, or the royal gift of healing
strumas, or king's-evil swellings, by contact or imposition of the
sacred hands of our kings of England and France, given them at their
inaugurations."

The elaborate ceremonies and the presentation of gold pieces were
regarded by the author as evidences of the great piety, charity, and
humility of the sovereign. He comments moreover on the admirable results
of this treatment among people of many nationalities.

None ever hitherto mist thereof, wrote he, unless their little
faith and incredulity starved their merits, or they received
his gracious hand for curing another disease, which was not
really allowed to be cured by him; and as bright evidences
hereof, I have presumed to offer that some have immediately
upon the very touch been cured; others not so easily, till the
favour of a second repetition thereof.

Some also, losing their gold, their diseases have seized them
afresh, and no sooner have these obtained a second touch and
new gold, but their diseases have been seen to vanish, as
being afraid of his majestie's presence.[85:1]

Of the vast numbers of patients who repaired to the healing receptions
of Charles II, doubtless many were attracted by curiosity, and others by
the desire for gold.

In the Parliamentary Journal for July 2-9, 1660, it was stated that the
kingdom having been for a long time troubled with the evil, by reason of
His Majesty's absence, great numbers have lately flocked for cure.

His sacred majesty, on Monday last, touched 250, in the
banquetting house; among whom, when his majesty was delivering
the gold, one shuffled himself in, out of an hope of profit,
which had not been stroked; but his majesty quickly discovered
him, saying: "this man hath not yet been touched." His majesty
hath, for the future, appointed every Friday for the cure, at
which 200, and no more, are to be presented to him, who are
first to repair to Mr. Knight, the king's surgeon, being at
the Cross Guns, in Russell Street, Covent Garden, over against
the Rose Tavern, for their tickets.

The presentation of the gold was regarded as a token of the king's good
will, and a pledge of his wish for the patient's recovery. Silver coins
were sometimes used, but the sovereign power of gold was distinctly
admitted, as the disease is reported to have returned, in some cases,
upon the medal bei