_For the Table Book._
In the year 1782, that extraordinary empiric of modern times, Dr.
Graham, appeared in London. He was a graduate of Edinburgh, wrote in a
bombastic style, and possessed a great fluency of elocution. He opened a
mansion in Pall Mall, called “The Temple of Health;” the front was
ornamented with an enormous gilt sun, a statue of Hygeia, and other
attractive emblems. The rooms were superbly furnished, and the walls
decorated with mirrors, so as to confer on the place an effect like that
of an enchanted palace. Here he delivered “Lectures on Health, &c.” at
the extravagant rate of two guineas each. As a further attraction, he
entertained a female of beautiful figure, whom he called the “goddess of
health.” He hired two men of extraordinary stature, provided with
enormous cocked hats and showy liveries, to distribute bills from house
to house about town.
These unusual means to excite curiosity were successful; but his two
guinea auditors were soon exhausted; he then dropped to one guinea;
afterwards to half a guinea; then to five shillings; and, subsequently,
as he said, “for the benefit of all,” to two shillings and sixpence.
When he could not “draw” at that price, he finally exhibited the “Temple
of Health” at one shilling a head to daily crowds for several months.
Among the furniture of Dr. Graham’s temple was a _celestial bed_, which
he pretended wrought miraculous effects on those who reposed on it: he
demanded for its use during one night one hundred pounds; and such is
the folly of wealth, that several personages of high rank acceded to his
terms. He also pretended to have discovered “The Elixir of Life,” by
taking of which a person might live as long as he pleased. When this was
worn out, he recommended “earth bathing,” and sanctioned it by his own
practice. During one hour every day, he admitted spectators to view him
and the goddess of health immersed naked in the ground to their chins.
The doctor’s head was dressed and powdered, and the goddess’s was
arranged in the highest fashion of the times. He carried this exhibition
to every provincial town wherein he could obtain permission of the
magistrates. The goddess nearly fell a victim to the practice, and the
doctor, in spite of his enormous charges and his “Elixir of life,” died
in poor circumstances at the age of fifty-two.
Dr. Graham’s brother married the celebrated Mrs. Macaulay, the
historian, and Dr. Arnold, of Leicester, the respectable author of an
able treatise on insanity, married his sister. It is generally
understood that the lady who performed the singular part of the “Goddess
of Health” was Emma, afterwards the wife of sir William Hamilton, and
the personal favourite of the celebrated lord Nelson. She died in
misery--
Deserted in her utmost need
By those her former bounty fed.