I 68 EASY-CHAIR MEMORIES 



remedy is now proposed ? ' * It will be neces- 

 sary to have recourse to mercury.' 'That is 

 a bad medicine ? ' ' Experience has taught me 

 the contrary/ ' Did Hippocrates use it ? ' ' I 

 believe not/ ' Yet he is considered as among 

 the first physicians. Does not Nature endeav- 

 our to expel morbific matter, and may not the 

 present painful struggles be an effort of Nature 

 to rid herself of what is obnoxious ? ' 'I have 

 been taught to assist Nature.' ' Could you not 

 do so without having recourse to this dangerous 

 mineral ? ' ' Experience has taught me that 

 mercury is infallible.' ' Then go on with your 

 mercury.' " 



The General's disorder assumed a very 

 dangerous appearance, and the symptoms 

 seemed to indicate a fatal termination ; his 

 spirits were so sunk that he refused to take 

 the only medicine that promised the least 

 chance of relief.' 



" ' What ridiculous nonsense is this/ said 

 Napoleon to him, ' and what are these silly 

 fears of your own creation ? ... How often 

 have you faced Death in the field of battle 

 without the least sensation of fear ! and now 

 you are resolved to yield to his power. What 



