upon his assiduity; and in the welleducated and skilful physician, all these acquirements are expected to be combined;-a union of knowledge, talent, and intelligence, which in no other country more amply than in our own is seen to complete that learned, useful, and responsible character; we say "responsible," for in addition to the burden of acquirement is the weight of responsibility that attaches to it; -and in proportion to the efficiency with which this is fulfilled, the acquisition of credit and reputation is always found to be commensurate. Hence it is that in the medical profession the greatest anxiety of mind must accompany the practice-since the life of the patient may, and the character of the practitioner must, depend fre quently upon the result of his skill and advice and this anxiety will be always found to operate most strongly in him who best comprehends the case for which his aid is required. Indeed, it may be truly said, that no small portion of firmness of mind, as well as a rooted attachment to his profession, is indispensable to uphold the medical man under all the conflicts of circumstances and events to which he is exposed to these requisites also may be added, without any pretext of affected philanthropy, an earnest desire to promote the comfort and secure the welfare of his suffering fellow-creatures-nor can any reflection more readily compensate for the constant excitement of his most painful sym. pathies, than the consciousness that he has left nothing out of the course of his reading and professional application which may better enable him to confer the desired relief;-and should the extremity of disease render his skill unavailing, he draws a consolatory conclusion from the fatal prevalence itself, that if a remedy were to be found within the limits of the cause and consequence of the malady, he could have devised it. When, therefore, all this acquirement and responsibility and anxiety are summed up in one general aggregate of obligation, it must be allowed, that there is no character which is more entitled to the consideration of society, on its own account, than the medical practitioner; nor can there be any effort of success in the promotion of its object more deserving of the gratitude of man, as a member of society, than that which is made by a skilful and

judicious physician; and the benefit which accrues to the patient and his family can never be measured by the mere pecuniary offering of remuneration; for although the skill may be purchased, there is no valuation of it which can be equivalent to the blessing secured; when the chief of a family, a father or a mother, is restored to health, and to their foreboding children; or when a child, a son or a daughter, is rescued from the premature grave, and re established in the vigour of youth, to the joy of the desponding parents. In these and similar instances the physician becomes the agent of Heaven's healing mercies, and to the grateful participators in the blessing appears to be arrayed with a semblance of little less than divine interposition.

But it is not enough that professional eminence should thus be individually appreciated-Its beneficial application extends itself into a universal good, and the cultivation of the medical art becomes a national concern with every people to whom the prolongation of life continues, as it does to the inhabitants of this happy land, the enjoy ment of every privilege and satisfaction, both public and private, that can make existence desirable. In proportion also as the population of every country is the source of its strength, that profession by which it is preserved, under the providence of the Supreme Being, from incidental diminution and in progressive increase, can no longer be esti mated merely as a personal benefit, but as a public advantage. The learning and talents of our medical men have long warranted such an inference, and for many ages, but in none more eminently than in the present, has the experience of the inhabitants of these realms abun dantly justified it. There never was a period in which the practitioners in every branch of the profession had a stronger claim upon our veneration and esteem, for there never was a pe riod in which medical practice has worn a more decided character of skilful ability, and in which the acquirements of the man have given a more elevated tone to the talents of the practitioner. In the practice of surgery, the names of a Cline, an Abernethy, a Blizzard, and a Cooper, may vie in well-earned reputa tion and intrinsic qualifications with those of the most famed sorgeons of any previous age; and in the practice of physic, a Baillie, a Halford, a Babington,

a Frampton, and a Farre, are names which will descend to posterity in the applauding voice of a grateful people, as long as memory retains the power of reminiscence. One there is, over whom the grave has closed, but who no less eminently merits our eulogium than r those whose living excellence still claims our acknowledgment, and this One, is the subject of the present Memoir. A SAUNDERS can never be forgotten while private and professional worth continue dear to the heart and judgment of man-and it is with pride and pleasure that we find ourselves possessed of the present opportunity of presenting our readers with a Portrait and Memoir of that estimable man and eminent physician, who by his science and talent no less advanced the progress than be increased the dignity of that honourable profession to which he belonged.

In our Obituary of the month of June, we had the painful task of announcing the death of William Saunders, M.D. F.R-S.* That we may acquit ourselves of a more pleasing duty, we now lay before our readers a biographical sketch of his professional life, from the first opening of those talents, which when matured produced a rich harvest of professional fame.

DR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, who was born on the 9th of July, 1743, son of an eminent Physician in the North of Scotland, who was well qualified to direct his inquiring turn of mind, and was so happy in conveying the first elementary principles of instruction, that the son at the age of twelve years became fit for admission into the College at Aberdeen;-be accordingly went thither in 1755; and in the space of four years passed through the usual course of academical studies with so much credit, that it was deemed prudent to encourage his inclination for that of medicine. In pursuance of this design, he was, in 1760, removed to Edinburgh, which has been justly considered as one of the first schools for physic in Europe; here he was placed under Dr. Cullen, who then filled the chair.

The high character of this celebrated physician and lecturer had assembled under him such a vast concourse of students, as to make it expedient for him to fix on two or three of his pupils to reside in his family, for the purpose of

Aged 74. Vol. LXXI. page 561.

relieving him in the discharge of his public duty, by exhibiting in the Theatre various experiments necessary to illus trate the subjects upon which he lectured.

It is obvious, that in selecting those individuals, the professor could have no design of indulging a predilection for any one-for his choice must have been necessarily confined to those who were able to follow him, and enter into the spirit of his lectures, as well as to display the experiments accurately and simultaneously with the precepts delivered: hence, therefore, the discriminating judgment of the estimable Cullen, who adopted young Saunders among the number of his assistants, is entitled to as much praise as the acquirements which merited his preference.

In this capacity the eager pupil remained the last years of his residence at Edinburgh, burning with desire to prove himself worthy of the distinction conferred upon him, and assiduously treasuring up to himself, and as it were making his own, all the information that flowed in private intercourse as well as at public lecture from the lips of his enlightened and beloved instructor.

The interval between his matricution and the prescribed period for taking his degree in the university having been thus employed, the hitherto successful student presented himself, in 1766, for a diploma; on such an occasion, it is ordained that the candidates should write a thesis upon some branch of their profession-Mr. Saunders chose for his subject the use of antimony-and the performance displayed so much chemical knowledge, that he was afterwards persuaded to publish it with considerable additions.

Invested now with a degree, he was privileged to enter upon the practice of physic; and in fixing upon a residence for that purpose, he was greatly assisted by his friend and preceptor Dr. Cullen, who sanctioned his own idea of settling in London: confirmed, therefore, by mature advice, Dr. Saunders took the bold direction of the Capital for the field on which he was to contend for professional fame-He accordingly arrived in the English Metropolis in 1766, when he had not yet completed his twenty-third year.

About this period, Sir George Baker was engaged in an enquiry into the nature of the colic of Devonshire; and in opposition to the received opinion, that it proceeded from an intem

perate use of cyder, he supposed it to arise from an impregnation of lead in that liquor. To conquer prejudice, and to establish a fact of such medical importance, it was necessary to proceed by experiment, and the chemical knowledge of Dr. Saunders eminently qualified him for the procedure. In the course of this successful investigation, Sir George formed so high an opinion of Dr. S's professional acumen, that he did not hesitate to propose him, and to procure his election as fellow of the College of Physicians, the bye-laws to the contrary being, upon this occasion of extraordinary honour, specially superseded.

A favour so solid on the one hand, and merit so conspicuous on the other, did not fail to cement a lasting friendship between Dr. S. and his patron, founded on mutual esteem; and in the Harveian oration annually delivered by the fellows, Dr. Saunders particularly noticed this act of disinterested patronage-be distinctly says, "quin fortasse ingratus esse, etiam vobis judicibus, viderer, si eum silerem, cui in primis illud acceptum referre debeo, quòd vester sim, quòd hæ fores mihi patuerint, quòd in tantâ, tamque ornatissima Doctorum virorum frequentiâ dicere mihi concessum fuerit"-and then he goes on to pay a just tribute to Sir George as a philosopher, a scholar, and a physician.

Dr. Saunders had shone so conspicuous in the above inquiry, that he became generally known to the faculty, although he had not been much more than a year in London; and he was consequently elected in 1770, without opposition, Physician to Guy's Hospital. This appointment was of advantage to the patients thus placed under his care, and also to the profession-for Dr. Saunders considered it to be within the sphere of his duty to attempt, for the first time in London, to reduce the teaching of medicine to a regular system, in which occasional practice could be attached to theoretical instruction: he therefore applied to the Governors, who liberally sanctioned his proposals to build a theatre and laboratory for the purpose within the walls of the hos pital. The wisdom of their decision soon became apparent in the number of young men who enrolled themselves members of the establishment with the sole view of learning their profes.

sion.

To teach the elements of a science, to awaken and to hold the attention fixed in the chair of instruction, require a mind cast in no ordinary mould: it must be simple to please, brilliant to attract, and sportive to enliven; it must also possess within itself extensive resources of knowledge, to be able to satisfy that thirst of inquiry and research which the dexterous use of its own various endowments had previously excited in the audience. In this cha racter Dr. Saunders stood unrivalled; while lecturing he never used a notebook; he proceeded with the utmost fluency to explain his subject in a colJoquial and cheerful manner; and the diversity of points in which he always presented it to view, never failed to impress the remembrance of his pu pils; nor did he permit the less attentive to dissipate their time in trifling levity-for wherever he observed a wandering gaze, he immediately turned to that quarter, and approaching with playful wit and the greatest good na ture, he was heartily welcomed as a lively guest, and listened to with such eagerness and respect, that they who but a moment before appeared insensible to their happy opportunity of acquiring information, were seen hangingin mute attention upon their teacher. Upon occasions like these, when the necessity for repetition arose, he so abounded in variety of illustra tion as never to fatigue, and yet never to dismiss a precept until he was satisfied that it had taken fast hold of all and each of his pupils. His lectures were thus not only delivered impres sively, but were furnished with every new elucidation of the disease under discussion; and hence the hospital, under his auspices, soon acquired, what it continues to retain, the character of the first medical school.

It was here that Dr. Saunders first became acquainted with those abilities which have placed Dr. Babington upon so high an eminence; and as Dr. S. was always eager to lead forth merit into notice, he supported him with a warmth of generous patronage alike honourable to each; and when he determined to retire from Guy's Hospital, he felt that the chair which himself had at first raised, and had adorned for thirty years, could not be more worthily filled than by his friend and coadjutor Dr. Babington, who was, in 1803, unanimously elected to it by the Governors.

Many other acts of similar benevolence and philanthropy might be instanced; but it is sufficient for us to observe, generally, that in all of them, the selections which he made of those whom he thus befriended was justified by no less evidence of the merits of the individuals than has been so strikingly exemplified in Dr. Babington. Indeed, when the conspicuous nature of the situation which he held with such high credit, and for so long a time, is considered, the opportunities which he enjoyed of consulting the kind inclinations of his heart must have been numerous. The situation itself placed him at the head of the city practice; and thus becoming the family physician of men of great mercantile interest, he naturally derived the means of successfully exerting his benevoJence, and of procuring medical appointments for his pupils, whose inte rest and welfare be always felt a pecu. liar anxiety to promote. Such a character could not fail to secure the regard and respect of the whole profession; and the friendship that subsisted between him and many of its most distinguished members is a strong proof of it. The intimacy between him and Sir Walter Farquhar had been uninterruptedly continued for upwards of fifty years, and proved a source of the highest gratification to Dr. Saunders to the last hour of his life.

Dr. Saunders unceasingly cherished a strong predilection for his profession; and although engaged in the constant exercise of a very extensive practice, be, notwithstanding its consequent engagements, evinced a strong regard for literary pursuits; and while he raised so highly the character of the physician, he did not overlook that of the author. His works are chiefly as follow:

1st, A Thesis on Antimony, 1766; republished afterwards with additions.

2d, Treatise on the Devonshire Colic, and the Danger of using Lead in the making of Cyder. 1767.

ge.

3d, On the Red Bark; which first introduced it into use, and, when nuine, is still universally preferred. 4th, On Liver Diseases. This has passed through several editions, and is quite a standard work.

4

5th, On Mineral Waters; their Use and Abuse; a valuable work in great estimation.

6th, On the Use and Abuse of Mercury in Liver and other Diseases.

From the facts which we have here collected of Dr. Saunders' professional career, it will be seen, that our introductory observations are all exemplified in their most appropriate application. By great industry in his early studies, he laid a foundation of learning and general knowledge on which he built up that superstructure of medical skill which gives to the profession in this country a distinction of eminence far above the practitioners in any other part of the globe. On this basis he grounded the high reputation which he enjoyed; and the influence which it gave him in society he most disinterestedly applied to those purposes of a benevolent mind that always seeks and finds its best satisfactions in the welfare and happiness of others. His life was adorned with the manly virtues of the heart, as his practice was substantiated in the soundest

qualities of the understanding: and when the hand of Death, commissioned by that inevitable decree of Heaven which no learning or skill or virtue can resist, removed him from his sphere of usefulness, the regrets of the profession, and the lament of all who knew him in his medical and social character, followed him to the grave, and still retrace, with affectionate remembrance and grateful esteem, the valuable en downents which characterized him as à physician and a man.

Dr. Saunders, we understand, was twice married, and has left four sous and two daughters. H. G. W.

To the Editor of the European Magazine.

SIR,

HILE many are engaged, at the

present period, in visiting an adjacent country, stimulated by that love of novelty so characteristic of mankind in general, and of Englishmen in particular, I take the liberty of subinitting to you and your numerous readers, a brief account of an excur sion which I lately made into some of the most interesting parts of my native land.

It was a law in some country-but whether ancient or modern, in Utopia or Terra Firma, I dare not take upon me to determine-that, prior to any one's being allowed to quit his native land, in order to visit foreign countries, an interrogatory should be put in due form, by the proper officerwhether he had yet seen his own? — I am ready to think, Mr. Editor, that

if this law existed in England, and were put into force, many of those who are, and have been, so ardently posting to the continent, "to see whatever could be seen," would be returned back to their own families and fire-sides, as "without the necessary qualification." For myself, though I am by no means disposed to be churlish on this subject, or to condemn those who avail themselves of a favourable juncture in order to enjoy an innocent gratification I am fully persuaded that there are beauties and scenes in Britain, despised because within our reach, but which vie with any, the fairest and the finest of other lands.

Wales was the chosen spot to which my steps have been lately directed; and passing over the intervening ground between London and Bristol, as well known to you and your numerous readers, I shall make the latter city the point from which the narrative of my excursion shall commence.

Pedestrian independence, where there is a companion to share your feelings, and ample time to accomplish your object, is extremely desirable; but as I had neither, I resolved, as the most prudent method, to hire a horse for a month, which I was able to do at Bristol for the very reasonable consideration of 4s. 6d. per day. Tendering a temporary farewell to the interesting vicinity of that city, and its neighbouring village of Clifton, a short time found me on the banks of the rapid Severn, the barrier interposed by Nature between this part of England and the opposite coast, formerly considered a part of Wales.

As the state of the tide was such as to prevent my immediately crossing the river, I passed the time which remained to me after I had dined, in walking along its cliffs. Though mine was a journey of pleasure, pensive feelings and reflections were not to be repressed, but still they rose and mingled with the emotions of admiring delight with which I viewed a scene justly claiming to be considered as grand. I was absent from a spot, where all that was dear to me in life resided, and felt more forcibly than ever, how tender those bonds are which knit us to those we love. As I looked round on the objects which I came expressly to visit, I could not help exclaiming-" Poor is the friendless master of the world."

Having waited more than two hours, the boatmen at length came to announce that the tide served;" and after en

countering those inconveniences which are almost always felt in crossing this river, I was at length landed, and made the best of my way towards Chepstow, in order, if possible, to reach it before night-fall. The Wye, which washes Chepstow on the north, and the stupendous cliffs of which are among the greatest beauties of Monmouthshire, was at this time receiving the additional ornament of a handsome bridge. In consequence, my horse and myself were once again compelled to enter a ferry-boat, and to be transported in that manner across this deep and impetuous current.

Chepstow, though one among the best towns in Wales, is both a mean and lifeless spot, compared with very many villages and borough towns of England. But it has charms and attrac tions scattered around it, which more than counterbalance to the sentimental traveller, the want of noise, and bustle, and gaiety. Its castle is a venerable ruin

and is still in a state of comparative preservation. It was once of great extent. As to its antiquity, topographical writers and antiquaries are not altogether agreed: but it is generally considered to be coeval with the town. The whole of the building is mantled with ivy, and impresses the mind most forcibly with the precarious nature of earthly grandeur. Within its walls was confined Henry Martyn, one of those who united in condemning Charles I.; and from its summit, a view is gained of the meanderings of the Wye, until at length its waters are commingled with those of the Severn.

Rising

Tintern Abbey was the object which next solicited my attention. near to the banks of the River Wye, no scene can be more lovely or more impressive. The stately arches, and mouldering pillars, tell of other days, when the swelling anthem of praise arose within its walls, and when all was consecrated to Heaven and to the services of religion. It measures 230 feet in length, and 33 in breadth; the transept is 160 feet long. It is cruciform was a Cistertian Abbey; and founded by Walter De Clare in 1131, and dedicated to St. Mary, At its dissolution, in 1587, it was granted to the Earl of Worcester.

My next letter will give an account of a visit I paid to the celebrated walks of Piercefield, and to Caldecott Castle. I am, your obedient servant, Judd-street, Sept. 1817. W. J