 some service in the
diabetes, diarrhæa, and night sweats, when the secretions are too much
encreased, must not they do harm in the same proportion, where the humours are
obstructed, as in the asthma, scurvy, gout, and dropsy? - Now we talk of the
dropsy, here is a strange, fantastical oddity, one of your brethren, who
harrangues every day in the Pump-room, as if he was hired to give lectures on
all subjects whatsoever - I know not what to make of him - Sometimes he makes
shrewd remarks; at other times, he talks like the greatest simpleton in nature -
He has read a great deal; but without method or judgment, and digested nothing.
He believes every thing he has read; especially if it has any thing of the
marvelous in it; and his conversation is a surprizing hotch-potch of erudition
and extravagance. - He told me t'other day, with great confidence, that my case
was dropsical; or, as he called it, leucophlegmatic: A sure sign, that his want
of experience is equal to his presumption; for, you know, there is nothing
analogous to the dropsy in my disorder - I wish those impertinent fellows, with
their ricketty understandings, would keep their advice for those that ask it -
Dropsy, indeed! Sure I have not lived to the age of fifty-five, and had such
experience of my own disorder, and consulted you and other eminent physicians,
so often, and so long, to be undeceived by such a - But, without all doubt, the
man is mad; and, therefore, what he says is of no consequence. I had, yesterday,
a visit from Higgins; who came hither under the terror of your threats, and
brought me in a present a brace of hares; which he owned he took in my ground;
and I could not persuade the fellow that he did wrong, or that I would ever
prosecute him for poaching - I must desire you will wink hard at the practices
of this rascallion; otherwise I shall be plagued with his presents; which cost
me more than they are worth. - If I could wonder at any thing Fitzowen does, I
should be surprized at his assurance, in desiring you to solicit my vote for
him, at the next election for the county: for him, who opposed me on the like
occasion, with the most illiberal competition - You may tell him civilly, that I
beg to be excused. Direct your next for me at Bath, whither I propose to remove
to-morrow;
