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would sit up whole nights when the atmosphere: was clear, and seemed as intent on considering the stars, as the greatest astrologers would be with their glasses; this give her a great knowledge of the weather, the alteration of the air, and the effect it had and from her sometimes casually acquainting the neighbouring farmers of any change which generally took place, her fame began to spread when young, and she was consulted by them on almost every occasion ; not a farmer would go to plough, not a sower would put the seed in the ground, without first asking the young gipsy (for so they then styled her) her opinion, and following according to her dictates.
Her fame now began to spread, and Bridget’s prescience became more universal; other persons besides farmers and her neighbours came to consult her, and the truth of her predictions made her veracity gain ground, and she became the topic of conversation of the politest circles, many of whom came in their equipages to consult her; and she never asked for any particular sum, so the unbounded generosity of those who applied to her oracles, put her in possession of more money than was sufficient to maintain her.
As she grew in years, like the generality of old folks, she became fond of dumb animals, which were her chief companions, and of these she always had numbers; people, indeed, have said hundreds, and others have declared she could call as many on the earth as she pleased; but this is fabulous, for I never saw more than ten at a time. Dogs and cats were the principal companions of her retirement, which, being of the smallest breed, would, as she sat, creep from different parts of her garments, and not a little surprise those that came
