An amateur practitioner wishing upon one occasion, in the court of
king's-bench, to convince Lord Ellenborough of his importance, said, "My
lord, I sometimes employ myself as a doctor."--"Very likely, sir," said
his lordship drily; "but is any body else fool enough to employ you in
that capacity?"--_Mems., Maxims, and Memoirs_.
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"FOUR THIEVES' VINEGAR."
A report of the plague in 1760 having been circulated, Messrs. Chandler
and Smith, apothecaries, in Cheapside, had taken in a _third_
partner, (Mr. Newsom,) and while the report prevailed, these gentlemen
availed themselves of the popular opinion, and put a written notice in
their windows of "_Four Thieves' Vinegar sold here_." Mr. Ball, an
old apothecary, passing by, and observing this, went into the shop.
"What," said he, "have you taken in another partner?"--"No."--"Oh! I beg
your pardon," replied Ball, "I thought you had by the ticket in your
window."--_Ibid_.
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