Memoirs of John Abernethy: With a View of His Lectures, His Writings, and Character; with Additional Extracts from Original Documents, Now First PublishedMacilwain, George
Science
Memoirs of John Abernethy: With a View of His Lectures, His Writings, and Character; with Additional Extracts from Original Documents, Now First Published
Macilwain, George
Abernethy, John, 1764-1831; Physicians -- Great Britain -- Biography
Few people get off so badly in the world as poor gentlemen. There are
multifarious provisions in this kingdom for all sorts of claimants; but
a poor gentleman slips down between those which are not applicable
to his case, and those which are too repulsive to be practicable. His
sensibilities remain—nay, perhaps are sharpened—and thus, whilst
they tend to exasperate his wants, they increase the difficulty of
supplying them. There is here afforded a grateful opportunity for the
indulgence of what we believe, amidst some exceptions, to be the ruling
spirit of medical men: a sensitive philanthropy, which no men in the
world are more liberal in disbursing. Abernethy had his full share of
this excellence. There are multitudes of instances exemplifying it.
We are indebted for the following to Mr. Brown, of the respected firm
of Longman and Co. Abernethy was just stepping into his carriage to
go and see the Duke of ——, to whom he had been sent for in a hurry,
when a gentleman stopped him to say that he should be very glad if
he could, at his leisure, pay Mr. —— another visit at Somers Town.
Abernethy had seen this poor gentleman before, and advised a course
which it appeared that the patient had not resolution to follow. "Why,"
said Abernethy, "I can't go now, I am going in haste to see the Duke
of ——." Then pausing a moment before he stepped into the carriage,
he looked up to the coachman and said, quietly, "Somers Town." This is
very characteristic. The fidgetty irritability of his first impression
at interference, and the beneficence of his second thought.
Dr. Thomas Rees knew a gentleman who was a man of ability, who had
been a long time ill, and who got a scanty living by his writings. Dr.
Rees called on Abernethy, one morning, and told him that the gentleman
wished to have his opinion; but that he had heard such accounts of him,
he was half afraid to see him. "And if he were not," said Dr. Rees, "he
is not able to pay you. He is a great sufferer, and he gets his living
by working his brains." "Ah!" said Abernethy; "where does he live,
do you say?" "At ——," mentioning a place full two miles distant.
Abernethy immediately rang the bell, ordered his carriage, visited the
gentleman, and was most kind to him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account