Flamsteed inquired of the host in the inn where they
might find a church, but was told that the minister lived twelve
miles away, and that they had no sermon except when he came to
receive his tithes once a year, and a woman added that "they had
plenty enough of everything necessary except the word of God." The
travellers accordingly went on to Cappoquin, which lies up the river
Blackwater, on the road to Lismore, eight miles from Youghal. Thence
they immediately started on foot to Assaune. About a mile from
Cappoquin, and entering into the house of Mr. Greatrackes, they saw
him touch several patients, "whereof some were nearly cured, others
were on the mending hand, and some on whom his strokes had no
effect." Flamsteed was touched by the famous quack on the afternoon
of September 11th, but we are hardly surprised to hear his remark
that "he found not his disease to stir." Next morning the astronomer
came again to see Mr. Greatrackes, who had "a kind of majestical yet
affable presence, and a composed carriage." Even after the third
touching had been submitted to, no benefit seems to have been
derived. We must, however record, to the credit of Mr. Greatrackes,
that he refused to accept any payment from Flamsteed, because he was
a stranger.
Pages:
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171