some of the first families in that city but only made use of one or two of them, in order that he might not be tempted to interrupt that plan of study which he had marked out for himself. Mr. McLeḥose, to whom he often referred with gratitude, received him always at his house as one of the family. Here he met with many congenial friends, whose society he much enjoyed, among whom was the "Clarinda" of Burns, Mr. McLehose's mother, a person of great intelligence, who, though much advanced in years, retained all her faculties, and would often relate, with the utmost vivacity and humour, the adventures of her earlier years, together with interesting anecdotes of eminent characters with whom she had come in contact. But the pleasures which such society and kind hospitality placed within his reach, were enjoyed only as recreations, never being suffered to divert his mind from the one object for which he had entered the university. So great, indeed, was his devotion to study, that it was his constant habit to read till the clock struck three before retiring to rest, and yet he was always in the college by eight.

There is little doubt that these habits, which were kept up more or less through his life, tended materially to undermine his constitution and shorten his days.

After remaining three years in Edinburgh, Mr.

Gordon went to Hull on a visit, and had secured his place in the coach, in order to return, for the purpose of completing the necessary term, and obtaining his diploma. But the day before he was to set off, he met with a medical friend, who strongly advised him to delay taking his degree, and to engage for a few years as a general practitioner his youth, and very juvenile appearance, being much to his disadvantage as a physician.

Welton, nine miles from Hull, was recommended as possessing the attractions of a beautiful country, a wealthy neighbourhood, and every advantage for a young man under his circumstances. In consequence of this suggestion, he hired a horse, and rode over to view the place. It was a very fine morning in May; and every object looked so lovely and inviting, that he at once resolved to reside there at least for a year, that he might have the opportunity of continuing his studies, even if he did not succeed as he expected in his profession. He took lodgings that very day. His gentlemanly manners and cultivated mind soon gained him the respect of the whole neighbourhood.

In 1826, he was married to Mary Anne, the second daughter of James Lowthrop, Esq., of Welton Hall. With a large circle of friends, a lucrative practice, and such an accession to his happiness, he did not hesitate to comply with her wish to remain at Welton for several years.

The following "system of study," dated August, 1827, which was found among his papers, will serve to illustrate the course of reading which he pursued at this time:

Monday-Natural Philosophy.

Tuesday-Chemistry, Pharmacy, Mineralogy, or Geology.

Wednesday Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology, or Surgery.

Thursday-Vegetable Physiology, Botany, Ma

teria Medica, or Agriculture. Friday-Pathology and Practice of Medicine, or Midwifery.

Saturday-Languages, Logic, Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, or Algebra.

In 1828, he published a small volume on the Practice of Surgery, and in 1832, a "Critical Inquiry concerning a New Membrane in the Eye." He also frequently sent contributions to Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, and to various Medical Journals. In 1832, he was elected a Fellow of the Linnæan Society. In 1838, he returned to Edinburgh, intending to remain there only the one term still necessary to complete his course of study as a physician; but the opportunity afforded him of giving his undisturbed attention to those scientific pursuits, in which he was so deeply interested, induced him to give himself, as he used

to call it, a holiday. He consequently remained there with his family more than two years; during which time he seldom retired to rest until two o'clock, though he was always ready to resume his studies at eight, and frequently attended an early lecture before breakfast, in the Botanical Gardens.

In 1841, he took his degree of M.D. with great honour, and settled as a physician in Hull. Here he devoted himself with ardour to the duties of his profession, still continuing his medical studies with undiminished zeal. But though surpassed by few in the diligent and habitual investigation of all branches of professional learning, and in the candid examination of the merits of every new opinion and discovery, he by no means confined himself to medical reading. 'He intermeddled with all wisdom." He kept up the studies of former years; and for a long time the author enjoyed the privilege of reading classics with him daily, and was always struck with the elegance and accuracy of his translations. With natural science, in all its branches, he was familiar. Poetry, history, and oratory, were his delight in his hours of recreation. No topic of public interest escaped his investigation. Especially he studied deeply all questions bearing on the general welfare of the community, chiefly the working classes. To the subject of Free-trade, and of the Currency, he

devoted peculiar attention. In nothing was he superficial; and was never satisfied with anything short of the most certain information, and the clearest demonstration.

He was soon known as a public man; was elected a councillor for the borough; and in various political movements took a prominent part, always promoting what he thought to be the cause of popular progress. Freedom in trade, education, and religion, parliamentary and financial reform, extension of the suffrage, peace, and other kindred questions, found in him an earnest advocate. To the cause of temperance he devoted much of his time and energies. He saw how great were the evils entailed on his country, and especially on the working classes, by intemperance. To this baneful source he traced most of the poverty, wretchedness, disease, and crime, which prevail among us to such an alarming extent. His benevolent disposition prompted him to do all in his power to check this great evil. The total abstinence movement could not escape his notice; he studied it with impartiality, and becoming convinced of its truth on physiological as well as moral grounds, he at once adopted and advocated it.

In 1845, he was chosen the president of the Hull Christian Temperance Society. In connexion with this association he laboured most indefatigably to promote the physical, intellectual, and moral