That I may be as little burthensome as possible, I would willingly serve in your shop, by which means I may save you the expense of a journeyman, or porter at least, for I understand a little pharmacy, having employed some of my leisure hours in the practice of that art, while I lived with Mr.Potion; neither am I altogether ignorant of surgery, which I have studied with great pleasure and application."-- "Oho! you did," says Crab.

"Gentlemen, here is a complete artist! Studied surgery! What?
in books, I suppose.

I shall have you disputing with me one of these days on points of my profession.
You can already account for muscular motion, I warrant, and explain the mystery of the brain and nerves--ha! You are too learned for me, d--n me.

But let's have no more of this stuff.

Can you blood and give a clyster, spread a plaster, and prepare a potion ?" Upon my answering in the affirmative, he shock his head, telling me, he believed he should have little good of me, for all my promises; but, however, he would take me in for the sake of charity.