Geoffery Gambado, Page 2
W. W. Jacobs
THE FRONTISPIECE.
"Reader! did you ever see an angel on horseback?" "No!" No more did I,that I know of! We read of one in (II. Maccabeus, c. 3); but then he wasclad in armour of gold, and rode a most powerful animal, who smote withhis forelegs the avaricious Heliodorus. But here we see a very differentrepresentation, both as to horse and rider, and engaged in trumpetingforth the praises of the celebrated
DOCTOR GAMBADO.
"Gambado! Sempre viva! Encora! Encora!" In fact, it is termed "TheApotheosis of Geoffery Gambado, Esq. M.D. F.R.S."
Now this angel might be a daughter of Doctor Gambado's, or she might behis scullery-maid. She is represented on a horse, which, instead ofbeing a winged Pegasus, stands well upon his pegs, and seems to havelent his wings to the damsel herself, to bear both himself and her"in nubibus." She holds a medallion of the Doctor, a striking portrait,in her right hand; and in her left, the celebrated brazen trumpet ofFame; and, no doubt, whether his angelic daughter or his faithfuldomestic, she was one who knew so well the admirable worth of the goodphysician, that she simply means to say,--"May the cheerful spirit ofsuch good men as Doctor Gambado live for ever, and drive out of allsplenetic patients, the tormenting stings of the Blue Devils."
THE APOTHEOSIS OF GEOFFERY GAMBADO, MD]
If he can do this, his canonization will indeed be immortal, though itbe trumpeted forth by so humble an instrument as the angel we here seerepresented on a wooden horse.
Reader, the humblest instrument in the world may, in the hand of wisdom,be used as an angel for your own good. The poor fellow who lifts you upfrom the ground, should you happen to fall, may be the helping handprovided you. The messenger who finds you in suffering, and sends thedoctor to your relief, may be the unknown angel for your deliverance.
A poor boy, or a poor girl, who snatches you, in your infant days, fromthe peril of a pond, may be used as an angel for your welfare.
Do not always expect to see angels in golden armour for yourdeliverance; though the generous and charitably-good Samaritan, thefriend in need, may be the friend indeed at the hour you most requirehim,--only be humble, only be thankful, and even this poor picture maybe a message of comfort to your spirit; for
"Reproof is better than a great man's gold; And he is good who loves a thing well told: Then 'evil be to him who thinks the same,' And would destroy Gambado's honest fame."
