his place, and another of Padua, were next employed. The
cure not advancing, a surgeon of eminence, from Paris, was sent for.

Mr. Lowther tells me, that this man's method was by far the most
eligible; but that he undertook too much; since, from the first, there
could not be any hope, from the nature of the wound in the hip-joint,
that the patient could ever walk, without sticks or crutches: and of this
opinion were the other two surgeons: but the French gentleman was so very
pragmatical, that he would neither draw with them, nor give reasons for
what he did; regarding them only as his assistants. They could not long
bear this usage, and gave up to him in disgust.

How cruel is punctilio, among men of this science, in cases of difficulty
and danger!

The present operators, when the two others had given up, were not, but by
leave of the French gentleman, called in. He valuing himself on his
practice in the Royal Hospital of Invalids at Paris, looked upon them as
theorists only; and treated them with as little ceremony as he had shewn
the others: so that at last, from their frequent differences, it became
necessary to part with either him, or them. His pride, when he knew that
this question was a subject of debate, would not allow him to leave the
family an option. He made his demand: it was complied with; and he
returned to Paris.

From what this gentleman threw out at parting, to the disparagement of
the two others, Signor Jeronymo suspected their skill; and from a hint of
this suspicion, as soon as I knew I should be welcome myself, I procured
the favour of Mr. Lowther's attendance.

All Mr. Lowther's fear is, that Signor Jeronymo has been kept too long in
hand by the different managements of the several operators; and that he
will sink under the necessary process, through weakness of habit. But,
however, he is of opinion, that it is requisite to confine him to a
strict diet, and to deny him wine and fermented liquors, in which he has
hitherto been indulged, against the opinion of his own operators, who
have been too complaisant to his appetite.

An operation somewhat severe was performed on his shoulder yesterday
morning. The Italian surgeons complimented Mr. Lowther with the lancet.
They both praised his dexterity; and Signor Jeronymo, who will be
consulted on every thing that he is to suffer, blessed his gentle hand.

At Mr. Lowther's request, a physician was yesterday consulted; who
advised some gentle aperi