146 YOUNG. 



versed in Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Hebrew, Persic, and Arabic, 

 and in forming the characters of these languages had already 

 acquired a considerable portion of that beauty and accuracy of pen- 

 manship which was afterwards so remarkable in his copies of Greek 

 compositions, as well as those subjects connected with the literature 

 of ancient Egypt. A story is related of him, that when requested 

 a few years later, by a friend of Dr. Brocklesby, who presumed 

 somewhat upon Young's youthful appearance, to exhibit a specimen 

 of his penmanship, he replied by writing a sentence in his best style 

 in fourteen different languages. 



In 1787 Young was engaged, in conjunction with Mr. Hodgkin, as 



? % ivate tutor to Hudson Gurney, grandson of Mr. David Barclay, of 

 oungsbury, near Ware, in Hertfordshire, and he remained thus 

 occupied during the space of five years, extending his knowledge 

 as far as possible. The number of books he read through at that 

 time was comparatively small, but whatever book he began to read, 

 he read completely and deliberately through, and it was perhaps 

 this determination always to master what he might happen to be 

 engaged on before attempting anything else, which enabled Dr. 

 Young to attain so great knowledge on such various subjects. He 

 himself had little faith in any peculiar aptitude being implanted by 

 nature for any given pursuits. His favourite maxim was, that 

 whatever one man had done another might do, and that the original 

 difference between human intellects was much less than it was sup- 

 posed to be; in this respect he resembled his great predecessor 

 Newton, and his cotemporary Dalton, both of whom had unbounded 

 confidence in the powers of patient thought. 



In the autumn of 1792 Thomas Young removed to London, in 

 order to study medicine, which profession he had determined to 

 adopt, being greatly influenced in his choice by the wishes of his 

 uncle Dr. Brocklesby. This gentleman had kindly undertaken the 

 charge of his education, and Young was by him introduced to the 

 members of the most distinguished literary circles in the metropolis, 

 including Burke, Drs. Lawrence and Vincent, Sir Joshua Reynolds, 

 Sir George Baker, and others. In the autumn of 1793 he became a 

 pupil at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and in October 1794 proceeded 

 to Edinburgh, still further to prosecute his medical studies. While 

 residing at Edinburgh Dr. Young mixed largely in society, began 

 the study of music, took lessons on the flute, and also private lessons 

 in dancing, and frequently attended performances at the theatre. 

 From this period he gave up the external characteristics of the 

 Quakers, and ultimately ceased to belong to their body, although he 

 practised to the end of his life the general simplicity of their moral 

 conduct. 



During the year 1795 he commenced a tour on the Continent, 

 staying at the University of Gottingen during nine months, in order 

 to prosecute his studies and take a doctor's degree. In February, 



