GREATREAKS. 281 or four weeks, during which time he performed many cures on the people in that neighbourhood. It was during his residence at Ragley that he obtained the notice of the learned Mr. Henry Stubbe, who was then practising physic at Stratford-upon-Avon, and was witness to several of his cures. In consequence of this he pub lished “The Miraculous Conformist; or, an Account of several Marvellous Cures performed by the Stroking of the Hands of Mr. Valentine Greatreaks, with a Physical Discourse thereupon; in a Letter to the Hon. Robert Boyle, Esq. with a Letter relating to some other of his miraculous Cures, attested by E. Foxcroft, A. M. and Fellow of King's College, in Cambridge.” This is dated at Stratford-upon-Avon, February 18th, 1665-6. The reputation which was thus acquired by Greatreaks, extended to the court, and the king, at the recommenda tion of the Royal Society, invited him to London, where he performed cures at Whitehall before his majesty. Failing, however, in some instances to perform the miracles which were expected from him, particularly in the case of a Mr. Cresset, in Charter-house-square, he was censured as an impostor and cheat by Mr. David Lloyd, chaplain to the Charter-house, in a pamphlet, entitled, “Wonders no Miracles; o r , Mr. Valentine Greatreak's Gift o f Healing examined.” I n answer t o this, Greatreaks published for the purpose o f vindicating his character, “A brief Account o f Mr. Valentine Greatreaks, and divers strange Cures b y him lately performed; i n a Letter t o the Hon. Robert Boyle, Esq.” To this are annexed various testimonials signed by, among others, Robert Boyle himself, Dr. Wil liam Denton, Colonel George Weldon, Alderman William Knight, Sir Charles Doe, Sir Abraham Cullen, Dr. John Wilkins, afterwards Bishop o f Chester, Dr. Benjamin Whichcot ( a patient), and Dr. Simon Patrick, afterwards Bishop o f Ely. Shortly after this, his fame began t o decline, and we have n o account o f his future proceedings. Mr.
