of the Old World. 53 



I do not just know at present what better to pro- 

 pose, so boy, come here, ye ne'er-do-weel, and 

 fetch me the gin." 



"Weel, weel!" he continued, as the flask was 

 produced, " that'll do ; there's maist two-thirds o' 

 the bottle left, and she'll just fill up the rest wi' 

 strong tea, to disguise it, so that she'll no' be 

 suspected o' having only one salubrious concoction 

 in the shop, as that old skinflint, Duncan McQuge, 

 the auld Glasgow medicaster, where I performed 

 the rudiments at twa and saxpence a week, used to 

 prepare for the poor townsfolk, wha got their ain 

 bottles filled for two pence. 



"Ah, gentlemen, you'll hardly believe" here the 

 doctor made a fearfully wry face " that this child 

 had, when a growing loon, to swallow a good gill 

 of the washings o' a molasses cask, season'd wi' 

 jalap, every Monday morning of his apprentice- 

 ship, to lay the worm in his stomach, and to 

 prevent him from eating too much during the 

 week. Oh ! Duncan McQuae, Duncan McQuae ! 

 I do not wish ye any waur, where ye are noo, 

 than to be swimming in your own c regimen for all 

 disorders, from elephantiasis to tape worm.' Oh, 

 the verra recollection makes me feel ill and 

 squeamish. . Now," he continued, screwing up his 

 dry old countenance, as he tasted the brew; 

 " come here, and make out a prescription to this 



