ncture, which he exhibited to
the Publick in one of his last Year's Papers, I recover'd in a very
few Days.

'I _George Gloom_ have for a long time been troubled with the
Spleen, and being advis'd by my Friends to put my self into a Course
of Steele, did for that end make use of Remedies convey'd to me
several Mornings, in short Letters, from the Hands of the invisible
Doctor. They were marked at the bottom _Nathaniel Henroost, Alice
Threadneedle, Rebecca Nettletop, Tom. Loveless, Mary Meanwell,
Thomas Smoaky, Anthony Freeman, Tom Meggot, Rustick Sprightly,_ &c.
which have had so good an Effect upon me, that I now find my self
chearful, lightsome and easie; and therefore do recommend them to
all such as labour under the same Distemper.

Not having room to insert all the Advertisements which were sent me, I
have only picked out some few from the Third Volume, reserving the
Fourth for another Opportunity.

O.

[Footnote 1: Sir William Read, a doctor who could hardly read, was one
of the most pertinacious advertisers of his time. He advertised in the
_Tatler_ that he had been 35 years in the practice of

'couching cataracts, taking off all sorts of wens, curing wry necks
and _hair_ lips without blemish, though never so deformed.'

His wife assisted him, and after his death carried on his business,
advertising that,

'The Lady Read, in Durham Yard, in the Strand, having obtained a
peculiar method of couching cataracts and curing all diseases of the
eyes, by Sir William Read's method and medicines, and having had above
15 years' experience ... Note. Sir William Read has left only with his
lady the true receipt of his Styptich Water,' &c., &c.

Dr. Grant was another advertising oculist, illiterate and celebrated,
originally a tinker or cobbler, afterwards a Baptist preacher in
Southwark.

Mr. Moore sold a powder which, according to his advertisements, brought
off worms of incredible length.]

* * * * *

No. 548. Friday, November 28, 1712. [1]

'--Vitiis nemo sine nascitur, optimus illo
Qui minimis urgetur--'

Hor.

_Nov._ 27, 1712.

_Mr._ SPECTATOR,

'I have read this Day's Paper with a great deal of Pleasure, and could
send you an Account of several Elixirs and Antidotes in your third
Volume, which your Correspondents have not taken Notic