Whilst I was writing the ensuing Refutation, I thought I had the fairest Opportunity that cou’d be wish’d, for beginning the direct Proof of the Question by certain Matter of Fact; but I was most unaccountably disappointed. There came an honest Country-Girl, to be House-Maid, where I then was, from whom I learnt, very unexpectedly, this curious Particular, relating to herself: That she was mark’d in the Neck with a Beef-Stake, because her Mother, when with Child, had longed for it; and that she could eat, nay, loved Beef raw, better than any wise dress’d , for the same Reason. She said moreover, that she would eat some in my Presence, whenever I pleased. Indeed the Mark had very much the Resemblance of a Beef- Stake.
Well, says I to myself, this happens very luckily for my Purpose; 1 must not let this Opportunity slip: Accordingly, the first Day we had Beef-Stakes, I went into the Kitchen: Come, says I to the Girl, let me see now, what you promis’d me. No, says the Cook-Maid, there’s none to be spared. Nay, says I, she must eat her Dinner. Well, but it must be broil’d a little, replied the Cook. The Girl seemed a little concern’d. At last she said, she was ready to eat it, with a little Pepper and Salt. Oh! says I, that shall break no Squares. So to eating she fell: Then came little Miss, who ask’d me, Whether 1 would make the Maid sick? Last of all comes Mrs. House-keeper, who tells me in a great Passion, You shan’t kill the Maid. In a Moment after the whole Posse of the Kitchen was ready to fall upon me; the whole House was in an Uproar; and, I believe, would have torn me to Pieces, if I had not made my Escape. This was very vexing; for the Girl had, by this Time, almost eat up the Slice she had cut off, and I had consented to, for the Experiment. After the Fury was over, I told them, that there was a great Controversy among Physicians, upon that Subject; that I had taken the Women’s Part, in a Dispute I once had with some Divines, upon that Head; that I had just flatter’d myself with the Hopes of convincing my Adversaries, by that Matter of Fact; but that, since they had thus disappointed me, I must put off my Design till some better Opportunity.
This is a plain Narrative of my Adventure, without any Flourish or Disguise.