Aylestone.
_Seventh Son of a Seventh Son_ (Vol. v., p. 532.).--The note which appears
in p. 532. has induced me to look out a rare old printed copy of "The Quack
Doctor's Speech," which is in my possession, and which was spoken by the
witty Lord Rochester, in character, and mounted on a stage; it is
altogether a very humorous and lengthy address, partaking of the licence of
language not uncommon to the courtiers of that period, abounding in much
technical phraseology, and therefore unsuited for an introduction into your
pages _in extenso_. The titles assumed, however, are in character with the
pretensions claimed by virtue of being the seventh begotten son of a
seventh begotten father; and may perhaps prove an interesting addition to
the collection of instances recorded by your correspondent HENRY EDWARDS:
"Gentlemen,
"I, Waltho Van Clauterbauck, High German Doctor, Chymist and
Dentrificator--Native of Arabia Deserta, Citizen and Burgomaster of the
City of Brandipolis--Seventh son of a Seventh son, unborn Doctor of
above sixty years' experience, having studied over Galen, Hypocrates,
Albumazer, and Paracelsus, am now become the Æsculapius of this age.
Having been educated at twelve Universities, and travelled through
fifty-two Kingdoms, and been Counsellor to the Counsellors of several
grand Monarchs, natural son of the wonder working chymical Doctor
Signior Hanesio, lately arrived from the farthest parts of Utopia,
famous throughout all Asia, Europe, Africa, and America, from the Sun's
oriental exaltation to his occidental declination, out of mere pity to
my own dear self and languishing mortals, have by the earnest prayers
and entreaties of several Lords, Dukes, and honourable Personages been
at last prevailed upon to oblige the World with this Notice, &c. &c.
"Veniente occurrite morbo--Down with your dust.
Principiis obsta--No cure no money.
Querenda Pecunia Premium--Be not sick too late.
"You that are willing to render yourselves immortal, Buy this pacquet,
or else repair to the sign of the Pranceis, in Vico vulgo dicto
Ratcliffero, something south-east of Templum Dancicum, in the Square of
Profound Close, not far from Titter Tatter Fair; and you may hear, see,
and return Re-infecta."