34 
MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 
It is not to be doubled, that the unfortunate state 
of mutual feeling existing between the brothers was 
the main cause wduch induced John, at length, to 
determine upon withdrawing from London for a sea- 
son. At the same time, it is not less certain, that the 
state of his health, impaired by incessant application, 
rendered change of scene, and a suspension of la- 
bour expedient. We find, accordingly, that he was 
advised to go abroad ; and Mr Adair, Inspector- 
General of Hospitals, having appointed him a sur- 
geon on the staff, he, in the following spring, ac- 
companied the army to Belleisle, leaving Mr Hewson 
to assist his brother. 
From these facts, we may conclude, that Mr 
Hunter’s indisposition was not of a very alarming 
character, as, had it been dangerous in its nature, he 
would probably have sought for milder skies, and, at 
all events, would not have encountered the perils 
and fatigues incident to active military service. The 
change, however, besides effectually breaking up his 
connection with his brother, must have no doubt 
tended to invigorate his constitution; while active 
service with the army, presented to him the best 
possible field in which to familiarize himself with the 
countless details of an art which can be practically 
legrned only by personal experience. Of these ad- 
vantages tliere is no want of evidence that he assi- 
duously availed himself, both for his own improve- 
ment, and for the advancement of science. 
On the 29th of March 1761, a secret expedition 
