DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICINES. 129 



lieve it was the fame of these drawings that procured 

 us the honour of their visit. In his heart Mr. C. was 

 not much happier to see them than the old don was to 

 see us, as his work was stopped, and every day was 

 precious. As I considered myself in a manner the pro- 

 prietor of the city, I was bound to do the honours ; and, 

 having cleared paths, led them around, showing off all 

 the lions as the cicerone does in the Vatican or the 

 Pitti Palace ; but I could not keep them away, and, to 

 the distress of Mr. C, brought them all back upon him. 



Obliged to give up work, we invited them down to 

 the hut to see our accommodations. Some of them 

 were our patients, and reminded us that we had not 

 sent the medicines we promised. The fact is, we avoid- 

 ed giving medicines when we could, among other rea- 

 sons, from an apprehension that if any one happened 

 to die on our hands we should be held responsible ; 

 but our reputation was established ; honours were buck- 

 led on our backs, and we were obliged to wear them. 

 These ladies, in spite of Don Gregorio's crustiness, 

 had always treated us kindly, and we would fain have 

 shown our sense of it in some other mode than by giv- 

 ing them physic ; but, to gratify them in their own way, 

 we distributed among them powders and pills, with 

 written directions for use ; and when they went away 

 escorted them some distance, and had the satisfaction 

 of hearing that they avenged us on Don Gregorio by 

 praises of our gallantry and attentions. 



Vol. I.— R 



