| Citation |
NEWJ.733.010
7 May 1733:11 (320)
[London] Universal Spectator, Nov. 28. 1732.
A CURE FOR THE SPLEEN.
[An amusing story of a "young gentleman of good sense and
learning" who took it into his head he had a bad spleen] . .
. By the doctors advice he retir'd to a town in the
neighbourhood, where there was good air, not too much
company, nor too great a solitude, and where after diverting
himself with riding and other exercises, he might conclude
the day with a few friends and a cheerful bottle, with which
he was for some time exceeding reliev'd.
Opposite to his best apartment was a cobler's stall, who
work'd hard all day, and was often diverting himself and
others with a catch, a song, or a ballad. The gentleman was
for some time hugely pleas'd with this; but upon comparing
this cheerful mechanick's condition with his own, came by
degrees to envy him, and at last to hate him mortally. In
this temper he took some back rooms next the gardens; but
still the idea of the happy cobler haunted him, till at last
he fancied he was possess'd, and that the cobler was got
down into his belly, where he lay poking with his awl,
gnawing the leather, and beating furiously with his hammer.
. .
[To affect a cure a doctor was brought in, who staged with
an emetick the purge of the tools finally the cobler.]
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