HIFFERNAN. 319 them at the dinner rendezvous, in a l l the hilarity o f a n eleemosynary guest. This transient exhibition, we believe, was his last public effort, either a s a physician o r a n author: not but he sometimes used t o advertise works, perhaps without any design o f publishing them, but for the purpose o f giving pain o r extorting money. I n this list we find many pam. phlets, some perhaps written, others intended t o b e written, but all calculated t o form his miserable ways and means for raising the supplies. I n this shifting manner our author went on, living a s h e most conveniently could make i t out, without feeling much o f the disgrace o r embarrassment o f his situation, till the spring o f 1777, when h e contracted the jaundice, which very soon made a n evident impression o n his frame and spirits. His friends, knowing his pecuniary situation, saw i t was necessary for him t o confine himself t o his apartments, and liberally assisted him for this purpose. Amongst these were Mr. Garrick, Mr. Murphy, Dr. Ken nedy, Mrs. Abington, and others. The doctor, however, used t o creep out during the morning sun for a n hour o r two, which h e trusted would d o him more good than either physic o r confinement. - I n one o f these morning excursions, he gave a singular proof o f the ruling passion sticking t o u s even i n the hour o f death. Calling a t a friend's house, s o faint and spirit less that h e was unable t o walk up t o the drawing room, h e was told, i n a s delicate a manner a s possible, “that a s sickness always brought o n additional expenses, i f h e would give his friend his address, h e would very readily tend him a guinea per week until h e recovered.” The doctor received the promise o f the loan with becoming gratitude, but referred him for his address t o the usual place,—“The Bedford coffee-house.” “My dear doctor,” says the other, “this i s n o time t o trifle; I d o not make this inquiry from any impertinent curiosity, o r idle wish t o extort a secret from you under your pre sent circumstances; my only reason i s , for the quicker
