256 Notice of the late Dr. Waldo Irving Burnett. 
partment he was no longer capable of giving him instruction; 
~ and it was the habit of other teachers in the neighborhood to 
send to young Burnett for the solution of difficult questions which 
they themselves were incompetent to master. Almost without 
assistance, at a later period, he made himself familiar with the 
French, Spanish, and German languages, and during the latter 
part of his life had made some progress in the Swedish. 
the age of sixteen he had become thoughtful beyond his 
years; and then commenced the development of those tenden- 
cies in his mind which ever afterwards were so conspicuous, and 
which continued to exert a controlling influence, viz.: the desire 
of gaining an insight into the nature of things, and of forming 
philosophical ideas and conceptions of natural processes, concep- 
tions and ideas which can be obtained only by the exercise of 
the higher powers of the mind. Mesmerism, materialism, an 
theological questions occupied his thoughts, and were frequently 
written upon and discussed by him. On all of these he manl- 
fested independence and continnity of thought, and persistence 
in whatever direction his mind was turned. It was at this early 
age that his interest in the study of medicine commenced, when 
he accompanied his father in his professional visits, and witness 
the effects of disease, as manifested in the examination of bodies 
after death. Entomology now especially engrossed his thoughts, 
and nearly all his leisure moments were occupied in collecting; 
studying and classifying insects. While yet in his sixteenth yeat 
his father died. This event materially changed his prospects; 
and was met with firmness and decision, and in the course of the 
following year, finding that something must be done for his sup- 
port, he commenced teaching school, and at the same time gave 
his attention to the study of medicine. 
_'The subsequent years of his student life were spent under the 
direction of Dr. Joseph Sargent, of Worcester, with whom there 
grew up warm mutual personal regard and friendship: im the 
‘Tremont Medical School in Boston, which has given to the pro 
fession so many zealous and productive laborers in medical scr 
ence: and in the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was al 
dent and industrious as a medical student, but never allowed his 
attention to be withdrawn from the study of nature, the micro 
scope becoming his constant companion, and a source of never 
failing pleasure. As evidence of his ability it may be stated that 
in two successive years he gained the annual prize offered by the 
Boylston Medical Society. The subject of the first essay V4 
Cancer, treating especially of its microscopic structure ; and of 
the second, The Serual System, or the production of being; 
sidered as to its physiology and philosophy. 
In 1849, at the age of 21, he graduated in medicine, and $0? 
after visited Europe, where his attention, especially at Paris, W4 
