_,
it will be the _worst_ for _you!_"

_Duels._

Many medical duels have been prevented by the difficulty of arranging the
"methodus pugnandi." In the instance of Dr. Brocklesby, the number of
paces could not be agreed upon; and in the affair between Akenside and
Ballow, one had determined never to fight in the morning, and the other
that he would never fight in the afternoon. John Wilkes, who did not stand
upon ceremony in these little affairs, when asked by Lord Talbot, "How many
times they were to fire?" replied, "just as often as your Lordship pleases;
I have brought _a bag of bullets and a flask of gunpowder_."

_William Hunter._

Dr. William Hunter used to relate the following anecdote:--During the
American war, he was consulted by the daughter of a peer, who confessed
herself pregnant, and requested his assistance; he advised her to retire
for a time to the house of some confidential friend; she said that was
impossible, as her father would not suffer her to be absent from him a
single day. Some of the servants were, therefore, let into the secret, and
the doctor made his arrangement with the treasurer of the Foundling
Hospital for the reception of the child, for which he was to pay
190l.--The lady was desired to weigh well if she could bear pain without
alarming the family by her cries; she said "Yes,"--and she kept her word.
At the usual period she was delivered, not of one child only, but of twins.
The doctor, bearing the two children, was conducted by a French servant
through the kitchen, and left to ascend the area steps into the street.
Luckily the lady's maid recollected that the door of the area might perhaps
be locked; and she followed the doctor just in time to prevent his being
detained at the gate. He deposited the children at the Foundling Hospital,
and paid for each 100l. The father of the children was a colonel of the
army, who went with his regiment to America, and died there. The mother
afterwards married a person of her own rank.

_John Hunter._

Hunter was a philosopher in more senses than one; he had philosophy enough
to bear prosperity, as well as adversity, and with a rough exterior was a
very kind man. The poor could command his services more than the rich. He
would see an industrious tradesman before a duke, when his house was full
of grandees, "you have no time to spare," he would say, "you live by it;
most of these can wait, they have nothing to do when they go home." N