[1] _Joshua Ward_ was one of the younger sons of an ancient and respectable family settled at _Guisborough_ in _Yorkshire_, where he was born some time in the last century. He seems, from every description of him, to have had small advantages from education, though he indisputably possessed no mean natural parts. The first account we have of him is, that he was a associated in partnership with a brother named _William_, as a dry-salter, in _Thames-street_. After they had carried on this business some time, a fire broke out in an adjoining house, which communicated itself to their warehouses, and entirely destroyed all their property. On this occasion Mr. _Ward_, with a gentleman from the country who was on a visit to him, escaped over the tops of the houses in their shirts. In the year 1717 he was returned member for _Marlborough_; but, by a vote of the House of Commons, dated _May_ 13, was declared not duly elected. It is imagined that he was in some measure connected with his brother _John Ward_ (who is stigmatized by Mr. _Pope_, Dunciad III. 34.) in secreting and protecting illegally the property of some of the _South Sea_ directors. Be this as it may, he soon after fled from _England_, resided some years abroad, and has been frequently supposed to have turned _Roman_ Catholic. While he remained in exile, he acquired that knowledge of medicine and chemistry, which afterwards was the means of raising him to a state of affluence. About the year 1733 he began to practise physic, and combated, for some time, the united efforts of Wit, Learning, Argument, Ridicule, Malice, and Jealousy, by all of which he was opposed in every shape that can be suggested. At length, by some lucky cures, and particularly one on a relation of Sir _Joseph Jekyl_ Master of the Rolls, he got the better of his opponents, and was suffered to practise undisturbed. From this time his reputation was established: he was exempted, by a vote of the House of Commons, from being visited by the censors of the college of physicians, and was even called in to the assistance of King _George_ the Second, whose hand he cured, and received, as a reward, a commission for his nephew the late General _Gansel_. It was his custom to distribute his medicines and advice, and even pecuniary assistance, to the poor, at his house, _gratis_; and thus he acquired considerable popularity. Indeed, in these particulars his conduct was entitled to every degree of praise. With a stern outside, and rough deportment, he was not wanting in benevolence. After a continued series of success, he died _Dec._ 21, 1761, at a very advanced age, and left the secret of his medicines to Mr. _Page_, member for _Chichester_, who bestowed them on two charitable institutions, which have derived considerable advantages from them. His will is printed in _The Gentleman's Magazine_, 1762, p. 208.