82 MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 



His temper was very warm and impatient, readi.y 

 provoked, and when irritated not easily soothed. 

 This is Sir Everard Home's account of it in nis own 

 words; and Mr Bell, who, from living so long w;th 

 him, had equal opportunities of forming a judgment, 

 entirely concurred in its accuracy. The keenness of 

 his temper increased towards the latter period of his 

 life ; and it is evident that much must be attributed 

 to the want of restraint in his youth, and much to 

 the nature and severity of his disease. 



His disposition was candid, and very free from 

 reserve. He despised deceit, and perhaps incau- 

 tiously avowed his sentiments. His mind was na- 

 turally formed for investigation, and he gratified that 

 tendency even on the most trivial occasions. He 

 goon tired in mixed company where there was no op- 

 portunity for connected conversation ; and this was 

 more particularly observable during the last ten years 

 of his life. 



Mr Hunter undoubtedly was one of the most in- 

 dustrious of men. The manner in which he appro- 

 priated his time, before infirmity impaired his exer- 

 tions, was as follows : He rose very early in the 

 morning, and went immediately into his preparation 

 rooms, where he worked himself, and gave directions 

 concerning what he would have done during the 

 course of the day. After breakfast, which was at 

 eight, he attended to those patients who came to the 

 house. At eleven, he went abroad, and was em- 

 ployed in visiting the hospital and his patients. He 



