dregs of mortality. When, therefore, the wise Disposer of events foresees some huge and heavy sorrows ready to fall on them, he lays his hand upon them in the midst of life, and hides them in the grave. This has been the safe landing-place of many a lovely babe from a future day of temptation and overspreading misery. Dear little Mary, whom Providence has been pleased to take from us, was certainly, for such an infant, possessed of quickness and sensibility superior to any child I have ever seen; and God must undoubtedly have had some great and wise design in performing what he has done. Under such circumstances, then, ought we not to comfort ourselves for so valuable a loss ?" Mr. Bredall's practice was very extensive, which enabled his nephew to acquire a good deal of experience. During the latter period of his residing at Tavistock, he had the appointment of serjeant-major of a volunteer corps, commanded by his uncle, Colonel Bray; but he found the exertion it required, together with the ordinary fatigue attendant on the medical concerns of Mr. Bredall, more than either his constitution would bear or his professional improvement admit of. In his nineteenth year he left his uncle, (of whose kindness towards him he always spoke with the greatest gratitude,) and repaired to London, with the intention of completing his medical education, by the usual course of attendance at the hospitals and dissecting-rooms. Previously, however, to this period, it appears from letters (which seem to have been preserved with affectionate care) that he had become known to Dr. Geach, at that time the chief surgeon of the Royal Naval Hospital at Plymouth, and who was also in extensive private practice. He was a man of superior learning and discernment, and he early discovered an unusual degree of talent and ability in his youthful acquaintance; for in a letter dated in 1796 are the following extracts: 66 DEAR SIR, "I have long intended to thank you for your verses, which I cannot but approve of, and which may be considered as an earnest of what is to follow. I thank you for the trouble have taken in transcribing my observations, and the very good preface you have been so kind as to prefix. I thank you also for your own cases and remarks, which do you great credit.” you The correspondence was kept up during Mr. Knighton's stay at Tavistock, and on his removal to London; and, from the doctor's age and high estimation, it was particularly gratifying to so young a man, as well as most advantageous. It tended to excite in him an ardent desire to qualify himself by indefatigable labour for any station in which he might afterwards be placed; which may be observed by further extracts from letters at the time. "I felt real happiness on the receipt of your most kind letter, with the admirable lines enclosed.* The imagery, the conspi * The Amphion frigate, Captain Pellew, was accidentally blown up on the 24th of September 1796. The captain, the first lieutenant, and fifteen only of the crew were saved, out of two hundred and twenty men. Many women and children were also killed. The limbs and bodies of the unfortunate victims were floating in all directions. ON SEEING THE DROWNED SAILORS OF THE AMPHION FLOATING. In imitation of Horace, Lib. I. Ode 15. SONS of Amphion! by one general sweep cuous humanity, sympathy, and advice to those who may chance to witness any of the unfortunate victims, merit the warmest praise. I also have humbly attempted to express my feelings in verse on the occasion. I am afraid it cannot be deemed poetry; but I trust to your candour and goodness to excuse all inaccuracies. I was on Saturday elected, according to your advice, member of the Physical So Safe in the bosom of a hallow'd grave Let each his last sad funeral rites receive. See dust thrice sprinkled on the breathless clay, When moon and stars afford no glimmering light, Much do our sailors claim, who raise their sails |