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188
Recollections of
[Ch. XVI.

were collected, they would but repeat what you have already advised me—to take constant exercise on horseback. I am well aware of the truth of what you say, but were I to call in Mr. ———, it would be but like sending a physician to a starving man, instead of giving him a loaf of bread. I have no objection to your making known to him my state of health, if it be any satisfaction to you; but I know that he will say—exercise. As long as this strict surveillance is enforced I will never stir out."

It was in vain, Dr. O'Meara again and again urged the subject, his invariable reply was, "Would you have me render myself liable to be stopped and insulted by the sentries surrounding my house, as Madame Bertrand was some days ago?" It would have made a fine caricature in the London print shops,—Napoleon Bonaparte stopped at the gate by a sentinel charging him with fixed bayonet. How the Londoners would have laughed! The only

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