Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/121

 94 HISTORY OP BISHOP AUCKLAND. 1739. — June Ijc. — ^Wm., the son of Wm. Vipond, drowned in Qallness, of Midridge. 1745. — ^February 25. — ^Anthony Salvin, Esq., of Bishop Auckland. 1746. — January 1. — Benjamin Long, a soldier. January 2. — John, the son of Heniy White, a soldier. 1751. — September 25. — The Revd* Mr. William Ghaloner (Incumbent), of Bishop Auckland. November 25. — ^Anne Smith and Jane Brown (both in one grave), Bp. Auckland. In the Register for Marriages and the Register for Deaths we find the two following entries : — 1741. — ^December 6. — Mr. Bowes Qarth, of Gainford^ and Jane Bowser, of this parish. License. 1759. — July 18. — Jane, wife of Mr. Bowes Garth, from Bolam. The above-named gentleman was nephew to one of the most eminent men of his age, Samuel Garth, who was bom at Bolam. He received his academical education at Peter-house,* Cambridge, where, it is said, he resided until he took his degree of M.D. on July 7th, 1692. He was admitted a member of the College of Physicians on June 26th, 1692, and soon attained the first rank in his profession. In politics he was a zealous Whig ; and his companionable talents, and proficiency in polite literature, acquired hini patrons of great rank and influence. A division which arose among the members of the medical profession, on the subject of the establishment of a dispensary for the poor of the metropolis, induced Dr. Garth, who espoused the measure, to compose his mock-heroic poem, " The Dispensary." It was first published in 1696, and, being widely read and admired, materially contributed to the fame of the author. In a few months, it passed through three editions, in consequence of which he afterwards made many additions and corrections ; and, in 1706, he published a sixth edition, with several descriptions and episodes not before printed. In 1697, he » composed and printed his "Harveian Oration," which was much extolled for its Latinity. In this oration he ridiculed the multifarious classes of quacks with a just spirit and inimitable humour. Although a party man, he was always ready to benefit men of merit on every side, and hence was an early encourager of Pope. In 1710, he addressed a copy of verses to Lord Godolphin on his dismissal, and displayed his attachment to the House of Hanover by an elegant Latin dedication of an intended version of Lucretius to the Elector, afterwards George L On the accession of the latter, he received the honour of knighthood, the ceremony being performed with the Duke of Marlborough's sword ; and he was appointed Physician-in-Ordinary to the King, and Physician-General to the Army. He is said to have had a very extensive practice, in which he conducted himself with great moderation as to his views of pecimiary reward, and with a strict regard to the honour and interests of his profession. When Dryden died. Garth pronounced a Latin oration over the Poet's remains. With Addison he was, politically and personally, on terms of the closest intimacy ; and wrote the epilogue to his tragedy of Cato, which ends with the following beautiful lines : — Oh, may once more the happy age appear, When words were artless, and the thoughts sincere ; When gold and grandeur were unenvied things, And courts less coveted than groves and q;>rings. Love, then, shall only mourn when truth complains, And constancy feel transport in his chains ; Sighs with success their own soft language tell, And eyes shaU utter what the lips conceal : Virtue again to its bright station climb, And beauty fear no enemy but time ; The fair shall listen to desert alone, And every Lucia find a Cato's son. He died, in the height both of medical and literary reputation, January 18th, 1718, and was buried in the Church of Harrow-on-the-Hill on the 22nd of the same month. Sir Samuel Garth Digitized by Google
 * The entry of his admiisioQ at Peter-house states that he was ednoated at Ingleton.