APPENDIX. (37) 



fetftinc-room to his care. In this fituation, the bed that a ftudent Af^"?"'."'' 



° _ ' _ VV. Hamilton. 



of anatomy could wifti for, Mr Hamilton continued two years 

 hearing the letStures, and enjoying the converfation, of the firft 

 .inatomlft in London. How far, in Dr Honter's opinion, he 

 improved this opportunity, appears from the following letter 

 addrefled to Mr T. Hamilton, December 31. 1778: " Your 

 fon makes me very happy on your account, and for his own 

 fake. I fee and hear much of him ; and every body regards 

 him as fenfible, diligent, fober, and of amiable difpofitions. He 

 is now in the dircA road for acquiring knowledge, as dire<5lor 

 in the diffedling-room. It obliges him to apply, becaufe he is 

 to anfwer any queflion, and folve any difficulty that may occur ; 

 and which is beft of all, he is to demonftrate all parts of the bo- 

 dy again and again to ftudents. This is a mod inftrudlive pro- 

 vince, and a fine introdu<5lion to giving le<Elures, as it gives fa- 

 cility in public fpeaking, and a habit of demonflrating diftin<5l- 

 ly and clearly, both of which are eafily acquired while we are 

 young; and yet, for want of that very opportunity, are poflelTed 

 by few. In this way he will acquire not only knowledge, but 

 a charadler for knowledge with the public, which a young man 

 cannot procure but by being in fome public ftation." 



In another letter to the fame gentleman, dated May 18. 

 1780, Dr HoNTER fays: " Your fon has been doing every thing 

 you could wifli, and from his own behaviour, has profited more 

 for the time than any young man I ever knew. From being a 

 favourite with tvery body, he has commanded every opportu- 

 nity for improvement which this great town afforded during 

 his flay here ; for every body has been eager to oblige and en- 

 courage him. I can depend fo much on him, in every way, 

 that if any opportunity fhould ofier for ferving him, whatever 

 may be in my power 1 fhall confider as doing a real pleafure to 

 myfelf." 



The 



