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Nay,
it is affirmed, that one day, when an old woman who attended in
the nursery had by stealth conveyed a bottle of cordial waters to
her mouth, he pulled his nurse by the sleeve, by a slight glance
detected the theft, and tipped her the wink with a particular
slyness of countenance, as if he had said, with a sneer, "Ay, ay,
that is what you must all come to." But these instances of reflection
in a babe nine months old are so incredible, that I look upon them
as observations, founded upon imaginary recollection, when he was
in a more advanced age, and his peculiarities of temper became
much more remarkable; of a piece with the ingenious discoveries
of those sagacious observers, who can discern something evidently
characteristic in the features of any noted personage whose character
they have previously heard explained. Yet without pretending
to specify at what period of his childhood this singularity first
appeared, I can with great truth declare, that when he first attracted
the notice and affection of his uncle, it was plainly perceivable.


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