x HIS CHARACTER 115 



writes the former, and a man of " undeviating friendship " ; 

 he won, too, the esteem of many others. In his own pro- 

 fession he holds a worthy place in that succession of 

 labourers, alert and untiring, by whom from age to age 

 the practice of medicine is advanced ; and the establish- 

 ment of the Medical Society upon a liberal basis was a 

 real achievement. The spirit of emulation was strong in 

 him. His influence in the community was one that made 

 for good, for righteousness, and for the law of kindness ; 

 the world was a little better for his life. Throughout that 

 life he ever remembered his debt to Fothergill : " As a 

 medical man," he said, " my character was solely reflected 

 from the patronage of Dr. Fothergill." " My medical 

 creation was his." " I can hardly recollect a week without 

 some instance of his affection and friendship." 



Lettsom was tall in person, spare and erect, his com- 

 plexion yellow from the West Indian climate, and the face 

 deeply Imed. His eye beamed and sparkled with anima- 

 tion. His figure in Medley's group of the Medical Society 

 is instinct with geniality, conciliatory, alert ; and humour 

 is latent in the line of the thin lips, and the deep dimples 

 of the cheeks. He dressed very neatly in the Quaker 

 attire, but not with strictness ; and wore a short wig. 

 He was frank, genial and familiar in his address. Cold 

 bathing night and morning, an equable and cheerful 

 temper, and regular habits maintained him in good health ; 

 and Pettigrew states as a sign of his moderation that he 

 would seldom exceed three or four glasses of wine after 

 dinner. He drank strong coffee at night, sitting up very 

 late at his writing. 



The pilgrim of to-day who would see some token of 

 Lettsom should visit the house in Bolt Court, which 

 became the old home of the Medical Society by the gift 

 of its founder in 1788. It stands opposite the site of that in 

 which Dr. Johnson lived and died. He must turn out of 

 the busy highway of the Strand, full of noise and move- 

 ment, finding, if haply he may, a narrow alley which 

 opens into a quiet court. There he will come upon an 

 old square house, whose front presents the calm dignity 



