^12 Dr Marcct’s Account (^\.i Man 
more knives for the space of six years ; after which, you shall 
see as follows : 
‘A Boston, March 13. 1805, was in company, where he gave 
his report of his success in swallowing knives in France, in June 
1799. Two or three of the company told him plain to his face, 
that it was impossible for any man to do such a thing, and that 
it was nothing but false report, which he took it very highly 
aflPronted ; but, after considering a short time, told the company 
he was the same man still, and, if it was agreeable, that he would 
satisfy their curiosity. One small knife was presented to him, 
which he swallowed instantly ; in the course of that night he 
swallowed live more, which made six in all. This uncommon 
report soon came to a head in the neighbourhood, as he had 
next morning a thousand visitors ; but he gave very few of them 
admittance. Happened in the course of that day that he swal- 
lowed eight more, and six the night before, which made four- 
teen ; and that was the 14th of the month ; so he had swallow- 
ed a knife for every day the month was old. Next morning was 
the 15th ; he was taken very ill, with constant vomiting and 
pain in his stomach. Directly he was brought to Charleston 
Hospital, and betwixt that period of time and the 28th follow- 
ing, was safely delivered of his cargo, and the whole of them 
are preserved in the Infirmary of that city. Upon the 29th he 
shipped himself on board of a brig bound to France, where he 
left that brig, and shipped on board of the Betty of Philadel- 
phia ; in their passage to America, was taken by his Majesty’s 
ship Isis, fifty guns, and sent into St John’s in Newfoundland, 
w'here she was condemned, and some of the hands pressed. Be- 
ing a few months laying there, got orders to sail for England. 
After twenty-five days agreeable passage, made the land, and 
came-to at Spithead; being there for some days, and got on 
board fresh provisions of all kinds, and amongst that plenty of 
.spirituous liquors, after drinking very hearty, he told of his 
success in swallowing knives in France and in America. None 
of his shipmates would give credit to his history, which some 
body present was inhuman enough to offer him a knife. Upon 
disdaining to be worse than his word, he proceeded immediately 
to perform his part of the business ; that night being the 4th 
of December 1805 ; and in the course of that night he swallow- 
