214 Royal Society. Anniversary Proceedings, 1843. 



noble library, especially rich in Biblical Literature,which was the more 

 prized by him from his acquaintance with the Hebrew language. 



He was fond of mechanics, and left at his decease a large collec- 

 tion of clocks and time-pieces, a taste for which he apparently 

 inherited from his father, George the Third. He was for many 

 years President of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, 

 Manufactures and Commerce, a Society that has done much to 

 encourage mechanical ingenuity. Finally, he evinced his regard 

 for natural science, by presiding for several years over our Society, 

 in whose concerns he would probably have taken a more active 

 part but for the affection of his eyes, by which he was for some 

 years deprived partially or wholly of the blessing of sight ; a blessing, 

 which was, h'owever, in a great degree, restored to him by the skill 

 of Mr. Alexander. Those Fellows of the Society who are Free- 

 masons, would not be satisfied did I not allude to His Royal High- 

 ness's connexion with that body, of which he was during the latter 

 portion of his life Grand Master. In private society, the Duke of 

 Sussex was kind and affable, and fonder of domestic happiness than 

 of the state and pomp of his exalted rank. On this point, how- 

 ever, I shall not dilate, as the address of a President of a public 

 body has more to do with the public conduct than with the private 

 virtues of those about whom he speaks. Suffice it to say, that when 

 His Royal Highness departed this life, having many public and 

 private friends, there probably was no one who was his enemy. He 

 died on the 21st day of April, at the age of seventy. 



Dr. John Latham was born in the year 1761. Early in life 

 he was appointed Physician to the Infirmary at Manchester, where 

 he remained three years ; and afterwards removed to Oxford, and 

 succeeded Dr. Austin as Physician to the County Hospital. He 

 finally settled in London, and obtained, in succession, the appoint- 

 ments of Physician to the Magdalen Hospital, the Middlesex Hos- 

 pital, and lastly to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He rapidly rose to 

 eminence in his profession ; but the labours by which he earned 

 these successes had undermined his constitution ; and, at the age 

 of 46, his career was arrested by serious threatenings of consump- 

 tion, which compelled him, for a, time, to abstain from exertion and 

 to seek health in the retirement of the country. Contrary to all ex- 

 pectation he recovered, and was enabled to resume his practice in 

 London, which he continued for twenty years longer. 



Dr. Latham did not contribute any paper to the Philosophical 

 Transactions ; but was the author of several memoirs on practical 

 subjects in the Medical Transactions of the College. In 1809, he 

 wrote a small volume, entitled " Facts and Opinions concerning 

 Diabetes." In 1814, he was chosen President of the College of 

 Physicians. The Medical Benevolent Society was founded by him 

 in 1816. 



In 1829, having reached his £8th year, Dr. Latham finally left 

 London : he died in April last, in his 82nd year, worn out by 

 severe and protracted suffering. 



Charles Macintosh, an eminent chemist, was born at Glasgow 



