The autobiography of Elizabeth Squirrell of Shottisham, and selections from her writings : together with an examination and defence of her statements relative to her sufferings, blindness, deafness, entire abstinence from food and drink during twenty-five weeks, and other extraordinary phenomena: also facts and opinions illustrative and suggestive / by one of her watchers.

  • Squirrell, Elizabeth, 1838-
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The autobiography of Elizabeth Squirrell of Shottisham, and selections from her writings : together with an examination and defence of her statements relative to her sufferings, blindness, deafness, entire abstinence from food and drink during twenty-five weeks, and other extraordinary phenomena: also facts and opinions illustrative and suggestive / by one of her watchers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    auk in creation ; and from that period to the present ime I have strenuously maintained my determina- ion. * ‘ I had a very powerful memory, and was delighted 0 attend the Sabbath school, where my retentive acuities had every means of expansion by their un- emitting exercise. I committed to memory many of rVatts’s divine songs, besides other juvenile pieces; ,nd relished most those whoso pathos moved me to ears. My teacher’s exhortations made a deep and asting impression on my mind. I desired to love the iaviour in a manner she said was necessary for my alvation. I had an acute discrimination between ;ood and evil, and an abhorrence of falsehood, and ’ would never attempt to escape punishment by the oncealment of truth. Excitable and high-spirited, I ras frequently disobedient; but for every act of dis- hedience, conscience ever gave me a sharp pang of emorse. ‘ I had few play associates, and I always took care 0 select for companions children of sensitive imagina- ion, who would wander wuth me to some unfre- [uented spot, Avhere we Avould talk of the glorious sim, he silvery moon, the beauteous verdure of the trees md flowers, (of which I have ever been passionately bnd,) and of our own peaceful resort. ‘ I was fond of animals, and contrived to secure or my gratification two pets, on whom were lavished !ver}' species of caress the most fastidious could have )estowcd, or the most cherished pet have claimed. ‘ I remember once to have been told that beasts vere possessed of immortal being, and for some time iftcr I had an indefinable horror of those who