Martin van Butchell, 1735-1814 : the eccentric dentist of Mount Street / by J. Menzies Campbell.

  • John Menzies Campbell
Date:
[1952]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Martin van Butchell, 1735-1814 : the eccentric dentist of Mount Street / by J. Menzies Campbell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “MONARCHS Good—as Great—pray pay ATTENTION! DOCTORS—are distanc’d—they don’t move one WEN; But send—far away KING’S EVIL Patients. Few things more common—than keen Heads to think— What they can not do—Others never will. SCROPHULA—May be cur’d—Van BUTCHELL says! — By often touching—with his BALM of LIFE;— And other easy—outward—pleasant helps: — ‘HEAVEN gives a will—and directs the way! ’ JOHN HUNTER, Esq., F.R.S. (—of Leicester-square,—) Surgeon-Extraordinary to the King, And Surgeon-General to His Majesty’s Forces. PAIN In the Teeth,—Gums—and adjacent Parts. Heal’d—without burning,—drawing,— or any Unpleasant sensation;—by the Author; More than TWENTY years—a Surgeon-Dentist, (—He might have been so—to a gracious King.—) At his private House,—56,—Mount- street. Attends not—from home, (—Between TEN o’clock—and TWO; —nor at all,—) Unless a GUINEA—with the ORDER’S sent.” The naive reference to the fact that he might have been Surgeon-Dentist to His Majesty (George III) is explainable thus. It seems that Van Butchell had, unsuccessfully, approached Lord Salis¬ bury with a view to securing the Royal Appointment. Not to be outdone, he had the audacity to imply that, although nominated, he had declined the honour! Here is part of a striking advertise¬ ment which appeared in the Argus on July 9th, 1791; “SOME ancient DONS Having been modern Match’d, Are told (with Respect) that for the small Fee of an Hundred Guineas (—Better so laid out—than on a Mistress 1) MARTIN VAN BUTCHELL (—who has six of the best made Babys in Mount-street—) will teach one Learner ‘Such pretty—little—elegant— Lessons—’ (—Unless he in DEED—should be a LUBBER,—) As may help to make him—comfort¬ able ; without expiring—like brave MIRABEAU! Heavy cash; —No Notes; The Money—paid first! ” In referring to Spring Band Garters, he informed his readers that the Mar¬ chioness of Salisbury and the Countess of Aylesbury wore them. Further, that John Hunter had not only worn them himself for six years but had also recom¬ mended them to others. As a warning to readers not to risk wearing imitations he stated {World, June 3rd, 1791) that; “Some—illegal Makers, Users, Exer¬ cisers and Vendors of Patent Spring Bands—have been cut off—(sorrowing) —in their sins! Let many others—(—warning take— —in time!—) ‘Cease to do evil! —and learn to do well! ’—■ (—COMBINATIONS—may— Be weak—as COBWEBS! —) —‘MONARCHS—frowning—are— Like LIONS—roaring! ”
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