But by this time these insinuations had lost their effect upon the
painter who told him, with an arch sneer, that he did not at all
question his learning and abilities, and particularly his skill in
cookery, which he should never forget while his palate retained its
function; but nevertheless advised him, for the sake of the degenerate
eaters of these days, to spare a little of his sal ammoniac in
the next sillykicaby he should prepare; and abate somewhat of the
devil's dung, which he had so plentifully crammed into the roasted
fowls, unless he had a mind to convert his guests into patients, with
a view of licking himself whole for the expense of the entertainment.
The physician, nettled at these sarcasms, eyed him with a look of
indignation and disdain; and, being, unwilling to express himself
in English, lest, in the course of the altercation, Pallet should be
so much irritated as to depart without him, he vented his anger in
Greek. The painter, though by the sound he supposed this quotation
to be Greek, complimented his friend upon his knowledge in the
Welsh language, and found means to rally him quite out of temper;
so that he retired to his own chamber in the utmost wrath and
mortification, and left his antagonist exulting over the victory
he had won.
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