THE HYPOCHONDRIAC.

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breakfast. I was surprised to find the knockerof the door muffled; but only supposing from itthat his landlady was in the straw, I inquiredhastily of his servant if his master was packing 1"Lord, Sir!" said John, "he is in bed." Thelook of John told me something was wrong, but Iwas not willing to take the hint; and, steppinginto the drawing-room, said, carelessly, "Tell yourmaster I am here." Whilst I waited the return ofthe servant, I took up several books, which wereall upon medical subjects: for instance, the Ga-zette and the Oracle of Health:—Paris on Dietand Digestion:—Abernethy's Works:—Thomson'sLondon Dispensatory:—and Good's Study of Me-dicine.—" Alas! poor Tom! if this be yourcourse of reading, my efforts to wean you fromyour malady will prove fruitless," said I, solilo-quizing aloud, as John entered the room to con-duct me to his master.

I found my friend in bed, in a deplorable state.He informed me that he had been attacked withspasms in the night, and could not have survivedbut for the skilful aid of Doctor Palm, whom he