Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/301

Rh cluded from it; and, although a prospectus of the work had been published containing very copious explanations and specimens, which might be supposed to hare determ.ned its nature and bounds, he rewired when it was on the eve of going to press—to make the work still further useful, by introducing the more popular and important of foreign authors and their productions; embracing at the same time, the various continental editions of the classics Thus was an other mighty addition made to the original plan; and it is thus that many of the most splendid monuments of human intellect and industry originate in trifling or small beginnings.

In 1813 he published a Treatise on the History, Nature, and Treatment Chincough.' He was led to investigate particularly this disease, by a severe visitation of it in his own family, in which four of his children were affected at the same time, the two eldest of whom died. The treatise contains not only the author's own observation and experience, but also that of the best medical writers on the subject To the volume is subjoined, "An Inquiry into the Relative Mortality of the principal Diseases of Children, and the Numbers who have died under Ten Years of Age, in Glasgow, during the last Thirty Years." In this Inquiry, the author was at infinite pains in comparing and digesting the registers of the various burying-grounds in the city and suburbs; and of these he gives numerous tables, so arranged, as to enable the reader to draw some very important conclusions regarding the diseases of children, and their respective mortalities.

In 1814, he issued, anonymously, a small volume, entitled "Rules of Life, with Reflections on the Manners and Dispositions of Mankind." The volume was published by Constable of Edinburgh, and consisted of a great number of apophthegms and short sentences, many of them original, and the others selected from the best English writers.

About this time, his health began rapidly to decline. From his youth he had been troubled with a stomachic disorder, which attacked him at times very severely, and kept him always under great restrictions in his diet and general regimen. The disease had gained ground with time, and perhaps was accelerated by the laborious life which he led. He, nevertheless, continued to struggle against it, maintained his usual good spirits, and went through the various arduous duties of his profession. His duties, indeed, had increased upon him. He had become a member of various literary and medical societies, of several of which he was president, and had been elected physician to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and president of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons. These two latter situations involved a great deal of trouble and attention. He held them both for two successive years; the former he was obliged to resign, on account of the state of his health, just at the period when a handsome compensation would have followed his holding it; the latter was resigned at the expiry of the usual term of its continuance.

Although he had long laboured under that painful disease which we have spoken of, and of which he eventually died, it was not until the year 1817, that he totally discontinued his professional pursuits. Nor would, perhaps, his active spirit have so soon submitted to this resignation, had not another employment engaged his attention. He had, by this time, brought his great work, the "Bibliotheca Britannica," to a very considerable state of forwardness; had become interested in it, and anxious for its completion. He probably saw that, from the state of his health, the duration of his life must be but limited, and was desirous, while yet some strength and vigour remained, to place the work in such a state, that even his death would not prevent its publication. He retired, therefore, with his family, to a small country-house about two miles