The transition seems easy, and, indeed, in a manner natural, from Dr.
David P⸺ to
DR. B⸺E.
Both of them rose to the very height of their profession, by the exercise
of similar talents, and distinguished by similar endowments. It might,
indeed, be said of them, that they were “pene gemelli, neque in ulla re
valde dissimiles.” Both were remarkable for a strenuous diligence in
accomplishing themselves in their profession; both were eminently gifted
with strong sense, sound judgment, acute discrimination, and patient
investigation.—They were, moreover, intimate from very early life, Dr.
David P⸺ being accustomed to spend much of his time, when very young,
with the Rev. J. B. father of Dr. M. B. who was Minister of Bothwell,
in the county of Lanark; he was afterwards Professor of Divinity in
the University of Glasgow. Dr. M. B.’s mother was the sister of Dr. W.
H. the Physician, who founded the Museum well known by his name; the
unfortunate removal of which from the metropolis of England to Glasgow,
furnishes incessant matter of regret to students of every denomination.
This untoward circumstance is said principally to have been occasioned
by the inadvertence or neglect of Lord North, when Prime Minister—a very
culpable neglect, surely. It is affirmed, and generally believed, for
it remains uncontradicted, that Dr. William Hunter would have presented
this most rich, extensive, and valuable collection of manuscripts, books,
coins, medals, subjects of natural history, anatomical preparations, &c.
&c. to this nation, if the Minister would have given him, in any part of
London, a space of ground large enough for the erection of a Museum to be
called after his name. This was either neglected, forgotten, or refused.
The consequence was, that Dr. H. after directing it to be preserved for
the period of thirty years in its original situation, bequeathed it
finally to the University of Glasgow, whither it has, long since, been
removed, and where it may be said, without any disparagement of those
who possess it, that its use is more circumscribed, and, of consequence,
its value less extensive and important.
The management and superintendence of this Museum and its contents,
for the period limited in the will, was assigned by Dr. Hunter to his
nephew, Dr. Baillie, to Dr. David Pitcairn, and Dr. Combe, who were
in common, and, as it were, with one feeling, most kind and liberal
in the accommodation they afforded to literary men; and sometimes,
more particularly on a Sunday, might be seen assembled at the Museum,
foreigners of distinction, eminent also for their learning, with some of
the most illustrious philosophers and scholars of our own country.
Here Dr. B. resided, remarkable for his affability to all strangers who
were introduced to him, and, as ever afterwards, conspicuously eminent
for sound, good sense, and extensive information.
It is believed, that previously to his coming to England, he received his
first rudiments of education at the High School of Edinburgh; so that
every circumstance and period of their lives had a natural tendency to
confirm and cement the intimacy between him and Dr. David Pitcairn.
Dr. B⸺ afterwards became a member of Baliol College, Oxford. And here
let us indulge a good-humoured smile of wonder, in which the Doctor
himself would hardly disdain to join; that, notwithstanding his early
introduction into this country, his familiar and continual intercourse
with the most polished and enlightened Englishmen, he ever and strongly
retained the dialect of his native land.
Connected with Dr. Hunter’s Museum, in Great Windmill-street, was a
Theatre of Anatomy, where Dr. ⸺ gave lectures, which were the delight
and admiration of all who attended them. Perhaps this truly eminent
and amiable man would not be offended at the suggestion, that the
declension of his friend P⸺’s health, and his unavoidable removal to
Portugal, laid the first foundation of his fame, and opened the path
to that extraordinary eminence which he has since attained. One thing
is very certain, that at the period when P⸺’s reputation was at the
highest, and his practice almost without limit, Dr. B⸺ was rather known
and esteemed as a skilful anatomist, than consulted as a physician. P⸺,
however, who well knew and properly estimated his value, always and
strongly recommended him, when circumstances prevented his own personal
attendance; and still more particularly, when he left his practice and
country, for change of atmosphere at Lisbon.
With his subsequent situation all are acquainted; and, if he lives[4],
may he long enjoy the successful eminence which his merit has
attained. In one thing he strictly followed the steps of his friend
and predecessor; notwithstanding his very extensive and most lucrative
practice, he was as prompt as when his business was circumscribed in a
small and narrow circle, to attend to the necessities and sufferings of
his friends. He also appropriated some portion of his valuable time to
the distresses of the poor. Though his fatigue was incessant, and more
particularly so, since the ever to be lamented indisposition of the
Sovereign; and though, as he said of himself facetiously, “I lead the
life of a dog,” he is very abstemious, and never exceeds his pint of
claret.
If the writer were to indulge the strong propensities of his mind with
regard to this eminent personage, many pages might easily be filled.
Those, indeed, were halcyon days, before the Doctor “led the life of a
dog,” and when he condescended to share the frugal and humble repasts of
an obscure author, which however, he enlivened by his good humour, and
enriched by his abundant information upon all subjects.
The subject of this article, if he ever should peruse it, is
affectionately entreated to forgive a little, but very pardonable
instance of nationality, of a nature very general indeed, and therefore
implying no individual infirmity.
It had been remarked in the vivacity of conversation, that the Scotch
were so jealous of literary superiority, that they would not allow it
in any branch of science to an Englishman; and that if a proficient in
chemistry, natural philosophy, mathematics, Greek, or Latin were named,
being a native of any other country than Scotland, if a Scotchman were
present, he would immediately name one of his own countrymen as his
superior. This was discussed with a good deal of pleasantry on all sides,
when, after the introduction of other matters, the subject of Greek
was started by one of the company; upon which, a friend of Professor
Porson observed, that he believed it to be universally acknowledged that
Porson was, without competition, the first Greek scholar in Europe. Our
excellent friend would by no means acknowledge this, but affirmed that
Mr. Professor ⸺, of Glasgow, was fully qualified to dispute the palm with
Porson.—The consequence of the remark was, a general and good-humoured
laugh at the Doctor’s nationality.
There can be no harm in saying a word or two of E. H. perhaps the most
sagacious and most skilful, certainly the most philosophical, of our
surgeons.
He was the son of a Mr. H. who was a surgeon in the army. His mother’s
name was H⸺n; he was educated at Westminster School, and on leaving
it, went to reside with his brother-in-law, the celebrated J. H.; from
him he derived not only his surgical knowledge, but his ardour for
original investigation. But he resided for some time in the family of Sir
Archibald Campbell, in the West Indies, to which region he went, as an
army surgeon. His success in his profession has been deservedly as great
as could have been imagined by others, or expected by himself.—Honour and
affluence have crowned his diligence.
He married a very amiable widow, by whom he had several children.
He has a roughness of manner externally, which is forbidding, and has
offended many, but beneath, he has a heart alive to the warmest feelings
of friendship; and there are a great many who have known him from his
boyish days, who continue most sincerely and affectionately attached to
him.
In his professional character he has been invariably kind and liberal,
frequently having put himself to great inconvenience, and certain loss of
the fair advantages of his situation, to sooth the sufferings of friends,
and whole families of friends, by the interposition of his sagacity and
skill.
If every medical personage were specifically introduced, who was
familiarly known to the writer, and respected by him, either for their
literary distinction, professional merit, or social qualities, the
catalogue would be very long indeed, and the work extended to an undue
length. The list would contain, besides the names already mentioned,
a great many others;—of the late most ingenious John Hunter, Sir
William John Fordyce, Sir Lucas Pepys, Dr. Reynolds, Dr. Creighton, who
afterwards went to Russia, Dr. Pelham Warren, Drs. Monro, father and son,
Dr. Bland, Dr. Taylor, of Reading, Dr. Cruickshanks, &c. &c.
Private friendship pauses awhile, to pay a well deserved tribute to Dr.
A⸺e.
He was educated either in Cumberland or Westmorland, from whence
he removed to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he so eminently
distinguished himself, that he was the senior wrangler of his year.
Talents and judgment like his could not fail of succeeding in the
metropolis; and accordingly, it appears that when our Sexagenarian left
it, he was progressively ascending to the very height of his profession,
and it could not be easy to determine whether he was more entitled to
esteem for his professional, or to affection for his amiable and social
qualities. There is no situation which Dr. A. would not have improved
and adorned, his knowledge being so various, his information and his
judgment so profound. But he was peculiarly qualified for that in which
he became deservedly eminent. He discriminated the peculiarity of a case
with extraordinary promptitude, and he acted with corresponding decision.
Human sagacity is liable to error, the most perfect of human wisdom is
oftentimes deceived and misled. This was seldom the case with him of whom
we are speaking, nor is there a single memorable instance on record,
marked by the failure of his comprehension, in the injury sustained by
his misapprehension of the case which required his deliberation. Be this
as it may, his assiduous attention, his kindness, his sympathy, when
private friendship called for his interposition, demands a more extended
panegyric than it is compatible with the object of this work to bestow.
Sur ce vaste sujet si j’allois tout tracer
Tu verrois sous ma main des tomes s’amasser.