To prevent Nixon’s being starved his Majesty gave orders for him to have the liberty to range through the whole palace and the kitchen was to be his more constant dwelling. Besides which, an officer was appointed to take care that he was neither misused or affronted by the servants, nor at loss for any necessary of life. Thus situated one would have thought want would never have reached him; yet one day, as the King was going out to his hunting-seat Nixon ran to him crying and begged in the most moving terms that he might not be left, for that if he was his Majesty would never see him again alive: that he should be starved; that now was the time, and if he was left he must die. The King whose thoughts were doubtless fixed on the diversion he was going to and supposing the matter so very unlikely to come to pass, only said that it was impossible and recommended him strongly to the officer’s care; but scarcely was the king gone from the palace-gate when the servants mocked and teased Nixon to such a degree, that the officer to prevent these insults locked him up in a closet and suffered no one but himself to attend on him thinking that he should prevent this part of his prophecy coming true: but a message of great importance coming from the King to this very officer, he in his readiness to obey the royal command forgot to set poor Nixon at liberty and though he was but three days absent when he recollected his prisoner he found him at his return, dead as he had foretold of hunger. Thus evidenced with what is past stands his prophecy in every mouth in Cheshire; yet a greater affront cannot be given than to ask a copy from the families said to be possessed of it. Every possible means it is well known has been used to smother the truth, perplex the curious, and even to abolish the very remembrance that such a one ever existed, but from what reason cannot appear except that it is foretold that the heir of O— is to meet with some ignominious death at his own gate, {16} with other family events which, though no person or time being perfectly distinguished may perhaps occasion this secrecy. I must also observe that the cross on Delamere forest, that is, three steps and the socket in which the cross formerly stood are now sunk within a few inches of the ground, though all remember to have seen it within the memory of man nearly six feet above, the cross itself having been destroyed long since. It is also remarkable that Headlets cross is mentioned by Merlin de Rymer and most other English and Scotch prophets as the last place in England on which it is supposed a decisive action will happen; but as to any fixed period when the things will come to pass I cannot learn, being all mentioned with the greatest uncertainty. THE ORIGINAL PREDICTIONS OF ROBERT NIXON, AS DELIVERED BY HIMSELF.