76 MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 



by certain new regulations of the Hospital, lie re- 

 solved to attend at the Board, and run the certain 

 risk of a violent trial of temper. On the morning 

 of the Board day, he told a baronet who happened 

 to call upon him, that he was going to the Hospital, 

 that he was fearful some unpleasant rencontre might 

 ensue, and if it did, he knew it must be his death. 

 The event was too literally fulfilled. He went to 

 the Hospital on the 16th October 1793, in his usual 

 state of health. Meeting with things which irritated 

 him, and not being perfectly master of the circum- 

 stances, he withheld his sentiments, and in this state 

 of restraint went into the next room, where, turning 

 round to Dr Robertson, one of the Physicians of the 

 Hospital, he gave a deep groan, dropt down, and ex- 

 pired. 



Mr Hunter was in his 65tb year, the same age 

 as that at which his brother died. 



Such was the end of two brothers who had raised 

 themselves to the highest celebrity by courses nearly 

 similar, though distinguished by broad and charac- 

 teristic marks of difference. In one remarkable 

 point they both agreed, viz. that each left behind 

 him a museum justly considered to be of national 

 importance. Dr William bequeathed his Collection 

 to the University of Glasgow, and Mr Hunter's was 

 eventually purchased by Government. It was en- 

 trusted to the care of the Royal College of Surgeons 

 of London, who celebrate Mr Hunter's birth day, 



