conjectures. But some of
the company going nearer to him, and finding that he had lost nothing,
and that there were no marks of any violence to be discovered about him,
they conclude that it must be an apoplectic or some other sudden fit that
had surprised him in his walk, upon which his sister and the rest began
to feel his hands and face, and observing that he was still warm, and
that there were some symptoms of life yet remaining, they conclude that
the best way was to carry him home to bed, which was accordingly done
with the utmost expedition.

When they had got him into the bed, nothing was omitted that they could
think of to bring him to himself, but still he continued utterly
insensible for about six hours. At the sixth hour's end he began to move
a little, and in a very short time was so far recovered, to the great
astonishment of everybody about him, that he was able to look up, and to
make a sign to his sister to bring him a cup of water.

After he had drunk the water he soon perceived that all his faculties
were returned to their former stations, and though his strength was very
much abated by the length and rigour of the fit, yet his intellects were
as strong and vigorous as ever.

His sister observing him to look earnestly upon the company, as if he had
something extraordinary to communicate to them, fetched him a pen and ink
and a sheet of paper, which, after a short pause, he took, and wrote as
follows:--

"Dear sister,

"I have now no need of pen, ink, and paper, to tell you my meaning. I
find the strings that bound up my tongue, and hindered me from
speaking, are unloosed, and I have words to express myself as freely
and distinctly as any other person. From whence this strange and
unexpected event should proceed, I must not pretend to say, any
farther than this, that it is doubtless the hand of Providence that
has done it, and in that I ought to acquiesce. Pray let me be alone
for two or three hours, that I may be at liberty to compose myself,
and put my thoughts in the best order I can before I leave them behind
me."

The poor woman, though extremely startled at what her brother had
written, yet took care to conceal it from the neighbours, who, she knew,
as well as she, must be mightily surprised at a thing so utterly
unexpected. Says she, my brother desires to be alone; I believe he may
have something in his mind that disturbs him. Upon which the neighbo