mach is oppressed
with nausea, my head with aches and swimming, and above all, I feel such
an intolerable sinking in my spirits, that, without the assistance of
two or three cordials, and some restorative soup, I am confident I never
could get through the morning. Now, doctor, I have such confidence in
your skill, that there is no pill or potion you can order me which I
will not take with pleasure, but as to a change in my diet, that is
impossible.' 'That is,' answered the physician, 'you wish for health
without being at the trouble of acquiring it, and imagine that all the
consequences of an ill-spent life are to be washed away by a julep, or a
decoction of senna. But as I cannot cure you upon those terms, I will
not deceive you for an instant. Your case is out of the power of
medicine, and you can only be relieved by your own exertions.' 'How hard
is this,' answered the gentleman, 'to be thus abandoned to despair even
in the prime of life! Cruel and unfeeling doctor, will you not attempt
anything to procure me ease?' 'Sir,' answered the physician, 'I have
already told you everything I know upon the subject. I must, however,
acquaint you, that I have a brother physician who lives at Padua, a man
of the greatest learning and integrity, who is particularly famous for
curing the gout. If you think it worth your while to consult him, I will
give you a letter of recommendation, for he never stirs from home, even
to attend a prince.'

"Here the conversation ended; for the gentleman, who did not like the
trouble of the journey, took his leave of the physician, and returned
home very much dispirited. In a little while he either was, or fancied
himself, worse; and as the idea of the Paduan physician had never left
his head, he at last resolutely determined to set out upon the journey.
For this purpose he had a litter so contrived that he could lie
recumbent, or recline at his ease, and eat his meals. The distance was
not above one day's tolerable journey, but the gentleman wisely resolved
to make four of it, for fear of over-fatiguing himself. He had, besides,
a loaded waggon attending, filled with everything that constitutes good
eating; and two of his cooks went with him, that nothing might be
wanting to his accommodation on the road.

"After a wearisome journey he at length arrived within sight of Padua,
and eagerly inquiring after the house of Doctor Ramozini, was soon
directed to the spot; then, having been helped out of