XI RETROSPECT DO you never, while occupying a dental chair and deploring the necessity that drives you to that uncomfortable seat, admire the skill of the dentist in the use of his instruments?

Mrs. Doctor Tapper, the wife of the stout dentist of San Miguelito, was present.

I remember once detaining a dentist with the drill at one of my lower bicuspids and holding him up for nearly ten minutes with a story about a Scotchman, an Irishman, and a Jew.

I have no doubt, my dear Madam, that your interesting son has learned to smoke, as he states, in order to check that very distressing toothache which so hindered his studies; but I sincerely think it would be better to have the affliction removed by a dentist at a cost of fifty cents than by a drug at an expense of five per cent.

If dentistry be needed, which is rare among Ottomans, it is supplied by dentists from the town or resident in the camps.

If you doubt it, ask the next dentist about the wisdom and courage of average manhood under the dispensation of a bad tooth.

But it may readily be guessed that these petitioners were more moved by the interest of rival dentists than by their concern as Southern citizens.