The last Paper Mr _Beckett_ ever wrote, was an Address to you for a private Favour; in which he says, he likewise had reason to believe that Dr _Mead_ would be his Friend. He therein acquainted you that he had, “contracted such a Cold by sitting to write, with his Neck against a North-Window, as he feared would be his Death; and if so, _adds he_, it may be said I dye a Martyr to the _Improvement_ of the History of _Physic and Surgery_.” Thus concluded his Paper which he did not live to sign; it was found among his _Collections_ relating to the _Lives of the British Physicians, Surgeons_, &c. He had copied fair, for the Press, the greatest part of his Papers; and tho’ it was an _unfinished Work_, yet from his Character, and the great Pains he had taken, I knew it would be very acceptable to the Public. Accordingly I put it to the Press, and intended to have published it in two Volumes in _Octavo_. Young Dr _B_ * * * *, was recommended to me as a proper Editor: I sent for him and shewed him the Papers; but soon found, that he was much too young both in Character and Ability for such an Undertaking. I printed one Sheet, in _Octavo_, (of which there were but two Copies taken off) upon this, Dr _Milward_ informed me, that he had been for some Years compiling _An Universal History of Physic_. He expressed his Desire of purchasing Mr _Beckett_’s Papers, and being fully convinced, from his Learning and Candour, that he would do Justice to the _Author_’s Memory, I readily let him have them. And Sir, that you, might in some measure be apprized of Mr _Beckett_’s PLAN, I have to this Volume prefixed his Introduction to the Work. _I Remain, Honoured Sir, Your Most Obliged, And Obedient, Humble Servant_, E. CURLL. INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF PHYSIC and SURGERY. _Concerning the Antient State of Learning, and the Antiquity of the Practice of_ Physic _and_ Surgery.