Part 100 (1/2)

_A Political Squib of the Period._

HOLLOWAY (_Professor_), noted for his ointment to cure all strumous affections, his digestive pills, and his enormous expenditure in advertising (nineteenth century). Holloway's ointment is an imitation of Albinolo's; being a.n.a.lyzed by order of the French law-courts, it was declared to consist of _b.u.t.ter_, _lard_, _wax_ and _Venice turpentine_.

His pills are made of _aloes_, _jalap_, _ginger_ and _myrrh_.

KATERFELTO (_Dr._), the influenza doctor. He was a tall man, dressed in a black gown and square cap, and was originally a common soldier in the Prussian service. In 1782 he exhibited in London his solar microscope, and created immense excitement by showing the infusoria of muddy water, etc. Dr. Katerfelto used to say that he was the greatest philosopher since the time of Sir Isaac Newton.

And Katerfelto, with his hair on end, At his own wonders, wondering for his bread.

Cowper, _The Task_ (”The Winter Evening,” 1782).

LILLY (_William_), astrologer, born at Diseworth, in Leicesters.h.i.+re (1602-1681).

LONG (_St. John_), born at Newcastle, began life as an artist, but afterwards set up as a curer of consumption, rheumatism and gout. His profession brought him wealth, and he lived in Harley Street, Cavendish Square. St. John Long died himself of rapid consumption (1798-1834).

MAPP (_Mrs._), bone-setter. She was born at Epsom, and at one time was very rich, but she died in great poverty at her lodgings in Seven Dials, 1737.

? Hogarth has introduced her in his heraldic picture, ”The Undertakers'

Arms.” She is the middle of the three figures at the top, and is holding a bone in her hand.

MOORE (_Mr. John_), of the Pestle and Mortar, Abchurch Lane, immortalized by his ”worm-powder,” and called the ”Worm Doctor” (died 1733).

Vain is thy art, thy powder vain, Since worms shall eat e'en thee.

Pope, _To Mr. John Moore_ (1723).

MORISON (_Dr._), famous for his pills (consisting of _aloes_ and _cream of tartar_, equal parts). Professor Holloway, Dr. Morison, and Rowland, maker of hair-oil and tooth-powder, were the greatest advertisers of their generation.

PARTRIDGE, cobbler, astrologer, almanac-maker and quack (died 1708).

Weep, all you customers who use His pills, his almanacs, or shoes.

Swift, _Elegy, etc._

READ (_Sir William_), a tailor, who set up for oculist, and was knighted by Queen Anne. This quack was employed both by Queen Anne and George I.

Sir William could not read. He professed to cure wens, wry-necks and hare-lips (died 1715).

... none their honors shall to merit owe-- That popish doctrine is exploded quite, Or Ralph had been no duke, and Read no knight; That none may virtue or their learning plead, This hath no _grace_, and that can hardly _read_.

_A Political Squib of the Period._

? The ”Ralph” referred to is Ralph Montagu, son of Edward Montagu, created viscount in 1682, and duke of Montagu in 1705 (died 1709).

ROCK (_Dr. Richard_), professed to cure every disease, at any stage thereof. According to his bills, ”Be your disorder never so far gone, I can cure you.” He was short in stature and fat, always wore a white, three-tailed wig, nicely combed and frizzed upon each cheek, carried a cane, and waddled in his gait (eighteenth century).

Dr. Rock, F.U.N., never wore a hat. He is usually drawn at the top of his own bills sitting in an armchair, holding a little bottle between his finger and thumb, and surrounded with rotten teeth, nippers, pills and gallipots.--Goldsmith, _A Citizen of the World_, lxviii. (1759).