MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 
73 
^hoiisand preparations, wet and dry, besides many 
and sliells. 
have still to add tliat Mr Hunter’s liospitable 
’•''ttision was open onre a week for a social enter- 
^^innient and conversazione, at which his scientific 
'®nds Were always welcome, and where everything 
in science was introduced and discussed. His 
complished lady still continued to be the comfort 
^l^d ornament of his home ; and he was happy in two 
^ ’ddren, of whom he used to say, that if he bad 
allowed to bespeak a pair of children, they 
^ ">ul(l have been those with which Providence had 
''ourecl him. Besides his house in town, he still 
’■'^^ained his prnpinquum rus, a retreat every way 
y^^culated to soothe and delight, not less than to 
’’^'Prove his leisure hours. 
pttt in the midst of all his prosperity, Mr Hun- 
*"’’8 health had become essentially impaired. The 
^^t-^cks of illness to which we. have already had oc- 
®^'on to advert, proved, after a considerable interval, 
Precursors of others which finally terminated his 
I* 'orious life. The case was considered very pecu- 
> and that inquisitiveness of mind which formed 
**'* conspicuous a trait of Ills character, was not dor- 
’^^^•it in regard to the nature of his own complaints. 
c noted the iirogress of the symptoms, and iheo- 
^^t>d upon them vvith his accustomed ingenuity, 
lik^ ”*‘'dical men by whom he was surrounded, 
®rvise watched and investigated every turn, so that 
