CIV PROCEEDINGS OE THE 



been announced at tlie- last Anniversary ; but tlie news of it had 

 not at that time reached me. 



He was born in 1780, at Geneva, where his father was a Mi- 

 nister of the Gospel and Professor of Oriental Languages in the 

 Faculty of Theology. His son was thus favourably placed as re- 

 gards education, and he appears to have fully availed himseK of 

 the opportunities afforded him. 



In 1798, when Geneva fell into the French power, he proceeded 

 to Berlin, chiefly Avith the view of acquiring the German langtiage. 

 But it was in that city that he also determined upon the choice 

 of a profession, selecting that of medicine. Accordingly, instead 

 of returning to Geneva, he repaired to Edinburgh, at that time 

 perhaps the most celebrated school of medicine in Europe. At 

 that University M. de Eoches soon became distinguished for his 

 zeal and talents. In the course of his residence he was a Member 

 and President of the Eoyal Medical Society, in w^hose meetings 

 he took a very active part. And during this period of his life he 

 made numerous friends among the most distinguished men of the 

 day. Amongst these may be named especially the Marquis of 

 Huntley, afterwards Duke of Gordon, to whose kind offices in after 

 life he owed a good deal, and Dr. Eeeve, an eminent practitioner 

 in Edinburgh, and father of the present Editor of the ' Edinburgh 

 [Review.' He took his Doctor's degree about 1803, when he quitted 

 Edinburgh for London, where at first lie occupied the post of 

 Medical Officer to a Dispensary, and afterAvards established him- 

 self in private practice in the neighbourliood of Spitalfields. He 

 did not, however, remain very long in this capacity. Having been 

 offered a medical commission in the British Army then in Portugal, 

 he appears to have given up his practice with a view of accepting 

 the offer ; but before doing so he was desirous of once more seeing 

 his parents and of visiting his native city. He accoi'dingly set 

 out for Geneva in company Avith his friend Dr. Heeve, by a long 

 and circuitous route through Germany. Finding his father in a 

 failing state of health. Dr. de Eoche's filial affection induced him 

 to relinquish his prospects in the British service ; and he resolved 

 upon remaining in Geneva, and of there pursuing the practice of 

 his profession, in which he speedily acquired great repute. In 

 1811, as a mark of the esteem in which he was held, he was named 

 Professor of Medicine at the Academy — a chair, however, which 

 circumstances rendered. merely honorary. 



"When Geneva was restored to independence, in 1813, Dr. de 

 Eoches entered with great ardour into politics, and was elected 



