licious grin, "There's a sneaking
dog! I always thought him a fellow without a soul, d--n me, a canting
scoundrel, who has crept into business by his hypocrisy, and kissing the
a--e of every body."--"Ay, ay," says another, "one might see with half
an eye that the rascal has no honesty in him, by his going so regularly
to church."

This sentence was confirmed by a third, who assured his companions that
Potion was never known to be disguised in liquor but once, at a meeting
of the godly, where he had distinguished himself by an extempore prayer
an hour long. After this preamble, Crab addressed himself to me in these
words: "Well, my lad, I have heard a good character of you, and I'll do
for you. You may send your things to my house when you please. I have
given orders for your reception. Zounds! What does the booby stare at?
If you have no mind to embrace my courteous offer, you may let it alone,
and be d--d." I answered with a submissive bow, that I was far from
rejecting his friendly offer, which I would immediately accept, as soon
as he should inform me on what footing I was to be entertained. "What
footing! D--n my blood," cried he, "d'ye expect to have a footman and a
couple of horses kept for you?" "No, sir," I replied, "my expectations
are not quite so sanguine. That I may be as little burthensome as
possible, I would willingly serve in your shop, by which means I
may save you the expense of a journeyman, or porter at least, for I
understand a little pharmacy, having employed some of my leisure hours
in the practice of that art, while I lived with Mr. Potion; neither am I
altogether ignorant of surgery, which I have studied with great pleasure
and application."--"Oho! you did," says Crab. "Gentlemen, here is a
complete artist! Studied surgery! What? in books, I suppose. I shall
have you disputing with me one of these days on points of my profession.
You can already account for muscular motion, I warrant, and explain the
mystery of the brain and nerves--ha! You are too learned for me, d--n
me. But let's have no more of this stuff. Can you blood and give a
clyster, spread a plaster, and prepare a potion?" Upon my answering in
the affirmative, he shock his head, telling me, he believed he should
have little good of me, for all my promises; but, however, he would
take me in for the sake of charity. I was accordingly that very night
admitted to his house, and had an apartment assigned to me in
the garret, which I was fa