But the prestige of the Spaniards would not have allowed it, even though this prestige did not protect him from want.
At first he had lived at the expense of some of his countrymen, but in his honesty the bread tasted bitter, so instead of getting fat he grew thin.

Since he had neither learning nor money nor recommendations he was advised by his countrymen, who wished to get rid of him, to go to the provinces and pass himself off as a doctor of medicine.

He refused at first, for he had learned nothing during the short period that he had spent as an attendant in a hospital, his duties there having been to dust off the benches and light the fires.

But as his wants were pressing and as his scruples were soon laid to rest by his friends he finally listened to them and went to the provinces.

He began by visiting some sick persons, and at first made only moderate charges, as his conscience dictated, but later, like the young philosopher of whom Samaniego [117] tells, he ended by putting a higher price on his visits.