3492. sketches of the life of Mr Yobn Henderson. — 3.5 
~ In the multiplicity of his pursuits he had atterded ako: 
to physiognomy ; and such was his {kill in this science, be- 
fore the books of the celebrated Lavater became popular, 
that it is much to be questioned, whether he was ever de- 
ceived in the judgement he formed of others. The face,. 
the voice, and the air, disclosed the moving principle with- 
in; but it was by a combination of many particulars that 
he attainedthat knowledge. It is even alleged that he pro- 
fefsed to delineate the character from the hand writing. His 
knowledge of physic and the history of medicine, was ve- 
ry extensive ; and he was deep read in metaphysics, from 
Hooker and Locke, even to Behmen and Swedenborg. 
But it must not be supposed that he was the humble 
disciple of any writer whatever. He marked the weak- 
nefses and vanity to which the human mind is prone; he 
saw the littlenefs of pride; he traced the errors of the un- 
derstanding to their secret source ; and learnt the wisdom 
of humility. 
He made no one an offender for a word ; but he loved, re- 
ve spected, and defended the good, the humble, and the pious, 
in every denomination of Christians, His ideas of the divine 
rercy were most simple and sublime. 
- To reconcile various contending sects, was a favourite 
theme with him; and he would often prove that the differ- 
erice was merely nominal. But he laid no strefs on opi- 
‘nions that were unconnected with practice. He lived not 
for himself. His knowledge in divinity,law, physic, and 
chemistty, was applied for the benefit of others. He re- 
lieved the poor by his alms, and the sick by medicines. 
He defended the injured, and extricated the distrefsed. 
The following anecdote is of undoubted authority. 
While he was at college, there tvas a dangerous putrid fe- 
Yer among the poor. He attended and nursed them him 
self; he gave them bark, and supplied them with port wine, 
