nt was insignificant, compared to the _par
l'ordre du Roi_ of this more potent personage. He did not publish his
cures in _pamphlets_, but in large _quartos_. I have seen them myself,
larger in size than an Ainsworth's dictionary. It so happened that an
Englishman, who was afflicted with the _indescribables_, was recommended
from every quarter to buy the medicines of Monsieur Le Roi. He did so,
and his unknown complaint was removed. The consequence was, that the
Englishman swore by Le Roi; and as he was proceeding on to Spain, he
took with him a large supply of the doctor's medicines, that he might be
prepared in case his complaint should return. All quack gentlemen take
care that their medicines shall be palatable; no unwise precaution. I
do not know a better dram than Solomon's Balm of Gilead. Old Solomon,
by the bye, lived near Plymouth, and was very partial to the Navy. He
kept an excellent table, and was very hospitable.

I recollect one day after the officers had drunk a very sufficient
quantity of his claret and champagne, being a little elevated, they
insisted upon Solomon bringing them out some Balm of Gilead as a finish,
and they cleared off about two dozen one guinea bottles. The old
gentleman made no objection to provide it as often as they called for
more, and they separated; but the next day he sent them all their bills
in for the said Balm of Gilead, observing, that although they were
welcome to his wine and table, that he must be paid for his medicine.
But to proceed.

The Englishman travelled with the king's messenger; most of his baggage
had been sent on, but he would not part with his medicine, and this was
all in the vehicle with himself. As they passed the Pyrenees they were
stopped by the banditti, who dragged them out of the carriage, after
shooting the postilion, and made them lie with their faces on the
ground, with guards over them, while they rifled the carriage. They
soon came to the packages of medicine, and observing that _Le Roi_ was
upon all the bottles, and knowing that they had possession of a king's
messenger, they imagined that this was some liquor sent as a present to
the King of Spain; they tasted it, and found that, like other quack
medicines, it was very strong and very good.

Each man took his bottle, drank the king's health, and mirth and revelry
took place, until they had consumed all that the Englishman had brought
with him. Now there is a great difference betwe