104 
VETERINARY SKETCHES. 
and never argued hypothetically. His mode of reasoning on an 
opinion was always the statement of a fact which bore upon the 
question. 
The wisest people, however, sometimes do the most foolish 
things. He devoted himself too much to politics. This was, at 
that time, the easily-besetting sin of many of his pupils, as well 
as himself.” 
“ Mr. ABERNETHY was a man of talent ; he was eloquent and 
amusing in his lectures. He was a good anatomist for teaching 
and reading, but not for work, as he never laboured. He would 
have made a good physician, but never was a perfect surgeon, and 
never would have been had he lived a thousand years. He was a 
very amusing companion. He was a most excellent private cha- 
racter — a good husband and father. He had a great memory, and 
generally got by heart what he had to say. 
His blue pill and nonsense about the stomach did him harm. 
He ordered his patients to eat three ounces of food three times 
every day, and not to drink while they ate. A patient of his said 
to me, “ I am a proselyte to his doctrines ; but does he practise 
what he recommends 1” I said, “ I will give you a faithful account 
of his dinner to-day, for I dine with him at the Freemasons’ Tavern.” 
I sat next to him. He took turtle and punch, fish, venison, cham- 
pagne, pastry, and cheese; and “now,” said he, “ waiter, give me 
a glass of brown stout.” After this he took his wine moderately, 
as we all did. When I told this to the patient the next day, he 
said, “ How could I be such a fool as to starve myself as I have 
done!” 
“ Dr. BABIN GTON was the most disinterested of creatures and 
the most delightful of men ; a good father, a good husband, a sincere 
friend, and a loveable companion. I never saw so good or so cheer- 
ful a man. He had learned physic as apothecary to Guy’s Hos- 
pital. Birch said that they had spoiled a good apothecary in trying 
to make him a physician. Babington waited on him and asked 
him if he had said so, saying that he must answer for his imperti- 
nence. Birch, however, assured him that it was only said in 
badinage , and slunk out of it. 
It is said that Babington lost a great number of children. He 
was subject to frequent headaches, which deprived him of the 
