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.
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 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.