thirſty Theophraſtus now inſiſted on taking ſome blood, and, in default of his aid de camp the ſurgeon, drew out his red ribband, and the Counteſs yielded without reluctance to this boaſted preſervative againſt all diſagreeable effects of terror; nor would ſhe have refuſed, if his demands for the ſecurity of her health had riſen to a clyſter. Happily he did not recommend this heroic application, it certainly would have reduced the baſhful miſſes to deſperation; for nothing ſhort of the doctor’s eloquence and the mother’s authority could overcome their fear of the ſteel tooth of the flew, and bring them to ſet their foot into the warm water. The roſy lymph of the mother, and the purple balſam of health from the veins of the daughters, now trickled apace into the ſilver baſon. Abigail’s turn came next; and though ſhe vowed ſhe was ſo terrified at the ſight of blood, that the ſmalleſt prick with a needle generally threw her into hyſterics, the inexorable phyſician would hearken to no pro-
teſtations;
