stly tend to destroy the Healths of
those who are weak enough to purchase them, and oftentimes are the
Cause of epidemical Diseases.

I hope none of my Readers will be so uncharitable as to suggest that
there is a Combination amongst _Quacks_, _Apothecaries_ or _Druggists_;
for furnishing these _moving Shopkeepers_ with _Barrows_, _Baskets_,
Money to purchase unwholesome Fruit, or any other Necessaries and
Conveniences for carrying on this dangerous Traffick with the middling
People: but thus much must be said, that we generally find them posted
at, or near the Doors and Shops of those _Traders_. And then, what a
horrible Squall and Outcry is there, according to the Season, of _Green
Goosberries by the Gallon_, _Cherries by the Pound_, _Plumbs by the
Hat-full_, _Cucumbers by the Dozen_, and _rare lumping Half-penny-worths
of Pears, Pippins, and Pearmains_, &c. The People are constantly
complaining of Disorders they produce, but cannot refrain from them,
because they are, as it were, thrust down their Throats in this manner;
and when _Advice_ is had, the Patient is rarely told that his Malady
proceeded from the real Cause, but that _Fruit is held to be good and
cooling to the Blood at all Times and Seasons, and by all Countries and
Constitutions_. Thus the _Patient_ repeats his Poison, the _Prescriber_
his Fees, and the _Apothecary_ his Potion. I once catch'd an
_Apothecary_ at the side of a Wheel-barrow enquiring of a dirty Hussey
what Quantities of _Goods_ she had disposed of for a Day or two;
doubtless that he might thereby proportion the Quantity of his
_Medicines_ suitable to the Execution her _Trash_ must have done amongst
his Neighbours.

Another time I saw a Physician vouchsafe to descend from his Chariot
to become an Advocate in the open Street for a Flat-Cap Retailer of
_Golden Rennets_, who had caus'd a great Riot at a Door she was
permitted to place her _Barrow_ against, and pleaded as strenuously
for her Continuance at it, as a Barrister would have done for a Fee of
five Guineas; urging, among other Reasons, the _Cruelty_, and _what an
unchristian Action it would be in any one to obstruct a poor Wretch in
procuring a small Livelihood in an honest industrious Way_. This
Argument had the more Weight with the People, because every one was
surprized to hear so humane a Sentiment from a Practitioner in
Physick.

Some Shopkeepers Wives being got together at a Merry-making, an
Apothecary's _Mortar-piece_ of the