Case, John

, M. D. among Granger’s heroes, was a noted astrologer in the time of queen Anne, and succeeded Lilly, who left him possessed of his apparatus, particularly his darkened chamber, and pictures, with which he pretended to shew his customers their absent friends. Case used to exhibit these to his intimates, in the hours of conviviality, laughing at the folly and credulity of the people. Over his door was written, “Within this place Lives Dr. Case.”

By which distich the author of the Tatler says, he probably got more than Dryden did by all his works. Haller also mentions a doctor John Case who published in 1694, “Compendium Anatomicum, nova methodo instructum,” 12mo, in which the writer strenuously defends the opinion of De Graaf, that quadrupeds, and all other animals, as well as birds, proceed ab ovo. But we doubt whether our astrologer had learning enough for a work of this description, or ever published more than a hand-bill Those who have the curiosity to peruse some of these effusions may indulge it in our authorities. ²