IV 



SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE. 



with his companions of those rural and healthful sports, so necessary to 

 mental relaxation and corporeal strength. And although he seemed to have 

 no relish for these puerile pursuits at first, yet their effect upon his body 

 and mind was such, that he soon engaged in them with his characteristic 

 ardour, and became as healthful, agile, and erect as any of his youthful 

 associates. 



At fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to Mr. Johnson, a surgeon 

 apothecary, at Gosport. Here he quickly acquired and performed the 

 pharmaceutic functions ; and, by reading and practice, very soon became a 

 very valuable assistant to his master. Within the first year, notwithstand- 

 ing his multifarious avocations, he commenced his career as a writer, by 

 composing a "Dictionary of Poetic Endings," and a number of little 

 poems of sterling merit. Next, he employed his leisure hours in drawing 

 up " An abstracted View of the principal Tropes and Figures of Rhetoric in 

 their Origin and Powers," illustrated by a variety of examples. 



Before he had completed his sixteenth year, Mr. Johnson's illness 

 threw upon his apprentice an miusual weight of responsibility; and the 

 business of conducting the establishment, almost entirely without super- 

 intendence, engrossed most of his time. He nevertheless began under these 

 embarrassing circumstances to study the Italian language, of which he 

 soon made himself master ; and his commonplace book shows with what 

 zeal, industry, and effect he pursued this and his other studies. 



Shortly aifterward, however, Mr. Johnson's continued indisposition ren- 

 dered it necessary to engage a gentleman of skill and experience to con- 

 duct his extensive business ; and he selected for this purpose Mr. Babington, 

 then an assistant-surgeon at Harlem Hospital, and since well known as a 

 physician of high reputation in London. 



The death of Mr. Johnson occurring soon after the consummation of 

 this arrangement. Dr. Babington and Mr. Good were separated, after having 

 formed a mutual and endearing attachment, each having availed himself of 

 opening prospects which simultaneously presented themselves. After pursuing 

 his studies a short time under the direction of a skilful surgeon at Havant, 

 into whose family he was received, he was offered a partnership with a repu- 

 table surgeon at Sudbury. To qualify himself for this situation he went to 

 London in 1783, and attended the lectures of Dr. Fordyce, Dr. Lowder, and 

 other eminent professors ; and availing himself of the advantages of hos- 

 pital practice, he became an active member of a society for the promotion 

 of natural philosophy, then existing among the students of Guy's Hospital. 

 He soon distinguished himself by the part he took in the discussions, and 

 by his original essays, one of which, " On the Theory of Earthquakes," is 

 said to have been peculiarly ingenious, elaborate, and classical. 



The following summer of 1784, he commenced his professional career ik 

 Sudbury, and though but twenty years of age, soon gave striking proofs 

 of his surgical skill, which gained him the confidence of the public ; and his 

 partner soon after retired from the business, and resigned the practice in his 

 favour. In 1785, he married Miss Godfrey, of Coggeshall, a young lady 

 of accomplished mind and fascinating manners. But scarce had the joyous 

 festivity of his youthful heart commenced, which he so beautifully expresses 

 in the poem written on his marriage, before he found, alas ! " a worm was 



