334 LETTER TO 



strictest honour, which inheritance, education, 

 and domestic example can bestow. But why 

 do I speak of titles, after his countrymen had 

 acknowledged his complete possession of that 

 most invaluable property, and had in conse- 

 quence, as well as from their high opinion of 

 his learning and skill, placed him at the head of 

 the profession of medicine, in the metropolis of 

 Great Britain*? 



He who seconded the proposal, Dr. Matthew 

 Baillie, is more upon a level with myself, in re- 

 gard both to age, and length of residence in 

 London. Somewhat, therefore, of the obscurity 

 which involves almost every young physician, 

 may have hitherto concealed him from your 

 Lordship's notice. But that obscurity is fast 

 dissipating, and he must soon, my Lord, very 

 soon, appear to your view, with all the just 



* Two circumstances must concur to place a physician at 

 the head of his profession in London ; 1. Great employment, 

 which alone, is certainly not sufficient for that purpose, as it 

 is often possessed by persons of no considerable ability. 2. 

 Respect from other physicians, indicated by their frequently 

 requesting his aid in their practice. This can arise only from 

 a high opinion of his honour and skill, of which qualities in 

 a physician, scarcely any but those of his own profession have 

 either opportunities or capacity to judge rightly. Dr. Piteairn, 

 from the death of Dr. Warren to his own unfortunate illness, 

 was indisputably the physician in London, in whom those 

 circumstances existed together in the greatest degree. 



