"MR. _James Howel_, a trusty Servant to King _James_ the First, famous in those Days for Compiling a Treatise, entitled _Dendrologia_, and afterwards for his Legacy to the World, call'd, _Epistoliæ Ho-Elianæ_, happen'd, when he was a Young Gentleman, to accidently come by, when two of his dearest Friends were fiercely Engag'd in a very dangerous Duel, and to prevent the Mischief very likely to ensue, too rashly catch'd hold, with his naked Hand, of his Sword, whose Passion prompted him to be the most desperate; in which attempt, the Weapon, being drawn through Mr. _Howel_'s Palm, cut the Nerves and Muscles thereof to the very Bone, and, as they were thus Scuffling, holding up the same Hand to defend one of his Friends from a Blow upon his Head, receiv'd another cut upon the back of his Hand, cross all the Veins and Tendons, more terrible than the former, which, his Friends perceiving, put a sudden stop to their inebrious Fury, run both to embrace him and to express their sorrow for the unhappy Accident, lending him their Assistance to bind up his Wounds with one of his own Garters, and so conducted him to his Lodgings, where they sent immediately for a Surgeon, who found the Case desperate, for he bled abundantly. "MR. _Howel_, being a Gentleman much respected by the Quality, the News of his Misfortune soon reach'd the Court; and his Majesty, having, also, a great regard for him, sent one of his own Surgeons to attend him, who found the Case to be so very bad that he seem'd doubtful of a Cure, without cutting off his Hand, which occasion'd Mr. _Howel_, about five Days after the Hurt receiv'd, to apply himself to his good Friend and Neighbour, Sir _Kenelm Digby_, who, at that Time was famous for the Sympathetick-Powder, begging his Assistance in that painful Extremity, telling him, that his Surgeons were apprehensive of a Gangrene.