Bonnell Thornton lying ill in bed, consulting three physicians and pointing out their inadequacies. Coloured etching attributed to C. Williams.

Three doctors by the beside of Bonnell Thornton, one says: "Why Thornton! what does this mean? How can you sport with your life in this manner?", another retorts: "Well Bonnell you may say your consultation was a very extroardinary one for your doctors never differ'd." Bonnell replies: "O not at all I know what I am about; this is the consultation of physicians you made me promise to consent to, - it is allowed to be an even chance against a patient when he calls in a consultation of the perriwig-pated fraternity, I am willing to lessen the hazard by taking the assustance of so much of the doctor as may do me good, and avoiding that which alone occasions the danger; - the sight of the doctor I am persuaded cured many a patient; - this I have compleated in the three figures before me; the danger lies alone in the doctors physic, this I avoid by the present consultation, make yourselves easy my friends. Nature is the best physician and she works with very few medicines, the assistance she wants I shall give and save my fees and my life."