Emperor Of China


SIR G. STAUNTON related a curious anecdote of old Kien Long, Emperor of

China. He was inquiring of Sir George the manner in which physicians

were paid in England. When, after some difficulty, his majesty was made

to comprehend the system, he exclaimed, Is any man well in England,

that can afford to be ill? Now, I will inform you, said he, how I

manage my physicians. I have four, to whom the care of my health is

committed: a certain weekly salary is allowed them, but the moment I am

ill, the salary stops till I am well again. I need not inform you my

illnesses are usually short.



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