Pellet, who was not a credulous
man, inquired into the truth of this story, and he said, the evidence
was irresistible. My wife went to the Hummums; (it is a place where
people get themselves cupped.) I believe she went with intention to hear
about this story of Ford. At first they were unwilling to tell her; but,
after they had talked to her, she came away satisfied that it was
true. To be sure the man had a fever; and this vision may have been the
beginning of it. But if the message to the women, and their behaviour
upon it, were true as related, there was something supernatural. That
rests upon his word; and there it remains.'
I staid all this day* with him at Streatham. He talked a great deal, in
very good humour.
* Wednesday, May 13.--ED.
Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's
miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, 'Here now are two speeches
ascribed to him, both of which were written by me: and the best of it
is, they have found out that one is like Demosthenes, and the other like
Cicero.
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