He told them he was
so proud of this resemblance, that, in order to render it more
striking, he had, at one time of his life, resolved to keep his
face sacred from the razor; and in that purpose had persevered,
notwithstanding the continual reprehensions of Mrs. Pallet, (who,
being then with child), said, his aspect was so hideous, that she
dreaded a miscarriage every hour, until she threatened in plain
terms, to dispute the sanity of his intellects, and apply to the
chancellor for a committee.
The doctor, on this occasion, observed, that a man who is not proof
against the solicitations of a woman, can never expect to make a
great figure in life; that painters and poets ought to cultivate
no wives but the Muses; or, if they are by the accidents of fortune
encumbered with families, they should carefully guard against
that pernicious weakness, falsely honoured with the appellation of
natural affection, and pay no manner of regard to the impertinent
customs of the world. "Granting that you had been for a short time
deemed a lunatic," said he, "you might have acquitted yourself
honourably of that imputation, by some performance that would have
raised your character above all censure.
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