At the time now under review, two of the most prominent characters in this town were the elder _Pyle_ and _Dr. Hepburne_. Of the former some account may be expected hereafter. The latter was a North-Briton, and of the medical profession. At what time he settled here does not very distinctly appear; but it is supposed to have been about the latter part of king William’s reign. Be that as it might, he soon became eminent as a physician, so as to stand at the head of the profession, in all this part of the kingdom, for near half a century. Walpole, with our principal nobility and gentry, held him in high estimation, and his practice became in time so very extensive that he was seldom to be found at home, so that the town was obliged then to have recourse for medical advice solely to _Browne_ and _Lidderdale_ the two other physicians. On the 3rd. of February 1709, the Hall voted Dr. Hepburne the freedom of the town _gratis_; and he took up that freedom on the 12th. of the next ensuing August. _Browne_ is supposed to have had the same compliment paid him: so had _Lidderdale_ on the 29th. of August 1737. so also had _Tayler_ on the same day of the same month, ten years after. The last of our physicians, if we are not mistaken, who have been thought worthy of the honour of being made free of this ancient and renowned borough, was the late Dr. _Hamilton_. He was not, like Paul, _free-born_, nor did he, like most of his predecessors, become free _gratis_; but might say with the Roman chief captain, “With a great sum obtained I this freedom,” for it cost him at least 30_l._ which was a great deal more than it was worth to a mere medical man, fifty years ago. His being obliged to purchase it, and so dearly too, seems a pretty plain indication that a change of disposition towards the physicians had then taken place in the Hall, and that they were actually sinking in the estimation of that worshipful body. That same body is supposed to have been no less determined ever since, even from the commencement of this jubilee reign, against making any more of the physicians _free_, than his majesty is said to be against making any more of his subjects _Dukes_, except those of his own family. So remarkable a coincidence between the humour of our corporation and that of their beloved sovereign must, no doubt, be very curious to contemplate. As to the two physicians that are now, and have long been resident here, the present writer positively disavows any knowledge or suspicion of either of them being in the least uneasy in their state of villanage, or at all desirous of obtaining their freedom. On the contrary, he supposes them to be perfectly indifferent about that matter; even as much so as he is himself, who has not the least idea that the freedom of Lynn, or of any other town, would be worth to him a single _groat_, or what would afford the smallest gratification.