lf, has given you a degree of life
and health which you had not the smallest reason to expect.'

"The gentleman who had not sufficiently considered all these advantages,
began to look a little confused, and the physician thus went on:--'All
that you have to complain of is, that you have been involuntarily your
own dupe, and cheated into health and happiness. You went to Dr
Ramozini, and saw a parcel of miserable wretches comfortably at dinner.
That great and worthy man is the father of all about him; he knows that
most of the diseases of the poor, originate in their want of food and
necessaries, and therefore benevolently assists them with better diet
and clothing. The rich, on the contrary, are generally the victims of
their own sloth and intemperance, and, therefore, he finds it necessary
to use a contrary method of cure--exercise, abstinence, and
mortification. You, sir, have indeed been treated like a child, but it
has been for your own advantage. Neither your bed, nor meat, nor drink,
has ever been medicated; all the wonderful change that has been produced
has been by giving you better habits, and rousing the slumbering powers
of your own constitution. As to deception, you have none to complain of,
except what proceeded from your own foolish imagination, which persuaded
you that a physician was to regulate his conduct by the folly and
intemperance of his patient. As to all the rest, he only promised to
exert all the secrets of his art for your cure; and this, I am witness
he has done so effectually, that, were you to reward him with half your
fortune, it would hardly be too much for his deserts.'

"The gentleman, who did not want either sense or generosity, could not
help feeling the force of what was said. He therefore made a handsome
apology for his behaviour, and instantly despatched a servant to Dr
Ramozini, with a handsome present, and a letter expressing the highest
gratitude; and so much satisfaction did he find in the amendment of his
health and spirits, that he never again relapsed into his former habits
of intemperance, but, by constant exercise and uniform moderation,
continued free from any considerable disease to a very comfortable old
age."

"Indeed," said Tommy, "this is a very diverting, comical story; and I
should like very much to tell it to the gouty gentlemen that come to our
house." "That," answered Mr Barlow, "would be highly improper, unless
you were particularly desired. Those gentlemen ca