dinary practice of Phyfick. From the Age, Complexion, or Weight of the perfon given, he contrived to prescribe at a diftance, as well as at a Patient's bed fide. He taught the way to many modern Physicians, to cure their Patients by Intuition, and to others to cure without looking on them at all. He projected a Menftruum to diffolve the Stone, made of Dr. Woodward's Univerfal Deluge water. His alfo was the device to relieve Confumptive or Afthmatick persons by bringing fresh Air out of the Country to Town, by pipes of the nature of the Recipients of Air pumps : And to introduce the Native air of a man's country into any other in which he fhould travel, with a feafonable Intromiffion of fuch Steams as were most familiar to him; to the inexpreffible comfort of many Scotfmen, Laplanders, and white Bears.

In Phyfiognomy, his penetration is fuch, that from the Picture only of any perfon, he can write his Life; and from the features of the Parents, draw the Portrait of any Child that is to be born.

Nor hath he been fo enrapt in these Studies, as to neglect the Polite Arts of Painting, Architecture, Mufick, Poetry, etc. It was he that gave the first hint to our modern Painters, to improve the Likeness of their Portraits by the use of fuch Colours as would faithfully and conftantly accompany the Life, not only in its prefent ftate, but in all its alterations, decays, age, and death itself.

In Architecture, he builds not with fo much regard to present symmetry or conveniency, as with a Thought well worthy a true lover of Antiquity, to wit, the noble effect the Building will have to pofterity, when it shall fall and become a Ruin.

As to Mufic, I think Heidegger has not the face to deny that he has been much beholden to his Scores.

In Poetry, he hath appeared, under a hundred different names, of which we may one day give a Catalogue.

In Politicks, his Writings are of a peculiar Caft, for the most part Ironical, and the Drift of them often fo delicate and refin'd as to be mistaken by the vulgar. He once went fo far as to write a Perfuafive to people to eat their own Children, which was fo little understood as to be taken in ill part *." He has often written against Liberty in the name of Freeman and Algernon Sydney, in vindication of the Measures of Spain under that of Raleigh, and in praise of Corruption under thofe of Cato and Pu

blicola.

It is true, that at his laft departure from England, in the Reign of Queen Anne, apprehending left any of these might be perverted to the Scandal of the weak, or Encouragement of the flagitious, he caft them all, without mercy, into a Bog-house near St. James's. Some however have been with great diligence recover'd, and fifh'd up with a hook and line, by the Ministerial Writers, which make at present the great Ornaments of their works.

Whatever he judged beneficial to Mankind, he conftantly communicated (not only during his stay among us, but ever fince his abfence) by fome method or other in which Oftentation had no part, With what incredible Modesty he concealed himfelf, is known to numbers of those to whom he addreffed fometimes Epiftles, fometimes Hints, fometimes whole Treatifes, Advices to Friends, Projects to First Minifters, Letters to Members of Parliament, Accounts to the Royal Society, and innumerable others.

Swift's ironical tract on that subject.

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All

All these will be vindicated to the true Author, in the Course of these Memoirs. I may venture to fay they cannot be unacceptable to any, but to thofe, who will appear too much concerned as Plagiaries, to be admitted as Judges. Wherefore we warn the publick, to take particular notice of all fuch as manifeft any indecent Paffion at the appearance of this Work, as Perfons most certainly involved in the Guilt.

The End of the First Book.

MARTINUS SCRIBLERUS,

ΠΕΡΙ ΒΑΘ Ο Υ Σ :

OR,

Of the ART of

SINKING in POETRY.

Written in the Year 1727.

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