And with confession would again be sound. True, Swallow's board had still the sumptuous treat; But could they blame? the warmest zealots eat. He drank--'twas needful his poor nerves to brace; 350 He swore--'twas habit; he was grieved--'twas grace. What could they do a new-born zeal to nurse? "His wealth's undoubted--let him hold our purse; He'll add his bounty, and the house we'll raise Hard by the church, and gather all her strays; We'll watch her sinners as they home retire, And pluck the brands from the devouring fire." Alas! such speech was but an empty boast; The good men reckon'd, but without their host; Swallow, delighted, took the trusted store, 360 And own'd the sum: they did not ask for more, Till more was needed; when they call'd for aid-- And had it?--No, their agent was afraid; "Could he but know to whom he should refund, He would most gladly--nay, he'd go beyond; But, when such numbers claim'd, when some were gone, And others going--he must hold it on; The Lord would help them,"--Loud their anger grew, } And while they threat'ning from his door withdrew, } He bow'd politely low, and bade them all adieu. 370 } But lives the man by whom such deeds are done? Yes, many such--but Swallow's race is run; His name is lost;--for, though his sons have name, It is not his, they all escape the shame; Nor is there vestige now of all he had, His means are wasted, for his heir was mad. Still we of Swallow as a monster speak, A hard, bad man, who prey'd upon the weak. FOOTNOTES: [50] The account of Coddrington [Collingbourne] occurs in "_The Mirrour for Magistrates_"; he suffered in the reign of Richard III. LETTER VII. _PROFESSIONS--PHYSIC._ [Jam mala finissem letho; sed credula vitam Spes fovet, et fore cras semper ait melius.] _Tibullus_ [Lib. II. vi. vv. 19-20]. He fell to juggle, cant, and cheat---- For as those fowls that live in water Are never wet, he did but smatter; Whate'er he labour'd to appear, His understanding still was clear. A paltry wretch he had, half-starved, That him in place of zany served. _Butler's Hudibras_ [Part II. Canto iii]. The Worth and Excellence of the true Physician--Merit not the sole Cause of Success--Modes of advancing Reputation--Motives of medical Men for publishing their Works--The great Evil of Quackery--Present State of advertising Quacks--Their Hazard--Some fail, and why--Causes of Success--How Men of Understanding are prevailed upon to have Recourse to Empirics, and to permit their Names to be advertised--Evils of Quackery: to nervous Females; to Youth; to Infants--History of an advertising Empiric, &c. LETTER VII.