第 1 节
作者:      更新:2021-03-08 19:26      字数:9322
  DICKORY CRONKE
  DICKORY CRONKE
  By Daniel Defoe
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  DICKORY CRONKE
  PREFACE
  The formality of a preface to this little book might have been very well
  omitted; if it were not to gratify the curiosity of some inquisitive people;
  who;   I   foresee;   will   be   apt   to   make   objections   against   the   reality   of   the
  narrative。
  Indeed the public has too often been imposed upon by fictitious stories;
  and some of a very late date; so that I think myself obliged by the usual
  respect which is paid to candid and impartial readers; to acquaint them; by
  way   of   introduction;   with   what   they   are   to   expect;   and   what   they   may
  depend upon; and yet with this caution too; that it is an indication of ill
  nature or ill manners; if not both; to pry into a secret that is industriously
  concealed。
  However; that there may be nothing wanting on my part; I do hereby
  assure the reader; that the papers from whence the following sheets were
  extracted; are now in town; in the custody of a person of unquestionable
  reputation; who; I will be bold to say; will not only be ready; but proud; to
  produce      them    upon    a  good    occasion;     and   that  I  think   is  as   much
  satisfaction as the nature of this case requires。
  As   to   the   performance;   it   can   signify  little   now  to   make   an   apology
  upon that account; any farther than this; that if the reader pleases he may
  take notice that what he has now before him was collected from a large
  bundle   of   papers;   most   of   which   were   writ   in   shorthand;   and   very   ill…
  digested。     However; this may be relied upon; that though the language is
  something       altered;  and   now    and    then   a  word    thrown    in  to  help   the
  expression; yet strict care has been taken to speak the author's mind; and
  keep as close as possible to the meaning of the original。               For the design; I
  think there is nothing need be said in vindication of that。              Here is a dumb
  philosopher introduced to a wicked and degenerate generation; as a proper
  emblem   of   virtue   and   morality;   and   if   the   world   could   be   persuaded   to
  look upon him with candour and impartiality; and then to copy after him;
  the    editor   has   gained    his  end;   and   would     think   himself    sufficiently
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  DICKORY CRONKE
  recompensed for his present trouble。
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  DICKORY CRONKE
  PART I
  Among   the   many   strange   and   surprising   events   that   help   to   fill   the
  accounts of this last century; I know none that merit more an entire credit;
  or   are   more   fit   to   be   preserved   and   handed   to   posterity  than   those   I   am
  now going to lay before the public。
  Dickory Cronke; the subject of the following narrative; was born at a
  little   hamlet;   near   St。   Columb;   in   Cornwall;   on   the   29th   of   May;   1660;
  being the day  and year in   which King Charles   the Second was   restored。
  His parents were of mean extraction; but honest; industrious people; and
  well beloved in their neighbourhood。              His father's chief business was to
  work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children;
  of which they had several living at the same time。                Our Dickory was the
  youngest; and being but a sickly child; had always a double portion of her
  care and tenderness。
  It   was   upwards   of   three   years   before   it   was   discovered   that   he   was
  born    dumb;     the   knowledge      of   which    at  first  gave    his  mother     great
  uneasiness; but finding soon after that he had his hearing; and all his other
  senses to the greatest perfection; her grief began to abate; and she resolved
  to   have   him   brought   up   as   well   as   their   circumstances   and   his   capacity
  would permit。
  As   he   grew;   notwithstanding   his   want   of   speech;   he   every   day   gave
  some     instance    of  a  ready   genius;    and   a  genius    much    superior    to  the
  country children; insomuch that several gentlemen in the   neighbourhood
  took particular notice of him; and would often call him Restoration Dick;
  and give him money; &c。
  When   he   came   to   be   eight   years   of   age;   his   mother   agreed   with   a
  person in the next village; to teach him to read and write; both which; in a
  very short time; he acquired to such perfection; especially the latter; that
  he not only taught his own brothers and sisters; but likewise several young
  men and women in the neighbourhood; which often brought him in small
  sums;  which   he   always   laid out   in   such   necessaries   as   he   stood   most   in
  need of。
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  DICKORY CRONKE
  In this state he continued till he was about twenty; and then he began
  to   reflect   how    scandalous     it  was   for   a  young     man    of  his  age   and
  circumstances to live idle at home; and so resolves to go with his father to
  the mines; to try if he could get something towards the support of himself
  and the family; but being of a tender constitution; and often sick; he soon
  perceived   that   sort   of   business   was   too   hard   for   him;   so   was   forced   to
  return   home   and     continue   in   his   former   station;   upon   which   he    grew
  exceeding melancholy; which his mother observing; she comforted him in
  the best manner she could; telling him that if it should please God to take
  her away; she had something left in store for him; which would preserve
  him against public want。
  This kind assurance from a mother whom he so dearly loved gave him
  some; though not an entire satisfaction; however; he resolves to acquiesce
  under     it  till  Providence   should    order   something      for  him   more    to  his
  content and advantage; which; in a short time happened according to his
  wish。     The manner was thus:…
  One Mr。 Owen Parry; a Welsh gentleman of good repute; coming from
  Bristol   to   Padstow;   a   little   seaport   in   the   county   of   Cornwall;   near   the
  place    where     Dickory     dwelt;   and   hearing     much    of   this  dumb     man's
  perfections; would needs have him sent for; and finding; by his significant
  gestures and all outward appearances that he much exceeded the character
  that the country gave of him; took a mighty liking to him; insomuch that
  he   told   him;   if   he   would   go   with   him   into   Pembrokeshire;   he   would   be
  kind to him; and take care of him as long as he lived。
  This kind and unexpected offer was so welcome to poor Dickory; that
  without any  farther  consideration; he  got   a pen   and ink and   writ   a note;
  and in a very handsome and submissive manner returned him thanks for
  his favour; assuring him he would do his best to continue and improve it;
  and   that   he   would   be   ready   to   wait   upon   him   whenever   he   should   be
  pleased to command。
  To shorten the account as much as possible; all things were concluded
  to their mutual satisfaction; and in about a fortnight's time they set forward
  for Wales; where Dickory; notwithstanding his dumbness; behaved himself
  with so much diligence and affability; that he not only gained the love of
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  the family where he lived; but of everybody round him。
  In this station he continued till the death of his master; which happened
  about twenty years afterwards; in all which time; as has been confirmed by
  several of the family; he was never observed to be any ways disguised by
  drinking; or to be guilty of any of the follies and irregularities incident to
  servants in gentlemen's houses。            On the contrary; when he had any spare
  time; his constant custom was to retire with some good book into a private
  place within call;   and there   employ himself   in reading;   and then   writing
  down his observations upon what he read。
  After   the   death   of   his   master;   whose   loss   afflicted   him   to   the   last
  degree; one Mrs。 Mary Mordant; a gentlewoman of great virtue and piety;
  and a very good fortune; took him into h