While I lament this degradation, this prostitution of patronage, to such _trifling_, such _contemptible_ efforts of _sterility_, I cannot but consider how gratefully, how extensively, you are bound to a credulous and indulgent public, who implicitly sanction with their patronage, every production of _genius or dullness_, whether in a _philosophic taper_, a concentrated _acid of vinegar_, or a _salt of lemons_; they are undoubtedly discoveries of _immense magnitude_ to the public at large; and experience has sufficiently proved, that so much _patriotic virtue_ should meet its _own reward_. Notwithstanding the superiority and extent of your knowledge, so visibly displayed in the _sublimity_ of your frequent experiments, that have raised you to such a great degree of professional eminence, there may yet be some profitable principles of practice, inculcated by a long and studious observer, that will evidently add to your emoluments, if not to the encrease of your reputations. Your _peculiar modesty_ may have prevented your attaining the utmost perfection of your art, and left you strangers to the very great and undiscovered advantages, that the privileges of your profession so singularly entitle you to; for though you may hitherto have reconciled yourselves to a paltry _mechanical_ profit of thirty-five or forty per cent. what law forbids you making the “most of your market,” and enhancing those profits to such state, as may best accord with your idea and gratification of _city eminence_—_rural ease_—_external appearance_, and _domestic hospitality_? To insure these comforts to a certainty, accept such instructions, (as closely adhered to) will inevitably produce the purposes for which they are introduced. Hitherto, a stranger to the happy effects of necessary _adulteration_, it may not be inapplicable to say a few words upon its numerous advantages; first, at your embarkation, you should adopt it as the _ultimatum_ of all your professional views, and render it as subservient to your wishes, as the lover’s invariable observance of “_persevere_ and _conquer_,” is to his. _Adulteration_ has many pleasing advantages annexed to its practice; by the applicable introduction of an _harmless_ ingredient, you may reduce the dangerous property of a _drastic_ purgative, and render a powerful _poison_ less destructive; by such acts you will enjoy the inexpressible consolation of hourly contributing to the safety of your fellow-creatures, in exertions of _humanity_, that will do you the greatest honour.