Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/270

 250 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. ledge and interesting research in physic ; and when he came to add, in the subsequent editions which were required, an account of the symptoms which accompanied the progressive alteration made in the natural structure of parts, by some diseases, during the life of the patient, from his own observation and experience, he rendered his work highly valuable, and universally popular. Impressed, as he was, with the great importance and value of such morbid preparations, in assisting the physician to discriminate obscure internal dis- eases, his generosity prompted him, after the example of the immortal Harvey, to give, in his lifetime, his own collection to the College of Physicians. He has thus laid the foundation of a treasury of knowledge, for which posterity will owe him a debt of gratitude to the latest period. "He published, from time to time, several me- dical papers in the Transactions of the College, and in other periodical works ; all written in a plain and simple style, and useful, as containing the observations of a physician of such extensive experience. " But justice cannot be done to Dr. Baillie's medical character, unless that important feature in it, which appeared in every part of his conduct and demeanour, — his religious principle, be dis- tinctly stated and recognised. His ample converse with one of the most wonderful works of the Creator, — the formation of man, inspired in him an admiration of the Supreme Being, which no- thing could exceed. He had, indeed, ' looked through nature up to nature's God ; ' and the pro- mises of the Gospel, on the conditions explained