Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 2).djvu/55

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political œconomy, the law of nature and of nations, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and finance, botany, chymistry, mineralogy, electricity, geology, geography, nosology, and medicine, have all exercised my pen." Mortimer uttering interjections, expressing his admiration and surprize, Scribble, farther to transport his wonder, went on: "Though neither a physician, nor a surgeon, I am more deeply skilled in midwifery than any professed practitioner of the obstetric art. Though not called to the bar, I know better than Erskine how counsellors ought to plead. Though no clergyman, I know how men of that profession ought to preach." "Mr. Scribble's extraordinary merit," said Hamilton, "is the cause of no less extraordinary envy. Nothing that he brings out has the reception which transcendent merit and abilities deserve.