Page:The Harveian oration for 1874.djvu/23

 ‘to look over those scattered remains of my poor library, and whatever books, papers, or rare collections they shall think fit to present to the College, and the rest to be sold, and with the money buy better.’ To his published writings he makes no reference; no word occurs about his discoveries, no thought seems given to his fame, nor care expressed for its preservation, for he begins his will, ‘Imprimis. I do most humbly render my soul to him that gave it, and to my blessed Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus;’ and besides that where is the room for thought of earthly fame?

Little that is authentic can be added to this sketch of Harvey by his own hand. Of his outward form the portrait and the bust which we possess in this College give no doubt a correct resemblance. I doubt, however, whether the grave anxious expression which they convey was by any means habitual to him. Still, with their help, we may, perhaps, set before us the little dark-complexioned man, with keen black eyes and curling hair, which age changed from black to snowy white; rapid in utterance, hasty in manner, choleric in his younger days, and used then in discourse with