describing are
of too easy virtue to be virtuous.

And whence all this? It arises from ignorance--not very blissful
ignorance, either. As well might Nebuchadnezzar's image, had it
possessed sensation, been blissful, as such persons as these. Brass,
iron, and clay may quite as easily unite to form a reliable compound, as
these persons become settled in opinion with regard to a proper medical
treatment.

I had one patient of this description who harassed me for many years. It
is true that he finally recovered; but I hardly know how. His recovery,
when I reflect on it, leads me towards the belief that people oftener
get well in spite of their medicine, than as the consequence of using
it.

He was originally a boot and shoe maker; and being exceedingly
ambitious, he had neglected exercise, and worked too hard at the bench,
as well as committed certain imprudences connected with diet, till he
was almost a perfect wreck, from dyspepsia. He was about twenty-five
years of age.

At first, despite of his ignorance, I had hope of being able to put him
upon the high road to health. He seemed unusually docile. But, as I have
before said, virtue is sometimes too easy. He would believe in and
follow me almost implicitly, for a little while; but when about half or
perhaps two-thirds of the way to the land of health, he would become
impatient, and either run to me anxiously or veer to somebody else. I
have known him to start in pursuit of me when I was a full day's journey
distant, and not easily found even then.

But I have also known him go, with the same earnestness and anxiety, to
another adviser, and follow his directions with the same care with which
he had followed my own, and perhaps about as long. While following a
person, however, he was, for a very short period at the first, entirely
devoted to him and his principles, which, as far as it went, was
undoubtedly favorable.

Once he followed, for a time, a clairvoyant,--a female,--and took her
medicine. She gave him, it is true, rather more medicine than he was
willing to take, or even pay for; but as I gave him less than he
desired, he thought it advisable to give her system a fair trial. I do
not know whether he thought himself at all benefited by her
prescriptions. Most certain it is that he did not long follow her, and
that he came to me again some time afterwards, in the same condition as
formerly.

In another instance, he sought relief of the hydropathists. One of