278 
claims of medical practice, and possessing 
only a small and unfavourable extent of 
land for, the purpose, he succeeded in 
proving the justness of his own theory, 
and in actually leading other distinguished 
individuals, the late Lord Somerville, &e. 
to the production of this article, in a de- 
gree of perfection rather superior to the 
original Spanish breed. The subject was 
pursued with activity and ability by many 
other able experimentalists, but to Dr, 
Parry was exclusively due the philosophi- 
eal investigation of the subject, and which, 
though not strictly medical, is (like the 
investigations of the late John Hunter,) 
So near in its affinity to medicine and com- 
parative physiology, as to prove that the 
one and the other are connected objects for 
pursuits of the same mind. Dr. Parry, 
though surrounded by incessant occupa- 
tions, next published “ Observations on 
the Pulse,” and on a fact not known be- 
fore, the formation of new arterial branches 
in quadrupeds, when the parent and prin- 
cipal trunks had been obliterated by liga- 
ture, contrary to what had been observed 
to take place in man under similar cireum- 
stances. This entirely original fact, though 
not yet acted upon, has not been contro- 
verted by succeeding experimentalists. 
Dr. Parry further gave to the world a Trea- 
tise on Hydrophobiaand Tetanus, in which 
the histories of these generally fatal dis- 
eases are most ably traced from observa- 
tion. Butthe greatest and best charac- 
teristic work of this eminent philosopher 
and physician, is, “ the Elements of Pa- 
thology” published in 1816. This exhi- 
bits a great system of original and unex- 
ampled depth of observation, accuracy of 
conclusion, and abundance of fact and 
illustration. Perhaps it may be an object 
of regret, that the author capable of re- 
cording and deriving conclusions from 
experience like his, should have retarded 
to a late period of the existence of his 
powers, the putting in an earlier claim and 
record to opinions which were indisputably 
and originally hisown. If sooner promul- 
gated by himself, his just pretensions to 
fame, founded on his undisputed and early 
promulgation of pathological opinions, now 
universally adopted, and which essentially 
distinguish the present from the past state 
of mediciue, would be unequivocally ad- 
mitted. Itis, however, known, that when 
the doctrises of the medical profession 
were greatly different from those now pre- 
vailing, Dr. Parry alone advocated and 
taught principles, which have effected a 
change ia medical philosophy. At the 
meetings of the Bath aud West of Eng- 
land Agricultural Society, his reasonings, 
remarks, and communications were in the 
highest degree instructive, enlightening, 
and entertaining. To his efforts the high 
Captain Robert Corbett. 
[April 1, 
estimation which this society possesses is 
not in a small degree referable, and espe- 
cially to the joint energy and exertions of 
Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, bart. late presi- 
dent of the Institution. Dr. Parry has 
left two sons—the first, Dr. C. H. Parry, 
of Bath, the other the distinguished com- 
mander of the Northern expedition. The 
professional character of the elder of these, 
as well as his general attainments, are 
worthy of his father, and of the latter it 
would be snperfluous to say any thing in 
addition to the estimation expressed by his 
country of his services. 
[The late Captain Robert Corbett, R.N. 
who had attained much reputation in the 
navy for the possession of uncommon zeal, 
talents, and boldness, intermixed with 
harshness as a disciplinarian, was born ip 
the county of Waterford, in Ireland. At 
an early age he entered into the sea ser- 
vice, and by his own merits alone, attained 
the rank of Lieutenant at the expiration of 
the stated six years of servitude as mid- 
shipman. After a considerable time he 
procured the command of a cutter on the 
Mediterranean station, during the expedi- 
tion to Egypt. Unfortunately she ran on 
shore during a fog and was lost. Being 
ordered to England, he took a passage 
on board a sloop of war charged with 
duplicate despatches of impertance, but 
having a long passage home, the captain 
conceiving them of little importance, 
on-his arrival, requested Mr. Corbett, as 
he was going to town, to deliver them at 
the Admiralty. Most fortunately for the 
bearer they proved to be the first irtelli- 
gence, and he received the usual rewards 
on such occasions, a present of 500]. and 
elevation to the rank of commander, be- 
sides being soon afterward nominated to 
command the Bittern sloop of war. In 
this vessel he proceeded again to the Medi- 
terraneau in 1803, serving with great re- 
putation in the fleet commanded by Nel- 
son. The peculiarities of naval discipline 
are very difficult to explain to those unac- 
quainted with the service. Some captains 
aim at shew, at polished iron-work, decks 
whiter and cleaner than any parlour, though 
with hundreds of men constantly in mo- 
tion upon them ; masts tapering delicately 
to walking sticks, the shape ofa cap, the cut 
of a pair of trowsers, or the precise time 
to the quarter of a second, in which a top- 
sailcan be reefed. Others equally zealous, 
but of more judgment, look to the substan- 
tial points of discipline, skill in the ma- 
nagement of the guns, order and activity in 
the evolutions, without inflicting the lash, 
because they are not at all times performed 
at the same instant of time. Captain Cor- 
bett combined both modes: but. the 
consequences were coustant harassing 
exertions and discontent of the crew. 
Favoured 
