Harvey, William, 1578-1657; Physicians -- England -- Biography
High in the wall of the Church at Hempstead is a marble monument
containing a bust of William Harvey. The ornamentation of the tablet
is bold and effective, and below the bust is a long Latin inscription
testifying to Harvey's good works. The bust was carefully examined
by Mr. Thomas Woolner, R.A., who came to the conclusion that it was
made from a death mask. He says that "the features presented by the
bust are clearly those of a dead face. The sculptor exhibits no
knowledge of sculpture except when he was copying what was directly
before him. With the cast of the face for his copy he has shown true
artistic delineation, but all that he has been obliged to add to make
up the bust as it stands is of the worst possible quality. The ears
are placed entirely out of position, the large, redundant head of
hair is altogether out of character, imaginary and badly executed,
and the drapery of the shoulders is simply despicable." We have
nevertheless to thank the rude sculptor for the care he has devoted
to the face, and we are enriched by the knowledge supplied to us by a
great contemporary authority in sculpture, that the true lineaments of
William Harvey, as they were seen at the time of his death, are still
in our possession--lineaments which indicate a face at once refined,
reflective, and commanding.
Harvey's will is an interesting document. It is without date, but it
seems to have been made at some time between July, 1651, and February,
1653. The codicil is also undated. Perhaps it was added shortly before
Sunday, the 28th of December, 1656, the day on which Harvey read over
the whole document and formally declared and published it as his last
will and testament in the presence of Heneage Finch, his nephew by
marriage, afterwards the Lord Chancellor, and his faithful servant,
John Raby. The will runs:
"The Last Will and Testament of William Harvey, M.D.
"In the name of the Almighty and Eternal God, Amen.
"I, WILLIAM HARVEY, of London, Doctor of Physic, do by these
presents make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner
and form following, revoking hereby all former and other wills and
testaments whatsoever.
"Imprimis, I do most humbly render my soul to Him that gave it and
to my blessed Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, and my body to the
earth to be buried at the discretion of my executor herein after
named.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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