E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Stephens (Joanna)
professed to have made a very wonderful discovery, and Drummond, the banker, set on foot a subscription to purchase her secret. The sum, she asked was £5,000. When £1,500 had been raised by private subscription, government voted £3,500. The secret was a decoction of soap, swine’s cresses, honey, egg-shells, and snails, made into pills, and a powder to match. Joanna Stephens got the money and forthwith disappeared.
