I in the cure of diseases, because many an eminent physician, eminent really in the science, has been formed without it; as, for instance, the accurate Dr. Hunter, who, Sir Francis Milman told me, could scarcely write a common prescription. The aid it gives, then, is a firmness and self-consequence to the mind in difficulties, which nothing can shake, lessen, or overturn. need not tell you how little depends on learning in recommending you to the fashionable world as a physician; and I have often thought it was a fine answer of Diogenes, who being asked in mockery why philosophers were the followers of rich men, and not rich men of philosophers, replied, Because the one knew what they had need of, and the other did not.' "Sir Richard Steele has in one of his papers the following excellent observations: It would certainly be difficult to prove that a man of business, or a profession, ought not to be what we call a gentleman; but yet few of them are so. Upon this account they have little con versation with those who might do them much service, but upon such occasions only as application is made to them in their particular calling; and for anything they can do or say in such matters they have their reward, and therefore rather receive than confer an obligation: whereas he that adds his being agreeable to his being serviceable is constantly in a capacity of obliging others. The character of a beau is, I think, what the men that pretend to learning please themselves in ridiculing: and yet, if we compare these persons as we see them in public, we shall find that the lettered coxcombs without good breeding give more just cause for raillery than the unlettered coxcombs with it; as our behaviour falls within the judgment of more persons than our conversation, and our failure in it is therefore more visible. In short, I am convinced, whether a man intends a life of business or pleasure, it is impossible to pursue either in an elegant manner without the help of good breeding. It is our behaviour and address upon all occasions that prejudice people in our favour or to our disadvantage; and the more substantial parts, as our learning and industry, cannot possibly appear but to few. It is not justifiable, then, to spend so much time in that of which so very few are judges, and utterly neglect that which falls within the censure of so many.' "But, however, do not think from this that I am become a gay coxcomb; because I really hope I am every day improving in learning, as I never studied harder, with more satisfaction, or more determined industry. With respect to my practice, my progress surpasses what I expected, and kind fortune seems to have laid fast hold of me. But stop,-I feel no security, as something new may arise, the least expected perhaps, and turn the scale; so that I may have reason to say, in these lines of Roscommon's, which he has so prettily translated from Horace, 'When you begin with so much pomp and show, "A day or two since, I was sent for to the Earl of M. E.'s, to see the governess; and, on my entrance, an old lady came up and said, Dr. Knighton, the Countess Dowager of M. E. is very happy to see you.' Dr. K. gave one of his best bows. After going through the case, I was about to take my departure; when the countess took me into another room, and desired to know what confidential man was left at Plymouth; how much she should lament my absence when she went to the Mount; and concluded by calling poor Geach the oracle of oracles.' This gave me, of course, an opportunity of pronouncing a eulogy on the living oracle, for so I called Mr. Hammick. The old lady seemed pleased, and I took my leave until Saturday. 66 "I think I said, a few days ago, that I should give you a general answer to many observations which your affectionate friendship towards me induced you to make; but I shall forego the promise, and merely say that the word 'despondency' is by no means applicable to the disposition of mind which generally bears the term in the English language. You tell me, my good friend, very seriously, that you feel actual surprise when you consider what I have done, considering my years. My answer is, that according to the common pursuits of young men in general, it may be so; but I myself am not the least surprised, when I reflect on the sleepless nights and weary days, and the scanty pittance of necessity, which induced it. You will inquire if others are not placed in a similar situation. It may be so; and the same will always attend the pursuit, if no gross vice or constitutional infirmity arises to counteract it. My greatest blessing in early life was my wholesome share of good common sense, which enabled me on the spur of the moment to act with propriety, which always came unasked, and was therefore always more valuable. When the mind sinks, then, or I should rather say, feels the weight of the continual struggle with the contending world for a |