I no sooner got home, than I sent for Doctor Ch--,
who assured me I needed not be alarmed, for my swooning was
entirely occasioned by an accidental impression of fetid effluvia
upon nerves of uncommon sensibility. I know not how other
people's nerves are constructed; but one would imagine they must
be made of very coarse materials, to stand the shock of such a
torrid assault. It was, indeed, a compound of villainous smells,
in which the most violent stinks, and the most powerful perfumes,
contended for the mastery. Imagine to yourself a high exalted
essence of mingled odours, arising from putrid gums,
imposthumated lungs, sour flatulencies, rank armpits, sweating
feet, running sores and issues, plasters, ointments, and
embrocations, hungary-water, spirit of lavender, assafoetida
drops, musk, hartshorn, and sal volatile; besides a thousand
frowzy steams, which I could not analyse. Such, O Dick! is the
fragrant aether we breathe in the polite assemblies of Bath -- Such
is the atmosphere I have exchanged for the pure, elastic,
animating air of the Welsh mountains -- O Rus, quando te aspiciam!-
-- I wonder what the devil possessed me --
But few words are best: I have taken my resolution -- You may well
suppose I don't intend to entertain the company with a second
exhibition -- I have promised, in an evil hour, to proceed to
London, and that promise shall be performed, but my stay in the
metropolis shall be brief.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133