128 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. Upon this occasion, he wrote the following letter to the father. " Bow-street, Covent-garden, May 19, 1693. " Sir — The honour of being- ally'd to so good and wealthy a person as Mr. S — d has push'd me upon a discovery that may be fatal to your quiet, and your daugliter's reputation, if not timely pre- vented. Mrs. Mary is a very deserving gentle- v/oman, but you must pardon me, if I think her by no means fit to be my v/ife, since she is another man's already, or ought to be. In a word, she is no better and no worse than actually quick with child, which makes it necessary that she be dis- posed of to him that has the best claim to her affections. No doubt but you have povv^er enough over her to bring her to confession, which is by no means the part of a physician. As for my part, I shall wish you much joy of a new son-in- law, when known, since I am by no means qua- lified to be so near of kin. Hanging and marry- ing, I find, go by destiny ; and I might have been guilty of the first, had I not so narrowly escaped the last. My best services to your daughter, whom I can be of little use to as a physician, and of much less in the quality of a suitor. The daugh- ter of so wealthy a gentleman as Mr. S — d can never want a husband, therefore the sooner you bestow her, the better, that the young Hems en Kelder may be born in wedlock, and have the right of inheritance to so large a patrimony. You will excuse me for being so very free with you, for tho' I cannot have the honour to be your son-
