Curious anecdotes are related of this unbecoming subserviency. A courtly doctor, when attending one of the princesses, was asked by George III. if he did not think a little ice might benefit her. "Your majesty is right," was the reply; "I shall order some forthwith." "But perhaps it might be too cold," added the kind monarch. "Perhaps your majesty is right again; therefore her royal highness had better get it warmed." This absurd deference to rank and etiquette by a physician who at the moment is superior to all around him, reminds one of an account given by Champfort of a fashionable doctor. "D'Alembert was spending the evening at Madame Du Deffand's, where were also President Henault and M. Pont de Vesle. On this flexible physician's entering the room, he bowed to the lady with the formal salutation, '_Madame, je vous presente mes tres humbles respects_.' Then, addressing M. Henault, '_J'ai bien l'honneur de vous saluer_.' Turning round to M. de Vesle he obsequiously said, '_Monsieur, je suis votre tres humble serviteur_;' and at last, condescending to speak to D'Alembert, he nodded to him with a '_Bonjour, Monsieur_!'" On such occasions a condescending smile from power is considered a fee. Reluctance in remunerating medical attendants was also manifested by the ancients; and Seneca has treated the subject at some length. The difficulty in obtaining remuneration has unfortunately rendered many physicians somewhat sordid, and loth to give an opinion unless paid for. In this they are unquestionably right, as gratuitous advice is seldom heeded; and one of the most distinguished practitioners used to say, that he considered a fee so necessary to give weight to an opinion, that, when he looked at his own tongue in the glass, he slipped a guinea from one pocket into another. To consider themselves in proper hands, patients must incur expenses, and as much physic as possible be poured down. Malouin, physician to the Queen of France, was so fond of drugging, that it is told of him, that once having a most patient patient, who diligently and punctually swallowed all the stuff he ordered, he was so delighted in seeing all the phials and pill-boxes cleaned out, that he shook him cordially by the hand, exclaiming, "My dear sir, it really affords me pleasure to attend you, and you _deserve_ to be ill." Our apothecaries must surely meet with incessant delight!