That he intends to prepare himself by Abstinence and thin Diet to be
    one of the Company.

    That at present he comes into a Room as if he were an Express from
    Abroad.

    That he has chosen an Apartment with a matted Anti-Chamber, to
    practise Motion without being heard.

    That he bows, talks, drinks, eats, and helps himself before a Glass,
    to learn to act with Moderation.

    That by reason of his luxuriant Health he is oppressive to Persons
    of composed Behaviour.

    That he is endeavouring to forget the Word Pshaw, Pshaw.

    That he is also weaning himself from his Cane.

    That when he has learnt to live without his said Cane, he will wait
    on the Company, &c.

...

    The Memorial of John Rhubarb, Esq.,

    Sheweth,

    That your Petitioner has retired to the Infirmary, but that he is
    in perfect good Health, except that he has by long Use. and for want
    of Discourse, contracted an Habit of Complaint that he is sick.

    That he wants for nothing under the Sun, but what to say, and
    therefore has fallen into this unhappy Malady of complaining that he
    is sick.

    That this Custom of his makes him, by his own Confession, fit only
    for the Infirmary, and therefore he has not waited for being
    sentenced to it.

That he is conscious there is nothing more improper than such a Complaint in good Company, in that they must pity, whether they think the Lamenter ill or not; and that the Complainant must make a silly Figure, whether he is pitied or not.

    Your Petitioner humbly prays, that he may have Time to know how he
    does, and he will make his Appearance.

The Valetudinarian was likewise easily excused; and this Society being resolved not only to make it their Business to pass their Time agreeably for the present Season, but also to commence such Habits in themselves as may be of Use in their future Conduct in general, are very ready to give into a fancied or real Incapacity to join with their Measures, in order to have no Humourist, proud Man, impertinent or sufficient ellow, break in upon their Happiness.  Great Evils seldom happen to disturb Company; but Indulgence in Particularities of Humour, is the Seed of making half our Time hang in Suspence, or waste away under real Discomposures.

Among other Things it is carefully provided that there may not be disagreeable Familiarities.  No one is to appear in the publick Rooms undressed, or enter abruptly into each other’s Apartment without intimation.  Every one has hitherto been so careful in his Behaviour, that there has but one Offender in ten Days Time been sent into the Infirmary, and that was for throwing away his Cards at Whist.

  He has offered his Submission in the following Terms.