Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-08

An ODD PHYsICIAN.-Dr. MonSey was one of
Garrick's most clever and most three-cornered
friends, This Abernethy of his day was odd
enough to leaven Il whole century. This good
natured bear, the scourge of fools, tops, and
fatuous persons in general, was Norwich ply
sician, who, coming to London and attaining
eminence, became resident physician TO the carl
of GodolphTn, and afterward physician to Chcl-
sea hospital. Monsey, who had seen the great
duke OF Marlborough when imbecile, and had
been boon companion of Sir Robert Walpole,
lived to become Garrick's intimate friend, and to
Drow-beat the terrible Warburton.
Garrick used to tell a story of how he 6rst
knew Monsey. He was at an Old Bailey trial,
when he heard a gentleman ask big rough
fellow who stood before him to stand a little on
one side that he might see the bench. The churl
obstinately kept his place; the gentleman re-
peated the request, and at last he said in a loud
voice, "If were not a coward, would give you
a blow even though it is in court Of justlceF
Garrick thought this observation must come
from a singular character, and made his ac-
quaintance.
Nothing could equal Monsey's rough ec2en-
tricity wIich was cOarser and more resembled
the bearishness of Swift than that of johnson.
But Monsey was more mercltul and better ma
tured than Swift, who spared neither man nor
woman in his wrath Monsey once chided Gar
rick for not having asked him to dinner to dine
with the duke of Argyle and some ladies of dis
tinction.
81 would have asked you" said Garrick, "but
you are too great a blackguard."
'Why, you little scoundrel,' said Monsey,
"ask Lord Godolphin, one of the best-tred men
in the world, if | do not behave as well as the
poest of his visitors"
''Wen," replied Garrick, off you'll promise to
behave properly, you shall come"
Monsey promised, and duly came. All went
on well till Mrs. Garrick began to neglect Mon
sey and load her noble visitors with ceremonous
attentions. The doctor bore this till he found
Mrs. Garlick paid no regard to the plate he
(Monsey) held out; until at last, losing all re-
gard for common decency, the doctor thrust it
at her, exclaiming, "Wil you help me, you
beast, or mott" Garrick fell back in his chair
with laughter; the duke, though prepared for
Monsey's oddities, was somewhat surprised; but
Monsey, not whit abashed, shamed into good
humor, plunged into career of whimsical anec-
dotes. Garric1 eventually quarreled with Mon
sey for having alluded to the great actors fond
ness for money. Monsey also quarreled with
his friend, DIR. Wolcott because he criticised his
Cavorite author Pope too severely.
Dr. MonSey, who was a free-thinker, had a
horror and contempt for funeral ceremonies, and
particularly desired that after death he might
be instantly thrust into a large perforated box
he kept ready in his Chelsea rooms for such an
emergency, and carried to a surgeon for diSsec-
ton He used to say, 81 shall die like my father,
without any real or nominal complaint, and go
out like the snuff of a cande;" generally
adding, 81 wish l were dead; but like all fools
and all wits am afraid to die."-English So
cietu