82 SIEMOIR OP JOHN HUNTER. j 
His temper was very warm and impatient, readily 
provoked, and when irritated not easily soothed. 
This is Sir Everard Home’s account of it in his own 
words ; and Mr Bell, who, from living so long with 
him, had equal opportunities of forming a judgment, 
entirely concurred in its accuracy. The keenness ot 
his temper increased towards the latter period of his 
life ; and it is evident that much must be attributed 
to the want of restraint in his youth, and much to 
the nature and severity of his disease. 
His disposition was candid, and very free from 
reserve. He despised deceit, and perhaps incau- 
tiously avowed his sentiments. His mind was na- 
turally formed for investigation, and he gi'atified that | 
tendency even on the most trivial occasions. He 
soon tired in mixed company where there was no op- 
portunity for connected conversation : and this was 
more particularly observable during the last ten years 
of bis life. 
Mr Hunter undoubtedly was one of the most in- 
dustrious of men. The manner in which he appro- 
priated his time, before infirmity impaired his exer- 
tions, was as follows : He rose very early in the 
morning, and went immediately into his preparation 
rooms, where he worked himself, and gave direction* 
concerning what he would have done during the 
course of the day. After breakfast, which was n* 
eight, he attended to those patients who came to the 1 
house. At eleven, he went abroad, and was eiO' ' 
ployed in visiting the hospital and his patients. 
