Account of 

 \V, Hamiltcn* 



(62) HIStORT of the SOCIETT. 



fincere efteem and gratitude. Even when his funeral palTed 

 along, many among the crowd Were obferved to fhed tears for 

 one whofe kindnefs had foothed their minds, and whofe fkill 

 had relieved them in the hour of diftrefs ; nat\ire prompting 

 them to pay this grateful tribute to him who could no longer 

 obferve or reward them. 



The foftnefs and tendernefs with which he fpoke to his pa- 

 tients ; the attention with which he liftened to all their com-- 

 plaints, however frivolous ; the readinefs with which he fym- 

 pathized with their feelings ; to a byeftander in health might 

 Ibmetimes appear excefTive, but, to the fame perfon in difeafe, 

 the whole appeared but a reafonable exertion of humanity. De- 

 lighted with the kindnefs of his manner, his patients vied with 

 each other in their commendations, of which he proved him- 

 felf worthy, by the utmofl delicacy of converfation, and the 

 ftridleft purity of condudl, no lefs than by exertions of fuperior 

 ildll, and by a punctual laborious attendance. His prudence, 

 which was uncommon for his years, led him to avoid all often- 

 tatious-difpiay of the extent to which he was employed j by 

 which means, together with the moll modeft demeanour, he, in 

 part, flifled that envy which is apt to rife in the old, when they 

 fee themfelves overtaken or outftripped by the young* 



As a ledurer, his manner was remarkably free from pomp 

 and affedlation. His language was limple and perfpicuous, but 

 fo artlefs, that it appeared flat to thofe who place the beauty of 

 language in the intricacy of arrangement, or the abundance of 

 figures. His manner of fpeaking correfponded with his ftyle, 

 and was fuch as might appear Uninterefling to thofe who think 

 it impoffible to be eloquent without violent geftures, and fre- 

 quent variations of tone. He ufed nearly the tone of ordinary 

 converfation, as his preceptor Dr Hunter did before him, aim- 

 ing at perfpicuity only, and trufting for attention to the impor- 

 tance of the fubjeds he treated. Thefe he feleded with great 



judgment. 



