VI. — A Singular Old Letter. — From Jonathan Couch, F.L.S., &c. 



"K. Jonathan Couch prefaces the Letter with which he has 

 favoured us, with the following observations :— 



In what have been termed the Middle Ages of our history, the 

 practice of Medicine was almost entirely in the hands of the 

 Clergy ; and even in our own days the privilege remains with a 

 Bishop, of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Medicine, by v/hich 

 the bearer is entitled to practise the profession, independently of 

 the claims of any other Body. But, it is to be inferred from the 

 following letter that, at no very distant date, the Bishops laid 

 claim to the further right of preventing from exercising the pro- 

 fession in England, any person who had taken his medical degree 

 in a foreign University. This letter affords probably the only 

 authentic instance of the enforcement of such a prohibition. 



May it please your Lord^- 



After most humble Duty presented to your Lordi*, 

 & a due Acknowledgm* of your Lord^'^ Favor to let me know by 

 m'' ffrances Cook the Information given against Me ; I Presume to 

 lay before your Lords^ 



That 'tis aboue thirty years since, that I was honour'd with 

 the Title of Doctor of Physick. In a Forreign University indeed ; 

 but after a Performance of all the Exercises Eequir'd there, & 

 after many years standing in One of Our Own. I do Confess too, 

 that I haue often been in Consultation with D' Bidgood & D" 

 Davy, & some times with D"^ Thruston, in this County ; & with 

 D'' Polwhele & D"" Stephens of Truroe, in that of Cornwal. And 

 I beleiue I did Nothing then, or since, that brought me within the 

 Penalty of any Law, in the true Intention & Meaning of it. 



But for these several years last past I. haue Confin'd my selfe ; 

 being willing to Intend matters of another Nature, less Burthen-' 

 som unto my Thoughts. For that Reason I haue Excus'd my self 

 to aU Persons of Quality inviting my Assistance, except one or 

 two of my Relations & Old Acquaintance. Nor haue I lain one 



D 



