Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, October 18th, 1899 (IA b24975941).pdf/18

 Harvey was a born naturalist. He could not help observing. He was, in this respect, like Aristotle

Harvey's time, a period which appears long to the individual, but which is but a brief span in the history of a nation or the history of human progress. In connection with Harvey there are facts which show the continuance of our national life, which seem to bring us nearer to him, and which are not without interest. Our gracious Queen is but eighth in direct descent from James I, to whom Harvey was physician extraordinary. Our Prime Minister comes in the direct line from Burleigh, the great Minister of Queen Elizabeth, and Cecil, the great Minister of James. It was Elizabeth who pensioned Dr. Gilbert; it was Burleigh who befriended John Gerard. Queen Victoria has shown her regard for science by calling two successive Presidents of the Royal Society to the House of Peers, a gracious act which has certainly met with the approval of the Prime Minister, the scientific and philosophie qualitics of whose mind are perhaps to be traced to the circumstance that Cecil was the grandson of Sir Anthony Cooke, who was also the grand- father of Francis Bacon.

Again, it is not without interest to remember that the most un. sparing critic of Harvey's great discovery among his own country- men was Dr. James Primrose, the collateral ancestor of another living statesman distinguished for his wit, learning, and patriotism, of whom it may be justly said that he is nothing if not critical.

Sir John Spencer, who was Chairman of the Court when Harvey was elected to St. Bartholomew's, had been Lord Mayor, and was the father of that Elizabeth Spencer who eloped with Lord Northampton, and from whom is descended a well known living enthusiast for municipal government.

Lord Arundel, with whom Harvey travelled, and with whom he was on the best of terms, is only seven generations in the direct line from the present Postmoster General.

Two of the witnesses of Harvey's will, Mr. Heneage Finch and Sir Edward Dering, were his nephews, by virtue of marriage with Elizabeth and Mary Harvey respectively, the daughters of Daniel Harvey of Combe. The present Earl of Winchilsea is only fifth in direct descent from Elizabeth Harvey; while the present holder of the Dering baronetey is eighth in direct descent from Mary.