it. He was about to content himself with the shelter of the gateway as far as might be from the door, when he recognised the voice of Joanna, that did at once fix him to the spot.

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Nay, nay, my lord," said she, "it may please you to affirm this, but I doubt you affect me so much as you say."

"O' my life, adorable Joanna!" answered one very urgently, whom Master Francis instantly knew, by the manner of speaking, to be my Lord Cobham, whom he had often heard. "I swear to you I do love you exceedingly. In truth, your infinite loveliness is of such a sort, that never expect I to find aught so worthy of the steadfast and most perfect devotedness with which I do regard you."

Speech like this, it may be believed, Master Francis liked not at all.

"Methinks you are but trifling with me," observed the other.

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Nay, my heart's treasure! believe me, I never was in such earnest!" replied her companion. "Take this ring--'tis a ruby of great price; yet should it be inestimable to come up with my estimation of your worthiness, exquisitely beautiful Joanna! Here, let me place it on your most delicate finger."

At this Master Francis began to be much troubled that she, whom he so loved, should accept gifts from one who, to his knowledge, was noted for his gal

lantries.

"I scarce think it be right of me to take your gift, my lord," said Joanna. "Yet to refuse it might seem discourte ous of me, so I will e'en accept of it."

"And grant of me in return but one precious favor," added the Lord Cobham in an entreating voice, that did much increase the disturbance of Master Francis. "It be but to press that tempting lip, compared with which, the ruby must seem but pale."

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Indeed, that I can never do," replied she." Nay, hold me not so closely, my lord, I entreat of you.'

|

mightily: "and strive not to move from
arms so eager to hold so perfect a crea-
ture in their fond embrace.
In good
truth, I must, sweetest."

"Have done, my lord, I pray you! You hurt me, indeed, you do. Nay, some one will be a coming! How you tease! Well, if you will, it must needs be," was all that Joanna said in reply; and Master Francis, thinking from what she spoke, that she liked not my Lord Cobham's advances, with one desperate effort was about to break in upon him, when he heard the consent given, and immediately fol lowed by the close smacking of lips, which moved him so against her, that he rushed from the gateway on the instant.

We hope to make the circle of your eyes Flow with distilled laughter. BEN JONSON. Now must I transport the courteous reader, who hath followed me along hitherto with admirable patience, and I hope with some pleasure, into the shop of a noted barber-chirurgeon, alluded to in the preceding pages, as living over against the jolly mercer's in Eastcheap. He was called Martin Lather and sometimes Master Lather by those who would seem to hold him in some respect; and he had for an apprentice one Harry Daring-a sturdy boy of some fifteen years or so; of both of whom more anon. First to describe the shop, which was of no little On a prorepute among the citizens. jecting window there were divers notices to acquaint the passengers of what Master Lather was skilled in some of these were in rhyme, for he did pride himself mightily on his scholarship. As for instance

This put Master Francis in a perfect tremble, and he suddenly felt the blood a rushing to his cheek-yet was he like one chained to the spot; for though he felt desperately inclined to disturb them, he was so affected by the unexpectedness of what he had heard, that he had not the Or in another casepower of moving.

"Turn not away that exquisite countenance, admirable Joanna !" exclaimed the Lord Cobham, while a rustling was heard as if he was a struggling with her, which did increase Master Francis's disorder

"Shaving done here

By the day, month, or year."

"Beards trimmed neatly;
And teeth extracted completely."

And mayhap close upon it would be

found

"I breathe a vein
For a little gain;

And on moderate terms
I cure the worms."

and breeches of the same, partly covered with an apron of linen, that looked as if

While in another place the gazer should he had been rolling on the floor in it

meet

"Hair cut and curled

As well as anywhere in the world;
And in bald places made to grow,
Whether it will or no."

About there were some few shelves, hav-
ing on them bundles of herbs, jars of oint-
ment, and the like-(very famous in the
cure of many disorders); and elsewhere in
the shop were some drawers, shelves
with gallipots, and bottles containing dif-
ferent colored liquors, and some with
powders in them. A lot of ballads and
broad sheets were against the wainscot.
Over the fireplace was framed a large
writing, having for the title, very con-
spicuous, Forfeits," which ran thus-
"He that must needs be served out of his turn,
Shall pay a penny, and better manners learn.
He that the master would stay in his calling,
Or dispute in such terms as will lead to a brawling,
Or meddle with what he hath had no occasion,
He shall pay two-pence to his great vexation.
He that doth swear, or doth say any scandal,
Or prate of such things as be not fit to handle,
Or from the ballads shall tear or take any,
Straightway from his pouch there must come forth
a penny.

And he that shall seek for to play any tricks,

which was like enough. He wore yellow hose, and thick shoes of leather. These two were Master Lather, the barber-chirurgeon, and his apprentice Harry Daring.

"Methinks you know pretty well by this time how to dress hair," observed the barber to his pupil with a monstrous grave countenance, "seeing that you have been curling of the old mop for some time past: the which be an admirable

way

craft-for if you singe it, then shall no for the learning of that part of our which maketh good the saying of Arisman rate you for the burning of his pate: totle, Ante illum imperatorem!' which meaneth, hurt no one and he shall not cry out.""

"I promise you," replied the boy, seeming as if regarding his master with great attention, "without doubt I be as clever at it as any 'prentice in the city; and upon the strength of my skilfulness at the mop, I did essay to frizzle up the locks of Gammer Griskin, who wanted them done in a hurry when you were

With the pricking of pins, or the poking of sticks; from home, at the which I succeeded

Or chalk on a doublet-or foul any hat, Without doubt shall he forfeit a penny for that. Likewise if against the queen's grace say he aught, He shall, as 'tis fitting, be made pay a groat, And ask pardon all round-the which to his pain Will keep him from talking such treason again." A large black cat was cleaning of its skin upon a three-legged stool, nigh unto a table standing by the side of the fireplace, on which were sundry combs, brushes, scissors, vials, a pestle and mortar, and instruments for the pulling out of teeth; and a little closer to the light, there sat in a huge high-backed chair, an exceeding seriouslooking old man, rather short of stature, with some few gray hairs on his head, and a small peaked beard of the like sort; wearing on his nose, which was of the longest and of an excellent fine point, a pair of famous large spectacles, through which he was gazing upon what he was about. He was trimly dressed, with everything formal and grave about him. In one hand he held a lancet, and in the other a cabbage-leaf. A boy stood before him seemingly very attentive. He was thickset and short of his age, with an honest plump face, and eyes that looked as if ever intent upon some mischief or another. In truth, it was a countenance that was not easy to be described, saving that it was a very dare-devil-care-fornaught-full-of-tricks sort of face as ever boy had. He had on a leather jerkin

marvellously."

"I remember me well," said the old man, increasing in the gravity of his features, "when next I dressed the old woman I found one half of her hair scorched to a cinder, and inquiring of her what she had done to her head, did hear that you had been practising on itwhereupon I said nothing-remembering what is written in Epicurus, Nihil reliqui fecit,' the which translated is, 'hold thy tongue, and thy prating shall do thee no harm.' However, you are at least well skilled in the practice of shaving, seeing that you have put the razor over the scalded pig's head pretty often, and with a proper degree of cunning."

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Ay, master, that have I," answered the apprentice quickly. Indeed, I have tried my skilfulness on others besides the chaps of dead pigs; for be it known to you, Gaffer Gravestone coming one morning before you were up, with a beard of a week's growth, to get rid of which he was in too great a hurry to wait your coming down, I took upon me to lather and shave him to a nicety.”

"True," observed the barber-chirurgeon with additional solemnity, "the sexton did complain to me, with a face covered with plasters, that as well as slicing of a piece off his chin as big as a

from the cabbage-leaf upon cutting ever so, there shall be no falling out betwixt you and it: for truly it is said by Esculapius, Dulce est pro patriâ mori;' the which doth mean- things that have no voice can give no abuse." Observe you how it can be done, and then make trial yourself."

rose noble, and gashing of his cheek in | passion; but though you draw no blood three several places, you had completely cut off from beside his ear two moles of no ordinary size, that there had grown undisturbed and respected for a matter of forty years. But with some ado I managed to pacify him, upon promising that his face should look all the younger for it, and doing his cure free of expense; having in my mind at the time the words of that famous writer Averroes, Tenuit hoc propositum,' that should be thus rendered in the vulgar, make amends if any have suffered by thee, but if it be not in thy power attempt it not, for thou canst never succeed in the doing of that which is impossible.""

66

6

Well, seeing that you have sufficient insight for the nonce into these matters,” continued the old barber very seriously, "methought 'twas fitting time you should be taught the more noble part of our excellent and profitable profession; so attend, and I will initiate you into the whole art and mystery of the breathing of a vein. See you this cabbage-leaf?" I'faith, master, that I can not fail of doing, it being right under my nose," replied the boy.

"I warrant you I can do it famously," cried Harry Daring, taking the lancet into his own hand, and digging into the cabbage-leaf after the manner of his master.

"Villain! you have cut my finger!" bawled out Master Lather, dropping the leaf, and looking very dismal at his finger, which began a bleeding somewhat.

"O" my life, I knew not your hand was so nigh!" said the boy with an exceeding demure face, though it be hugely suspected the young dog did it on purpose.

A murrain on you, I doubt you will ever make a chirurgeon, you be so awkward," added his master, as he tied up his wound-which, luckily, was no great matter.

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Nay, master, look if I be not marvellous skilful already!" exclaimed the apprentice, now holding the cabbage-leaf himself, and digging at it in a very furious fashion.

"Not so fast! not so fast, I pray you!" cried the old man. Put you down the point a little inward, and make a sweep with it up. Let it not go in so deep. Nay, do it not as if you were digging a salad! Alack! that will never do! In truth, if you were serving a man's arm thus, he would cry out against you, and have reason for't: for is it not written in Galen, Rara avis in terris, nigroque simillima cygno; which, done into English, is- take heed you do no man any hurt, else marvel not he come to you for a plaster." There, that is better-now put it down. Mayhap I will give you another lesson on the cabbage-leaf tomorrow, for indeed, you must in no way attempt to breathe a vein till you have thus learnt of me the way many times. Now, perchance you shall not have forgot that we had part of a calf's head for dinner?"

Now, mark the different ridges in the leaf," said Master Lather, pointing to them for his inspection. "It hath been written in Galen, In suam tutelam pervenissent, which meaneth-'man be exceeding like unto a cabbage-leaf.' And the similarity is manifest-for there be veins in the leaf, and there be veins in man also. Now, in the breathing of a vein it requireth some dexterity; for, mayhap, you may chance to miss it; then shall it not bleed of a surety. Taking this ridge for the vein-having, first of all, tied a bandage of broad tape, at a penny a yard, above the bend of the arm, here you see"-and then he bared his arm to show. "You must hold down the vein with the thumb of your left hand, that it may not slip; then, in your right holding your lancet betwixt the thumb and finger, as I do, you will send down the point into the vein, making a moderate orifice by jerking it up thus;" and thereupon he did penetrate the ridge of the leaf, whilst the boy was a looking on with exceeding curiousness. "The reason you should first essay in a cabbage-leaf is this," continued the chirurgeon: "that whereas, on a first" trial or so, upon the arm of a living man, not having the necessary experience, you may chance to cut deep and draw no blood, whereat he may be in a monstrous

"No, i'faith, not I, master," replied the other, instantly, a smacking of his lips, seeing that I did pick the bones so superlatively clean, that puss hath looked daggers at me ever since."

66

Well-get you into the kitchen and fetch me the jaw-for I have need of it."

แ

Now, supposing one came to you with a raging tooth, how would you set about the extracting of it?" asked Master Lather, with a famous serious countenance.

Marry, what wants he with it, I the boy's hands, and held the jaw for him wonder?" muttered the boy to himself, to pull at. as he went quickly on his errand. "Methinks he hath quite jaw enough as it is. And hath he not a calf's head of his own, too? Well, some folks be never satisfied" On his return he found Master Lather with an instrument in his hand for the extracting of teeth.

Why, I would do in this sort," answered the other, setting briskly about the operation. "I would make him open his jaw straight, and fixing the instrument in a presently, I would give him a twist thus."

you! Oh, my thumb! my thumb! the flesh is squeezed to the very bone. Never was master plagued with such a clumsy apprentice. Oh, my thumb―it doth pain me piteously!"

"Now will I give you a lesson on another branch of our honorable profession," said the barber-chirurgeon, taking the bone into his hand, and handling his instrument so as to show the way of fixing "Oh! you're pinching my thumb!" it on the tooth. "When one comes to screamed the old man, stamping with you with a raging tooth, it be best to take the pain; and then releasing of it from it out straight, for thereby shall you ease the instrument in monstrous quick time, him of his toothache, and be at least a he sat twisting himself about a shaking groat the richer for your pains. Now, of his hurt hand, and making of such there be two kinds of teeth, as it be writ faces as were a marvel to look upon. in Aristotle, 'malus puer,' an easy tooth ;'" What an absolute awkward varlet are and bonus puer,' an 'obstinate tooth;' that is to say, one that will out with a small tug, and one that you may try ever so at, and it shall stick as firm as ever. Now, suppose you that this be the jaw of one that hath come to you to do your office on him for the riddance of his pain -for of a sure thing it be better at first to practise on such a thing as this than meddle with a living mouth; which remindeth me of what hath been said on this very subject by the learned Podalirius: De gustibus non est disputandum :" which, rightly translated, reads thusTouch but the tail of a living dog and he shall snap at you presently; but you may hawl a dead lion by the ear and he shall take it exceeding civil of you.' If the tooth be a back tooth, and in the under jaw (getting your patient to sit quiet and say nothing), you shall presently put your instrument into his mouth and fix the claw on the further side of the tooth, thus-holding it down firm with the finger of the other hand; then shall you give it a wrench, and, doubtless, it will come out, as you see.'

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"That be bravely done, master, sure enough!" exclaimed Harry Daring, who had watched the whole operation with an abundance of curiosity. "And methinks I can do it now."

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"I knew not it was so nigh," said the boy with as grave a face as he could, though, from the twinkle in the rogue's eye, it was manifest he had perfect knowledge of the matter. Then he set to pulling out of the remaining teeth as if he was a doing of it for a wager. "But see, master, how bravely I can manage it."

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Nay I will give you no more lessons for the present-I have had enough of you!" exclaimed his master, taking his hat from a pin against the wainscot, and his stick out of the corner. "I am going to Master Tickletoby the schoolmaster," he continued, putting on his hat, and making for the door. "Send for me, if I be wanted. Oh, my thumb! my thumb."

"Ha!" cried Harry Daring, as soon as the old man had disappeared. "Doubtless thou art for the picking up of some more Latin which old Tickletoby—a murrain on him for having given me the birch so oft!-doth get out of his schoolbooks; and which, as Master Francis hath assured me, thou dost misapply most abominably; and he says thy translations be as much like the original as is a Barbary hen to a dish of stewed prunes. But I care not, so that there be fun in the world, and plenty of it.".

Be not too hasty, boy," replied his master. "See me do it some two or three times more, then shall you take the instrument and try for yourself." At this the old man went over the same process once or twice, with much the same direc- Then finding he had taken out all the tions as at first; to the which his appren- teeth from the jaw, he flung it aside, and tice did seem to direct an earnest atten- looked as if he scarce knew what to tion, then gave he the instrument into be at.