“Mr. —— (Johnson’s friend Fitzherbert), who loved buttered muffins, but durst not eat them because they disagreed with his stomach, resolved to shoot himself; and then he ate three buttered muffins for breakfast before shooting himself, knowing that he should not be troubled with indigestion.”
In “Pickwick Papers,” chap, xiv, Sam Weller says:
“‘How many crumpets at a sittin’ do you think ‘ud kill me off at once?’ says the patient.
“‘I don’t know,’ says the doctor.
“‘Do you think half a crown’s worth ‘ud do it?’ says the patient.
“‘I think it might,’ says the doctor.
“‘Three shillins’ worth ‘ud be sure to do it, I s’pose,’ says the patient.
“‘Certainly,’ says the doctor.
“‘Wery good,’ says the patient.
“‘Good night.’