 all the passions, but in
no exact proportion, so that sometimes one predominates, and sometimes another;
nay, often in the hurry of making up, one particular ingredient is, as we were
informed, left out. The spirit receiveth at the same time another medicine
called the NOUSPHORIC DECOCTION, of which he is to drink ad libitum. This
decoction is an extract from the faculties of the mind, sometimes extremely
strong and spirituous, and sometimes altogether as weak; for very little care is
taken in the preparation. This decoction is so extremely bitter and unpleasant,
that, notwithstanding its wholesomeness, several spirits will not be persuaded
to swallow a drop of it, but throw it away, or give it to any other who will
receive it; by which means some who were not disgusted by the nauseousness drank
double and treble portions. I observed a beautiful young female, who, tasting it
immediately from curiosity, screwed up her face and cast it from her with great
disdain, whence advancing presently to the wheel, she drew a coronet, which she
clapped up so eagerly that I could not distinguish the degree; and indeed I
observed several of the same sex, after a very small sip, throw the bottles
away.
    As soon as the spirit is dismissed by the operator, or apothecary, he is at
liberty to approach the wheel, where he hath a right to extract a single lot:
but those whom Fortune favours she permits sometimes secretly to draw three or
four. I observed a comical kind of figure who drew forth a handful, which, when
he opened, were a bishop, a general, a privy-counsellor, a player, and a
poet-laureate, and, returning the three first, he walked off, smiling, with the
two last.
    Every single lot contained two more articles, which were generally disposed
so as to render the lots as equal as possible to each other; on one was written,
earl, riches, health, disquietude; on another, cobbler, sickness, good-humour;
on a third, poet, contempt, self-satisfaction; on a fourth, general, honour,
discontent; on a fifth, cottage, happy love; on a sixth, coach and six, impotent
jealous husband; on a seventh, prime minister, disgrace; on an eighth, patriot,
glory; on a ninth, philosopher, poverty, ease; on a tenth, merchant, riches,
care. And indeed the whole seemed to contain such a mixture of good and evil,
that it would have puzzled me which to chuse. I must
