Section IL, 1906. [ 1S9 ] Trans. R. S. C 



II. — Richard Maurice Biicl-e — .1 Sketch. 

 By James li. Coyne, M.A. 



(Presented by W. W. Campbell, and read May 23, 1906.) 



1. 



In the preparation of the following sketch, the writer had access 

 to documentary material in the possession of the family of the late 

 Dr. Bucke. Much of this material was autobiographical, and in using 

 this the plan has been adopted, as far as possible, of letting the subject 

 of the memoir tell the story in his own way, with such omissions, chrono- 

 logical rearrangement and explanatory connecting links as the nature 

 of the case seemed to require, regard being had to the necessary 

 limits of this paper. Quotation marks are not always used, especially 

 where, as in the case of the fight with the Shoshones and the adventure 

 in the Sierra Nevadas, the narrative is simply condensed from Dr. 

 Bucke's detailed description. Where quotation marks are used, the 

 passage is autobiographical, unless otherwise stated. 



2. 



Eichard Maurice Bucke was a man of marked personality. 



His individuality impressed itself on all wlio came into contact 

 with him. Of striking presence, great native ability, wide and varied 

 experience of the world and of human nature, he distinguished himself 

 in more than one line of thought and action. For many years medical 

 superintendent of one of the largest asylums for the insane in Ontario, 

 he was ranked among the foremost alienists in America. An original 

 investigator in the fields of medical science, philosophy and literature, 

 he worked out his problems with a single eye to the truth, and, having 

 solved them to his satisfaction, presented the processes and his con- 

 clusions frankly and fearlessly, leaving the results with, the future for 

 acceptance or rejection. His intellectual product is intimately related 

 to his close association for a quarter of a century with Walt Whitman, 

 whose influence was profound and lasting. The names of T\Tiitman 

 and Bucke are inseparably linked together for all time. The story 

 of their friendship is of permanent interest and value. 



As a littcraffur. scientist and administrator, and as the biographer 

 and close friend of Whitman, Dr. Bucke was a familiar figure in many 

 circles, both in Canada and in the States. 



But to the public at least it was not generally knn-wn that he 

 had had a vouth of extraordinarv adventure, characterized by thrilling 



