MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 
67 
former, seems to have entirely eluded both his 
Own ingenuity and the acumen of the faculty ; nor 
it appear that medicine proved of the slightest 
^*Pnefit. As soon as he was able he went to Bath, 
^here, however, he staid but a short time, being 
''Ofy anxious to resume his various employments ; 
^od in a few weeks he got well. 
Mr Hunter was now advancing rapidly into pub- 
Celebrity : he still enjoyed the patronage of his 
brother, at this time in the highest credit with the 
Royal Family and the high nobility; and in 1776 
bo had the honour of being appointed Surgeon Ex- 
^•■oordinary to the King ; and, ten years afterwards, 
'''Wi gazetted as Deputy Surgeon-General to the 
■^rmy. Professional success, however, was never 
ultimate aim of his ambition ; and he prosecuted 
b with ardour, mainly as affording the necessary 
b*oans for the attainment of those scientific objects 
**0 which his soul was centred. The emoluments of 
'0 profession were unremittingly lavished on these 
objects, and every moment he could redeem from 
necessary engagements was devoted to his scien- 
Pursuits. The results of these labours were 
tific 
*bust abundant. 
^n 1773, at the request of Mr alsh, he dissect- 
the Torpedo, and laid an account of the electrical 
“'■gans before the Royal Society. 
A, young elephant presented to the Queen by Sir 
ubert Barker, having died, the body was given to 
