512 APPENDIX. I. 



This dark story is all we can collect relating to 

 the affair. It is our opinion that she stumbled 

 upon the discovery by accident, and that having 

 set up for a cancer doctress, she thought it 

 necessary to amuse the world with this myste- 

 rious relation.* For it seems very unaccount- 

 able, that this unknown gentleman should ex- 

 press so much tenderness for this single sufferer, 

 and not feel any for the many thousands that 

 daily languish under this terrible disorder : would 

 he not have made use of this invaluable nostrum 

 for his own emolument, or at lest, by some 

 other means, have found a method of making it 

 public for the good of mankind ? 



Here I take leave of the subject, which I 

 could not do without expressing my doubts, as 

 to the method of the woman's obtaining her in- 

 formation ; but in respect to the authenticity of 

 this new-discovered property of the toad, facts 

 establish it beyond dispute. Let the humane 

 wish for speedy proofs of the efficacy ; and for 

 the satisfaction of the world, let those who are 



* Mr. Valentine Greatraks, who, about the year 1664, per- 

 suaded himself that he could cure diseases, by stroking them out 

 of the parts affected with his hand; and the famous Bridget 

 Boslock, of Cheshire, who worked cures by virtue of her fasting 

 spittle, both came by their art in a manner supernatural, but by 

 faith many were made whole. 



