Charles White, Esq. 49 
even to perform operations; but in the last 
year (1812), the right eye became diseased, 
the total loss of vision ensued, and his gene- 
ral health rapidly declined. From the month 
of October, to the day of his death, he was 
confined, wholly, to his bed; and though at 
times, his mental faculties were impaired, 
yet he enjoyed intervals “of unclouded and 
even vigorous judgment. At length on the 
20th day of February last, when in the 85th 
year of his age, he finished a long life of 
unremitting exertion, and of great and ex- 
tensive usefulness. 
Mr. White was admirably fitted, both by 
his bodily constitution and by the qualities of 
his mind, for the successful exercise of the 
profession in which he was engaged. Even in 
advanced age, he was capable of perform- 
ing, without fatigue, very long journies on 
horseback, and of bearing, without injury to 
his health, exposure to the most inclemeut 
weather. He required little sleep, and was, 
during the greater part of his life, an early 
riser. His mind was never unemployed; and 
when not actually engaged in attendance on 
his patients, he was generally occupied in some 
professional research. He had a complete 
disdain for every thing like empirical conceal- 
ment; and, when he had any capital opera- 
VOL, III. G 
