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 neighbours
took their leave and returned home, and his sister shut the door, and
left him alone to his private contemplations.

After the company were withdrawn he fell into a sound sleep, which lasted
from two till six, and his sister, being apprehensive of the return of
his fit, came to the bedside, and, asking softly if he wanted anything,