Though this was meant as an innocent frolic, it was productive of
much mischief to several respectable characters amongst the clergy,
undertakers, sextons, and grave-diggers: they were, it must be
acknowledged, sufferers; for it is a well-known fact, that during
the three months the college was suspended in the air, and therefore
incapable of attending their patients, no deaths happened, except a few
who fell before the scythe of Father Time, and some melancholy objects
who, perhaps to avoid some trifling inconvenience here, laid the hands
of violence upon themselves, and plunged into misery infinitely greater
than that which they hoped by such a rash step to avoid, without a
moment's consideration.

If the apothecaries had not been very active during the above time, half
the undertakers in all probability would have been bankrupts.



CHAPTER XIII

A TRIP TO THE NORTH

_The Baron sails with Captain Phipps, attacks two large bears, and has
a very narrow escape--Gains the confidence of these animals, and then
destroys thousands of them; loads the ship with their hams and skins;
makes presents of the former, and obtains a general invitation to all
city feasts--A dispute between the Captain and the Baron, in which, from
motives of politeness, the Captain is suffered to gain his point--The
Baron declines the offer of a throne, and an empress into the bargain._