patients augmented. Thereupon, like those who whistle aloud to keep their courage up, he launched out in praise of the virtues, graces, and beauties of Miss Henderson, till he was astonished that such a paragon of excellence should have remained single so long. And as the next nervous patient that was on his list was Mrs. Henderson, the doctor proceeded to the residence of the great orator, proudly conscious of his own importance, and filled with the thought that the announcement of the marriage of Dr. Crack to Rebecca, eldest daughter, &c., would look mightily magnificent in the eyes of his former humble acquaintance. For though he had dropped all intercourse with the companions and friends of his early youth, he could not help now and then glancing a thought towards them. Oftentimes, when he was admiring and envying the splendid apartments into which some of his professional visits introduced him, he had a thought of his former humble friends, and he said within himself, "How little do they think of the grandeur to which I am introduced!" There is a gratification in greatness from its contrast with littleness. It is a pleasure to look down from an eminence, but it makes weak heads giddy. The visit which Dr. Crack paid Mrs. Henderson under these circumstances was one of unusual duration, and of extraordinary eloquence. At his first entering the apartment, which was as usual with a most pompous and consequential air, he addressed his patient in language of encouragement. "I think, madam, if I may form an inference from complexional indications, the progress of your complaint seems to be very rapid towards convalescence. Your natural vivacity appears to be returning, and your visual organs are resuming their native brilliancy." "I am afraid, doctor, that you are inclined to flatter me," replied Mrs. Henderson; "though indeed, I must say, that I do feel better than I have for some days past." "Undoubtedly, madam, it is absolutely impossible in the nature of things that you should not be better. A few more diurnal revolutions of the terraqueous globe will suffice for effecting a perfect sanification; and I confidently suspect that you will shortly be able to dismiss your physician." Then with a change of tone, time, cadence, and aspect, the eloquent physician added, "But I hope and trust, madam, that though the physician be no longer needed, the friend will not be dismissed." Mrs. Henderson had been accustomed to Dr. Crack's peculiar style and language of conversation, and could readily translate his expressions. She therefore very politely replied to the doctor's wish that he might visit the house as a friend, and acknowledged herself honored by his attentions. This last sentence had scarcely been uttered and answered, when Mr. Henderson himself made his appearance. To him the doctor rose, and bowed with almost unusual elegance and pomposity; and after the ordinary words of meeting had been spoken, Dr. Crack said,