of many physicians and surgeons, had they not been so violently
distorted by the painter. Indeed, he had exerted so much malice
in his work, that I believe he had himself received some
particular favors from the lady of this mansion: it is difficult
to conceive a group of stranger figures. I then entered a long
room, hung round with the pictures of women of such exact shapes
and features that I should have thought myself in a gallery of
beauties, had not a certain sallow paleness in their complexions
given me a more distasteful idea. Through this I proceeded to a
second apartment, adorned, if I may so call it, with the figures
of old ladies. Upon my seeming to admire at this furniture, the
servant told me with a smile that these had been very good
friends of his lady, and had done her eminent service in the
lower world. I immediately recollected the faces of one or two
of my acquaintance, who had formerly kept bagnios; but was very
much surprised to see the resemblance of a lady of great
distinction in such company. The servant, upon my mentioning
this, made no other answer than that his lady had pictures of all
degrees. I was now introduced into the presence of the lady
herself. She was a thin, or rather meager, person, very wan in
the countenance, had no nose and many pimples in her face. She
offered to rise at my entrance, but could not stand. After many
compliments, much congratulation on her side, and the most
fervent expressions of gratitude on mine, she asked me many
questions concerning the situation of her affairs in the lower
world; most of which I answered to her entire satisfaction. At
last, with a kind of forced smile, she said, "I suppose the pill
and drop go on swimmingly?" I told her they were reported to
have done great cures. She replied she could apprehend no danger
from any person who was not of regular practice; "for, however