One of his successors of late years could almost have walked between his colossal legs without stooping. One solitary specimen of the fashion of those early years of the century (fair top boots, corduroy shorts, very long waisted and broad tailed coat, hair in a queue) may yet (1856) be seen in our streets occasionally, in the tall figure of Mr. D. B., who greets his old acquaintances as if time had increased his kind feelings toward them.* CHAPTER XV. QUACKERY AND CREDULITY. At the close of the last century, a notable and successful instance of quackery occurred, in the introduction of "Perkins's Metallic Tractors," as they were called by an ingenious (not ingenuous) adventurer from the land of steady habits, so miscalled. Fluent of speech, not deficient in address and appearance, and still less in confidence, Mr., or Dr., Perkins traveled through the U. States, * This last specimen of the fashion of the last age, died in Nov. 1858. The lapse of a few years makes this volume a record of mortality. carrying healing on his wings, or rather on his points, and he afterwards extended his philanthropic journey to Europe. Such influence did he acquire, that a "Perkinean Institution" was formed in London, and many sage publications, no doubt, were issued by it. Perkins's instruments consisted of two pieces of cunie-formed metal, about four inches long, flat on one side and rounded on the others, so that when the flat sides were placed together they formed a a figure like a marling-spike. By a scientific application of these points to the skin, alternately or otherwise, drawn in a certain direction with various other mystical manipulations, the Professor professed to cure rheumatism, gout, tooth-ache, head-ache, and, in short, all the ills that flesh is heir to. The virtue of the instruments, as he stated, consisted in the peculiar mixture of certain metals, and the (Galvanic) effect they produced, which he illustrated in the sensation created by zinc and silver applied to the tongue. But the great virtue of the tractors was the transformation of the brass of the vendor into pure silver. He stated that a certain peculiar mode of manipulation, which he explained, was required for their efficacy, but, in fact, it was nothing more than drawing the points over the skin of the parts affected, or, in still plainer terms, scratching with them. Either the excitement created on the surface of the skin, or on the imagination of the patient, operated, in many instances, favorably for Perkins, and, of course, the cures recorded were numerous and astonishing-not so the failures. Many persons bought a case of the tractors for $20 (which cost as many cents), expecting, through their use, to dispense with doctors and drugs, and also to dispense relief to all the rheumatic old women of both sexes in their neighborhood. I have seen the arm and shoulder of a rheumatic negro scratched until the skin looked almost white, and he would move the joint, which he had not done before, and declared "the rheumatis was gone." Whether the doctor administered metal in any other form to the patient, neither of them mentioned. After awhile some incredulous or inquisitive persons began to make experiments (in violation of the patent) with tractors made by themselves, and calculated to detract from those of Perkins, and one went so far as to make a pair of wood, and paint them of the right color. On credulous and nervous patients, these were found as efficacious as the genuine, and, like the rod of the Magi of old, they also wrought miracles. A Hudibrastic poem of considerable length, with notes, like the tail of a kite, much longer than the body, was written by a satirical genius named Fes senden, called "Terrible Tractoration." Perkins was soon forgotten, and so was the poem. But he was succeeded by many quacks, and Fessenden by many rhymesters. CHAPTER XXI. MINERAL WATERS. A week rarely elapses now-a-days without the announcement of some 66 useful and valuable discovery." Schemers are on the look out for minerals, fluid or solid, to purify the system or to replenish the purse, and numerous dupes have they found. Many years ago, when a mineral mania prevailed, a Dutchman discovered on his farm what he thought was an indigo mine, and announced it in Richmond. The golden era has recurred in Virginia several times, but was usually of short duration, long enough, however to transfer the gold of the dupes from their pockets into those of the projectors. My tale, however, and a true one, has nothing to do with schemes or plots. Early in this century a great Hygeian discovery was made in Richmond. An inebriate who was so prudent as to walk off and wash off the effects of his evening potations at an early hour the next morning, resorted for the purpose to a secluded spot in the valley: when questioned for the motive of his matutinal stroll, he replied that he found great benefit from the use of a mineral spring to which he resorted. Others tried it, and perceived that its taste and color differed from pure water, and that its effects were beneficial. The report of its virtues spread around, and several invalids resorted to the yellow fountain each summer morning at sunrise. Its good effects were felt or imagined, the number of visitors increased, and instead of two or three, they soon numbered two or three score. The virtues of the water were evident to those who were, or to those who were not invalids, so long as it was drank in moderation and at an early hour; for the sun dispelled its virtues, and as he rose, they fell. If he were always to shine he might disclose the lack of virtue in other objects of unsuspected purity. Young ladies resorted to the spring, which they found to deepen the hue of the roses on their cheeks, and young gentlemen went to fill the glasses and admire the roses. Saratoga in those days possessed rather a glorious than an aqueous celebrity in Virginia; and although our own Warm, and Hot and Sulphur springs had attained some celebrity, the attain |