1792* POMTICAL USES OF BAD HEALTH. 7\a 



their adulation with r.s much cordiality, as if it wer'3 

 iiiicere. It liappened, however, that by a fevere cala- 

 mity in my family, fortune put it in the power of this 

 lady to be neariy as fcrviceible to me (not by means 

 of pecuniary afliftance, but merely by a little perfonal 

 exertion) as 1 had been to her. She had at all times 

 been fo ready to exprcfs her gratitude to me in ilroug 

 and unequivocal terms, and I was fo cordially difpoled to 

 befriend her, that it never once entered into my mind 

 to fufpetfl flie could have any backwardnefs to difcharge 

 tliofe friendly offices to my family, that fortune had 

 put within her reach. I thought indeed the would 

 grafp at it with alacrity. At firit fome flight excufes 

 were admitted as apologies ; but when thefe obltruc- 

 tions were removed, no other refource remained but 

 bad health ulojie. Bad health however has lent its 

 friendly aid^ in this cafe, molt effeftually, and will, 

 no doubt, continue to do fo till it will be pall time 

 either for her to give the afTilfance 1 flood in need of, 

 or for me to receive it. 



Thus, my good Sir, you fee, that to people in infe- 

 rior llation, as well as to thofe in high life, the bene- 

 fits of. bad health are not inconliderable. As an ob- 

 ferver of men and manners, I fend you this Ihort anec- 

 dote ; and hope you will have the goodneis to iiifert 

 this into your B«.e, that the parties concerned, in cafe 

 they li.ould read it, may fee i underlland the cafe ;- fo 

 that it is uniiecciTary to feek. for any other apology, as 

 this one will be readily admitted on all occalions, as 

 perteclly vuiid. i am. Sir, 



A Lover of Good Health. 



Chfervcitions on the Above. 

 1 r is fo natural for a perfon to judge favourably of 

 their own concerns, when compared with that of o- 

 iher-,, tliat without any breach of charitj', we may 



