
 his mind is (outinu^illy alarmed with the frigiitful 
 aspect of grim Deaih. Sometimes he fancies him- 
 self striving wiih tlie rolling waves, stretching out 
 his arms to catch hold of a plank tossing by ; which, 
 just fome at, is beaien back by the roaring billows, 
 whose terrible noise pronounces his death ; at ether 
 times he thinks himself astride upon a piece of mast, 
 laboariBg to keep himself on and of a sudden washed
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 147 
 
 away, and sunk down by a bulky wave ; on every 
 side of him men calling for help; others spent and 
 past speaking; here some floating that are already 
 perished, and there others expiring: thus in every 
 object seeing liis approaching fate. 
 
 Being awaked out of that irksome and uneasy 
 sleep, he falls into as anxious and melancholy 
 thoughts. " I have," said he, " escaped being 
 drowned, but how shall I avoid starving? Here's 
 no food for man. But why should I despair? Did 
 not Nebuchadnezzar live upon grass for several 
 years, till restored to his nation? Cannot I do the 
 same for a few days? by which time. Providence, 
 who has hitherto protected me, may raise me some 
 means to get hence." So, being entirely resigned, 
 he walked about so see the island, vhich he found 
 surrounded with rocks, at the bottom of which 
 there was a small lake, which was fordable in most 
 places, so that he could with ease wade over to the 
 rock ; which he did at every side of the island, to 
 see if he could perceive any ship, whereby he might 
 get away : but, seeing none, and it drawing towards 
 night, he returns, and employs the remainder of the 
 day in looking for the most convenient place for 
 him to pass away the approaching ni^ht ; and having 
 fixed upon one of the highest trees, he gets up as well 
 as he could, fearing some wild beast might devour 
 him if he slept below; 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 hunger waked him in the 
 morning, having dreamt over-night of abundance of 
 victuals, which he would fain have come at, but was 
 kept ofl by a cross cook, who bid him go and fish 
 for some : to which he answered, that he was ship- 
 wrecked, ard had nothing to fish withal. *' Well 
 then," said the cook to him again, " go where thoa 
 wast like to lose thy life, and there thou shalt find 
 wherewithal to support it." 
 
 l3
 
 148 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Being awaked, he makes reflections upon his 
 dream, %vhich though he imas^incd might proceed 
 from the emptiness of his stomach, it being cus- 
 tomary for people to dream of viciuali- \\hen tliey go 
 to bed iiiingry, yet at that time it may prove ominous. 
 So, driven by necessity, and led by cnriositj', he 
 went to the same side of the rock he had been cast 
 upon; wlieie having stood several hours without 
 seeing shipping, or aught that might answer his 
 dream, the air coming from tiie sea being pretty 
 sharp, and he faint, having taken no manner of food 
 for near three <lays, he gave over all hopes of 
 relief. Thus submitting himself to the will of Hea- 
 ven, which he supposed decreed a lingering death to 
 punish him for his past sins, he resolves to return 
 Mhere he lay the night before, and there wait for his 
 doom ; but being stopped by a sudden noise which 
 issued from a creek in the rock, not far from where 
 he stood, he had the curiosity to go and see what 
 occasioned it/ 
 
 Being come to the place he heard the noise pro- 
 ceed from, he sees a fine large cod-fish near six feet 
 long, dabbling in a hole in the rock, where the late 
 storm had cast it. 
 
 One under condemnation of death, and just ar- 
 rived at the ilace of execution, could not be more 
 rejoiced at the coming of a reprieve than he was at 
 the sight of this fish, having felt several sick qualms, 
 forerunners of the death he thought he was doomed 
 to. " Heaven be praised !" said he, " here's my dream 
 right : where Providence rescued my life from the 
 grin> jaws of Death, there it has provided me 
 •wherewithal to support it." 
 
 So, having taken otf both his garters, he gets into 
 the hole where the fish lay ; and, having run them 
 through it's gills, he iiales it out, and drags it after 
 Lim, being heavy, and he very weak. Going along 
 Le finds several oysters, muscles, and cockles in his 
 ■way, wliich the sea had cast up and down the rock ;
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 149 
 
 and having a knife about him, he sat down and ate 
 a few ; so refreshed himself, his spirits beiii? ex- 
 hausted for want of food. This small nutriment very 
 much recruited his decayed strength ; and the 
 thoughts of his supply of provision having dispersed 
 the dull ideas his late want had bred in his mind, he 
 cheerfully takes his (ish, which he drains with much 
 more vigour than before ; and filling his pockets with 
 salt thai was congealed by the sun, which he found 
 in the concavities of the rock, away he goes to the, 
 place where he lay the night before, in order to 
 dress some of the cod-fish; where being come, he 
 picks up a parcel of dry leaves, and, with his 
 knife and a Hint, struck lire, and kindled them: 
 then, getting together a few sticks, made a fire pre- 
 sently, and broiled a slice of his fish ; of which he 
 ate so heartily that it itvercame his stomach, being 
 grown weak with fasting. Thus sick and out of 
 order, he applies to the helpless resource, which was 
 lying down; and, having mv.ch fatigued and har- 
 rassed himsflf with hauling the heavy fish up and 
 down the rock, he fell asleep till the next morning: 
 during which time his rest was very much disturbed 
 with the frightful dream of being attacked by a ter- 
 rible monster, such as never was heard of, either for 
 bigness orgrimness; which pursued him, till having 
 run himself out of breath, lie was forced to lie ex- 
 posed to his fury; but was prevented being devoured 
 by a grave old gentlewoman of a most graceful and 
 majestic countenance, at whose sudden appearance 
 the monster fled. Having recovered breath, and 
 strength to speak, he returns the old lady thanks 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 assist the helpless, 
 but not the slothful and negligent : that he shoald
 
 150 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 see her again before it was long. Meantime, she bid 
 him not goon in evil ways, but, whenever overtaken, 
 not to despair; for she was always at hand : never- 
 theless, she would not have him too depending. And 
 80 went away, leaving him very easy and pleased in 
 his mind that lie had escaped such vast danger. 
 
 Having slept quietly the remainder of the nighty 
 he awoke in tlie morning pretty fresh and hearty, but 
 very much disturbed at his late dream, which he 
 feared presaged and prognosticated some approach- 
 ing evil; but, as he could make no comparative al- 
 lusion of the old lady, who rescued him from the 
 monster, he coi*cludes it must be an inspiration of 
 Providence (whom the grave old lady did personate 
 in the dream), who lately had preserved hira from a 
 death by all appearance unavoidable, to keep him 
 from despair in this Ids great extremity, promising 
 to be at hand upon occasion; yet would not have 
 him neglect means to get away from a place where 
 want threatens liim. For, though he might for a 
 •while subsist on fish, wherewith he may be supplied, 
 being surrounded by the sea, yet he could not im- 
 agine which way he could be furnished with clothes 
 and bed against the winter; for want of which he 
 must miserably perish wiih cold, unless supplied by 
 some such dismal accident as exposed him to the 
 want thereof, which he heartily wishes and prays 
 may never happen. 
 
 Having made these considerations, he, on his 
 knees, returns kind Providence his hearty thanks 
 for all the mercies that had been extended to him ; 
 begging the continuance of its assistance. Then, as 
 he took directions from his dream, watching the 
 opportunity to get away from that melancholy place, 
 he poes to the other side of the rock, to try if he 
 could perceiyfe any shipping in sieht. 
 
 The wind, being pretty liiiih, fed his hopes, that 
 each succeeding hour would gratify his wishing look 
 with that object the j)recLding could not bring forth ;
 
 THE ENOL..JM HERMIT. 151 
 
 bat was disappointed. The night approaching, kept 
 back all piob.tbility lor that time: however, depend- 
 ing on better success the next day, he returns 
 whence he came ; and, being hnn<:ry, makes a fire, 
 and broils another slice of the lish, liien lays the 
 rest npon broad green leaves, and strews salt thereon 
 to keep it from spoiling, then goes to rest ; and as 
 he lay undisturbed the night before under the trees, 
 and much more easy than a-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, so 
 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 imagin- 
 ation that he was in a spaciouSS place, paved w ith 
 hail-stones of a prodigious bigness, and surrounded 
 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 side stood a 
 very beautiful woman, whose shape and make was 
 uncommon, and her features and complexion extra- 
 ordinary ; but what surprized him most was her 
 having three pair of breasts, wonderfully handsome, 
 and curiously placed, which seemed to adorn her 
 bosom 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 addi- 
 tion to her matchless beauty. 
 
 The sight of that most perfect and complete w<k 
 man warmed his blood, which the coldness of the 
 place had chilled, and tempted him to come nearer 
 the charmer. As he advanced, every step he made 
 seemed to add strength to his limbs, and vigour to 
 bis life ; which made him desirous to come nearer
 
 1S2 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 to the person from whom he received such bene- 
 ficial effluvia ; but was suddenly stopped by the old 
 man's turning; towards him with a grim and surly 
 countenance, which threatened his nearer approach 
 with evil. 
 
 Not daring to stand nearer, he stands still, won- 
 dering what business that most charming rreature 
 could have with that surly morose old fellow ; when 
 listening awhile, he perceived she was asking boons 
 of him in the behalf of a vast number of all sorts of 
 creatures that attended her at some distance be- 
 hind, wliich he refused in a most churlish manner; 
 and as slie still persisted in her suit, following Lim 
 np and down, the ill-natured old man slily steps to 
 the frosty mountain, and pulls down a large clod 
 of ice, wliich stopt a gap therein, whence came 
 out a creatuie, made and featured like a man, but 
 of a monstrous siz^and frightful aspect; his exces- 
 sive broad cheeks hanging down on each side of his 
 long-piked chin, like two empty bladders; and his 
 preposterous belly hanging down, looking just like 
 a sail witliout wind. That monster was no sooner 
 out, bat he had orders from the spiteful 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 filled his shrivelled 
 jaws with wind, which then stood out like so many 
 kettle-drums, he falls a blowing upon one of the 
 hills of snow, and turns it into a tliick shower, 
 which he drove with violence against that angel- 
 like creature, and her clients, who immediately fled 
 for shelter. 
 
 This barbarous treatment, towards the most deser- 
 ving of creatines, put him in ama/.e ; to whom the 
 angry old man (seeing he did not go with the rest) 
 came ip a fury, saying — " Dost thou put me to defi- 
 ance '. 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 wonderful fright
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 153 
 
 Being risen, he made reflections upon the late 
 dreams. " All my dreams," said he, " have ever 
 proved ominous: and, if I mistake not, this must 
 have some signification. Certainly this old man is 
 Time, laying up a store of frost and snow against 
 next winter: and that goodly woman is Nature, 
 who, being tender over all her creatures, interceded 
 for moderation : and his surly refusal, and rough 
 usage, prognosticate 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, a bat, or a yet meaner 
 creature! Then should I be below the cruel perse- 
 cutions of Fate. But man, who was created in the 
 noblest form, endued with reason and understanding, 
 animated with an immortal soul, must be aimed 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 in- 
 nocence, the very name of Fate or Fortune would 
 not have been known. Well, since this is the pro- 
 duct of sin, I accept this black lot as justly coming 
 to my share ; and, humbly submitting to Heaven's 
 decree, I thankfully take this dream as a timely 
 warning; and, in imitation of those creatures repre- 
 sented in it, I'll provide what shelter I can against 
 bad weather comes." 
 
 Accordingly, first he begins to think of making 
 himself a 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 rocks 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, coining to 
 the place, he strips himself, and goes into the water.
 
 154 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 (the water being low, discovering the tops of several 
 sharp-pointed rocks) and gropes along with his 
 staff for sure fooling, wading as high as his chin, 
 diving to tlie holtoni frequently, and feeling about 
 with iiis hinds. Tliis lie continued doing for almost 
 two honrs, but lo no purpose, not daring to go out of 
 liis depih; for he well knew that he coidd do little 
 good there, because he could discover no part of the 
 ship, not so much as the mast, or any of the rigging, 
 but fancied she lay in some deep hole, where il was 
 impossible to get at her. 
 
 Thus despairing, and fretting, and teazing him- 
 self, he calls to mind that he had a hatche' in his 
 hand when he was cast away, and thought probably 
 it might lie in that cleft of the rock into which he 
 was thrown ; ihilhcr he went, and, looking about, 
 perceived .something like the handle of a hatchet 
 just above 'he 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 
 wantefl. 
 
 Having got his tool, he dresses himself, and goes 
 on to the i-^land again, intending to cut down some 
 trees to make himself a iuit. Looking about, there- 
 fore, for the properest plants, snd taking notice of 
 a sort of treei whose branches, bending to the 
 ground, took root, and became a plant, he thought 
 they might be the fittest for this purpose, and cut a 
 sufficient parcel of tiiem to make his barrack; which 
 was fidl business for him that day. 
 
 The next morning, having paid his nsual devo- 
 tion, he walks out again to look a pleasant and con- 
 venient place to make his hut or barrack upon. He 
 walked several hours, and could hnd none more 
 sheltered from the cold winds than that where he 
 already lay, being La the middle of the island, well 
 fenced on the north and east sides with trees, which 
 Stood VKry tliick. The place being fixed upon, he 
 hews down some trees that grew in his way, and
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 155 
 
 dears a spot of ground about twelve feet square, 
 leaving one tree standing at each corner; and, with 
 the young plants he provided the day before, filled 
 the distance between quite round, setting them 
 about six inches asunder, leaving a larger vacancy 
 for the door. His inclosure being made, he bends 
 the branches a-top from both sides, and weaves them 
 across one another, making a cover to it ; which 
 being something too thin, he laid other branches 
 over, till tiiey were grown lhicl<er. Having finished 
 the top, he goes about closing the sides ; for which 
 purpose, taking large branches, he strips off their 
 small twigs, and weaves them between tiie plants as 
 they do for sheep-pens ; then made a door after the 
 same manner. 
 
 His barrack beinz finished, which took him np 
 fifteen days' hard work ; " Now," said he, " here's a 
 house, but where's the furniture? This, indeed, 
 may keep the weather from me, but not the cold. 
 The ground on which I do and must lie is hard, 
 and doubtless, in the winter, will grow damp ; which, 
 with want of covering, may occasion agues and 
 fevers, the cholick and rheumatism, and twenty 
 racking distempers, which may cause me to repent 
 my having escaped a milder death." 
 
 In this great consternation and perplexity, he goes 
 to see if he could spy any shipping riding within 
 sight of the island. As he was wafking along, full 
 of heavy 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 sort of trees, of which he never took 
 notice before. " Heaven be praised ! " said he, " I 
 have found wherewithal to keep my poor body 
 from the ground, whilst I am, by Providence, doom- 
 ed to remain here." So passes on, intending, at his 
 return, to cut down a sufticient quantity of it to make 
 mats that might serve him instead of bed and bed 
 clothes.
 
 ISO THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Having looked himself almost blind, without see- 
 ing the least prospect of wliat he desired, he con- 
 cludes npon going to cut ilie grass, which he stood 
 in such want of, and spread it together to dry, whilst 
 the weather was yet warm. Tliat 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, want- 
 ing a tool to spread and turn liis grass, lie takes a 
 branch off the next tree, which having stript of all 
 the small ones about it, all but part of that at the 
 top, being forky, made a tolerable lork ; thus being 
 equipped for hay-making, he went on with his work ; 
 aid as he was at it, he saw, at some distance, se- 
 veral monkeys as busy as himself, scratcliing some- 
 thing out of ihe ground, wliich they did eat upon 
 the spot, and carried the rest to their home. 
 
 His hopes that those roots might be lor his use, 
 those creatures being naturally dainty, eating no- 
 thing but what ir.cn may, made him hasten to the 
 placa he saw them scratching at, that by the herb 
 they V-'ar (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 dug them up, 
 and carried them to his barrack, wliere he broiled a 
 slice of his fish, and in the ashes roasted ihem, 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 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 
 pi-etty thick, he sees a tortoise, of about a foot over, 
 crawling before him. " Heaven be praised!" said 
 he, " here's what will supply me both with victuals,
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 157 
 
 and utensils to dress it in." He ran, therefore, and 
 turned it on its back, to keep it from getting away, 
 whilst he went for his hatchet, that he might cut 
 the bottom shell from the top, in order to make a 
 kettle of the deepest, and a dish of tiie flat part. 
 
 Being tired of codfish, he dresses the tortoise, an 
 animal seldom eaten but upon extremity, the flesh 
 thereof often giving the flux. Nevertheless he ven- 
 tured upon it, and liked it extremely, some 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 it at part of the tortoise which 
 is the mo*t feeding, an 1 least hurtful, he was in no- 
 wise the least discomposed ; but, having boiled it all 
 he laid by the remainder to eat now and then be- 
 tween his fish. 
 
 Being provided with a boiling utensil, he often 
 had change, by means of those admirable roots so 
 luckily discovered ; some of which he roasted for 
 bread, others he boiled with salt cod. This in a 
 great measure mitigated his misfortune, and softened 
 the hardship he lay under; so that, seeing but little 
 prospect of changing his present condition, by 
 getting away thence yet a-while, he tliinks on 
 means to make it as easy as possible whilst he re- 
 mained in it ; for, having projected a bed, and 
 taking the grass, which by that time was dry, he 
 falls to work ; and a mat being the thing concluded 
 upon, he twists his hay into ropes, the bigness of 
 his leg; then he cuts a pretty number of slicks, 
 about two feet long, which lie drives in the ground, 
 ten in a row, and near four inches asunder, and op- 
 posite to tiiem 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
 
 158 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 across shorter ropes of the same, in the mannei 
 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 n. 
 
 The comfort and pleasure he found on his soft 
 mat (being grown sore with lying on the ground for 
 the space of a month or more) so 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 tliough»the weather was, as yet, pretty 
 warm, and he, in a great measure, seasoned by the 
 hardships he had gone through ; yet ihe winter ap- 
 proaching, and the present season still favourable 
 for him to make provision against it, he goes and 
 cnts more grass ; which being made ready for use, 
 he lengihens his loom, to allow for rolling up at one 
 end, instead of a bolster, and makt:^ it thicker than 
 the first, which he intends, in cold weather, shall 
 lie upon him instead of blankets. 
 
 Being provided with the most necessary furniture 
 he wanted, he thinks on more conveniences, re- 
 solving to make liimself a table to eat his victuals 
 upon, and a chair to sit on. Thus, having cut se- 
 veral sticks about four feet long, he drives them in 
 a row a little way in the ground ; then takes smaller, 
 which he interweaves between : having made the 
 top, he sets it upon four other sticks, forky at the 
 npper 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 judged 
 would do best for the seat and back of a chair, 
 which he also drove in the ground near his table; 
 and having twisted tlie branches, which grew to 
 them, with each other, from back to front, and 
 across again, he weaves smaller between, bottoming 
 his seat ; w hich completes the furniture of hia ha- 
 bitation.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 139 
 
 That care being over, another succeeds, of far 
 greater moment. — '* Here's a (hyelling," said he, 
 " to shelter me from the weather, and a bed to rest 
 this poor body of mine; but where is food to support 
 it? Here have I subsisted near one nionlli npon a 
 fish, which the same dreadftd 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 thai dismal accident, 1 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 tlie natural product of this islai.d : so 
 I must eat of the sniall remnant of my fish but now 
 and then, to make it hold out longer. Dainties or 
 plenty were not allotted for him that was doomed 
 to slavery, but labour. and haid living; and, if I 
 meet here the latter. Heaven be praised, 1 have es- 
 caped the worse; I can take my rest, and stand in 
 no dread of any severe inspector and taskmaster." 
 
 Now being entirely reconciled to the state of life 
 Providence, on whon) he fully dependeil, had been 
 pleased to call him to, he resolves to make provision 
 of those excellent roots; and wilii his hatchet he 
 cuts a pieceof a tree, wherewith he makes a shov»J, 
 in order to dig them them up with more ease. With 
 this instrument he went to the place where he had 
 observed they grew tiiickest, which being near the 
 monkeys' quarters, they came down tmni ott their 
 trees in great numbers, grinning as if tiicy would 
 have lloun at liLm ; which iiihiK- him stop a wiiile: 
 he might indeed, with his instrument in his h.ind, 
 have killed several, and perhaps dispirscd tlie rest: 
 but woidd not.—" Why," said he, " slioidd I add 
 barbarity to injustice? It is but natural and reason- 
 able for every creature to guard and defend tlieir 
 own : this was given tlieni by Nature lor food, 
 which 1 come to rob them of: and since 1 am
 
 IWJ THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 oblioed to get of them for my subsistence, if I am 
 decreed to be here another season, I will set some 
 in a place distant from theirs for my own use." 
 
 Having stood still a considerable time, those ani- 
 mals, seoinf: he did not go forward, each went and 
 scratched up for itself, afterwards retiring ; giving 
 him the opportunity to dig up a few for himself: 
 and as he was not come tn the place where they 
 grew thick, he laid them in small heaps as he dug 
 them up ; whilst those sly creatures would, whilst 
 he was digging up more, comedown from the trees, 
 where they stood hid among the leaves, and steal 
 them away : which obliged 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 these animals, 
 which are naturally very cunning, should dig them 
 np, and hide them, he comes early the morning 
 following to make his provision : and, for want of a 
 sack to put them in, he takes his jacket, which he 
 buttons up, and ties at the sleeves; and as he had 
 observed that every root had abundance of little 
 offsets hangin'^ at it by small fibres, he pulled ofi his 
 shirt also, of which he makes another sack to put 
 them in. 
 
 Being naked all but his breeches, and the day 
 being pretty hot, he thought he had as good pull 
 them otf too, and fill them, his jacket being but 
 short, and therefore holding but few : taking, there- 
 fore, lii< bundle in one arm, and having the shovel 
 in the other hand, he goes to the place he intended 
 to do tiie day before ; and, expecting to find the 
 same opposition as he did then, he brought with 
 hlif some of the roots he had dug up the preceding 
 ilay.. in order to throw them amongst those animals, 
 and so quiet them. But to his great wonder, and 
 as great satisfaction, those creatures which the lime 
 before had opposed him with noise and offensive 
 motions, let bim now pass by <juietly, withotit
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 161 
 
 offering to meddle with any when dug np, though 
 he had laid them up by heaps in their way, and 
 stood at a considerable distance from them. 
 
 This surprising reverence from those creatures 
 set him upon deep reflections on what could be the 
 cause thereof; whether it might not proceed from 
 the proximity of their shape and his. — " But then," 
 said he, " my stature and colour of skin is so dif- 
 ferent from theirs, that they cannot but distinguish 
 I am not of their kind. No, it must be a remnant of 
 that awe, entailed 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 
 clothes, renew an image of that respect he has 
 forfeited by his fatal transgression, which ever since 
 obliged him to hide the beauty of his fabric under a 
 gaudy disguise, which often renders him ridicu- 
 lous to the rest of mankind, and generally obnoxious 
 to all other creatures ; making a pride of what he 
 ought to be ashamed of. "Well," adds he, "since my 
 clothes bred the antipathy, I will remove that cause, 
 which will suit both the nature of those animals 
 and my own circumstances." From that time he 
 resolved to go naked till the hardness of the weather 
 obliged liim to put something on. 
 
 Having picked up a sulficient quantity of offsets to 
 stock about two acres of land, he returns home, 
 leaving behind him a considerable number of roots 
 dug np for those poor animals, which attended him 
 all the time he was at work, without ottering 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 instrument, in order to sow 
 his seed : which having compassed in about twenty 
 days, he implores a blessing upon his labour, and 
 leaves it to time to bring it forth. Thus having finish- 
 ed the most necessary work about his barrack, he 
 
 If
 
 162 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 resolves to take a more particular view of the i?lanrl, 
 which till then he had not time to do; and, tHkiii'^ a 
 long slatl in his hand, he walks to the lake, which 
 parts the land from the rock, and goes alons; the side 
 of it quite round the island, finding all ilie 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 clusters of houses, with here and there a 
 higli steeple standing above the otiier buildings ; an- 
 other place claimins; a near resemblance to a distant 
 squadron of men of war in a ^ine of battle: further, 
 it bears comparison with the dull remains oi some 
 sumptuous editice, ruined by the often repeated 
 shocks of time, inciting the beholders to condolence 
 for the loss of its former beauty. At some distance 
 thence the prospect of a demolished city is pre- 
 sented to the sight ; in another plate large stones 
 like sniall mountains, laid as it were atop of one 
 another, impress the mind with an iilea of the 
 tower of Babel ; and on the right-hand a most plea- 
 sant land covered with beautiful green grass, like 
 camomile, and here and there a cluster of trees com- 
 po-ing most a^reeabh groves, amongst a vast number 
 of fine lotty trees of divers heights and shapes, which 
 stood more distant, whose irregularity added much 
 to the delightfulness of the place. 
 
 As he was walking on, admiring all these won- 
 derful works of nature, having caught cold (not being 
 used to go naked) he happened to sneeze opposite to 
 a plajce in the rock, which hollowed in afitr the 
 manner of the inside of some cathedral, and was 
 answered by a muliitude of ditFerent voices issuing 
 from that place. The agreeableness of the surprise 
 induced him to rouse those echoes a second time, 
 by giving a loud hem; which was, like his sneezing, 
 repeated in ditterent tones, but all very harmonious: 
 again lie hemmed, and was so delighted with tb«
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 1C3 
 
 repetition that he could have spent hours in the 
 hearing of it. "But why should I," said he. "waste 
 those melodions sounds, so fit to relate the Almighty's 
 wonderful works, and set forth his praise V Imme- 
 diately he sung 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 
 rock, he was stopped a second time by another sur- 
 prizing product of nature; a large stone, growing 
 out of the rock, advancing quite over the lake at the 
 bottom of it, representing something of a human 
 shape, out of the breast whereof issued a fountain of 
 exceeding clear water, as sweet as milk ; and, when 
 looked at fronting, was like an antique piece of ar- 
 chitecture, which in old tiines they built over parti- 
 cular springs; and on the other side appeared as if 
 springing from the nostrils of a sea-liorse. These 
 three so very different, and yet , riglitly compared, 
 likenesses being ottered by one and the same un- 
 altered object, made him curious to examine what 
 parts of every resemblance helped to make out the 
 others : and, having spent a consideiable time in i]/p 
 examination, he found every tiling which the front 
 had likeness of was employed in making the side 
 representation, by being in some places shortened, 
 and others lengthened, according to the point of 
 sight. 
 
 Being satisfied about that subject, he enters upon 
 another as puzzling. The basin, in which the 
 fountain ran, which was about five yards distant 
 whence the water did spiing, being but about nine 
 feet over every way, without any visible place to 
 
 u 2
 
 164 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 evacuate its over compliment, and yet keeping the 
 sarne heii^ht, withotit diishing or running over, al- 
 though ihe stream that fell into it r;tn 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 pl.ice 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 
 circumference, of an oblong form, going in and out 
 in several places, extending from north to south, the 
 south end near twice as broad as the opposite; he re- 
 solves to employ the next day in viewing the inside. 
 Then, recommending himself to Providence, as he 
 never failed to do, both morning and evening, he 
 goes 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-assuming his past pleasures, which he never must 
 hope to meet 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 
 Heaven's assistance, and shake his future depend- 
 ence on Providence : he snarls 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 crowd 
 upon him. 
 
 Sleep was granted him, but not rest : his repining 
 is chastised with terrifying dreams of the punish- 
 ment 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 upon him, exerting their utmost malice and re 
 venge, which he cannot avoid, but by embracing 
 either an ignominious death, or a severe and vile 
 bondage. Tliese terrible aspects put him in the 
 same pains and agony as if already feeling the as- 
 signed torment.
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 165 
 
 Having:, in his dream, with hard strngglines, es- 
 caped death, he finds himself in an exceedins; hot 
 country, his half-naked bo(l> continually bending to 
 the hard and drygfoiind, grabbling ronnd a nauseous 
 weed for fulsome worms ; every now and then 
 lashed by a cross and severe task-master, who hur- 
 ries him to work. In this great perplexity he 
 cries out, " Oh, that I had ended my woful days at 
 the shameful gibbet ! Sure it would have been a 
 milder fate ! " At which he awoke in such a con- 
 sternation that it was several ininutes before he 
 could be thoroughly satisfied it was but a dream. 
 Having recalled his dispersed senses, he made this 
 reflection, that it was really the penalty he had been 
 sentenced to, and by Providence preserved from. 
 Setting then his present condition in opposi- 
 tion to that, he acknowledges his ingratitude, 
 for which he secretly repents, and on his knees, 
 with weeping eyes, asks pardon, imploring the con- 
 tinuation 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 wliirh 
 daily flew on them who are concerned with the 
 world, which might cool or slacken his duty to so 
 great a benefactor. 
 
 Having entirely resigned 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 tin^e 
 he had dedicated to divine worship, in the contem- 
 plation of the many wonderful works of nature, 
 manifested in such various manners all over the 
 island. 
 
 So he walks along the land, which he found very 
 level, covered with a delightful green grass, and 
 adorned with trees of divers sorts, shapes, and
 
 160 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 height, inhabited with several sorts of curious singing 
 birds, of various colours and notes, which enter 
 tained him with their melodious harmony. In some 
 places stood a cluster of trees, composing agreeable 
 and delightful groves, proceeding from only one 
 main body, whose lower branches, being come to a 
 certain length, applied to the earth for immediate 
 nourisliment, as it were, to ease the old stem that 
 produced them ; and so became a plant, and did the 
 sar)^. 
 
 Having for some time admired the agreeableness 
 and curiosity of the plant, by which nature seemed 
 to give human kind instructions ; and looking about, 
 if perchance he could find any thing in his way 
 for liis own proper use ; he took along with him a 
 sample of every different herb he thought might be 
 eatable. Crossing 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 spreading their branchy limbs over 
 its brink, which was surrounded with a beautiful 
 bank, covered with divers kinds of flowers and 
 herbs, so naturally intermixed, which completed it 
 in ornament and conveniency, as though intended 
 by nature for more than mortals' use. 
 
 Having walked several times around it, with much 
 pleasure, he sat down awhile upon its bank, to ad- 
 mire the clearness of the water, through which, to 
 his great comfort, he saw many ditterent sorts of 
 fish, of various bignesses, shapes, and colours. " Hea- 
 ven be praised ! " said he, " here is a stock of fresh- 
 water fish to supply me with food, if the sea should 
 fail me." 
 
 Being sufficiently 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 admira- 
 tion ; a noble and spacious wood, whose shades 
 seemed to be made for the abode of peace and plea-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 167 
 
 snr^. He walked round it with much delight, which 
 made flie time seem siiort ; yet he could guess it to 
 be no less than two miles about. 
 
 Having viewed the outside, whose extraordinary 
 agreeableness incited in him an insurmountable de- 
 sire to iiet into it, but wliere lie was afraid to ven- 
 tuie, lest there might be destructive creatures ; yet, 
 having recommended himself to the care of Pn)vi- 
 dence, he ventured into it, finding several pleasant 
 walks, some straight, edged with lofty trees, as 
 though plnnted for pleasure ; others crooked and 
 winding, bordered with a thick hedge of pimentoes, 
 which cast a most fragrant smell : here and there a 
 large clustei of bushes and dwarf-trees, ^^ herein 
 sheltered several 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 
 hltppy abode of some, for whom Heaven had a par- 
 ticular blessing in store. Here is every thing suffi- 
 cient, not only for the support, but also for the 
 pleasure, of lite; Heaven make me thankfid, 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 salt fish with 
 some roots, and then the herbs he brought with him, 
 which proved of divers tastes, and all excellent; 
 some eating like artichokes, others like asparagus 
 and spinage. " Now," said he, " what can 1 wish 
 for more? here I possess a plentiful land, ^^hich 
 produces both fowls, flesh, and fish ; bears excellent 
 greens and roots, andattbrds the best of water, which 
 by nature was ordained for man's drink. Pomp 
 and greatness are but pageantry, which often 
 times prove more prejudicial to the actor than di 
 verting to the beholder. Ease and indidgcnce are 
 apt to breed the gout, and various distempers, which 
 make the rich more wretched than the poor ; now 
 the^e evils, thanks to my Maker, 1 stand in no
 
 188 THE ENGLI&H HEUMIT. 
 
 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 foroysters; so takes in 
 his hand his h)ng start 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 came at, he 
 found to be the main-sail of a ship, with a piece of 
 the yard fastened to it. " Alas !" said he, " a dis- 
 mal token of insatiable ambition ! which makes 
 men often lose their lives in seeking what they sel- 
 dom lind ; and, if ever they do, 'tis commonly at- 
 tended with a world of care. Happy is he who 
 limits his desire to his ability ; aspiring not above 
 his reach, and is contented with what nature re- 
 quires." Then he falls a ripping the sheet from the 
 yard, which he finds in one place tied with one of 
 Ills garters! (having himself made use of it for want 
 of another string.) " Heaven be praised," said he, 
 " this is no effect of another shipwreck, but a frag- 
 ment of the unfortunate ship, whose loss was my 
 redemption ;" which reflection made him shed tears. 
 
 Having ripped the sail in pieces, he ro^s them 
 Bp in such bundles as he could conveniently carry, 
 and lays them down till he had got a few oysters, 
 proceeding to gi..pe in holes with his slick as he 
 went on. 
 
 About forty paces farther, he finds a chest in a 
 cleft of the rock, which had been washed up there 
 by the violence of the late storm. " Heavens!" said 
 he, " more fatal ettects of Fate's cruelty, and man's 
 temerity ! Was the cea maf^e for men to travel on 1 
 Is there not land enough foi' his rambling mind to 
 rove? Must he hunt alter danijers, and put Death 
 to defiance ? What is tlie owner of this the better 
 for it now J Or who can be the better in a place so
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 169 
 
 'emote, and the access to it so difficult ? being not 
 to be approached but on the wings of Providence 
 and over the back of Death. Now, was this full of 
 massy gold, or yet riclier things, I thank my God, 
 I am above the use of it ; yet I'll take it hcjine : it 
 was sent hither by Providence, perhaps, for the re- 
 lief of some so necessitated and destitute." Then 
 going to lift it, he could not ; therefcre was obliged 
 to fetch his hatchet to beat it open, that he might 
 take away what was in it by degrees. Having 
 taken as much of the sail-cloth as he could conve- 
 niently carry, with the few oysters he had got, he 
 went home and fetched the tool, wherewith he 
 wrenched the chest open, from which he took a suit 
 of clothes, and some wearing linen. " These," said 
 he, "neither the owner nor I want :" so laid them 
 down. The next thing he took out was a roll of 
 several 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 thein 
 records of Heaven's mercies, and Providence's won- 
 derful liberality to me; so, instead of being the ruin 
 of some, they may chance to be the reclaiming of 
 others." At the bottom of the chest lay a nuidlet 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 jour- 
 nal, which \ 11 divert and pass away a few anxious 
 hours. As foi- 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 \\ ithout them, 
 but now they are here, it would be a sin to let them 
 be lost. 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 fotid of them.
 
 170 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 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 iiis 
 past transactions, and the many mercies he had 
 received from Heaven ; and that after liis decease, 
 whoever is directed thither by Providence, upon 
 reading his wondeiful escapes in the greatest 'of 
 dangers, his miracnlons living, when remote from 
 human assistance, in the like extremity, might not 
 despair. Thus he begins from his being eight yeara 
 old (as well as he can remember he iieard an old 
 aunt of his say) to the day of his being cast away, 
 which happened on the tenth of July, 1075, being 
 then twenty-eight years of age, resolving to continue 
 it to his death. 
 
 Thus having written the preceding account of the 
 shipwreck, and what had befallen him since, to the 
 finding of the chest, which was on the fifteenth of 
 September, lG75j he proceeds. — But calling to mind 
 his last dream but one, which did 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 tiien foimd 
 small shell-fish and oysters upon the rock, he makes 
 a bridge over tlie lake, whicli in warm weather he 
 used to wade, that in the winter he might go over 
 tiry : so, having completed his bridge, which was 
 made of two strong poles, which reached from the 
 land to the rock, and several lesser branches laid 
 across pretty close, lie retires home, the day being 
 far spent. The following night, being the eighteenJh 
 of .September, there arose a violent storm, attended 
 with dreadful claps of thunder, which the many 
 echoes from the lock rendered more terrible; and 
 lightnings, flashing in a mo»t frightful m inner, snc- 
 ceeding each other, before the preceding was well 
 out of the sky, which put poor lonesome Quarll in
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 171 
 
 such a consternation that, notwithstanding his reli- 
 ance on Heaven's protection, he wouhl liave given 
 the world (had it been in his possession) to have 
 been within reach of iunnan assistance, or at least, 
 to liave some company ; solitude adding much to 
 his terror and atMiction. 
 
 Tlie glorious rising of the next morning's snn 
 having hid the mortifying rage of the blustering 
 winds, Qnarll, whose late alarm was hardly quelled, 
 still suspected its most reviving rays to be terrifying 
 glances and flashes of lightning : but having lain 
 avvliile, and hearing no noise, but that which still 
 raged in his mind, was at last conviticed the storm 
 was over ; and so gets up with a resolution to go and 
 see if he could discern any etfect 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 sea only, a vast number of which had, by the 
 wind, been dis-elemented ; a quantity of stately 
 whitings, fine mackarels, large herrings, divers sizes 
 of codlings, and several other sorts of fish, with a 
 great number of shells, of ditlerent shape< and big- 
 ness, lying up and down upon the rock. " Heaven 
 be praised !" said he, " instead of damage to bewail, 
 ■what thanks have I now to return for this mighty 
 benefit ! Here the powerful agent of mischief is, by 
 kind Providence, made a minister of godd to me. 
 Make me thankful ! I am now provided for all the 
 next winter, and yet longer ; by which time I ara 
 certain to have a fresh supply. 
 
 He who, when in distress, 
 
 To God makes his address, 
 And his bounties impiore ; 
 * Is surp, and may depend, 
 
 That relief he will send. 
 And at need help the poor.* 
 
 • Lest the reader should think these and the following 
 x-erses to be the effeet of mv own bruin, I solemnly prottat 
 they are what I found in his Memoiis, written by his own hand.
 
 «7a THS ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Thus, having taken up as many fish as he could 
 hold in his arms, he carries them home, and 
 brings his shirt, which he ased instead of a sack. 
 
 So, at several times, he brought away all the fish, 
 and as many of the shells as he had occasion for ; of 
 some of which of he made boilers and stewpans, of 
 others dishes and plates : some he kept water in, and 
 others fish in pickle ; so that he was stocked with 
 necessary vessels, as well as provision. 
 
 Being very weary with often going backwards and 
 forwards with his fish, which took np all that day 
 to bring them home, he sits down to rest himself ; and 
 the rundlet of brandy lying by, he was tempted to 
 take a sup, which was at tliis time very much want- 
 ed, his spirits being very low ; but he was loth to 
 taste it, lest he should grow fond of the liquor, and 
 grieve after it when it was gone. Some moments 
 were spent before he could come to a resolution : at 
 last, having considered the use of it, which suited 
 the present occasion, he concludes to take a dram, 
 and to use it a? a cordial, as it was first intended for; 
 but the vessel out of which he drank being at his 
 mouth, the cordial turns to a nectar; one gulp decoys 
 another down ; so the intended dram becomes a hear- 
 ty draught. The pleasantness of the liquor made 
 him forget its nature; so that poor Quarll, who had, 
 for the space of near three months before, drank no- 
 thing but water, was presently overcome with the 
 strength of the brandy, and fell asleep in his chair, 
 with the rundlet in his bare lap, whence it fell to the 
 ground, and being un>topt, ran all out. 
 
 Being awaked with hunger, having slept from 
 evening till almost noon of another day, which he 
 knew not whether the succeeding or the next to i{, 
 seeing what had happened, he was sorely vexed, and 
 could have wept at tlie accident ; but, considering 
 the liquor, which occasioned it, might perhaps, in 
 time, have caused greater mischief, he soon was re-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 173 
 
 conciled with the loss, but could not with that of 
 the right order of the days, which, having entirely 
 forgot, hindered the going on of liis journal ; so was 
 obliged to make only a memorial. That damage 
 being repaired, another appears of a lar greater con- 
 sequence : the Sunday is lost, which he liad so care- 
 fully observed till that time. How can'that be made 
 up? 
 
 " Now," said he, "shall I daily be in danger of 
 breaking the Sabbath, knowing not the day. Oh, 
 fatal liquor ! that ever lliou wert invented to cause 
 80 much mischief! Murder, adulteries, and blas- 
 phemies, are daily, by thy most pernicious use, 
 occasioned. But why should I lay the blame upon 
 the use, when it the abuse that does the hurt? and 
 exclaim against a thing which, being taken in mode- 
 eration, is of so great a benefit, reviving a fainting 
 heart, raising sinking spirits, wanning cold and 
 decayed nature, and assuaging several pains !" So 
 blames himself highly for gratifying liis appetite 
 with that wherewith he only ought to have re- 
 freshed nature ; and since that often misguided faculty 
 had prompted him to commit the fault, he dedicated 
 that day, in which he became sensible of it, to 
 prayers and fasting ; and every seventh from that 
 he set apai t for divine worship only, which he iioped 
 would keep him from breaking the Commandment 
 for keeping holy the Sabbath Day; it being not 
 certain that tlie day appointed by the Church for 
 that purpose was the very day God had sanctiiied 
 for rest ; so went to the place where the echoes, in 
 many ditferent and melodious sounds, repeated hia 
 thanksgivings to the Almighty, which he had fixed 
 upon to pay his devotion, and there spent tlie rest 
 of the day in prayers and singing of psalms. 
 
 The next morning, having breakfasted on some 
 of his usual bread, and a slice of the cheese he found 
 in the chest, he goes about curing his lish, iu order 
 to salt them : having laid by as many for the presen\
 
 174 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 nse, as he thought he could eat while fresh, he im- 
 prove*; the fair weather to dry one part of the re- 
 niainder and keeps the rest in pickle. 
 
 The winter being near at liand, and the weather grow- 
 ing damp and cold, liinders him from his walks; so, 
 beingconfined wiiliin doors, he employs his idle hours 
 in beautifying his utensils, which were not to be used 
 on the fire ; and bestowed some pains in scraping 
 and polishing the rest of his shells, some as fine as 
 though they ha<l been nakers of pearl ; which made 
 them not only more fit for their intended uses, bat 
 also a great ornament to his barrack, which he shelved 
 round with plaited twigs after the manner of bistable, 
 and so set 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, and 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 ; Boreas 
 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 slips on to 
 inform 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 vesture, to welcome the most lovely guesr. 
 The feathered choristers also receive new strength ; 
 their tender lungs are repaired from the injuries 
 the foggy and misty air did occasion ; and, thus re- 
 vived, are placed on every budding tree, to grace his 
 entrance with their harmonious notes. 
 
 Quarll, also, whom bad weather had confined within 
 doors a considerable time, wh*ich had in a great 
 measure numbed his limbs, and dulled his senses, now
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 175 
 
 finds himself quite revived ; he no longer can keep 
 within ; the fair weather invites him out ; the sini:iug 
 birds on every side 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 sight of abundance of dif- 
 ferent sort- of blossomed trees and blooming flowers; 
 all things within the island inspiring joy ; he had :he 
 curiosity to go and view the sea : so goes over his bridge; 
 and then, at ihe other side of the rock, he finds more 
 objects reqjiiring as much admiration, but attording 
 a great deal less p'easure; vast mountains of ice float- 
 ing up and down, t'hreatening all that came in their 
 way. 
 
 These terrible effects of the winter, which to that 
 time he was a stranger to, occasioned his making 
 these reflections : 
 
 He who on billows roves, riches or wealth to gain, 
 
 Is ever in danger, and labours oft in vain ; 
 
 If Fortune on Tiii.T smiles giving liis toil success, 
 
 Eacli day new cares arise, \ihich mar his happiness. 
 
 The only treasure, then, worth laying up in store, "i 
 
 Is a (ontcnted mind, which never'leavea one poor; > 
 
 He is not truly rich who hankers after more. J 
 
 So, having returned Heaven thanks for his happy 
 state, he creeps to the north-east side of the rock, at 
 the foot of which lay an extraordinary large whale, 
 which the late high winil had cast- there, and had died 
 for want of water. " If this," said, 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 swim- 
 ming about it in the shallow water wherein it lay, as 
 rejoicing at its de:tth. " Thus," said he, " the op- 
 pressed rejoice at a tyrant'^all. What numbers of 
 these have been destroyed to make this monstrous
 
 176 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 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 whale, and throws them to 
 the small fishes, saying — " It is but just ye should, 
 at last, fe< d 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 see that wasted 
 ■which might turn to good money. "But why," 
 said he, " should I be disturbed at it ? What use 
 have I for any ? Providence 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 : >o, 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 ordi- 
 nary, and sauce to others; yet at length, his stomach 
 growing qualmish with eating 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 deprive them of their 
 lives, barely to make his own more easy. 
 
 Thus he debates with himself for some time, 
 whether or no it would not be injustice for liim 
 (who only by a providential accident was brought 
 thither to save his life) now to destroy those crea- 
 tures to whom nature has given a being, in a land 
 out of man's reach to disturb : " Yet nature requires 
 what seems to be against nature to grant : I am
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 177 
 
 hint, nnd like to grow worse the longer I abstain 
 from flesh." 
 
 Having paused awhile — "Whj," said he, "sliould 
 I be so scrupidous ? Were not all things created 
 tor the use ot man ? Now, vhether is it not worse 
 to let a man peri>h, than to destroy any other crea- 
 ture for his relief? Nature craves it, anil Providence 
 f;ives it : now, not to use it in necessity, is under- 
 valniiig the gift." 
 
 So, having concluded upon catching some of those 
 animals he had seen in the wood, he considers by 
 what means, having no doirs to hunt, nor guns to 
 shoot. Having paused awhile, he resolves upon 
 making gins, wherewith he had seen hares catclied 
 in Europe : thus, taking some of the cords which 
 he foi:nd with the sail at the outside of the rock, he 
 goes to work, and makes several, which he fastens 
 at divers gaps in the thickset within the wood, 
 through which he judged that sort of beast he Lad a 
 mind for went. 
 
 Impatient to know the success of his snares, he 
 gets up betimes the next morning, and goes to ex- 
 amine them ; in one of which he found a certain 
 animal something 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 mo'Jth he immediately opened, to see if he 
 could find out whether it fed upon grass, or lived 
 opon prey : the creature being caught by the neck, 
 and strangled with struggling, before it died had 
 brought up ia its throat some of the greens it had 
 been eating, which very much pleased him ; ac- 
 counting iln«e that lived upon flesh as bad as 
 carrion. 
 
 Having returned thanks for his good luck, he 
 takes it home in order to dress part of i'. for his 
 dinner, so eases and guts it : but its proving to be 
 a female big with three young ones, grieved him 
 to the heart, and made him repent making tho^e 
 
 N
 
 178 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 killing nooses — " What pity," said ho, " so many 
 lives shoiilii be lost, apd creatures wasted ! one would 
 have served me four days ; and here are four killed 
 at once. Well, henceforth, to prevent tlie like evil, 
 I will 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 so roasts it. 
 
 His dinner being ready, having said grace, he set 
 to eating with an uncommtm appetite; and whether 
 it was the novelty of the dish, or that the meat did 
 really deserve tlie praise, he really thought he never 
 ate any thing of flesh, till then, comparable to it, 
 either for taste or tenderness. 
 
 Having dined both plentifully and delicionsly, he 
 most zealously returns kind Providence thanks for 
 tlie late and all favours received ; then, pursuant to 
 his resolution, he goes about 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 some of the sail which he luckily had by 
 him ; an<l with the thread twist some of the bigness 
 he judged proper tor that use. 
 
 Having made a sufficient quantity, he makes a 
 couple of nets, about four feet square, which he fas- 
 tens in the room of the ki ling snares; so retired, 
 and resolved to come and examine them every 
 morning. 
 
 Several days passed without taking any thing, so 
 that he wanted flesh a whole week, which did begin 
 to disorder his stomach, but not his temper ; being 
 entirely resigned to the will of Providence, and 
 fully contented with whatever Heaven was pleased 
 to send. 
 
 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 dimensions thereof, so
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 179 
 
 chanced to go by his nets; in one of which -were 
 taken two animals as big as a ki<i six weeks old, of 
 a bright dun, their horns iipriglit and straight, their 
 shape like a stag, most curiously limbed, vvilh a small 
 tuft of hair on each shoulder and hip. By their 
 horns, which were but short, they appeared to be 
 very young, which rejoiced hinijliie more, being in 
 hopes to tame those which lie did not want for 
 present use ; so carried them home, joyful of his 
 game, depending upon a good dinner, but was sadly 
 disappointed ; the animals he found were antelopes 
 (calling to mind he had seen them in his travels) 
 ■which, proving both females, he had made a reso- 
 lution to preserve. Though they were too young to 
 be with kid, and he in great need of flesh, yet he 
 would not kill them ; so w ith cords fastens them 
 to the outside of his lodge ; and with constant feed- 
 ing 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 habita- 
 tion, which by that time was covered with green 
 leaves, both top and sides, the stakes it was made 
 of having struck root, ami shot out young "branches, 
 whose strength increasing that summer, to till up 
 the vacancy between each plant, he pulled the turfs, 
 wl-.eieuitli 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 
 arbour, gave him encouragement to bestow some 
 pains about it towards tiie embellishment of it, 
 wiiich seemed to depend on being well attended. 
 He resolved upon keeping it pruned and watered, 
 the better to make it grow thick and last, which 
 answered his intent ; for in three years' time, the 
 stems of every plant tliat composed the arbour were 
 grown quite close, and made a solid wall of about 
 six inches thick, covered with green leaves w ithout, 
 which lay most regular and even, and within had a 
 N 2
 
 180 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 most agreeable smooth bark, of a pleasant olive 
 colour. 
 
 His late arbour being, by his care, and time, and 
 nature's assistance, become a matchless lodge, as 
 intended by nature for something more than hu- 
 man guests, he now consults to make it as com- 
 modious as beautiful. " Here is," said he, "a de- 
 lightful dwelling, warm in the winter, and cool in 
 the summer ; delightful to the eye, and comfor- 
 table 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 up- 
 on a place convenient at the side of his lodge, 
 about six feet from it, twelve in length, and eight 
 in breadth, which he enclosed with the turfs that 
 covered the outside of his arbour, before it was suf- 
 ficiently 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 thereon, and so 
 covers it, leaving an open place for the smoke to 
 go out. 
 
 The outside being done, he goes about inside 
 necessaries, 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 stones, about eight or nine inches 
 broad, and one foot long, edgeways, opposite 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 conveniences, he weaves twigs about ^cks 
 stuck in the wall on one side of the kitchen, 
 where he lays the shells fit for utensils, which both 
 adorned and furnished it. 
 
 Having completed that piece of work, he goes 
 and visits his plantations, which he finds in a 
 thrivinir condition, the roots being in six months' 
 time grown from the bign ess of a pea (as they were 
 wnen first set) to that of an egg : his antelopes also
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. Iftj 
 
 were come to their full growth, and complete 
 beauty, which exceeded most four-footed beasts; 
 having a majestic presence, body, and limbs, repre- 
 senting a Slag, and tlie noble march of a horse : so 
 every thing concurred to his happiness. For which, 
 having returned his most liberal Benefactor his 
 grateful acknowledgments, he thinks on means to 
 prevent any obstructions that may intercept the 
 continuation thereof; and as the want of clothes 
 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 clothes, wliich 
 when worn out he could not recruit ; therefore, to 
 accustom himself to go without, he tliins those he 
 had, so takes away the lining from the outside of 
 his clothing, in order to wear the thickest in the 
 coldest weather ; and so thins his dress by degrees^ 
 till at last he went quite naked. 
 
 Having thus concluded, as being the best shift 
 necessity could raise him, he falls to ripping his 
 jacket, in the lining of which 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 seed, 
 which the island did not produce. " These few," 
 said lie, " which at present are hardly sufficient to 
 oatisfy a woman's longing, may, with time and in- 
 dustry, 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 about the island, water- 
 ing his lodge, weeding his root plantation, attending 
 his nets, which now and then supplied him with 
 an antelope or goat, to eat at intervals between fish 
 he commonly found on the rock after high winds 
 and storms, never failing to visit the sea three or 
 four times a week, according as the weather did 
 prove ; thus diverting many anxious hours with the
 
 182 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 variety of objects that element affords. Sometimes 
 he nad the pleasure of seeing great whales chasing 
 one another, spouting large streams of water out of 
 their gills and nostrils ; at other times numbers of 
 beautiful dolphins rolling amongst the waves ; now 
 and then a quantity of strange monstrous fish plaj^ 
 ing on the surface of the sea, some whereof had 
 heads (not common to fishes) like those of hogs; 
 others not unlike those of dogs, calves, horses, lions, 
 bulls, goats, and several other creatures ; some 
 chasing another sort, which, to avoid being taken, 
 would quit their element, and seek refuge in the 
 air, and fly some 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 plea- 
 sure they gave, with a dread of the evil that 
 threatened to follow: thus commiserating 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 saw a young fish in it, he con- 
 jectured that something might destroy the small 
 ones ; attd, as he imagined, so it proved, for, at his 
 approach, a large fowl flew out of the pond with a 
 fish 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 satisfaction 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 studies means to kill thedestroyer, 
 nets not being proper instruments ; it being neces- 
 sary, for that purpose, to have one all round, as also 
 to cover the pond, which was impossible, by reason 
 of its largeness ; and a less being of no use, the birds 
 probably not coming to one certain place. He 
 wished for a gun and ammunition fitting, as being 
 the most probable things to succeed ; but no such
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 183 
 
 instrument being within his reach, he ponders 
 again ; during which time a cross-bow otfers itself 
 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 hatcliet and a 
 pocket knife; wherewith if he made shift 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 tiling he could apply to, 
 he goes about one forthwith. Thus having picked a 
 branch of a tree, which had the resemblance of yew, 
 and as tongh, of which they are sometimes made, 
 he, with the tools he had, made shift to make one 
 of about six feet long, and arrows of the same, 
 whicli he hardens and straightens, over the fire ; 
 then, hiving slit them at one end about two or three 
 inches, he slips in a bit of parchment, cut sharp 
 at one end, and about two or 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 sail he makes a string 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 im- 
 provement that in three shoots he would hit a 
 mark of about three inches square, at near fifty 
 paces distant. 
 
 Being sufficiently skilled, he goes and lies in wait 
 for his desired game ; so placed himself behind a 
 tree, as near to the pond as he could, whither the 
 bird came in a few hours after. 
 
 The creature being pitched upon the bank, never 
 stood still, but kept running round, watching for a 
 sizeable fish fit to swallow, so that he had no oppor- 
 tunity to shoot : till, having at last spied out one, it 
 launched itself into the pond, but rose more easily 
 which gave him time to take aim, nevertheless he 
 missed it, being in motion; bnt when come to the top.
 
 184 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 he struck it through the body as it opened its Winn's 
 and laid it fiat on the other side of ihe pond. He 
 took it up, wonderfully pleased at his good ^ucces 
 the first time of his praclii^ing his newly-accinired 
 art; yet, having taken notice of the bird's beauiy, 
 he had a regret for its death, though he might, in 
 time, have rued its living ; the stock of tish 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 inexpressible beauty of the feathers, which 
 Mere after the nature of a drake, every one dis- 
 tinguished from another by a rim round the edge 
 thereof, about the breadth of a large thread, and of 
 a changeable colour from red to aurora and green, 
 the ribs of a delightful blue, and the feathers pearl- 
 colour, speckled with a bri-ht yellow; the breast 
 and belly (if it might be said to be of any particular 
 colour) was that of a dove's feathers, rimmed like 
 the back, diversely changing ; the head, which was 
 like that of a swan for make, was purple also, 
 changing as it moved, the bill like burni?hed gold, 
 eyes like a ruby, with a rim of gold roun<l 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 
 creature, he carefully takes out its flesh, which, cor- 
 rupting, would spoil the outside ; then fills the skin 
 with sweet herbs, which he dried for that use; and 
 having sewed 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 set apart for his divine worship, 
 and those necessary occupations about his lodge, 
 plantations, and making remarks) he bestowed ia 
 (hooting at the mark ; which iu time made him so
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 185 
 
 export that he hardly would miss a standing mark 
 the bigness of a dove, at forty orfifty yards' distance, 
 T)nce in ten tijnes, and ^vould shoot tolerably well 
 flying; having once occasion to try it upon a mon- 
 strous eagle, which often flew rounding over the 
 place wlitre his antelopes and goats fed, near his 
 lodge, which he shot at, fearing it would damage 
 them, and killed with the second arrow. 
 
 The summer being oier, during which, having 
 been much taken up about his habitation and plan- 
 tations, he had neither time nor opportunity to make 
 remarks, farther than it was some days very 
 showery, and for the mo* part generally very hot; 
 but now the weather being grown something cold, 
 and tlie wind pretty sharp, he must be obliged to 
 put on some clothes to keep it off, being as jet too 
 tender to go any longer without, next to provide for 
 his antelopes against the approaching ^^ inter; so 
 makes a lodge for them, at the backside of his 
 kitchen, with sticks, wSiich 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 shuts 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 pur- 
 pose) in the said lodge, for them to lie on. Thus, 
 having dug up a considerable quantity of roots, and, 
 being already stocked with salt fish, both dry and 
 in pickle, he was pretty well provided 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 sea- 
 son had caused to droop, every vegetable puts on 
 new clothing, and recovers its wonted beauty ; each 
 animal assumes fresh vigour; the beasts in the wood 
 leap and bound for joy, and each bird on the trees
 
 18G THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 sings for gladness. The whole creation is, as it were, 
 repaired, and every creature decked with new life. 
 Love, by Nature's direction, for the increase of every 
 kind, warms their harmless breasts, each animal 
 seeks a mate, our tame antelopes quit their abode, 
 and range the woods for the relief ordained to quell 
 their innocent passion ; which being asswaged, they 
 leturn home, pregnant with young, to their master's 
 great satisfaction; who. having given them over, 
 was doubly rejoict^d 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 prepautions against their 
 kidding, he goes and examines tie improvement of 
 hi? new plantation, where he found his roots grown 
 full as large as any of those that grew wild, " Make 
 me thankful !" said he, " I am now provided with 
 all necessary food : I shall no more need to rob 
 those poor creatures of that which nature had pro- 
 vided for their own proper use." Next he goes and 
 views his small stock of peas and beans, which he 
 found in a very promising case : so, whilst the 
 weatherwas fair, he falls to clearing a spotof ground 
 to set them in, as they increased. 
 
 Turning np the ground, he found several sorts of 
 roots that looked to be eatable, some whereof were as 
 big as a large carrot, others less. He broke a bit of 
 every one, some of which breaking short, and not being 
 stringy, he judged they might be eatable : then he 
 smells them, and finding the scent not disagreeable, 
 he tastes them. Some were sweetish, others sharp 
 and hot, like horse-radish ; and those he proposes to 
 use instead of spice. " Sure," said he, " these, being 
 of a pleasant scent and savour, cannot be of an offen- 
 sive nature." So, having manured his ground, he 
 takes a sample of every root which he judged eat- 
 able, and boils them, as the surest way to experience 
 their toodness
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. J87 
 
 Most of them proved not only passable good, bu* 
 extraordinary ; some eating like parsnips, other 
 almost like carrots, but rather more agreeable, some 
 like beets and turnips; every one in their severd 
 kinds, as good as ever he ate in England, but of 
 different colours and make, some being blueish 
 others black, some red, and some yellow: these 
 though not wanted, having sufficient to gratify a 
 nicer taste than his, were nevertheless extremely 
 welcome, being something like his native country's 
 fare and product. So, having returned thanks foi 
 this most agreeable addition to his ordinary, he sets 
 a mark to every herb which those roots bore, in 
 order to get some of the seed to sow in a ground 
 he would prepare : so, being provided with flesh, 
 fish, herbs, and several sorts of roots, he goes and 
 examines what improvement his peas and beans 
 have made, which he found increased to admiration, 
 the seven peas having produced one thousand, 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 
 flesh at his need, 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 whilst 
 they lasted, killing one as soon as fit for meat, and 
 so now and then another, saving only five to breeds 
 one 'Whereof should be a mate to keep the females 
 in rutting time from the wood ; lest 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
 
 188 TH2 ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 yonng ones throve apace, and grew very fat, to that 
 in three veeks' time they were large, and fit to eat. 
 He killed one, which being roasted, proved to be 
 more delicious than anj- hoiise-lamb, sucking-pig, 
 young fawn, or any other suckling whatever. 
 
 Having lived upon that, wiih now and then a 
 little fish, about one month, which was as long as 
 lie could keep it eatable, having dressed it at two 
 ditferent times, five days' intervals, eating the cold 
 remains in several manners ; reserving one of the 
 other two males for a time when he shoidd be scan- 
 ted, and in want of llesh ; but was unluckily disap- 
 pointed 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, dis- 
 position, who launched themselves with precipi- 
 tation upon the male he reserved 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 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 could hardly 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 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 
 making a net, and fastens it between the trees he 
 saw them come in at. 
 
 The succeeding %vinter, 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 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 came on apace. 
 
 Ha>'iD5 tinished his net, and every thing which
 
 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 189 
 
 belonged to it, he goes and fastens it to the trees, as 
 he had proposed ; then takes a walk to his new plan- 
 tation?, which he found in a thriving condition; for 
 which, and other benefits already received, he re- 
 solves, as in duty bound, to attend at his usual place 
 of worship, and sing tlianksgiving psalms, which the 
 hardness of the weather had kept him from all the 
 late winter; but it coming into his mind that whilst 
 he was at his devotion, returning thanks for the fair 
 prospect of a plentiful crop, his antelopes would 
 break into the close, the hedge being as yet but thiu, 
 and devour the promising buds, which are ihe prin- 
 cipal occasion of his devotion ; this not altogether im- 
 proper consideration puts a sad check to his religions 
 intention ; 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 grass. 
 
 As he was debating in his mind between relijion 
 and reason, whether the latter ought not to be a di- 
 rector to the former, he perceived his antelopes 
 making towards the peas, whither they, doubtless, 
 would have 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 devo- 
 tion, no man being required to worship to his pre- 
 judice. 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 those creatures going in ; and, having 
 completed his work, he goes to his devotion, addiug 
 to his usual thanksgiving a particular collect for his 
 luckily being in the way to prevent his being frus- 
 trated of the blessing Heaven so fairly promised to 
 bestow on his labours. 
 
 Having paid his devotion, he walks about the 
 island, being all the way delighted with the birds
 
 190 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 celebrating their Maker's praise, in tlicir different 
 harmonious notes. " Every thing in nature," said 
 he, " answers the end of its creation but ungrateful 
 man ! who, ambitious to be wise as his Creator, only 
 learns to make liimself wretched." Thus he walks 
 till tiie evening, making several reflections on the 
 dilTerent condiiions of men, preferring his present 
 State to that of Adam before his fall, who could not 
 be sensible of happiness, having never known a re- 
 verse ; which, otherwise, he would have been more 
 careful to prevent. Being come home, and near 
 bed-time, lie first eats his supper ; and then, having 
 performed his customary religious service, he goes to 
 bed. The next morning, after paying his usual de- 
 votion, he takes a walk to his plantations, on which 
 lie implores a continuation of the prosperous con- 
 dition they appear to be in ; next, he goes to examine 
 hisnet>, in wliich he hnds a brace of fowls like ducks, 
 but twice as lari^e, and exceeding beautitul. The 
 drake (which he knew by a coloured feather on his 
 rump) was of a fine cinnainou coKmr upmi his back, 
 his breait of a ma/arine blue, his belly of a deep 
 orange, his neck gnen, his head purple, his eyes, bill, 
 and leet, red ; every coUmr changing niosi agreeably 
 as they moved. The duck was also very beautiful, 
 but of quite- different colours, and much paler than 
 the drake's. 
 
 The disappointment in catching those delightful 
 fowls, instead of ravenous eagles, as he had pur- 
 posed, no ways displeased him, but lie raiher was 
 rejoiced to have such beautiful fowls to look at, yet 
 it went much against his mind to deprive those 
 creatures of iheir liberty (the greatest comfort in 
 life) which Nature took such pains to adorn. " Bnt," 
 fcaid he, " they were created for the use of man ; so, 
 in keeping them for my pleasure, they will but 
 answer the end of their creation. Their confine- 
 ment shall be no stricter than mv own, they shall 
 2»ave the whole island to lange in." He then pinions
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 191 
 
 them, pnt3 them in the pond, and makes baskets 
 for them to shelter 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 season. 
 
 The five antelopes had by this time kidded, and 
 brought sixteen young ones; his peas ami beans 
 also were wonderfully improved, having that sea- 
 son enough to stock the ground the year following. 
 Thus he returned kind Providence ihanks for the 
 vast increase, and concludes to live upon the young 
 antelopes as long as they lasted, reserving only one 
 for suck of the old ones, to keep them in jnilk, of 
 which he had taken notice they had plenty, design- 
 ing to draw it daily for his own use ; so that in a 
 little time he had enough to skiiii for cream, which 
 he used for sauce instead of butter, and made small 
 cheeses of the rest. Now, having a pretty store of 
 dairy-ware, he resolves to make a place to keep it 
 in, the kitchen \\herein he was obliged to lay his 
 salt-fish (which commonly 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 completed his dairy, he proceeds in his 
 esoliition of making cheese, having learnt the way 
 n Holland ; and, for want of rennet to turn his 
 flilk, he takes some of the horse-radish seed, which 
 /eingof a hot nature, had the same effect. Having 
 nrd to his 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.
 
 1C2 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 and a spcond in the ?ame manner, six inr*ies below 
 mat; then slits the circle, and witli his knife gently 
 opens it, purling it from the tree. Thus lie nifikes 
 as many hoops as he judged wonld contain liis 
 paste, which, being girded round witli cords to keep 
 tliein from opening, he fills with the said paste, and 
 lays them by till tit to «at. 
 
 This being done, which completed 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 happi- 
 ness : I have a habitation strong and lasting, be.ni- 
 tiful and convenient, freehold ; a store of comforts, 
 ■with all necessaries of life at free cost, which I en- 
 joy with peace and pleasure uncontrolled : yet I 
 think there is still something wanting to complete 
 my happiness; if a partner in grief lessens 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 been com- 
 pletely happy alone, he would not have had a com- 
 panion given him." Thus he walks about thought- 
 ful till bed-time. 
 
 In that disposition he goes to bed, and soon fell 
 asleep. The night also being windy added to his 
 heavy disposition ; but his mind finds no repose ; it 
 still runs on upon the subject that took it up the day 
 before, and forms ideas suitable to his inclination : 
 and, as solitude was the motive of its being disturbed, 
 he indulges ii with the thoughts of company, dream 
 ing that the fame of his station, and happy state of 
 life, was spread about the world ; that it prompted 
 a vast number of people, from all parts, to come to 
 it, which at last induced several princes to claim a 
 right to it ; which being decided by a bloody war, 
 a governor was sent, who laid taxes, demanded 
 tiuties, raised rents, and warns him to be gone, 
 naviiig fixed upon his habitation for himself todvNcU
 
 TH& jsnglisu hermit. 19S 
 
 in. Beina: sadly disturbed, he cries out in his 
 sleep — " This a great punishment lor my uneasi- 
 ness : cotild I not be contented with being lord of 
 this island, without provoking Heaven to bring me 
 under the power of extorting governors !" 
 
 There happening a great noise, he starts out of 
 his sleep, with the thought of hearing a proclama 
 tion ; and cried out — " Alas ! it is too late to pro- 
 claim an evil \\hich is already come." But being 
 thoroughly awake, and the noise still continuing, 
 he found he had been dreaming, which very much 
 rejoiced him: he therefore puts on his clotlies, 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 ditterent kinds, one 
 sort squealing and lighting against the other, with- 
 out intermixing, but still rallying, as they scattered 
 in the sciifHe. He stood some time admiring the 
 order they kept in ; and the battle still continuing 
 as fierce as at first, he advanced to see what they 
 fought about; for he took notice they very much 
 strove to keep their ground. 
 
 At his approach the battle ceased, and the com- 
 batants, retiring at some distance, left the spot of 
 ground, on which they fought, clear; whereon lay a 
 considerable quantity of v\ild pomegranates which 
 the wind had shook olf the trees the night before, 
 and which weie the occasion of their strife. 
 
 His coming having caused a trnce, 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 ditference had arisen from 
 the fruit there present, to which he could see no 
 reason but that each kind had an equal right, he 
 divides it into two equal parcels, which he lays op- 
 posite to each other towards both the parties, retiring 
 a liitle way, to see whetlier this expedient would 
 decide the quarrel, which answered his intention,, 
 those animals quietly coming to that share next to 
 
 o
 
 mi THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 them, and peaceably carrying it away, each to their 
 qi'artei s. This occasioned several reflections on the 
 frivolous, and often unjii«t, quarrels tliat arise 
 amoni; princes, which create such bloody wars as 
 Drove the destrnciion of vast nnmbers oi their sub- 
 jects. " ]f nionarchs," said he, " always acted with 
 as much reason as the«e creatures, how nuuh blood 
 and money would they save!" Thus goes on to his 
 usual place of worship, in order to return thanks 
 that he was free of that evil, the dream whereof 
 had bO tortured his mind; th»)ugh he confessed he 
 justly deserved the reality, for his uneasiness in the 
 happiest of circumstances. 
 
 Having ptid his devotion, he takes a walk to see 
 how his peas and beans came on, which he found 
 in a very imp roving <li~position, each stem bearing 
 a vast runiber of well-lilled pods. " Heaven be 
 praised !" said he, " I shall eat of this year's crop, 
 and h?tve sulhcient to stock my Lround the ensuing 
 one " 
 
 Thus being plentifidly supplied with necessaries, 
 and in a pleasant island, every thing about him be- 
 ing come to perfection, his dwelling, which sei ms 
 intended 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 ease, cannot be contented wi h the en- 
 joyment of more than he could reasonably crave, 
 but must distuib his mind with what concerns him 
 not. " What pity," said he, " so delightful a habi- 
 tation, attended with such conveniences, and situ- 
 ated in so wholesome an air, and fruiifid a land, 
 should at my death lose all those wonderful proper- 
 ties, and become useless for want of somebody to 
 enjoy them! What admiration will here be lost 
 for want of beholders ! But what kind of man 
 could I settle it upon, worthy of so fine an inherit- 
 ance ? Were it at my pleasure to choose myself an 
 heir, such only appear virtuous vfbose weak nature
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 105 
 
 confides to chastity. Every constitution cannot bear 
 excess : \vant of courage occa?i(ins mildness, and 
 lack of str<fngtli good teniper ; thus virtue is made 
 a cloak to inlirmity. But why do I thus willingly 
 hamper myself with those cares Providence has 
 been pleased to free me of? 
 
 " Leave the miser the knowing^ carp, 
 Who'll succeed him, or be his heir; 
 That racks his soul with discontent, 
 Lest what he rak'd for should be spent. 
 Hisg^old to him is f;ir more dear, 
 Than all hU fiieiids or kindred near." 
 Thnshe holds the Island from Providence: freely 
 he bequeaths it to whom Providence shall think tit 
 to bestow it upon: and, that his heir may the better 
 know the worth of the gift, he draws a maj) of the 
 whole estate; and made an inventory of every in- 
 dividual tenement, appurtenances, messuages, goods 
 and chattels, and also a draught of the terms and 
 conditions he is to hold the here mentioned posses- 
 sions upon ; viz. 
 
 Imprimis, A fair and most pleasant island, richly 
 stocked with fine trees, and adorned with several 
 delightful groves, planted and improved by Nature, 
 stored with choice and delicious roots and plants for 
 food, bearing peas and beans; likewise a noble fish- 
 pond, well stocked with divers sorts of curious tish ; 
 and a spacious wood, harbouring several sorts of 
 wild-fowl, and beasts tit for a king's table. 
 
 Item, A dwelling commenced by Art, improved 
 by Nature, and completed by Time, which yearly 
 keeps it in repair, as also its furniture. 
 
 Item, The otficesand appurtenances thereof, with 
 the utensils thereunto bel()nging; which said island, 
 dwelling, &c. are freehold, and clear from taxes; in 
 no temporal dominion, therefore screened from any 
 impositions, duties, and exactions ; defended by Na« 
 lure from invasions or assaults; guarded and sup» 
 ported by Providence. All which incomparable pos- 
 sessions are to be held upon the following terms, vil, 
 o 2
 
 no THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 That whosoever shall be by Providence settled in 
 this bles«cd abode, shall, morning and evening, 
 constanily (unless prevented by ill weather or acci- 
 dent) attend at the cast side of this island, and witlkin 
 the alcove Nature prepared for the lodgment of 
 several harmonious echoes, and there pay bis devo- 
 tion, sinijing thanksgiving - psalms to the great 
 Origin and Director of all things, whose praises he 
 will have the comfort to hear repeated by melodious 
 voices. 
 
 Next, he shall religionsly observe and keep a 
 8eventli-day for worship only, from the rising of 
 the sun till the going down thereof: therefore he 
 shall, the day before, make all necessary provision 
 for that day. 
 
 That he shall, after any tempestuous wind or storm, 
 visit the sea at the outside of the rock, at the east, 
 south, west, and north ends, in order to assist 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 necessary for his health : but shal' 
 every day examine his nets, setting at liberty the 
 overplus of his necessity, lest they should perish in 
 their confinement. 
 
 He must also keep every thing in the same order 
 and cleanness he shall find them in ; till and manure 
 the ground yearly ; set and sow plants and seeds, 
 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, be 
 found a fowl as big as a turkey, but the colour of a 
 pheasant, only a tail like a partridge : this having 
 DO sign of being a bird of prey, be was loth to kiU
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 107 
 
 it ; but having had no fresh meat for above a week, 
 he yields to his appetite, and dresses it, eating part 
 thereof for his dinner: it was very fat and plump, 
 and ate niucli like a pheasant, but rather tenderer, 
 and fuller of gravy. 
 
 Though 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 Ihem with 
 his net, which had hung a considerable time with 
 out the intende*^, success, he projects the prevention 
 of their increase by destroying their eggs, leaving 
 his nets wholly for the use they had been successful 
 in; and searches the clefts ol the rock next to the 
 sea, where those birds commonly build ; where hav- 
 iag found several nests, he takes away the eggs 
 that were in them, being tiien their breeding time, 
 and carries them home, in order to empty the shells, 
 and hang tlsem up and down in his habitation, 
 amongst the green leaves which covered the ceiling 
 thereof; but having accidentally 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 
 ate much after the manner of a swan's : the rest he 
 saved to eat now and then for a change, reaping a 
 double advantage by robbing those birds ; lessening 
 thereby the damage they might do him in time, and 
 adding a dish to his present fare. 
 
 In this prosperous way he lived fifteen years, 
 finding no alteration in the weather or seasons, nor 
 meeting in all the time with any transactions worthy 
 of record: still performing his usual exercises, and 
 taking his walks with all the satisfaction his happy 
 condition could procure ; entirely forsaking all 
 thoughts and desires of ever quitting the blessed 
 station he then had in his possession. 
 
 Thus having walked the island over and over, 
 (which tiiough delightful, yet the frequent repetition 
 of U»e wonders it produces renders them, as it w ere.
 
 198 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 common and less admirable) he proceeds to view 
 the sea, whose fluid element, being ever iu motion, 
 daily affords new objects of admiration. 
 
 The day being very fair, and the weather as calm, 
 he sat down upon the rock, taking pleasure in see- 
 ing the waves roll, and, as it were, chase one another; 
 the next pMrsiiing the first, 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 undermost to 
 bear, sunk all togtther. "This," said he," is a true 
 emblem of ambition ; men, striving to outdo one 
 another, are often 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 nothing else; a ship appears at a great distance, 
 a sight he had not seen since his siiip wreck. " Un- 
 lucky invention !" said he, "that thou should'stever 
 come into men's thoughts! The Ark, which gave 
 the first notion of a floating habitation, was ordered 
 for the preservation of man ; but its fatal copies 
 daily expose him to destruction." Having there- 
 fore returned Heaven tlianks for his being out of 
 those dangers, he makes a solemn vow, never to 
 return into them again, though it were to gain the 
 world. But his resolution proved as brittle as his 
 nati.ire wr.s frail : the men on board had spied him 
 out with their perspective glasses; and, supposing 
 him to be shipwreiked, and to want relief, sent 
 their hmg-boat with two men to fetch him away. 
 
 At their approach his heart alters its motion ; his 
 blood stops from its common course ; his sinews are 
 all stagnated ; which entirely unframcs his reason, 
 and makes him a stranger to his own inclination ; 
 which strusgling with Ids wavering resolution oc- 
 casions a debate between hope hnd fear : but the 
 boat, being come pretty nigh, gave hope the advan- 
 tage, and his late resolution yields to his revived
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 199 
 
 inclination ; which being now encouraged by a 
 probable opportunity of beinK answered, rushes on 
 to execution. He now, quitting all liis former re- 
 liance on Providence, depends aliogetiier upon his 
 getting away, blessing the lucky opportunity of 
 seeing his blessed country again, tor wiiich pleasure 
 he freely quits and forsakes all the happiness he 
 enjoyed! gladly abandoning his dtligiittul habita- 
 tion, and plentiful island. He thinks no more of 
 Providence; his mind is entirely taken up with his 
 voyage. But disappointment, which often attends 
 the greatest probabiliiies, snatches success out of 
 his hand before he could grasp it, and intercepts his 
 supposedly infallible lefreat : the boat could not 
 approach hini, 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 
 Bides, to come at one another, the men, after they 
 had strove all they could, but to no purpose, said 
 something to him in a rage, which he understood 
 not, and went without him, more wretched now 
 than he was when he was first cast a'.vay. His full 
 dependence upon a retreat made liim abandon all 
 further reliatice on Providence, whom then he 
 could implore; but now, having ungratefully despised 
 Heaven's bounties, which had been so largely be- 
 stowed on him, he has forfeited all hopes of assist- 
 ance thence, and expects none from the world. 
 Thus de-titnfe, and in the greatest pe'plexity, he 
 cries out — " Whither shall I now fly tor help i 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 I grown 
 weary of being iiappy .'" So saying, he talis a 
 weeping. " Could I shed a flood t>f tears, sufticient 
 to wash away my fault, or ease me of the remorse
 
 300 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 it does create ! But why does my distracted fancy 
 propose impossibilities? Is not the ocean siifficient 
 to rid me of this wretched life ? Then adien, infec- 
 tious world, tliou magician of iniquity ! The thoughts 
 of which are now more offensive than the mo?t 
 nauseous odour of an old sepulchre." Here he was 
 going to cast himself into the sea; but a vast laic^e 
 monster, rising out of the water, with its terrible 
 jaws wide open, looking at him in a most dreadful 
 manner, stopped the execution of his desperate 
 design. Thus, Death appearing in a different shape 
 than he had proposed to meet him in, frightens away 
 his resolution of dying. " I may," said he, "con- 
 demn 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 Master, 
 was, by repenting and weeping over his sin, re- 
 ceived 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, biU to des- 
 pise them." And, for the better performance of 
 that pious resolution, he sets that wofnl day apart 
 (in which he was about to commit that fatal deed) 
 for prayer and fasting. Thus he went home, and 
 having ate nothing since the day before, he spent 
 the remainder of the day in fasting and praying ; 
 singing penitential psalms till dark night, that 
 nature urged him to repose. 
 
 Tiie pains and labour he had been at in the day, 
 climbing up and down tlie rock, dragging himself to 
 and fro, to come at the boat, having very much 
 racked his limbs; and the disappointment of his 
 full dependance on the late promising success, as 
 also the tormenting remorse, and heavy grief, for 
 his sinful reliance thereon, much fatigninii his mind, 
 rendered sleep, which is ordained for the refresh- 
 ment of nature, of no manner of help to him ; bU
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 201 
 
 thoughts are continually disturbed with frightfnl 
 visions ; all his past 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 than when he lay down, having still 
 the terrible aspect of the sea-monster in his mind, 
 he made several reflections on the execrable nature 
 of his intended sin; admiring the immense gtiodness 
 of Providence, vvlio, to deter him from committing 
 the enormous act, had ordered that (beyond imagi- 
 nation) terrible object, as the most suitable to the 
 barbarity of his design, to strike into him that 
 terror which the species of death he had fixed upon 
 could not. Thus having with tears acknouledged 
 the enormity of his resolution, he returns Providence 
 thanks for its inestimable goodness, who, notwilh-. 
 standing his late most ungrateful elopement, pre- 
 served him from eternal, as well as temporal, ruin. 
 Having paid liis devotion, and sung a thanks-giving 
 psalm, he takes a little nourisliment, his spirits being 
 low with ills past fatigue and fasting ; and as he 
 could not put out of his eyes tlie terrible aspect of 
 the monster, which was beyond any ciiimerical con- 
 ception, he resolves to draw it according to tlie idea 
 he had in his mind. " Perhaps," said he, " having 
 often tlie representation before my eyes, it will 
 make the object more familiar and le-s frightful." 
 Taking, therefore, pen and ink, and a sheet of 
 parchment — " Now," said he, " how shall I repre- 
 sent 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 anleK)pe ; 
 another pair like a wild goat's ; two more bending 
 backwards ; it's face armed all round with darts,
 
 202 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 like a porcupine ; vast great eyes, sparkling like a 
 flint struck wiili 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 cro- 
 codile." 
 
 Having likene'l every different part, he proceeds 
 in the representation thereof; which being finished, 
 put hJMi in the greatest admiration. " Sure," said 
 he, " if Nature had a hand in thy making, it was 
 to assemble, in one creature, all the fiercest and 
 dreadfullest animals that are most frightful and 
 terrible I Now, perhaps, this being constantly 
 before me, may come less in my mind." Then 
 fixing it against his wall — " This," said he, •' will 
 be also a memorandum of my late vow, never to 
 endeavour to wish to go hence, whatever opportu- 
 nity offers, though attended with ever so great a 
 probability of success, and prospect of gain ;" fully 
 settling his whole mind and aftection on the state 
 and condition Heaven had been pleased to place 
 him in ; resolving to let nothing enter into his 
 thc)nglits, but his most grateful duty to so ireat a 
 benefactor, who had so olten and miraculously 
 rescued him from death. 
 
 Thus having entirely banished the world out of 
 his mind, which before often disturbed it, he limits 
 his thoughts within the bounds of his blessed pos- 
 tession, which affords him more than is sufficient to 
 make his lite happy ; where plenty flows on him, 
 and pleasure attends his de>ires ; 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 
 nome ; and in his walks he is entertained with the 
 harmony of divers kinds of singing birds ; every- 
 place he comes at offers him new objects for
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 203 
 
 pleasure : thus all seems to concur in completing 
 his happiness. 
 
 In this most blessed state he thinks Jiimself as 
 Adam before his f.dl, having no room for wishes, 
 only that every thing may continue in its present 
 condition ; but it cannot he expecteti that fair wea- 
 ther, whicli smiles on his beauty, will not change. 
 The sun must go its course, and tlie seasons take 
 their turn ; whit'i considerations must, for the 
 present, admit some small care. He is naked, and 
 his tender constitution susceptible of the cold ; 
 therefore, the clothes he was cast away in being worn 
 out, he is obliged to think of i roviding something to 
 defend his limbs from tlie hardness of the approach- 
 ing winter, whilst it is yet warm. Having considered 
 what to make a wrapper of, he concludes upon using 
 some of the same grass hemadeliis mats of, on which 
 he lay, being soft and warm, very lit for that pur- 
 pose ; of this lie cuts down a sufficient quantity, which, 
 when ready to work, he makes small t«ine with, 
 and plaits it in narrow braids, whicli he sews toge- 
 ther with some of the same, and sliapes a long loose 
 gown, that covered him to his heels, and a cap of 
 the sanie. 
 
 By the 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 habitation twice a day ; as also the same he 
 made to the places he had occasion to go to, tossing 
 the snow on each side, wliich, before the winter 
 was over, met a-top, and covered it all the way, 
 which obliged him to keep within doors for a con- 
 siderable time, and melt snow instead of water ; 
 lest, 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
 
 204 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 nsual assistance, repairing the damages the latefros* 
 had done, which joyful tidings made tv«i y thing 
 smile. Qiiarll also, tinding himself revistd, ti>ok 
 his former walks, which the preceding b:i(i weatliei 
 had kept him from, thongh there had been no con 
 siderable storm the winter before. 
 
 He having a mind to view the sea, and being 
 come to the outside of the north-west end of the 
 rock, sees at the foot thereof something 'ike part of 
 the body of a large hollow tree, tlie ends whereof 
 were stopped with its own pitch, and tlie middle, 
 which was slit open from end to end, and kept 
 gaping by a stick laid across. 
 
 This put him in mind of canoes, with which the 
 Indians paddle np and down their lakes and rivers; 
 and, being on that side of the rock next the i^land 
 of California, he fancied some of them were come 
 to visit this island, thongh 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 another, he hastens home to secure what he 
 had, but it was too late : they had been there 
 already, and had taken away the clothes he found 
 in the chest; which being by far too little for him, 
 hung carelessly on a pin behind his door. Had 
 they been contented with that, he would not have 
 regarded it ; but they carried away some of his 
 curious fish, and, what gr'eved him most, the fine 
 bird he had taken such pains to dress and stuflf, and 
 care to preserve ; as also hi> bows and arrows. 
 
 Having missed these things, which he much 
 valued, he hastens to the outside of the rock, with 
 his long stalt" 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 
 near half a ieaeue from the rock. Yet they did not 
 carry away their theft : for there arising some wind, 
 it made the sea somewhat rough, and overset their
 
 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 205 
 
 canoe ; so that whajt was in it was all lost but the 
 two Indians, who niost dexterously turned it on its 
 bottom Hgain, and with surpiising activity, leaped 
 into it, one at the one side, and the other at the 
 opposite; so that the canoe being trimmed at once, 
 they paddled out of siglit. 
 
 Havinw seen as much of them as he could, he 
 walks to the north-east side, in order to discover 
 the effect of the high wind which happened the 
 night before. 
 
 Keing come tQ the outside of the rock, he per- 
 ceives at a distance something like a large chest, 
 but having no lid to it. Taking that to be the pro- 
 duct of some late shipwreck, he grieved at the fatal 
 accident. " How long," reflected he, " will covet- 
 ousness decoy men to pnrsue wealth, at the cost of 
 their precious lives ? Has not Nature provided 
 every nation and country a sufficiency for its ir^ia- 
 bitants? that they will rove on this most dangerous 
 and boisterous sea, which may be titled — ' Death's 
 Dominions;' many perishing therein, and not one 
 on it being safe." 
 
 As he was bewailing their fate who he imagined 
 had been cast away, he sees two men come down 
 the rock, with each a bundle in his arm, who went 
 to that which he had taken to be a chest ; and, 
 having put their load in it, pushed it away till come 
 to deeper water : then, having got i<n it, with a long 
 stafif 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 sight, 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, there being no other moveables in the islaBd 
 but what were in his lodge. 
 
 Being come home, he finds indeed what he «!»•
 
 200 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 pected : those villains had most sacrilegiously rifled 
 and ransacked liis habitation, not leaving liim 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 conld find for their use. 
 
 The loss of those things, which he could not be 
 without, filled him with sorrow. " Now," said he 
 "I am in my fiist state of being; naked I came 
 into the world, and naked I shall go out of it:" at 
 which he fell a weeping. 
 
 Having grieved awhile — "Why," said he, "should 
 I thus cast myself down ? Is not Providence, who 
 gave me them, able to give me more ?" Thus, 
 having resolved before winter to replenish his loss, 
 he re!«ts himself contented, and gives the ruffians' 
 evil action the best construction he could. " Now 
 I think on it," said he, " these surely are the men 
 who, about twelve months' since, would charitably 
 have carried me hence, but could not, for want of 
 necessary implements; and now, being better pro- 
 vided, came to accomplish their hospitable design ; 
 but, not finding me, supposing I was either 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 
 hims«df new bedding, and a winter-garb. 
 
 Having walked about half a mile, he perceives 
 the same men coming towards the pond. " Heaven 
 be praiserl!" said he, " here they be still. Now, 
 when they see I am not gone, nor willing to go, 
 they will return my things, which they are sensible 
 I cannot do without ;" with which words he goes 
 up to them. 
 
 By this time they had caught the two old ducks, 
 which, being pinioned, could not fly away as the 
 res4 did. He was much vexed to see the best of 
 his stock thus taken away ; yet as he thought they 
 were come to do him service, he could grudge them
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 207 
 
 nothing, that would any wise gratify so good an 
 intent. Bn(, having returned them thanks for their 
 good-will, he told iheni he was very hitppy in the 
 island, and had made a vow never to go out ot it. 
 
 These heing Frenchmen, and of an eniplosnunt 
 where politeness is of little n«e, being fi^ll^■rmen, 
 and not understanding what he said, only linglud 
 in his face, and went on to the purpose they came 
 abont : then having as many of the dncks as ilu-y 
 could eet, they proceeded towards the house where 
 they had seen the antelopes; some (f which not 
 running away at their approach, they proposed to 
 catch hold of them. 
 
 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 clothes, nor any body 
 but their master, presently fled ; but the two fild 
 ones, wliicli he had bied up, were so tame that 
 they stood still; only when the men came to them, 
 they kept close to him, which gave the men oppor- 
 tunity to lay hold of them ; when, n<;twitiistanding 
 Quarll's repeated entreaiies, they tied a halter about 
 their horns, and barbarously led them away. 
 
 Quarll was grieved to the heart to see hisdarlings 
 whith he had taken such care to breed up, and 
 which were become the principal part of his delight,, 
 following him up and down ; and w hich, by their 
 jumping and playing before him, often dispersed 
 melancholy thoughts ; notwithstanding all these en- 
 dearinj: qualifications, thus h.tukd away ; he weeps, 
 and on his knees begs they niay be left; and, 
 though they understoofl not his words, his actions 
 were so expressive and wioving that, had they had 
 the humanity of cannibals, who eat one anoiher, 
 they w(Mild have yielded to so melting an object as 
 the poor broken-hearted Quarll was ; but the in- 
 flexible boors went on, cruelly hauling and dragging 
 the poor creatures ; which, as if sensible of the bar- 
 barity of the act, looked back to their afflicted 
 
 /
 
 208 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. ^ 
 
 master, as craving his assistance ; which, at last 
 so exasperated him that he was several times 
 tempted to lay on the ravishers with his long staflF, 
 but as often was stopped by the following considera- 
 tion : " Shall I," said he, " be the destruction of 
 my fellow-creatures, 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 
 n.elancholy, bemoaning his poor antelopes' fate, and 
 his own misfortune. "They were used to liberty," 
 said he, " which they are now deprived of, and for 
 which they will pine and die, which, for their sake, 
 I cannot but wish ; for life without liberty is a con- 
 tinual death." 
 
 As he was walking, thinking (as it is usual, after 
 the loss of any thing one loves) of the pleasure he 
 had during the enjoyment, tlie ruffians, having se- 
 cured the poor animals, came back with ropes in 
 their hands. " What do they want next ?" said he, 
 " have they not all they desire ; would they carry 
 away my habitation also ? Sure they have no de- 
 sign on my person : if so, they will not take it so 
 easily as they did my dear antelopes." Thus he 
 resolved to exercise his quarter-staff, if they offered 
 to lay hands on him. The villains, whose design 
 was t» omd him, and so carry him away, seeing 
 him armed and resolute, did not judge it safe for 
 them to advance within the reach of his weapon, 
 but kept at some distance, divining how to seize 
 Mn.. 
 
 Quarll, who, by their consulting, guessed at their 
 design, not thinking it proper to let them come to 
 a resolution, makes at the nearest, who immediately 
 took to his heels ; and then to the next, who im- 
 mediately does the same. Thus he follows them 
 about for a considerable time : but they divided, is
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 209 
 
 order to tire him with running, till the night ap- 
 proaching, 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 desired, he returneti, as soon as he saw them 
 in the long-boat, that they rowed to their ship, 
 which lay at anchor some distance from the 
 rocks. 
 
 These wretches being gone, he returns Heaven 
 thanks for his deliverance; and as his bridge had 
 favoured their coming, he pnlls it off, and only laid 
 it over when he had a mind to view the sea, and 
 goes home to eat a bit, having not as yet broken 
 his fast. Having, therefore, eaten some of his roots 
 and cheese, and being wearied with hnniing these 
 boors, he consults how to lie, his bed and bedding 
 being gone, as also his winter-gown, and tlie nights 
 being as yet cold : however, alter a small time of 
 consideration, he concludes to lie in the lodge, which 
 veas left vacant by the stolen antelopes' absence ; 
 whose litter being made of the same grass as his 
 mats were, he lay both soft and warm. 
 
 When laid down, being sorely fatigued, he soou 
 fell asleep ; and as the plunderers had the preceding 
 day took up his cares, they filled his mind in the 
 night ; he has them continually before his eyes, 
 sometimes with his beloved antelopes in their pil- 
 fering hands ; at other times barbarously hauling 
 them by their horns with a halter, which they ought 
 to have about their own necks. These acts of aus 
 terily provoking his anger, and urging him on to 
 revenge, he lifts his start', which on a sudden is 
 turned into Hercules' club. Startled to see that 
 wonderful change, lie stops from laying on the in- 
 tended 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 ?" Whilst he was making these reflections, 
 the men got clear away with the fowls and ante- 
 IP
 
 210 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 lopes, leaving him in deep melancholy. Thus, as 
 he was bewailing his loss, callini.' to mind the agree- 
 able pastimes they had often been to him, and the 
 many anxious hours he had dispersed with their 
 diversion, a 2entle«oiiian appeared before liim, of 
 a mo^t agreeable, yet grave countenance, diessed 
 In'pl.iin (love-coloured clothes, in most places thread- 
 bare, and in others patched with divers sorts of 
 stutfs, yet genteel and becoming. He starts at her 
 appearing, wondering what she could come for. 
 having nothing more to lose. " I come not," said 
 she, " to seek ougiit from thee, but to restore what 
 thou hast lost." He, being overjoyed at the words, 
 looks about, expecting his beloved antelopes, and 
 what else (he men had taken away ; but, seeing 
 nothins;, he thought that vision proceeded from 
 vapours, whicli tiie great grief for his late loss had 
 occasioned ; and tails a thinking, till he was a second 
 time interrupted by her, bidding him look her in 
 the face. " Be satisfied, be satisfied, woman." said 
 he : " wliy, I neither know thee, nor what ihou 
 meanest." — " Well then," replied she, " I'll inform 
 thee of both : I am Patience, whom all the woild 
 strive to grieve, and whom none can provoke ; and 
 what I promise to restore thee is Content, which 
 thou throvvest away after worthless things." So she 
 vanishes. At which he awakes. 
 
 Having made reflections upon the latter part of 
 his dream, the first part thereof being but a repe- 
 titicm of what happened the day before, he makes 
 this application. " This," said he, " is a check for 
 my discomposing that peace upon such a fiivolous 
 account, which, by Pro\idence, was intended I 
 should enjoy, having supplied me with all neces- 
 saries to maintain it." He therefore makes a-reso- 
 lulion never to be vexed, let what "ill happen ; 
 but with patience submit to the will of God, who 
 ha^ the direction of all things. Then, having paid 
 his usual devotion} he goes into the kitchen, in order
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 211 
 
 to breakfast, and afterward^ to take his custoinary 
 walk. Whilst he was eating, tliere arose a noise 
 in the air, as proceeding from a quantity of rooks, 
 jackdaws, crows, and such like birds, \\hosc com- 
 mon notes he was acquainted with ; and as the 
 noise approaclicd, he had tlie curiosity to go and 
 see what was the matter, but was prevented by the 
 coming of a large fowl, whicli flew over his head, 
 as he was going out. He turned back to gaze at 
 the bird, ^^llose beauty seized him with admiration; 
 the pleasure of seeing so charming a creature quite 
 put out of liis mind ilie curiosity of looking %\hence 
 proceeded the disagreeable noise witliout; which 
 ceasing as soon as the bird was sheltered, made him 
 imagine tlio^e carrion birds had been chasing that 
 beautiful fowl, whicli, seeing ilsclf out of danger, 
 stood still, very calm and composed; which gave 
 him the opportunity of making a discussion of every 
 individual agreement whicii composed so delightful 
 an object. It was about the biiiness and form of a 
 swan, almost headed like it, only the bill was not 
 so 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 shining gold-coloured 
 feathers, which spread over it, hanging near three 
 inches beyond, all round ; its breast, face, and part 
 of its neck, milk-white, curiously speckled with 
 small black spots, a gold coloured circle about it, 
 its back and neck behind of a tine crimson, speckled 
 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 six rows of leathers, all 
 of dift'erent colours, which made a most delightful 
 mixture. 
 
 Having spent several minutes in admiring the 
 bird, he lays pea«, and crumble<l roots, bolh roasted 
 and boiled, before it, as also water in a shell, with- 
 drawing to give it liberty to eat and drink ; and 
 stood out peeping to see what it would do : which 
 
 P 2
 
 215 THE ENGLISH HKRMIT. 
 
 being alone, having looked about, picks a few peas, 
 and drinks heartily ; tiien walks towards the door 
 in a composed and easy manner, much like that of 
 a cock. 
 
 Qnarll, being at the outside, was dubious whether 
 he should detain hira, or let him go; his allection 
 for that admirable creature equally prompts him to 
 both : he cannot bear the thoughts of parting with 
 80 lovely an object, nor harbour that of depriving 
 it of iis liberty, which it so implicitly trusted him 
 withal. Thus, after a small pause, generosity pre- 
 vails over self-pleasure. " Why should I," said he, 
 " make the place of its refuge its prison?" He there- 
 fore makes room for it to go, which, with a slow 
 pace, walks out ; and, having looked about a small 
 time, mounts up a considerable height, and then 
 takes its course north-west. 
 
 The bird being gone out of sight, he made reflec- 
 tions on the adventure, which he judges to be a 
 prognostic of some rebellion or revolution in Eu- 
 rope : whereupon, having recommended his native 
 country to the protection of Heaven, begging a cou- 
 tinnation of peace, and an end of those unhappy 
 divisions which often prove the ruin of nations, 
 he goes and sets down in the memorial-book, the 
 transactions of that year, being 1689, and the fif- 
 teenth since his being in the island, which proved 
 more fruitful in events than any of the preceding. 
 The picture which he had drawn of the terrible sea 
 monster, being against his wall, having accustomed 
 him to the frightful object that constantly disturbed 
 his mind, he draws that of the two rutfians, com- 
 mittin<; their barbarity, and hangs it by the place ; 
 the idea whereof being to him more terrible than 
 the preceding, he could not sutler it to be long in 
 his sight; but takes it down, and draws on the 
 backside of it, the villains on a s-.ibbet. " Now," 
 said h«?, " this being what oughi to be the end and 
 explanaii<m of the history, shall now be the right 
 side of the picture."
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 213 
 
 There happening nothing the remainder of the 
 year, worthy of record, he employs it in his cus- 
 tomary occupations ;* as pruning and watering his 
 lodge and dairy, making his mats to lie on, as also 
 his winter-garb ; every day milking his antelopes 
 and goats, making now and then butter and cheese, 
 attending his nets, and such like necessary em- 
 ployments. 
 
 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 
 same season; and, being resolved to take him away, 
 and all they conhl make any thing of, out of the 
 island, were provided with hands and implements 
 to accomplish their design; as ropes to bind vhat 
 they could get alive, and guns to s-hoot \^hat they 
 could not come at ; saws and hatchets to cut down 
 logwood, and brazil, pick-axes and shovels to dig np 
 orris-roots, and others of worth, which they imagined 
 the island produced ; likewise flat-bottomed boats 
 to tow in shallow 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 confounded their devices, at the 
 very instant they thought themselves sure of suc- 
 cess. The implements in a flat-bottomed boat were 
 towed to the very foot of the rock, by a young fel- 
 low, who being lighter than a man, was thought 
 fittest to go with the tools, which pretty well loaded 
 the boat. 
 
 Their materials being landed, to their great satis- 
 faction, the men on board embarked in two more 
 of the same sort of boats, but were no sooner in 
 them but a storm arose, which dashed their slender 
 bottom to pieces, and washed them into the sea, in 
 which they perished, oversetting also the flat-bot- 
 tomed boat on shore with the load, and the lad 
 underjieath it. 
 
 The storm being over, which lasted from about
 
 SI4 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 eieht in the morning fill almost twelve at noon, 
 Qiiarll, according to his custom, went to see if Le 
 could perceive any damage dofie by the l«te tem- 
 pest, and if any distressed by it, stood in want of 
 help. " 
 
 Being at that side of the rock he used to visit, 
 he couhl see nothing but a few fishes and shells the 
 sea had left in the clefts. " If this," said he, "be 
 all the damage that has been done, make me thank- 
 ful ; it will recruit me with fresh fish and utensils." 
 Going to the N.W. part, where he sees a battered 
 boat, rtoating\\ith the keel upwards — "Tliis," said 
 he, "bodes some mischief;" but thought it not to 
 be of any consequence. Having ^one about fifty 
 yards fanher, he espies a small barrel at tiie foot of 
 the rock, with several planks and fragments of a 
 ship, floating with the tide. "Alas," saiil he, "these 
 are too evident proofs of a shipwreck, to hope other- 
 wise." As he was looking about, he hears a voice 
 cry out, much like that of a man, at some distance, 
 behind a part of the rock. Being advanced a .<:mall 
 matter beyond where he was — " Heaven be praised!" 
 says he, " there is somebody whom I am luckily 
 come to save, and he most fortunately come to be 
 my companion : I cannot but rejoice at the event, 
 though I heartily grieve for the accident." Hasten- 
 ing to the place where he thought the cries came 
 from, which as he advanced, he could discern to be 
 too shrill for a man's voice — " Certainly," says he, 
 "this must be some woman, by the noise." This 
 sets his blood a glowing, his heart alters its motioix. 
 " Now," said he, joyful, " Providence has com- 
 pleted my happiness, I shall have a companion, and 
 a helpmate ;" and goes on with fresh vigour, as 
 though he had recovered his strength, and got new 
 limbs: the rough and savage rock, which was be- 
 fore in a manner inaccessible, is now made easy to 
 walk : he climbs the highest places with activity, 
 and goes down the steep as nimbly, and soon ar-
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 215 
 
 rived where he judged the person to be : yet, seeing 
 nothing but what he took to be a che^t, began to be 
 disheartened. " Sure," said he, " this is not a 
 second illiuion, to decoy my fancy after what is to 
 be had !" Thus his joy on a sudden turned into a 
 deep melancholy; but the creature underneath, who 
 having heard some noise near at hand, ceased cry 
 ing, to listen ; yet, seeing nobody come, cries ou 
 again somewhat louder than before. 
 
 This revived him quite, and recalled his hopes. 
 "It is a woman," said he, "and in that che--t ;" 
 when, going to break it open, he stops on a suduen. 
 *' What am I going to do ? Kow do I know the 
 cause of her being thus locked up? Though women 
 are in a manner, become 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 understand- 
 ing, he was afraid to let him out ; but his mention- 
 ing Christ being intelligible to hini, made him 
 cliange his opinion. " For Christ's sake, doth she 
 say .'. That lioly name witches seldom make use 
 of; however, in that name I'll let her out. If she 
 be under condemnation, was I not so ? Had she 
 by Heaven been decreecl to die, she would not have 
 been here." At which words, with his statt he en- 
 deavoured to break that which he took to be the 
 lid of the chest, but proved to be the bottom ; and 
 as he was striking, the boy underneath calling to 
 him to turn it up, thrust his hand un<ler the side, 
 which he perceiving, though he understood him not, 
 stood still. Finding his mistake — " Tliis," said he, 
 " is a flat-bottomed boat, such as the Frenchinen 
 used the year before, when they came and plun 
 dered me. Now, am I safe if I turn it up ? Doubt- 
 Itss they are come in great numbers." Pausing 
 awhile, and the lad (whom he took to be a woman) 
 stiil coiiliuuing his moan, he was moved to com-
 
 aX6 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 passion ; 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 sake I'll relieve them ; there cannot be 
 many men. However, I'll let but one out at a 
 time: if he be mischievons, I am able to deal with 
 him." At tills, he puts the end of the statf where 
 lie had seen the hand, and lifts it up about a foot 
 from the ground : out of the openinsr immediately 
 creeps the boy, who on his knees falls a beeging 
 and weeping, expecting; death every moment, as 
 being the merited punishment for the evil purpose 
 he came about. Quarll, who expected there was a 
 woman be?ir!e, fearing the gap the youth came 
 out at would be too uneasy for her to come through, 
 inade motions for the b'>y to help him, in order to 
 set the boat on its bottom ; which he did. Quarll, 
 seeing the implements instead of the woman, was 
 as much vexed as disappointed. His countenance 
 changes; sometimes he looks at the things, 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, almost drowned in tears, 
 besginif for mercy in such a moving manner that 
 Quarll could not forbear shedding some tears ; and 
 though the late (li«appoinfnient of his proposed hap- 
 piness, and the fii;ht of the preparations made for 
 his intended ruin, had moved him to anger against 
 that mercenary nation, he helped the young fellow 
 np 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 same, which 
 he accordingly did. 
 
 The boat being demolished, they carried the 
 boards higher up on the rock, as also the rest of 
 the thing? ; lest in the night some storm should rise, 
 which might wash them back into the sea, it being 
 then too late to bring them away. Having done.
 
 TUB ENGLISH HERMIT. 217 
 
 they each of them took up what they conld carry, 
 and so went home. Tlie young Frenchman, finding 
 a kinder treatment than eitlier he deserved or ex- 
 pected, vas extroardinarily submissive and tract- 
 able, which made Qnarll tlie more kind and mild, 
 and, instead of condemning his evil attempt, he 
 commiserated his misfortune, and in room of resent 
 ment shewed him kindness. Tlius, having given 
 him of what lie had to eat, he puts hiin to bed in 
 his lodge, wherein he lay, till he had got his mats 
 made up, then went to bed himself, but could not 
 sleep for thinking of his late disappointment, which 
 intercepted those pleasures he so much depended on, 
 thinking himself sure of a female partner, who, in 
 sharing happiness with him, would have much added 
 to his bliss. 
 
 Having tossed and tumbled a considerable time, 
 he begins to be heavy spirited : nature is fatigued, 
 and must be refreshed. Thus he falls asleep ; and, 
 as his hopes the preceding day had indulged his de* 
 sire, his mind is so impressed in the night with the 
 idea of a female object, that lie dreams he has her 
 b}' his side, condoling her for the dangers she has 
 gone through, congratulating her lucky escape, 
 and greeting her happy arrival into so blessed an 
 abode. 
 
 Thus expressing his joy, in possessing the only 
 object which could complele his happiness, with all 
 the softness and eloquence the most passionate love 
 can impress, he reaches out his arms to embrace 
 the lovely phantom his inclination had bred in his 
 imagination ; but, having groped awhile, and find- 
 ing nothing, he starts out of his sleep at this most 
 shocking disappointment. 
 
 Being awaked, the late delusive pleasures called 
 to his mind the real, which he had formerly enjoy- 
 ed, and did then hanker after. " What is man," 
 said he, " without that part of himself, out of which 
 God made him a mate ? Adam, though possessing all
 
 2IS THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 the world, was still wanting, till he had a woman to 
 keep him company." In this melancholy (iisposition 
 he.isjain falls asleep, and dreams afresh ; in svliich his 
 itna<;inalio;i tints his inclination with tliose pleasures 
 it so much desiredT" Fruition to him is but like 
 liquor to a man sick of a violent fever, which only 
 for a minute quenches his heat, but augments the 
 distemper, and at last destroys the patient. E.Kces- 
 sive lov*; is but short lived ; what is violent is not 
 lasting : time wii4i pleasure runs fast away, but 
 dwells long with sorrow; care weakens love, and 
 indifferences breed discontent; the jarrings fol- 
 low whicli introduce Division, the mother of 
 Poverty. 
 
 These dismal accidents, incident to inconsiderate 
 love, coining into the amorous dreamer's mind, his 
 great heat being quenched, he took time to con- 
 sider his condition; and, seeing himself liable to 
 them, is struck witli such a fear as blots all plea- 
 sure? out of his thoughts, and fills them with dread 
 of future cares, which he unadvisedly run himself 
 into, and all for the sake of a short pleasure. 
 
 Starting out of his sleep at the approach of those 
 sad troubles, he returns Heaven thanks that it was 
 but a dream ; and begs pardon for having given so 
 much way to the concupiscence of the tlesli ; getting 
 np, though sooner than ordinary, lest he should fall 
 asiiep, and dream again of women. 
 
 Having walked about till he thought it time for 
 the boy to rise, he CiiUs him up, and takes him to 
 the place that he usually went every morning and 
 evening to sing psalms ; where the youth being 
 come, and hearing so many voices, and seeing no- 
 body, was scaled out of his wits, and look to his 
 heels, making towards the rock as fast as he could; 
 but as he was not acquainted with the easiest and 
 most practicable parts thereof, Quaill had made an 
 end of his psalm, a>id overtook him before he could 
 get to the sea-side, into which be certai.-ly would
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 219 
 
 have cast himself at the fright; but Quarll, who^ 
 by the boy's slariiig guessed liis disorder, not having 
 the benefit of tiie language, endeavoured to calm 
 him by his pleasing countenance, and prevented his 
 drowning himself; but could not keep ott a violent 
 fit the fright had occasioned, which held him seve- 
 ral minutes. 
 
 The fit being over, he and the boy took away at 
 divers times the remains of the chest, and of what 
 was in it, which they could not cany home the day 
 before. Then taking np two guns — " Now," said 
 he, "these unlucky instruments, \\hich were in- 
 tended for destruction, shall 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 it 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 flesli, to fry with 
 them. Tiie boy, who had lived some time in Hol- 
 land, where they used much butter, seeing dripping 
 employed in room thereof, thought to please his 
 master in making some ; and as he had seen milk 
 and cream in the dairy arbour, wanting a churn 
 only, there being a small runlet lying by empty, 
 he takes one of the ends of it, in which, the next 
 day, he beat butter. 
 
 Quarll, seeing the youth industrious, began to 
 fancy him, notwithstanding the aversiim h^ had 
 conceived for his nation, ever since the ill treat- 
 ment he had received from his countrymen ; and, 
 as speech is one 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 montiis capable to speak 
 it sufficiently, so as to give his master a relation of 
 his late coming, and to what intent. " The men,"
 
 220 THB ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 said he, " who about one year since, carried away 
 hence some antelopes, with extraordinary docks, 
 and several rarities, which they said belonged to a 
 monstrous English hermit, whose hair and beard 
 covered all his body, having got a great deal of 
 money by shewing them, encouraged others to 
 come; whereupon several, joining together, hired 
 a ship to fetch away the hermit, and what else they 
 could find ; therefore brought with them tools, and 
 guns to shoot what they could not take alive." 
 
 " Barbarous wretches !" replied he, " to kill my 
 dear antelopes and ilucks ! Pray, what did they 
 intend to do with me 1" 
 
 " Why," said the boy, " to make a shew of 
 yon." 
 
 " To make a shew of me ! Sordid wretches ! Is 
 a Christian then such a rarity amongst them? Well, 
 and what were the saws and hatchets for I" 
 
 "To cut down your house, which they intended 
 to make a drinking booth of." 
 
 " Ho, monstrous ! what time and nature has been 
 fifteen years a completing, 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 earnest thou to escape 1 
 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 same sea, under the flat- bottomed 
 boat, where you found me." 
 
 " That was a happy overset for thee. Well, is 
 there no gratitude due to Providence for thy 
 escape I" 
 
 "Due to Providence!" said he, "why, I thonght 
 yon had saved me : I'm sure you let me out." 
 
 " Yes," replied Quarli ; " but I was sent by Pro- 
 vidence for that purpose."
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 221 
 
 "That was kindly done too," said the boy; "well, 
 when I see him, I'll thank him: doth he live here- 
 about V 
 
 " Poor ignorant creature!" replied Quarll ; " why 
 Providence is every where. What! didst thou 
 never hear of Providence? What religion art 
 thou V 
 
 " Religion I" answered the youth ; " I don't 
 know Mhat you mean : I'm a fisherman 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 's for them who have 
 nothing else to do : poor folks must work, and get 
 money ; that 's the way of our town." 
 
 " Covetous wretches! Well," said he, " I grudge 
 them not what they possess, since it h all the hap- 
 piness 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 instructions the youth 
 taking readily, won his altection the more. He 
 likewise taught him to sing psalms, which farther 
 qualified him to be his companion in spiritual exer- 
 cises, 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 aug- 
 mented, and he having both tools and boards, out 
 of the flat boat which he had taken to pieces, h< 
 and the lad went about making large boxes to sal'i 
 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.
 
 222 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 having recruited his shell utensils that were stolen 
 the year betore, he was completely furni.*hed with 
 all manner of conveniences ; and Providence sup- 
 plying him daily with other neoessaries, there was 
 no room left iiim for wishes, but for thanksgiving, 
 which they daily most religiously paid. 
 
 In this most liappy state" they lived in peace and 
 concord the space of ten jears, unanimously doing 
 what was to be done, as it lay in each of their ways, 
 without reiving on one another. 
 
 Quarll, «ho before, though alone and deprived of 
 society (the principal comfort of life), tlionglit him- 
 self blessed, now cannot express his happiness, there 
 being none in the world to be compai ed to it, heartily' 
 praying he might find no alteration till death : but 
 the young man, not having met with so many dis- 
 appointments in the world as he, had not quite 
 withdrawn his affections from it; his mind some- 
 times will run upon his native country, where he 
 has left his relations, and where he cannot help 
 wishing to be himself: thus, opportunity otfering 
 itself one day, as he went to get oysters, to make 
 sauce for some fresh cod-fish which Quarll was 
 dressins, he saw at a distance a ship, at which his 
 heart fell a panting, his pulses double their motion ; 
 his blood grows warmer and wanner; till at last, 
 inflamed with desire of getting at it, he lays down 
 the bag he bronulit to put the oysters in, as also the 
 iiistrunient to dredge them up with, and takes to 
 swimming. The men on boar<l having espied him 
 out, sent their boat to take hini up; so he went 
 away without taking his leave of him he had re- 
 ceived so mucii good from ; wiio, having waited a 
 considerable time, fearing some accident would 
 befal him, leaves liis 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 instruments 
 lie and nobody with them. Having called several 
 timea without being answered, various racking feari
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 223 
 
 tortured Ins mind : sometimes he doubts he is fallen 
 in some hole in the rock, there being many near 
 that place where the oysters were ; he therefore 
 with his staff, which he always carritd about with 
 bim when he went abroad, at the other fide of the 
 "ock grabbled in every one round the place ; and, 
 feeling nothing, he concludes some sea-monster had 
 stolen him away, and, weeping, condemns himself 
 as the cause of this fatal accident; resolving, for 
 the future, to pnnisii himself by denying his appe- 
 tite ; and only eat to support nature, and not to 
 please his palate. 
 
 Having given over hopes of getting him again, 
 he returns^^lioinc in the greatest attliction, resolving 
 to fast till that time the next day ; but happening 
 to look westward, in which was the point the ^\ind 
 stood, he perceives something like a boat at a trreat 
 distance ; wiping the tears oH his eyes, and looking 
 stedfastly, he discovers a sail beyond it, \\hich 
 quite altered the motive of his former fear : " No 
 monster," said he, " hath devoured him ; it is too 
 plain a case that he hath villainously left me : but 
 what could I expect of his son who had pnjected 
 such evil against me ?" So saying, he went home, 
 and made an end of dressing his dinner ; and after- 
 wards hangs up the picture which he had taken 
 down upon his account, being the true emblem of 
 what he deserved ; resting himself contented, being 
 but as lie was before, and ratliei better; since he 
 had more conveniences, and tools tu till his ground 
 and dig up his roots with. Having recommended 
 hiniselt to Providence, he resumes his usual works 
 and recreations, resolving that no cares shall mar 
 his happiness for the future, being out of all those 
 irresistible temptations' way, in ^liich the world 
 abounds, and daily lays the best men's hopes in the 
 dust. 
 
 Being again alone, the'whole business of the 
 house lies upon his hai is ; he now must prune and
 
 224 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 trim his habitation, that daily harbours him, Veing 
 made of fine growins; plants, which jeaily shoot 
 out youns branches : this make? theni crow out of 
 shape. He must al.-*o till the ground ; set and 
 gather his pea?e and beans in tiieir season ; milk 
 and feed his antelopes daily ; make b itler 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 vic- 
 tuals : all which necessary occupations, besides the 
 time dedicated for morning and evening devotions, 
 kept him wholly employed ; which made his re- 
 newed solitude less irksome. And, having walked 
 all that afternoon to divert his tiiouwhts, admired 
 all the way the wonderful works of Nature, botli in 
 the surprising rocks which surrounded the island, 
 and in the delightful 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 ; whert: having sung a 
 thanksgiving psalm, and his usual evening hymn, 
 he goes to supper, and then to bed, w ith a thorough- 
 ly contented mind ; which occasions pleasant 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 
 admirable form ; full of all sorts of Nature's works, 
 both animals, vegetables, and minerals, every indi- 
 vidual thing in perfection : and though some were 
 distant, yet all appeared as at hand. 
 
 The lofty trees, which stood on a level ground, 
 covered with curio-js grass, embalmed with many 
 diflerent-colourtd flowers, exceeding in beauty any 
 carpet that the most expert artist could make, 
 spread tlicir brancliy arms over creatures of all 
 kinds, which lay beneath their delightful shades ;
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 225 
 
 there the bold lion lies by the innocent lamb; the 
 fierce panther neitr the liarmless sheep ; tlie raven- 
 ous wolt with the mild goat ; leop»ird and deer, 
 tiger and hare, reposed together in peace ; on the 
 trees, eagles, vultures, falcons, and hawks, quietly 
 perched vviih the turtle and the dove. 
 
 These most agreeable objects, joined vvith the 
 delightful noise of the fountains falling into their 
 basons, and the purling streams running their course, 
 together \siih the various harmonious notes of divers 
 kinds of singing-birds^ put him ii.to an estacy : 
 ' Sure,' said he, ' this is the garden of Eden, out of 
 which unfortunate Adam .was cast after his fall, ai 
 being a dwelling only for innocence !' 
 
 Having walked a little way, there being on every 
 side curious lanes, every one atiording new objects 
 of admiration, l.e comes to a walk, edged whh 
 orange and lemon trees, full of fruit and blossoms, 
 at the loot of which was a narrow bank bordered 
 with jonquils, tuberoses, hyacinths, and other de- 
 lightful tlowers, both for sight and smell. At the 
 end of it there was an aibour of the same, but so 
 beautiful that, at ftrst sight, he took it for a tapestry 
 the most expert artist had exerted liimself in mak- 
 ing, to shew tlie curiosity of trade and greatness 
 of his skill : in it there sat three ladies oi uncom- 
 mon beauty ; the miildlemost, sxho was the lustiest, 
 appeared to be the eldest, being of a most sedate 
 countenance, a moderate number of jears having 
 both established her judgment, and settled her fea- 
 tures : she at her right-hand seemed to be of a 
 weaker constitution ; she had in her hand an olive- 
 branch bearing fruit, which, %\heii gathered, was 
 immediately succeeded with blossoms ; so tliat it 
 never was without the one or the other : the lady 
 who sat on tlie left-side was more jolly an^' gay, 
 yet looked somewhat careful : she had in her hand 
 a long vessel, broad at one end, and sharp at the 
 
 Q
 
 226 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 other, like a horn, bending towards the point, full 
 of all sorts of fruit?. 
 
 Having stood still a short space of time, looking 
 at those hidies, tiiiiikiiig it ill manners to interrupt 
 their conversatiun ; they, perceiving his modesty 
 would not permit him to advance, rose up, and 
 went another 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 extra- 
 ordinary ?ize, s'rulting from animal to animal, 
 taking from most of tlicm something whilst ihey 
 were asleep ; wliich having secured, he falls a 
 crowing in such a loud manner that he startled all 
 the other creatures: which being awake, and every 
 one missing something, challenged him with it : 
 but he, having crowed a seci>nd time in an insulting 
 and daring manner, strutted most haughtily away ; 
 at which the losers, being much offended, consulted 
 together on means to retake by force what he had 
 in so clandestine a manner taken from them, 
 chusing the lion lor their director ; but the watchful 
 cock, which, whilst they were indulging themselves, 
 carefully made sufficient provision to maintain what 
 he had done, bid them all defiance. 
 
 There happening a great noise of squeeling, it 
 wake I 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 noise still continuing, he perceived it proceed- 
 ed from the two dirterent kinds of monkeys in 
 the island, which were fighting for the wild pome- 
 iranales that the high wind had shook oil the 
 ,rees the preceding night, which was very bois 
 terous. 
 
 Having guessed the occasion of their debate, he 
 ^ets up, in order to go and quell their ditlerence, 
 jy dividing amongst them the cause thereof: 
 getting up, he opens the door, at the outside of
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 227 
 
 which, an old monkey of each sort were quietly 
 waiting his levee, to entice him to come, as he 
 once before did, and put an end to their bloody 
 war. 
 
 He was not a little surprised to see two such in- 
 veterate enemies, who at other times never meet 
 without lighting, at that juncture agree so well. 
 
 That most surprising sign of reason in those 
 brutes, which, knowing his decision would compose 
 their comrades' diflerence, came to implore it, put 
 him upon tiiose reflections — " Would princes," said 
 he, " be but reasonable, as those wliich by nature 
 are irrational, how much blood and money might be 
 saved 1" Having admired the uneasiness of those 
 poor creatures, which still went a few steps foi- 
 ward, and then backward 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 trouble, had no regard to their stpa 
 rate interest, taking no notice of what he gave 
 them ; but kept moving to-and-again with all the 
 tokens of uneasiness they could express; wliich so 
 moved him that he hastened to tiie place, w here 
 his presence caused immediately a cessation of arms, 
 and each party moved a considerable distance off 
 each other, waiting his sharing the windfalls; which 
 being done, they quietly took that heap which 
 lay next each kind, and went to their different 
 quarters. 
 
 This accident, which in some 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 
 remembrance the indigent disposition he left it in, 
 he feared it would lay it open to some usurping 
 prince's power : but, lest farther speculation should 
 occasion evil prognostication to disturb his peace, 
 he leaves the event of all things to the direction of 
 
 Q2
 
 828 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 Providence, and sroes home to set down his dream, 
 and the year he dreamed it, which was in 1690. 
 ' Fonrteen years more beings past, every thing 
 keeping its natural course, there happened nothing 
 extraordinary, each succeeding year renewing the 
 pleasures the pieceding had produced; thunders and 
 high winds being frequent, though not eqially vio- 
 lent, he thought it not material to record them, or 
 their effects ; as blowing and throwing fishes, shells, 
 empty vessels, battered chests, &c. upon the rock; 
 only transactions and events won<ierful and uncom- 
 mon; and there happened a most surprising one a 
 few days after, wliich, though of no great moment, 
 is as woithyof record as any of far greater concern; 
 being a wonderful effect of Providence, manifested 
 in a miraculous manner, though not to be said 
 supernatural. 
 
 One morning, when he had roasted a parcel of 
 rhose 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 
 chest to cool, he went out to walk, leaving his door 
 open to let the air in. 
 
 His walk, though graced with all the agreeables 
 kfatr,re could adorn it with, to make it delightful; a 
 grass carpet, embroidered with beautiful flowers, of 
 many different colours apd smells, undcir his feet, 
 to tread on ; before, and on each side of him, fine 
 lofty trees, of various forms and heights, clothed 
 with pleasant green leaves, trimmed with rich blos- 
 soms of many colours, to divert his eye ; a number 
 of various sorts of melodious singing-birds perching in 
 their most lovely shades, as thoughNature had studied 
 to excel man's brightest imagination, and exquisite- 
 ness of art: yet all these profusenesses of Nature's 
 wonders are not sufficient to keep away or expel 
 anxious thoughts from his mind. It runs upon his 
 two dear antelopes, the darling heads of his present 
 ttockf which he took such care tc bring up, abd
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 229 
 
 •were become so engaging, always attending liim in 
 tliose fine walks, adding, by liieir swift races, active 
 leapings, and other iinconimon diversions, lo the 
 natural pleasantness of the place; wiiicii now, by 
 their most lamented absence, is become a dull 
 memorandum of the barbarous manner in which 
 they were ravished away from him. 
 
 In these melancholy thoughts, which his lonesome- 
 ^ess every now-and-then created, he returns home, 
 where Providence had left a remedy for his griev- 
 ance, a companion, far exceeding any he ever had, 
 waits his return, which was a beautiful monkey of 
 the finest kind, and the most complete of the sort, 
 as though made to manifest the unparalleled skill of 
 Nature, is sent him by Providence, to dissipate hi« 
 melancholy. 
 
 Being come to his lodge, and beholding that won- 
 derful creature, and in his own possession, at the 
 farthest end of it, and him at the entrance thereof 
 to oppose its flight, if ottered, 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 meanest sort ; and here kind Provi- 
 dence has sent me one of 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 day, in order to tame him, which 
 he hoped would be no difficult matter, his dispo- 
 sition being already pretty familiar, little thinking 
 that Providence, who sent him hither, had already 
 qualified him for the commission he bore; which 
 having found out by the creature's docility, he re- 
 turns his Benefactor his most hearty thanks lor that 
 miraculous gift. 
 
 This most wonderful animal having, by its snr 
 prising tractability and good-nature, joined to its
 
 230 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 matchless handsomeness, gained its master's love, 
 beyond what is usual to place on any sort of beasts, 
 he thoiieht himself donbly recompensed lor all his 
 f(irmer losses, especially for that of his late ungrate- 
 ful companion, who, notwithstanding all the obli- 
 gations he held from him, basely left him, at a time 
 he niiaht be most helpful: and, as he fancied his 
 dear Beau-fidelle (for so he called that admirable 
 creature) had some sort of resemblance to the pic- 
 ture he framed of him, he takes it down, thinking 
 it unjust to bear in his sight that vile object, which 
 could not in any wise clnim a likeness to so worthy 
 a creature as his beloved monkey. 
 
 One day, as this lovely animal was officiating 
 the charge it had of its own accord taken, being 
 gone for woo 1, as wont to do when wanted, he 
 finds in his way a wild pomegranate, whose extra- 
 ordinary size and weight had caused it to fall off 
 the tree : he takes it home, and then returns for his 
 faggot, in which time Quarll, wishing the goodness 
 of tlie inside miaht answer its outward beauty, cuts 
 it open ; and, finding it of a dull lusciousness, too 
 flat for eating, imagined it might be used with 
 things of an acid and sharp taste : having therefore 
 boiled some water, he puts it into a vessel, with a 
 sort of herb which is of the taste and nature of 
 cresses, and some of the pomegranate, letting them 
 infuse some time, now and tlien stirring it ; which 
 the monkey having taken notice of, did the same : 
 but one very hot day, happening to lay the vessel 
 in tlie sun, made it turn sour. 
 
 Quarll, who very much wanted vinegar in his 
 sauces, was well pleased with the accident, and so 
 continued souring the liquor, which proving excel- 
 lent, 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 
 seeing his last wife, who was an extraordinary
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 231 
 
 cook, and made of all sorts every jear ; calling to 
 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 whicli Bean- 
 fidelle (who followed him up and downj having 
 taken notice, immediately ranges about; and being 
 nimbler footed than his master, and not obliged to 
 stoop so low, picked double the quantity in the 
 same space of time ; so that he soon 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 quan- 
 tity, with the help of his attendant, stocking him- 
 self with two as pleasant pickles as dilTerent sorts, 
 but there is another he admires above all ; none, to 
 his mind, like the cucumber ; and the island pro- 
 ducing 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 re- 
 sembles them in make, nature, or taste, it will 
 please his fancy : he therefore examines every kind 
 of buds, blossoms, and seeds ; having at last found 
 that of a wild parsnip, which being long and nar- 
 row, almost the bigness and make of a pickling 
 cucumber, green and crisp withal, full of a small 
 flat seed, not unlike that of the thing he would fain 
 have it to be, he pickles some of them; which being 
 of a colour, 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 some for his dinner. The 
 shells being tender and of a delicate green, it came
 
 232 THE ENGLISH HERUiT. 
 
 into hiS mind they might be made to imitate French 
 beans. " They are," said lie, " near the nature, I 
 can make them quite of the shape, if so be they have 
 the same savour." Accordingly he cuts them in 
 \cnz narrow slips, and pickles some, flie other part 
 he boils; and, there being none to contradict their 
 taste, they pa««ed current for as good French beans 
 as any that ever grew. 
 
 The disappointment of having something more 
 comfortable liian water to drink being retrieved by 
 producing, in the room thereof, wherewithal to 
 make his eatables more delicious, he proceeds in 
 ins first pro^pec* ; and, taking necessary care to 
 prevent that accident which intercepted snccess in 
 his first undertaking, he accomplishes his design, 
 and makes a liquor no wise inferior to the best 
 cider : so that now he has both to revive and keep 
 op his spirits, as well as to please his palate, and 
 suit his appetite. 
 
 Having now nothing to crave or wish for, but 
 rather all motives for content, he lies down with 
 a peaceable mind, no care nor fear disturbing his 
 thoughts: his sleep is not interrupted with frightful 
 fancies, but rather diverted with pleasant and di- 
 verting dreams ; he is not stariled at thunder or 
 storms, though ever so terrible, his trust being on 
 Providence, who at sundry times, and in various 
 manners, has rescued him from death, though appa- 
 rently unavoidable; being for above thirty years 
 miraculously protected and maintained in a place 
 so remote from all human help and assistance. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding his firmness, and Avhole 
 trust on Providence, he is obliged to give way to 
 the weakness of his nature; a strange and shocking 
 noise is heard at a distance in the air, which, hav- 
 ing reached the spot where he stood, covers it with 
 darkness for several minutes, at which he is so 
 larmed that he thinks himself past all hopes ; till 
 the noise being cea&ed, and that which iolercopted
 
 THK ENGLISH HERMIT. 233 
 
 the light dispersed, his scared senses returning to 
 their piopcr seat, and his strayed reason recailetl, 
 he is ashamed of the weakness of his f.iiih, and 
 bees pardon for his late mistrust of ihe continuation 
 of Providence's protection, who had all along tjiven 
 him all imai^inahle reason to d^peijd on it at ail 
 times. Thus, havins; opened his door, he steps out 
 to see if he conld discover the cause of tiie late 
 most surprising and sudden darkness, in a bright 
 sun-shining day ; whicli having found out by the 
 vast number of dead birds of vario'is kinds, lying 
 up and down the ground, he was seized with no 
 small atnazement, though with less fe.^r. 
 
 Frt^n that most suprising aspect he infers there 
 had been a battle of those creatures in the air, the 
 great number of which had occasioned the late 
 decrea.se. 
 
 Having made reflections upon that astonishing 
 transaction, he can draw thence no other inference 
 but a prognostication of dreadful wars in Europe, 
 from which he begs Heaven to protect his native 
 country: and, lest 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, throw ing them into the sea ; only as many 
 of them as had soft feathers on their breast and 
 bellies, h? plucked away, to stutt' a pillow for the 
 beast, being a little too hot at nights for it to lie 
 npon the bed. So having cleared the place, and 
 being tired with often going up and down the rugued 
 rock, he stayed at home tlie remainder of the day, 
 and at night goes to bet! ; but, as the late omen ol 
 approaching evil had pre occupied his thoughts in 
 the <lay concerning his country, his ntind ran upon 
 t in the night ; dreaming he sees wives weeping 
 and ntelling into tears, taking their leaves of their 
 indulgent husbands, hanging, destitute t>f sirengili 
 4bout their necks, whose grief weighed them to iht 
 ground. Turning from that allntling object, he sees
 
 234 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 another as shocking; the old father, bathed in tears, 
 embracing his only son, bidding hiin farewell, 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 sight ; the tender motlier swooning 
 in her dear child's arms, whom an inexorable press 
 gang is hauling away. 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 afflicted, he may 
 avoid grief. 
 
 Having quitted the town, he finds himself on a 
 sudden in a place as full of terrors, where he saw 
 streams of reeking blood here and there, loose 
 horses kicking and prancing about, some 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 dust in a whirlwind, leaving behind 
 tliein, 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 thence, some in pursuit of their 
 enei7iies, hacking and cutting them down all the 
 way before them, like wood for fjiel ; others, flying 
 from being slain, cast themselves into rapid rivers, 
 where they perish by thousands. 
 
 As he was looking at those terrible objects, he 
 finds himself on a sudden surrounded by rustical 
 soldiers, holding their swords and bayonets to his 
 breast, and asking him, in a surly manner. Whether 
 high or low? At which being very much startled, 
 not knowing what to answer, nor, indeed, what 
 they meint,~he told them he was an Englishman; 
 which they appearing 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
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 235 
 
 3nemy to the country. Then he awaked in a won- 
 derfuf flight, but, being come to himself, he con- 
 cludes that his dream proceeded from his late sur- 
 prise 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 sail-cloth makes a case, stuffing it with 
 the feathers he had saved for that purpose. 
 
 The night being come, he lays the couching, 
 which he made tor 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 oc- 
 cupied his thoughts, his mind in the night is im- 
 pressed with the subject, thonuh not with so dismal 
 an idea as the preceding; having since bten diverted 
 ■with such objects as removed the terrifying aspects, 
 ■which before olfered 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 since lost many of its former 
 agreeablenesses. 
 
 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, entailed the 
 same upon a foreign "prince of great renown. This 
 surprising piece of news occasioned a sudden alter- 
 ation in every body's countenance : some looked 
 pale with grief, others red with wrath ; but every 
 thing in 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 time, the trees 
 and grass recover their former verdure, brighter 
 than before ; the lofty oaks, which he fancied bor- 
 dered the Mall, bore fine roses in vast abundance. 
 This additional beauty iu those noble plants.
 
 236 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 already so famed abroad for their tonghness and 
 strength, prompts people of all nations to come and 
 refresh themselves under their lofty and fragraii* 
 shades. 
 
 Havin? with great satisfaction admired ihe snr- 
 prising improvement of the oaks, which, to his 
 imagination, prognosticated prosperity to the nation, 
 he walks on northward, where he saw abundance 
 of thistles, -which made him wonder they were per- 
 mitted to grow in a place where every thing ought 
 to contribute to its agreeableness and pleasantness ; 
 but, having considered the stoutness of the plants, 
 which denoted their being well rooted, he judged 
 it impossible to clear the groimd ; besides, the bees 
 loving to settle on them, and probably sucking 
 more honey from their blossoms than any more 
 agreeable or sweet-scented flower; for that reason, 
 he imagined (hey were not gathered. 
 
 Walking back again, he meets with several noble- 
 men, some %\iih a blue cordon, others with green, 
 each with a gardening tool in his hand, going to 
 turn np and till the ground, between that where the 
 thistles grew, and that where the oaks stood : he 
 was startled to see those great persons, who hardly 
 will concern themselves with their own lands and 
 possessions, 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 having a 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 ; 
 80. growing together, had produced a plant which
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 237 
 
 bore both roses and thistles, to every body's won- 
 der; ^vhich made the thistles so valued ever since 
 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 inidst of his amazement, being 
 exceedingly pleased wiih his late dream, of which 
 he conceived a mighty good omen to Old England, 
 diflfering so very much from the preceding, both in 
 nature 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, being 1707 ; then takes a walk before 
 breakfast, and the beast \\\th him; wiiich, 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 jieeds have been disturbed in its 
 sleep the night before with some frightful dream, 
 which made him wonder tliat an animal void of 
 reason, and incapable of reflection, should be sus- 
 ceptible of imagination. 
 
 The day being passed without any extraordinary 
 occurrence, he made no fartlier remark, but fol- 
 lowed his usual occupation, and then went to his 
 rcsv, and the monkey to his new bed, as the night 
 before, which he took care to draw as close to his 
 master as he could ; then, having been twice or 
 thrice about the room, examining every corner, he 
 lies down, and sleeps 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, conclurles 
 the cause must proceed from the pillow, and re- 
 solves to experiment it himself the next night; at 
 which time crowds of terrifying aspects appear in 
 his imagination, which allure his whole facultieSf
 
 238 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 and set all his senses in an uproar ; his eyes arc 
 taken np with frijihttul objects, and his ears tilled 
 with a terrible noise; at which the rest ot his senses 
 have lost llitir ortices, and are become useless. 
 
 Being awake the next morning, he tinds himself 
 inclined to believe ihat the pillow had really some 
 influence on his imagination ; but as one night's 
 experience was not a sufficient solution to his en- 
 quiry in that supernatural operation, having often 
 dreamed betore he used the pillow, he resolves to 
 try it several nights successively ; during which his 
 monkey slept very quiet, stnd he as 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 ; dining which 
 time both he and the beast slept very quietly. 
 
 This added much to his opinion that e\il effluvia 
 ssued out of those feathers the pillow was slutted 
 with; but as he formerly dreamed, and had many 
 nights' intermission between those that were enter- 
 tained wiih dreams, he will once more try it, before 
 he concludes that it is so, thus puts it again under 
 his head that night : and, as it was the last experi- 
 ment, it proved also the most troublesome, he being 
 at that time terrihed with more shocking objects 
 than the preceding ; wliich, though they represent 
 fierce and bloody battles to his imagination, yet 
 were less terrible to him, having not as yet dis- 
 cerned his native country engaged therein, whom 
 now he finds to be tlie principd party concerr.ed, 
 on wh.ich all success depends, and which cannot be 
 strove for without vast expenses, and irretrievable 
 loss of his dear countrymen ; fur whom his heart 
 bled as plentiiully as for those whom he dreamed he 
 saw in their gore. 
 
 Having with terror and grief fatigued his eyes 
 with the most shocking and afflicting ettects of war, 
 men and horses lying as thick upon the ground as
 
 THE ENGLISH BERUIT. 239 
 
 grass in a meadow, and streams of blood running 
 like so many brooks, supplied by a strong spring; 
 he lifts up his eyes to heaven, imploring an end to 
 that execiable devourer of mankind. 
 
 And wi ilst his eyes were still fixed to the hea- 
 vens, he sees Victory rushing through thick clouds 
 of obstacUs approaching to her; which having over- 
 come, she settled over the army iiis counlrymen 
 belonged to, over whose head she shook and flou- 
 rished h(r colours, pointing at approaching Peace, 
 attended wilh Plenty ; but on a sudden there arose 
 an infeciious mist out of the ground, wliich cramp- 
 ing the Englishmen's hands, tiiat they could no 
 more u?e their conquering arms, this fatal accident 
 having both encouraged and strengthened the enemy, 
 they fell on the unfortunate remain* of tlie army 
 with ni merciful fury; who, now, having lost all 
 their support and dependence, ^^ere most cruelly 
 cut to pieces ; at which most dismal and attlicting 
 object he awaked. And though tiiis dream was a 
 suflicient proof of the feathers' influence, yet he 
 cannot be satisfied but it must be ominous, having 
 so much relation to the preceding, therefore sets it 
 down with them ; and, for a more certain convic- 
 tion 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 l.ad not yet 
 forgot the uneasiness that the bed had caused him, 
 chost to lie on the ground ; which entirely con- 
 vinctd Qiiarll 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 moss, which 
 grew at the bottom of a particular tree, on which 
 the creature lay very quiet ever after. 
 
 Ar.d as yearly stripping the eagles of their eggs 
 h.\(\ prevented their increase, it also favoured and 
 advanced that of the creatures in the island, on 
 whose young they fed; so that the number of the 
 wild monkeys being considerably augmented, made
 
 240 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 their food scanty, which caused them now and then 
 to come and steal somewhat out of Qnaill's ground. 
 Beau-tidelle, whose good keeping and warm Ij ing 
 had made him thrive in bigness and strength ex- 
 ceeding his kind, finding some of them stealing bis 
 master's roots, beat them away; whicli obliged those 
 subtle creatures to come several together, the better 
 to be able to encounter him ; which Quarll having 
 taken notice of, and being willing to add a new 
 sport to his usual diversions, he cuts a stick of the 
 length and bigness that the creature could manage, 
 which he gave him ; and, taking his own slatt", exer- 
 cises it betore him, which 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 others when they came, though ten or a 
 dozen together ; so tliat the roots were very well 
 guarded by his continual watching, which made 
 those sly and fpiteful creatures watch an opporiu- 
 nity to take him at a disadvantage. Thus finding 
 him one morning, as he was going for water by 
 himself, as he was wont to do, and being then with- 
 out hi» start, of which they stood in great fear, a 
 considerable number fell upon him, and so bit and 
 beat him that he lay as dead ; but his master ap- 
 pearing, who, being uneasy at his extraordinary 
 Stay, was gone to see what was the occasion there- 
 of, put them to flight, and they left the poor crea- 
 ture with just breath enough to keep its life in, and 
 scarce strength suflRcient to draw it. 
 
 Quarll being come to the place where his beloved 
 Beau-tidelle lay in a most dismal bloody condition, 
 could not forbear shedding tears to see him thus 
 miserably dying : but finding still breath in him, 
 it gave him hopes of his recovery ; and taking him 
 up in his arms with all the care he could, he hastens 
 home, and gives him a little of the liquor he had 
 made, which by that time had got both body and 
 spirit; then having laid it upon its bed, and
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 241 
 
 covered him with his winter-wrapper, he makes a 
 fire and warms some of the said liquor, and fresh 
 butter, wherewith he washes its sores ; so lays him 
 down again, giving hitn all the careful attendance 
 he could, during his illness, which held but one 
 week, at the end of which it died, to his unspeak- 
 able grief; who, from that time grew so melancholy, 
 that he had not the courage to go on with his me- 
 morial ; till, having a most remarkable dream about 
 twelve months' after, he changed his resolution, and 
 proceeded in his memoirs : and as he set down his 
 dream, he also did the death of his beloved beast, 
 it happening near the same 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 somewhat 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 
 soon lulled asleep, at a ' lonesome note of a certain 
 sort of melancholy bird, which shuns 6ther com- 
 pany (though of its own kind) at all times but in 
 breeding-time ; which, having placed itself in the 
 tliickest and shadiest pait of the grove where Quarll 
 had made choice to lie, falls a sinking his melan- 
 ciioly notes; which being suitable to his disposition 
 of both body and mind, soon lulled him asleep; 
 during which he dreamed that he saw an old man 
 sitting 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 some black; and when he had strung a 
 certain number, he began another string, 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 sixty. Having made as many of those 
 strings as there were beads in each, he puts them 
 together, and begins again to string, mixing white
 
 -242 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 and black as they came to his hand, twisting every 
 sixtieth string in parcels, till he had made sixty of 
 them, which he neatly plaits together, proceeding 
 as from the beginning, and makes twenty-four of 
 these plaits, which he weaves together, making a 
 flat piece of bi-ad-work, changeable upon black, 
 which, when looked upon one way, seemed plea- 
 sant, and being seen from another, as disagreeable. 
 He worked on till he had made three hundred and 
 sixty-five such pieces, then lays them up in a bun- 
 dle, and goes to work again, beginning to string as 
 at first. 
 
 Having looked himself weary with seeing still 
 the same, of which he could make nothing, he goes 
 away, leaving the old gentleman stringing his biads; 
 who, seeing him go, lays by hii work, and follows 
 nim ; and, having overtaken him, asked him, What 
 he had been looking at all that time ? he, being sur- 
 prised at the surly question, modestly replies. He 
 had been admiring his work, in doing which he 
 hoped there was no offence. " No," said the old 
 man, provided thou learnest something by what 
 thou hast seen." To which he answered. It was 
 impossible for him to learn such a mysterious busi- 
 ness, with once seeing it done ; so mucliless, being 
 entirely a stranger to it. " A stranger to it art 
 thou I" replied the old man, in a surly manner ; 
 "and hast wasted so much of my work! I am 
 Time, whom thou hast often ill used ; and those 
 white and black beads that thou hast seen me string, 
 are good and bad moments, I crowd into minutes, 
 which I link into hours ; thus weave days, where- 
 with years are composed. Thou hast seen me com- 
 flete the present, which is reckoned the year 1713. 
 tell thee, before the ensuing is ended, I will grace 
 the British throne with an illustiious race to the 
 end of kings' reigns ;" so vanished. Then he 
 awaked in a great surprise, and goes home ponder- 
 ing ou nis dream ; of w bich he inferred that if, there
 
 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 243 
 
 be any signification in the roving conceptions of the 
 mind, this must prognosticate the speedy accession 
 of some great monarch upon theEngli^li tlirone : so 
 sets down in his memorial that most remarkable 
 dream, which happened in 1713, heartily wishing 
 the accomplishment thereof, for the quiet and 
 prosperity of his dear country. 
 
 There happened nothing after, for the space of 
 four years, but great thunders and lightnings, in the 
 summer, and abundance of hail and snow in the 
 winter, with now and then storms, which left seve- 
 ral sorts of fishes in the clefts and holes of the rocks, 
 and sometimes fragments of staved ships, and bat- 
 tered casks, or broken chests, with a plank, and 
 such like products of shipwreck, not worth record- 
 ing: by which means, for want of empln} nitnt, he 
 has several idle and sullen hours in the day time, 
 which his late beloved animal's diverting company 
 made slip away with pleasure, and for want of which 
 they now creep slowly on, being loaded with dull 
 and heavy thoughts, which made those walks irk- 
 some he at that time took for ease; that by the 
 diversity of objects abroad, his mind might be with- 
 drawn from his anxious solitude. 
 
 Having one day perused his memorial, as he 
 commonly did once a year, the dream he had in 
 1713, wherein Time predicted such great happiness 
 to his country the year ensuing, made such an im- 
 pression in his mind that he always thought of it. 
 Accordingly, being walking, and the day proving 
 extraordniariij'.hot, he goes to shelter 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 most majes- 
 tic and graceful monarch, silting on a magnificent 
 throne, round which stood many delightful olive- 
 plants, which much added to his lustre. 
 
 Having with a great deal of pleasure, gazed at
 
 244 THE ENGLISH HERMIT. 
 
 the most graceful countenance of the king, which 
 denoted justice, equity, love, and clemency; he gave 
 Heaven thanks for the mighty blessing bestowed on 
 nis country, coming a%vay in order to return to his 
 island, with this additional happiness to the many 
 he already enjoyert. 
 
 Being come from Court, on his journey he meets 
 the same old gentleman of whom he drcHmed the 
 year before : wlio, taking him by the hand, said — 
 "I find thon hast been to see 'the accoinplishment 
 of my prediction ; now I will tell thee more : 
 
 ♦* Ere one thunsand seven hundred and sixtv is written. 
 All dit'isiuns, remember, will cease in Great Britain. 
 
 '■ Next, I will show thee what I have done to 
 secure the accomplishment of my prophecy. Then 
 takes him to a high place, whence he could see into 
 the cabinets of all the princes in Europe; in several 
 of which, he took notice, lay a vast heap of rich and 
 costly things, but confused, shapeless, and fit for no 
 use. " Now," said the old man to him, "these are 
 disappointments, and defeated projects, made to 
 intercept what I determined." Then vanishes ; at 
 which he awaked, exceeding glad to find himself 
 sare in his blessed island, and wonderfully pleased 
 with his dream, which betokened so much good to 
 his dear country. This was the conclusion of his 
 records in 17'24. 
 
 EdVPARD DORRINCTON.
 
 QUARLL, Philip. The English Hermit; 
 unparalleled sufferings and surprising adven- 
 tures of. Philadelphia, 1855. $7.50 
 
 Curious narrative of his travels during the French 
 & Indian War, adventures among the Indians and 
 the French privateers, etc. Evidently written by 
 Edward Dorrington. 
 
 
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