The following day, Dr. Crack paid a visit to Henry Augustus Tippetson. Most happy was the young gentleman to see his doctor; most happy was the doctor to see his patient. Both of them thought most highly of themselves, and somewhat highly of each other. They were both desirous of showing off in each other's presence, and neither of them at a loss for words in which to express their elegance and wisdom. Both of them being aspirants, and wishing to impose upon each other, they talked splendidly and mightily; and from their conversation, it might be almost inferred that in the whole course of their being they had never seen or conversed with any other beings in human form than people of rank. They rivalled each other in the splendid and refined. All their talk was concerning superfine subjects and superfine people; and indeed to do them justice, it must be said that they were almost astonished at themselves, for the wonderful dexterity with which they contrived to avoid uttering a single expression which might betray an humble origin, or a savour at all of plebeianism. The subject of nervousness was, of course, canvassed with mighty diligence by the parties; and Mr. Tippetson endeavoured to show himself mightily knowing by talking fluently on a subject which he did not understand. Every body that is not contented with being a fool likes to be thought wise, and there are many modes by which they endeavour to gain a reputation for wisdom. Some of these modes are by no means judicious. One of them is, by talking to professional men on the matters which have to do with their profession. No man understands that to which he has not given something of study; but how readily will patients prate to their physicians, as if intuition could give more knowledge to a patient than experience and study can give to a physician! The nervous patients are the worst at this amusement. Happy that medical man who has patience to hear them talk, and discretion enough not to laugh at them! Dr. Crack was eminent in this respect. Superlatively patient and enduring was he when his patients bored him with their idle prate. This was one great secret of his success in nervous cases. A secret, indeed, it was in the strictest sense of the word, inasmuch as it was a secret unknown to himself. One reason, to say nothing of his great politeness, why he could bear prate so patiently was, that he was not troubled with any continuous train of thought in his own mind, which might be unpleasantly interrupted by noisy nothingness. Another reason was to be found in his own knowledge of the fact, that nervous patients are most productive when they are allowed by their doctor to have their own way. With an aspect of profound wisdom, and the semblance of close attention, did the ingenious Dr. Crack listen to the elegant Mr. Tippetson's knowing dissertation on the subject of nerves.