Dr. B⸺e.
Both of them rose to the very height of their profession, by the exercise of similar talents, and distinguished by similar endowments. It might, indeed, be said of them, that they were “pene gemelli, neque in ulla re valde dissimiles.” Both were remarkable for a strenuous diligence in accomplishing themselves in their profession; both were eminently gifted with strong sense, sound judgment, acute discrimination, and patient investigation.—They were, moreover, intimate from very early life, Dr. David P⸺ being accustomed to spend much of his time, when very young, with the Rev. J. B. father of Dr. M. B. who was Minister of Bothwell, in the county of Lanark; he was afterwards Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow. Dr. M. B.’s mother was the sister of Dr. W. H. the Physician, who founded the Museum well known by his name; the unfortunate removal of which from the metropolis of England to Glasgow, furnishes incessant matter of regret to students of every denomination. This untoward circumstance is said principally to have been occasioned by the inadvertence or neglect of Lord North, when Prime Minister—a very culpable neglect, surely. It is affirmed, and generally believed, for it remains uncontradicted, that Dr. William Hunter would have presented this most rich, extensive, and valuable collection of manuscripts, books, coins, medals, subjects of natural history, anatomical preparations, &c. &c. to this nation, if the Minister would have given him, in any part of London, a space of ground large enough for the erection of a Museum to be called after his name. This was either neglected, forgotten, or refused. The consequence was, that Dr. H. after directing it to be preserved for the period of thirty years in its original situation, bequeathed it finally to the University of Glasgow, whither it has, long since, been removed, and where it may be said, without any disparagement of those who possess it, that its use is more circumscribed, and, of consequence, its value less extensive and important.
The management and superintendence of this Museum and its contents, for the period limited in the will, was assigned by Dr. Hunter to his nephew, Dr. Baillie, to Dr. David Pitcairn, and Dr. Combe, who were in common, and, as it were, with one feeling, most kind and liberal in the accommodation they afforded to literary men; and sometimes, more particularly on a Sunday, might be seen assembled at the Museum, foreigners of distinction, eminent also for their learning, with some of the most illustrious philosophers and scholars of our own country.
Here Dr. B. resided, remarkable for his affability to all strangers who were introduced to him, and, as ever afterwards, conspicuously eminent for sound, good sense, and extensive information.
It is believed, that previously to his coming to England, he received his first rudiments of education at the High School of Edinburgh; so that every circumstance and period of their lives had a natural tendency to confirm and cement the intimacy between him and Dr. David Pitcairn.
Dr. B⸺ afterwards became a member of Baliol College, Oxford. And here let us indulge a good-humoured smile of wonder, in which the Doctor himself would hardly disdain to join; that, notwithstanding his early introduction into this country, his familiar and continual intercourse with the most polished and enlightened Englishmen, he ever and strongly retained the dialect of his native land.
Connected with Dr. Hunter’s Museum, in Great Windmill-street, was a Theatre of Anatomy, where Dr. ⸺ gave lectures, which were the delight and admiration of all who attended them. Perhaps this truly eminent and amiable man would not be offended at the suggestion, that the declension of his friend P⸺’s health, and his unavoidable removal to Portugal, laid the first foundation of his fame, and opened the path to that extraordinary eminence which he has since attained. One thing is very certain, that at the period when P⸺’s reputation was at the highest, and his practice almost without limit, Dr. B⸺ was rather known and esteemed as a skilful anatomist, than consulted as a physician. P⸺, however, who well knew and properly estimated his value, always and strongly recommended him, when circumstances prevented his own personal attendance; and still more particularly, when he left his practice and country, for change of atmosphere at Lisbon.
With his subsequent situation all are acquainted; and, if he lives[4], may he long enjoy the successful eminence which his merit has attained. In one thing he strictly followed the steps of his friend and predecessor; notwithstanding his very extensive and most lucrative practice, he was as prompt as when his business was circumscribed in a small and narrow circle, to attend to the necessities and sufferings of his friends. He also appropriated some portion of his valuable time to the distresses of the poor. Though his fatigue was incessant, and more particularly so, since the ever to be lamented indisposition of the Sovereign; and though, as he said of himself facetiously, “I lead the life of a dog,” he is very abstemious, and never exceeds his pint of claret.
If the writer were to indulge the strong propensities of his mind with regard to this eminent personage, many pages might easily be filled.