Queen Elizabeth’s Toothache
Queen Elizabeth's temper was none of the sweetest at any time, but once, when afflicted with the toothache, she was more than commonly cross-grained. She would transact no business, receive no messengers, read no letters, but abuse everybody who came into her presence. The court physicians held anxious consultation, and finally recommended that a celebrated foreign surgeon, John Anthony Fenatus, be called in to advise. He had to give his opinion in an elaborate Latin essay, and recommended that if the tooth be hollow it should be extracted. The queen was furious, and utterly refused to endure any such operation. At length the good bishop of London offered to have one of his few remaining teeth drawn, to illustrate how simple the remedy and how quick the relief. Elizabeth was touched by an act so generous and loyal, and after seeing the bishop submit himself to the forceps, placed herself in the chair. When relieved of the aching member, the queen became quite gracious, and thanked Fenatus heartily, besides giving him a handsome reward. But history does not record whether she treated the faithful old bishop as well or not.—Sel.