The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-04-17
EHE FORGER .
Extracts from rise ESiary of a late EOn
don Physician.
From Blackwoed's Magazine.

house one afternoon during my absence, G
which wus the name "Mr. Gloucester No
Regent street." and in pencil tie words, owl
thank Dr. to call this evening" AS N
red book was lying on the table at the time.
looked in it, to see whether the name Of 'GloI
cester appeard there but it did not. I COZ
cluded, therefore that my new patient must b
recent conner. About six clock that ever
ing I drove to regent street, sent in my care
and was presently ushered by the man seryar
into q spacious apartment, somewhat showil
furnished. The mild retiring sunlight of a il
| ly evening was diffused over the room, an
ample crimson window curtains, half drawn
mitigated the glare of the gilded picture frame
which hung in great numbers round the wall;
There was large round table in the middl
of the room. covered with papers, books, mag
azines, cards, &c. &c, and in a word, tn
whole aspect of things indicated the residenc
of some fashion and fortune. On side tabl
lay several pairs of boxing gloves, foils, &c
&c. The object ofmy VISIT Mr.. Gloucester
was seated OH an elegant ottoman, in pensiy
posture, with his head leaning on his hand
which rested on the table. He was engage
with the newspaper when | was announced
He rose as entered, politely handed me tn
chair, and then resumed his seat on the otto
man. His continuance was rather pleasing
fresh colored, with regular features, and yer,
! NJ ~ tttO Nl II ualI, WHICH was auJuStGu Win
sort Of careless fashionable negligence, l ma,
perhaps be laughed at by some for noticing
such an apparently insignificant circumstance
but the observation humor of my profession
must sufficiently account for my detecting tbs
fact, that his hands were not those of born anl
bred gentleman-one who, as the phrase is ha
never done aaything in his life; but they were
coarse, large, and clumsey looking. AS To-
his demeanor also, there was a constrained anc
over anxious display of politeness; as an as
sumption Of fashionable ease and indifference
that sat i'll Oh him, like court dress fastened
on Vulgar fellow. He spoke with would be
jaunty, treo-and-aasy, small swagger sort o
air, and changed at times the tone of his voice
to an offensive origing softness, which l dare
say he took to be monstrOusly insinuating
All these little circums tances put together pre-
possessed me with a sudden feeling of dislike
to the man. These sort Of people are a great
nuisance to one, since there is no knowing ex-
actly how 10 treat them, After some hurried
expressions Of ciYilitY, bir. Gloucester inform
! ed me that he had sent for me on account of q
deep depression of spirits, to which he was lat
! tery subject. He proceeded TO detail many OF
the symptoms of a disorded nervous system.
He was tormented with vague approximations OF
impending calamity, could not divest himself
of an unaccOUntabe trepidstion of manner,
which by attracting observation, seriously dis
concerted him on many OCCASIONS; felt inces-
sanity tempted to the commission of suicide;
| loathed society; disrelished his former scenes
| Of amusement; had lost his appetite; past rest
/ less nights; was disturbed with appalling
! dreams. His pulse, tongue, countenance, &c,
corrobOTated the above statement of his symp-
toms. | asked him whether anything unpleas-
ant had occurred in his family! Nothing OF
the kind. Disappointed IN an affair du occur?
Ter? Oh, 10. Unsuccessful at play? By no
means-he did not play. Well; had he
any source or secret annoyance which could
account for his present depression? 81 color
ed, seemed embarrassed, and apparently hest
tatiug whether or not he should communicate
to me what weighed on his spirits. He, how
ever, seemed determined to keep me in igno,
rance, and with some alteration of manner,
said suddenly, that it was only constitutional
nervousness his family were all so-and he
wished to know if it was in the power of med
icine 10 relieve him. | replied that I would
certainly do all that lay in my power but that
he must not expect any sudd N and miracuous
effect from the medicines | might prescribe;-
that saw clearly he had something on his
mind which pressed upon his epirits-that he
ought to 60 into cheerful society he sighed
seek change of air; that, he said, was, under
the circumstances, impossible. I rose to 60
He gave me two guineas, and begged me to
call the next evening, [ left, not knowing
what to make of him. TO tell the plain truth,
my suspicion was that he was neither more or
| less than systematic London Sharper
gameste1--a hanger-on about town-nnd that
he had sent for ME in consequence of some of
those sudden alterations Of fortune to which
the lives Of such men are subject. I was by
no means anxious for!a prolonged attendance on
him
About the same time next evening 1 paid
/ him a second visit Woo Ctra+nho1 m the
ottoman, enveloped in gaudy dressing gown
with his arms folded on his breast, and his
right foot hanging over the side of the ottoman,
aud dangling about as if in search of a stray
slipper | did not like this deliberately care
less and conceited posture. A deeanter or two
with some wine glasses, stood on the table.
lie did not rise on my entering, bus with a
languid air, begged me to beseated in chail
opposite him. Good evening, Doctor--good
evening"" said he, in low and hurried tone
m sure don't know what should have
done. In dcucedly low tonight.
Have you taken the medicines precribed
AE. Gloucester? inqui, ed feeling his pulse
which tiuterad irregularly, Indicating bigl
degree OF nervous excitement He had taker
; most Of the physic l had ordered, he said, bu
! without porceiving any effect from it. "In fact
Doctor, ne continued, starting from his ncum
{ bent position to his feet, and walking rapidly
OALI OC u WA PAGES, 70 anu lfCi-'Q--n me, /
l L know what's to come of me. | feel as if
could cut my throat" I insinuated SOM
questions, for the purpose of ascertaining wheth
er there was any hereditary tendency to in
sanity in his family; but it would not do. "H
: saw, he said, what l was driUlng al, but
, was on wrong scent"
Come, come Doctor! after all, there's moth
ing like wine for low spirits, is there? D.
me, Doctor, drink, drink. Only taste tina
e claret,' and after pouring out glass for me
which ran over the brim on the table; his han,
was so unsteady; he instantly gulped dow
two glasses himself There was a vulgar often
7 sive familiarity in his manner, from which
T felt inclined to stand of; but thought it bet
ter to conceal my feelings. I WAS removin
my glove from my right hand, and putting m
: hat and stick on the table, when, seeing
f thin slip Of paper lying on the spot where il
0 tended to place themi apparently bill or prom
isory notei was going TO hand it over to Nj
Gloucester; but, to my astonishment he sue
Il denly sprung towards me, snatched from N
$ the paper, with an air Of ill-disguised alarm
Y and crumpled it into his pocket, saying hui
;, riedly, Ia, ha, Doctor, d-me!- this little b
= of paper-dldn't see the name, ell? IT'S ii
n bill OF an extravaganza young friend Of min
h whom I've just come down a cool hundred 70
and it wouldn't be a handsom thing to let h
: name appear-ha-you understand"
stalnh1Ieu comusedIy, directing to me as SUI
e den and penuating glance as ever encou
If tered. felt excessively uneasy, and incline
! to take my departure instantly Ny susp
= cions were now confirmed; I was sitting fam
J liarly with a swindler; gambler; and the b
L he was so anxious to conceal, was evident
# wrung from one of his ruined dupes My
!, mesnor was instantly frozen over with Il
q most distant and frigid civility. I begged hi
to be reseated, and allow me to put very fe
If more questions 10 him, az was in great hast
:. was thus engaged, when heavy knock VI
heard at the outer door, Though there y
nothing particular in it, Mr.. Gloucester starte
b. and turned pale. In few moments hea
y the sound Of alteration; The door of the roc
- in which we sat was presently opened, al
two men entered. RecolIecting suddenly
r similar scene in ny own early history, f
8 faint. There was no Inistaking the charact
or errand Of these two fellows, who new wal
., ed up to where we were sitting, they we