Ui-Hf UHlVEr.cjT'. CA\!JFOf?NIA SAN DIEGO DATE DUE :!395 H\- ( i . ; A '' ^ ' i ' n MMh V ' ...? ( ■' UNIVilRSiTY or CAlilORNlA S/iN OIK.O 3 1822 01030 3287 zoo H/lSH m 4-feq3r] MEMOIRS MAESHALL HALL, M.D., F.R.S., CORRESPONDING MEMBER OP THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE ; FOREIGN ASSOCIATE OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE OF PARIS; ETC. ETC. BY HIS WIDOW. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. ^ttbUsI^cr in ©rbinarg to ^tr P^ajestg. 186L [_The rigU of Translation is reserved.'] LONDON: SAVILIi AND EDWAKUS, PRINTERS, CHANDOS-STREET, COVENT GARDEN, TO MY SON AND HIS WIPE AND TO MY GEANPCHILDREN, I I DEDICATE THIS SKETCH OP THE BEST OF PARENTS: WOULD THAT IT WEUE MOUE WORTHY OP THE BELOVED AND HONOUKED ORIGINAL ! CHARLOTTE HALL. A 2 PREFACE. It is with great diffidence that I appear before the public as the biographer of one so distinguished in science as Dr. Marshall Hall. That I should have presumed to undertake so important an office re- quires, indeed, some explanation. Ever since his deeply lamented death, I have earnestly desired that some record of his personal character should exist. His medical works and scientific discoveries are already before the world, and may safely be left to stand or fall according to their intrinsic value ; but his personal character, if not described by a contem- porary well acquainted with the original, could neither be faithfully delineated, nor rescued from mis- conception, and from the obliteration which inevi- tably waits on the footsteps of Time. I long entertained the hope that this task might be executed by some one far more competent than myself No one, however, who has not experienced it, can fully estimate the great difficulty of finding a biographer who, imtli sufficient leisure for the under- taking, combines all the requisite knowledge of the individual — of his personal character, his history, and VI PREFACE. his scientific labours, especially when these last are of no ordinary kind. Once, indeed, I flattered myself that I had secured the assistance of an able physio- logist ; but the event proved otherwise. The plan contemplated by this gentleman would have rendered the work highly valuable in a scientific point of view ; but most of my advisers thought that its learned charac- ter and proposed extent would tend greatly to limit the number of its readers ; thus, not without much regret, I relinquished the hope of his valuable aid. I trust that a more elaborate account of my husband's inves- tigations may yet be written at some future time, being perhaps prefixed to his collected works. Finally, many, upon whose judgment I place the greatest reliance, strongly urged me to undertake the task myself, trusting to procure the assistance of some medical friends in the professional portions of the work. Some valuable additions of this nature will be found in an Appendix, which contains, besides other matter, an able account of my husband's discoveries in the Nervous System, by Dr. W. Tyler Smith, who, from daily conversations with him on this subject for many years, obtained an accurate knowledge of it. For a brief account of the mode of resuscitation, generally known by the name of " The Marshall Hall Method," I am indebted to my husband's young friend, Mr. Charles Hunter, of Wilton Place, Bel- grave Square, who so ably assisted in the experiments which proved the efficacy of that mode of treatment, and who is practically and thoroughly acquainted with the whole subject. PREFACE. Vll I would gladly have procured assistance in giving an account of the other works of my husband ; but medical friends have assured me, that the many quotations which I have made from the best authorities explain their nature as fully as the limits of this Volume allow. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the assistance I have derived from a brief but able memoir of my husband, written by his valued friend Dr. Webster, of Dulwich, which appeared in the Lancet of July 27th, 1850, when the Editor of that journal conceived the happy idea of gathering together a series of short biographies of living eminent members of the medical profession. An invaluable communication from the same friend will be found in the latter part of this Volume. I have also made quotations from the admir- able obituary notice which apj)eared in the Lancet for August 15th, 1857, and which, even in our grief, afforded heartfelt gratification to myself and family. Some important paragraphs are also extracted from the obituary notice in the Medical Times and Gazette^ and that of the Edinburgh New FMlosopldcal Journal for 1858. To a host of kind friends, whose valuable letters enrich this Volume, I tender my most grateful thanks. The abstract of my husband's little work on " The Twofold Slavery of the United States," and his "Plan for the Sewerage of London," have been prepared by my son, who has also afforded me the greatest assis- tance in carrying these pages through the press. Even after having prepared the greater part of this biographical sketch, so painfully did I doubt its fitness to appear in print, that I proposed that what I had Vm PREFACE. written should pass through editorial hands. To this a friend replied — " In my opinion it would injure the proposed biography to place it in the hands of any professional writer or author, with a view to having it dressed up. It would thus lose more in freshness and interest than it would gain in the way of polish." So strongly did my own inability press upon my mind that, at one time, I had almost decided to con- fine these pages to private circulation. The urgent wishes, however, of my friends have prevailed, and I now offer this Memoir, with all its faults, to the public. My fear has been, not so much that of personal criticism — which, I am conscious, is but too well deserved — as the apprehension of failing to do justice to the admirable character which it is my privilege to delineate. I care comparatively little what is said of the writer, provided the end be accomplished — that of presenting a faithful portrai- ture. In describing the domestic character, I have quoted largely from the letters of friends, because I felt that thus alone could I confirm representations which, as coming from the widow, might be suspected of undue partiality. If, in writing of a beloved husband, his widow labours under the disadvantage to which I have alluded, one circumstance, on the other hand, is greatly in her favour. No other person can possess so intimate an acquaintance with the mind, the motives, and springs of action of him whose character she sketches. I had the great advantage of being the constant companion of my husband, when not profes- PREFACE. IX sionally engaged, and it was my inestimable privilege to share both his joys and his sorrows. I have felt that, in depicting the life of one so un- doubtedly great in genius, my task would be best fulfilled by very simple narration. Simplicity, one of his most striking characteristics, best befits everything relating to him. My office has been little more than that of collecting and recording facts. This I have done with scrupulous care and an earnest desire to be accurate. I have avoided the introduction of extraneous matter, thus excluding many anecdotes and incidents of travel which might have rendered this book more acceptable to the general reader. Dr. Johnson has observed, in his " Life of Ad- dison," that "History may be formed from perma- nent monuments and records ; but lives can only be written from personal knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost for ever. The delicate features of the mind, and the minute peculiarities of conduct, are soon obliterated." I am deeply thankful that I have been preserved to leave this simple record of my husband. The task has been to me truly a labour of love, and I dismiss it with reluctance. Gladly would I spend the rem- nant of my life in writing of one who rendered the larger portion of that life so happy. Fain would I linger over every trait in his admirable character, and retrace every event of those brightest and happiest days of my existence, with which his memory is indissolubl}^ associated. In conclusion, may I not venture to hope that this X PUEFACE. memoir will be read with indulgence, and that its many defects will he pardoned for the sake of the strict and conscientious truthfulness of the facts ? I can honestly aver that, so far as my knowledge ex- tends, there is not a misstatement or an exaggeration in the whole work. Throughout its execution I have striven to represent the subject of it as he really was. But alas ! how impossible to do this ! At any rate, I have the satisfaction of reflecting that the character here developed is well worthy of imitation. One great use of biography is example. May we not hope that the ennobling one afforded by the life of Marshall Hall may not be without its good effect ? C. H. Blacklands Park, Calne, Wilts, July, 1861. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE CHILD, THE BOY, AND THE STUDENT. Marshall Hall's Birtli and Family — Inventions of his Father and Brother — Character of Parents — His Love of Reading — Thrash- ing a Bully — Self-Education and Diligence — Reading Chemistry — Residence at Newark — Student Life at Edinburgh — Elected Senior President of Royal Medical Society — Account of him by Contemporaries — Graduation — Return to Notts — Recalled to Edinburgh by Appointment at the Royal Infirmaiy — Lettei'S to liis Family — His Character, Habits, and Friendships, pp. 1 — 37 CHAPTER IL VISIT TO THE CONTINENT AND SETTLING AT NOTTINGHAM. Paris — Pedestrian Journey to Gtittingen, Berlin, &c. — Short Stay at Bridgewater — Settling at Nottingham — Publication of the " Diagnosis" — Letters of Dr. Baillie, and his Favourable Opinion — Early Success in Practice — Publication of " The Mimoses " — His Important Distinction between Inflammation and Irritation — Publication of " The Symptoms and History of Diseases," " Medical Essays," and several Scientific Papers — The Dimi- nished Use of the Lancet in consequence of his Writings — Election as Physician to the Nottingham General Hospital — Duke of Portland's Letter — Archdeacon Wilkins's Recollections — Anecdotes pp. 38 — 63 CHAPTER IIL REMOVAL TO LONDON. The Lamentations of Country Patients at his Departure — Anec- dotes — Amount of his Practice — Sir H. Halford's Praise — Marriage — Publication of " Commentaries," " Eifects of Loss of Blood," " Due Administration of Bloodletting," " Affection of Xll CONTENTS. Children arising from Exhaustion," " Letters to a Mother," &c., " Circulation of the Blood in the Capillary Vessels," " Inverse Ratio between Respiration and Irritability," &c., " Hibernation " — Opinion of M. Flourens on his Works — Papers read before the Royal Society aud the Medico-Chirurgical Society — Elected F.R.S. — Various practical Papers pp. 64 — 84 CHAPTER IV. DISCOVERY AND OPPOSITION. Autobiographical Notes — Discovery of the Excito-motor Function of the Spinal Marrow, &o. ; its Development and Practical Applica- tions — Rejection of his " Second Memoir" by the Royal Society, aud Refusal to look at his Experiments — Persecution by Medical Periodicals — Conversation between Dr. Prout and Dr. T, Williams — Publication of his Views inMu]ler's"Archiv " — After Ten Yeai-s presents another Pajier to the Royal Society, which is also refused Publication — The Opposition which Discovery usually encoun- ters — His undaunted Courage and Perseverance ixnder it — No Honours ever conferred on him in England — His Conviction that Posterity would do him Justice — Extract. . pp. 85 — 103 CHAPTER V. ENCOURAGEMENT. Favourable Reception of his Discoveries on the Continent — The Memoir rejected by the Royal Society spoken of by M. Flourens as a Work of the highest Order, and the Discovery as constituting a great Epoch in Physiology — Euumei-ation of the Supporters of the Doctrine in England — Scientific Societies in Europe and America send him Honorary Diplomas — His Works are trans- lated into Four Languages — The Chevalier Bunsen's Testimony to the high Estimation of him in Germany — Practical Applica- tions of the Doctrine — Patients come from the United States and Shanghai to consult him — Mr. Le Gros Clark's Address —Dr. J. H. Bennett's letter pp. 104— 118 CHAPTER VL PRACTICE. Disadvantages in settling in London — His Success due to his own Character and Exertions — His own Account of First Practice in London — Professional Income — The Change consequent on his Discoveries in the Nervous System — Decrease of Practice — Injustice of Medical Press ; Jealousy, and Prejudice — At length Practice increases — Country Consultations — Love of Science greater than that of Money — His peculiar Faculty of deducing CONTENTS. Xlll Practical Results from his Physiological Investigations — He was the First to unfold the Causes of Convulsive Diseases, Epilepsy, &c. — Remedial Measures — Punctuality — Honourable Conduct towards Professional Brethren — Fragment on Etiquette — Letters of Mr, Gregory, Mr. M. H. Higginbottom, and Sir E. B. Lytton — Acumen in eliciting the Disease — General Hygienic Rules — Boldness and Promptitude — The Confidence he inspired — Constancy of his Notts Patients — Scotch Minister's Idea' — Kindness to Poor — Moorcroffc Asylum — Attachment of Patients, pp. 119—144 CHAPTER VII. LECTURES. Lectures at various Medical Schools — Afiection of the Throat — Testimonials of Louis, Flourens, Miiller — Mode of Lecturing — • Punctuality — Kindness to Pupils — Letters of Dr. Letheby, Mr. Jones, and other former Pupils — Four Courses of Lectures at College of Physicians pp. 145 — 156 CHAPTER VIIL MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS. Medical Reform — Oration — Letters to The Times — Military Flog- ging — Elected Associate of Academy ofJNIedicine of Paris — Letter of M. Louis — Greek Tables — Mathematical Papers — Visit to Tomb of Harvey — Letter to President of Royal Society — Sugges- tion of Decimal Pharmacopoeia pp. 157 — 174 CHAPTER IX. SUGGESTED WORKS ON THE THAMES, AND THE SEWERAGE OF LONDON. pp. 175—191 CHAPTER X. ANNUAL TOURS. Enjoyment of Travelling — Revolutions in Paris and the Nether- land — Numerous Quotations from his Travelling Notes — Switzerland, Italy, &c pp. 192—212 CHAPTER XL DOMESTIC CHARACTER. His Simple Habits — Daily Occupations — How and when he wrote his Works — Patience ; Industry ; Exactitude ; Power of Concentration; Rapidity; Condensed Style of Writing — Correct XIV CONTENTS. French, praised by Louis — Kecreations — Love of Children — Devotion to Profession — Simple Hospitality — Foreign Visitors — Dr. Noble's Reminiscences, and those of many others — Happy Disposition — Dr. Davy's Letter — Zeal in serving Friends — Kindness to Young Members of his Profession — Inculcation of Diligence — Sympathizing Nature — Liberality ; Letter of Mr. Geoghegan — Mr. Wakley's Expressions — Remarkable Combina- tions in Character — Personal Habits and Characteristics — Politics— Religion pp. 213—248 CHAPTER XIL DOMESTIC CHAEACTER. Impossibility of duly depicting the finer Traits of Character of Marshall Hall in the various Relations of Life — Letters to his Wife— To his Son pp. 249— 272 CHAPTER XIIL HEALTH. Health perfect till Middle Age — Dinner Pill — Too mixch Lectur- ing — Commencement of Throat Affection — Letter to M. Louis — His own Case described in Travelling Notes — Mr. Guthrie's Opinion — Consultation of Dr. Chambers and Sir B. C. Brodie — His Notes of his own Case — Removal to Grosvenor Street — Leav- ing Practice — Letter to Son — Desire to investigate the Subject of Slavery in the United States — LeavingLondon, pp. 273 — 281 CHAPTER XIV. AMERICA. Voyage to New York — A Hiirricane — Suspicions dispelled — Paper on Sea-sickness, written on the Atlantic, and published in the " Comptes Rendus" — Arrival at New York — Washing- ton — Inauguration of President — Sympathy with the Negro — Lecture — Baltimore — Philadelphia — The Alleghanies — Pitts- Ijurgh — The Ohio — Cincinnati — Louisville — Mammoth Cave — Tornado — First Letters on Self-emancipation — The Mississippi — St. Louis — St. Paul's and St. Anthony — Excursions in Min- nesota — The Encampment, the Prairie, and the Minnehaha — Council of Indian Chiefs — Excursions among Indians — Galena — The Prairie — Cox'duroy Roads — Chicago — Voyage over the Great Lakes — Niagara — Notes — Buffalo — Hamilton — Toronto — Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence, and the Thousand Isles — The Rapids — Montreal — Quebec — The Saguenay — White Por- poises — Forests on Fire — A Whale — Montreal — Lakes Cham- CONTENTS. XV plain and George — Saratoga — Albany — The Hudson — West Poiat — New York — Newport — New Bedford — Boston — Lec- tures at New York — An amusing Extract — Washington — The Potomac — MountYernon — AcquiaCreek — Richmond — Country Yisit — Journey by Wilmington to Charleston — Savannah — Macon — Montgomeiy — Alabama Biver — Mobile — New Oi'leans — Crossing Gulf of Mexico to Cuba — Havana — The Black Warrior Affair — New Orleans — Ascent of Mississippi — Louis- ville — Cincinnati — Buffalo — New York — Yoyage to Liverpool, pp. 282—322 CHAPTER XV. KETURN TO ENGLAND — WORK ON SLAVERY. Return after Absence of Fifteen Months — Yisit at Nottingham — Epitome of the Twofold Slavery of the United States, with Plan of Self-emancipation pp. 323 — 337 CHAPTER XYI. WINTER IN ITALY — PARIS. Soiree at Nottingham — Opening of Crystal Palace — The late Mr. S. Phillips — Lectures at Manchester — Paris — Marseilles — Nice — Cornice Road — Letter of Rev. W. Adams — Earthquake — Genoa — Strada di Levante — Pisa — Rome — Delight in Ancient Monu- ments — Long Walks — Soirees of French Ambassador — Study of Hebrew — Naples — Eruption of Yesuvius — Quotations of Notes — Pajstum — Amalfi — Pozzuoli, &c. — Notes — Paris — Writing the " Apergu " — Election at the Institute .... pp. 338—357 CHAPTER XYIL RETURN TO ENGLAND — LAST ILLNESS. Letter of Col. Seymour — Health ; a New Symptom — Investiga- tion in regard to restoring the Drowned — Rules — Coldly received by Humane Society — Warmly received and successfully adopted by the Profession in general — His Application of the Plan to the Still-born — Cases of Poisoning — Another Instance of his Practical Application of Principles — The Five-thousandth Part of a Grain of Strychnia detected by its Effects on a Frog — Letter of Mr. Yeatman on Liberation of his Slaves — Letter of Mrs. Fletcher — Yisit in Notts — Choosing Place of Interment — Letter to Dr, Webster detailing Occupations — Case of Epi- lepsia Laryngea — His Joy at recovery of Poor Boy from fright- ful Attacks — Yisits at Tunbridge Wells, Boulogne, &c. — Con- versation about a Future State — Hastings — London — Bi-on- chitis, &c. — Mr. Pollock's Account of him at this Pei'iod — Letter XVI CONTENTS. of Mr. Bowles — Letter of Dr. Hall to Miss W. — Zeal in giving Advice to the Poor — Writes a Paper for the Harveian Society — Removal to Brighton — Various Letters descriptive of his Case — The Affection he inspired — Cheerfulness and Resigna- tion — Constant Occupation — Papers and Letters on a Variety of Subjects — Pleasui-e derived from the Number of Lives saved by his " Ready Method " — Anxiety about Negroes — Letters to Rev. Dr. Bartlett and others — Increased Dysphagia from Cold — Inability to take any Food — Composure — Letters — Praise of Mr. Paget's and Dr. Snow's Cases — Letters detailing his Symp- toms — Pleasure on receiving Diploma from Edinburgh — Facility in Dictation — Autobiographical Notes — His Happiness — Letters — Papers in Lancet — Letter of Dr. Campbell of Georgia — Interview with Mr. Chui-chill respecting Publication of Pro- posed Work on Postural Respiration — Distressing Hunger — Diet — The Interest he inspired in all around — "A Glorious Case " — Visit of Grandchild — Letters — Interest in Poor Patients — Remarks on Religious Subjects — Delight in the Scriptures — Surprising Activity — Healthy Complexion — Symptoms — Increased Weakness — His Last Days — Peaceful End, pp. 358—421 CHAPTER XVIII. OBITUARY NOTICES — LETTERS FROM FRIENDS. Funei'al — Moniiment — Lancet Obituary — Med. Times and Gazette — Institute of France — Announcement by M. Flourens — Letter — Naturforscher Meeting — Deep Feeling manifested — Obituary Notice in Gazette Medicate d^ Orient — Sympathizing Address of New York Academy of Medicine — Account by Mr. Wildbore — Letters of Dr. Gibb, Miss W., Mrs. F., Mr. Hoblyn— Remi- niscences of Dr. Webster, of Dulwich .... pp. 422 — 458 APPENDIX. Dr. M. Hall's own Statement of his Case — The 'Post-mortem — Exposition of Dr. Marshall Hall's Discoveries in the Nervoixs System, by Dr. W. Tyler Smith— Account of the " Marshall Hall Method " of Resuscitation, by C. Hunter, Esq. — List of Dr. M. Hall's Works pp. 459—518 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF D^ MARSHALL HALL. CHAPTER I. THE CHILD, THE BOY, AND THE STUDENT. Dr. Marshall Hall was born at Basford,* near Nottingham, on the ISth of February, 1790. His father, Mr. Robert HaU, was a cotton-manufacturer and bleacher, at that place. The family formerly lived in those parts of the counties of Nottingham and Lincoln adjacent ; their head-quarters were Grantham, in the latter shire. Originally their name was Fitzwilliam, which was gradually dropped and that of Hall used, from their place of residence. At no period do they seem to have been people of very great importance, and were latterly of but little consideration.! As a cotton-spinner, Mr. Robert Hall followed in * The house in which his father resided is now called Basford Hall. t Those interested in such matters will find the pedigrees of Hall of Grantham at the Herald's oiEce, from the time of John Fitzwilliam, attached to the Court of William the Conqueror, down to the seven- teenth century. 6 2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF the wake of the Arkwrights, the Peels, and others of similar celebrity ; being contemporary with the Strutts, in the early period of the cotton manufacture. As a bleacher he had the merit of first using chlorine on a large scale. Berthollet had discovered that this gas possessed the property of discharging all vegetable colours, and it occurred to Mr. Hall that it might be applied to the purpose of bleaching, instead of the tedious, cumbrous process, till then employed, of long exposure to the air and light. On this subject he corresponded with Dr. Priestley and Mr. Henry of Manchester, the chemical authorities of that day. Those philosophers, however, did not encourage Mr. Hall's enterprise ; and the less philosophical men were so far from conceiving it possible to accomplish in a few hours or minutes that which had formerly required as many weeks, that they designated the place where the attempt was made, "Bedlam" — a title which it still retains, as a perpetual memorial, it should seem, of the triumph of science over ignorance and prejudice. Suc- cess crowned Mr. Hall's persevering efforts, and to his genius this country owes the present mode of bleaching. Professor Liebig, in his " Letters on Chemistry," thus alludes to it as an object of national importance, and as one of the links upon which the maintenance of our colossal manufacturing system depends : — But for this new bleaching process, it would scarcely have been possible for the cotton manufacture of Great Britain to have attained its present enormous extent — it could not have competed in prices with France and Germany. In the old process of bleaching, every piece must be exposed to the air DR. MARSHALL HALL. 6 and light during several weeks in the summer, and kept con- tinually moist by manual labour. For this purpose meadow land, eligibly situated, was essential. Now, a single establishment near Glasgow bleaches 14<00 pieces of cotton dail}^, throughout the year. What an enor- mous capital would be required to purchase land for this pur- pose ! How greatly it would increase the cost of bleaching to pay interest upon this capital, or to hire so much land in Eng- land ! This expense would have been scarcely felt in Germany. Besides the diminished expense, the cotton stuffs bleached with chlorine suffer less, in the hands of skilful workmen, than those bleached in the sun ; and already the peasantry in some parts of Germany have adopted it, and find it advantageous.* Mr. Hall thus proved himself a practical chemist, and in this clever application of science to a highly- important object, it may truly be said that he evinced genius. He was deeply versed in the chemistry of that day, having closely studied the works of Black, Scheele, Lavoisier, Berthollet, and others. He was also intimately acquainted with the philosophy and application of meclianics, and received a prize from the Society of Arts for the invention of a new crane. But it was not only for his scientific attainments and inventions that Mr. Hall was remarkable. His unafiPected piety, benevolence of character, and sweet- ness of temper endeared him in a peculiar manner to all who knew him. He possessed a refined mind, genial manners, and a very handsome countenance, beaming with kindness and intelligence. Being con- temporary with John Wesley, he became one of his followers, maintaining a correspondence with him.f * Lietig's " Letters on Chemistry," tliird edition, p. 28. f Marshall Hall himself never joined the Wesleyans. b2 4 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF The following particulars are furnished by Mr. Hall's son-in-law, Mr. Higginbottom : — In the year 1797, on the separation of the Methodists, Mr. Hall was attached to tlie " New party," or the " Reform- ers." A report had been raised that the " New Connexion Methodists"' were disaffected to Government. This was in- sisted upon so much, and became so popular an opinion, that it was brought before the House of Commons. On hearing the name of Mr. Robert Hall, of Basford, mentioned, as one of the disaffected body, Mr. Robert Smith, afterwards Lord Carrington, then one of the members for Nottingham, rose and said : " As long as that gentleman [Mr. Hall] is con- nected with the disaffected body, all will be safe and right ; there will be nothing wrong." Mr. Hall was the finest character and the best man I ever knew, or ever shall know. At the time of the Luddites in Nottingham, when all the country gentry were in constant alarm for their lives and property, Mr. Hall received a letter sio-ned " Ned Lud," the assumed name of the leader of that band of rioters, assuring him that not a hair of his head should be injured ; so much was he beloved and respected. He died in 1827, at the age of 72. Of my husband's mother I can speak from personal knowledge, for I had the happiness of knowing her, although her husband died before I became acquainted with Dr. M. Hall. Her disposition was one of the sw^eetest and gentlest imaginable. AVith an entire and affectionate devotion to her family, she possessed much shrewd observation and acute feeling. She lived to the advanced age of eighty-four, in the perfect en- joyment of all her faculties ; her old age being, like the rest of her life, marked by kind consideration for others and disregard of self, and presenting a lovely picture, on wdiich her surviving relatives still delight to dwell. DR. MARSHALL HALL. 5 The second son of these excellent parents, Mr. Samuel Hall, has distinguished himself by many useful and important inventions. I may mention that of " clearing" lace or net, by passing it over a tine flame of gas impelled by an air-pump — a process termed " gassing ; "* the bleaching of starch ; the consumption of the smoke of furnaces ; the circulation of the same portion of water in the boiler and under the piston of steam-engines ; the reefing and unreef- ing of paddle-wheels without interruption of their movements. Few persons have, in fact, manifested more originality, inventive genius, and energy in the application of science to manufactures and the useful arts than Mr. Samuel Hall. The subject of this Memoir was the sixth of eight children. His mother used to relate that, when about four years old, he had a severe illness, which she thought retarded his growth. Eecovering from this, however, he became, and always remained, very active and lively. It may truly be said that he was brought up with excellent examples constantly before his eyes, in his parents, and amidst the most gentle influences * It is by means of this invention that lace made by machinery acquires its fine and even appearance. All uneven and rough filaments are burnt off, as the lace is passed rapidly over the flame of gas. So great was the interest excited by this clever invention, that the late Duke of Sussex paid a visit to Mr. S. Hall's lace manufactory, to witness the operation of i\\e' gassing. On this occasion His Koyal Highness condescended to partake of a dejtihicr at Mr. S. Hall's house at Basford. Some of the principal gentlemen of the neighbourhood were invited to meet him, and he expressed his admiration of the in- genuity of Mr. S. Hall in the most unqualified and gratifying terms. To these inventions, Nottingham in a great measure owes its present commercial importance. 6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF at home. The discipline was certainly not severe ; but, happily, Marshall was not of a character to suffer from the easiness of his parents' rule. His mother used to say that he was ever an affectionate, obedient boy, and that he never caused his parents any sorrow. A¥hilst yet a child, he one day went to his father's book-keeper — a Methodist preacher, and therefore, of course, a great authority on such subjects — and ear- nestly asked him, " Is hell under the sea?" The answer has not been recorded ; but the train of thought which induced this extraordinary question was soon manifest, for he added, " Because, if it is, I have been thinking that if we were to bore some holes in the bottom of the sea and let the water through, we might put the fire out!" Thus it seems the originality of his mind began very early to display itself. He was always very fond of reading ; his library, which he treasured up with great care, consisting of the "Pilgrim's Progress," " Sinbad the Sailor," " Jack the Giant Killer," "Eobinson Crusoe," the "Travels of the wonderful Baron Munchausen," the "Arabian Nights," and a few other similar productions, which, at that period constituted our juvenile literature. One of these favourite works was constantly placed behind his pillow at night, that he might read the moment he awoke in the morning. His good father caused him to learn by heart many portions of Scripture, and it is remembered that he could repeat whole chapters with great correctness. At an early age he was placed at the academy of the Rev. J. Blanchard, in Nottingham, that at which DR. MARSHALL HALL. 7 Henry Kirke White received his education. Here he soon acquired a reputation for courage and spirit. A boy twice his size was continually tyrannizing over him. At length the young Marshall, resolved to bear it no longer, fought the big boy, and thoroughly beat him, in spite of his own inferiority in size and strength. The little boy had justice on his side, and abundance of pluck, whilst the young tyrant, like most of his genus, was a coward. This achievement, which took place in presence of the whole school, gained for him a great reputation for spirit ; and his schoolfellows were wont to say, " Though he is but a little one, it is best to let him alone." Was there not, in this incident, the germ of that independent spirit which characterized him in later years ? As a boy, he was goodnatured and not in the least quarrel- some, but he would not brook injustice and oppres- sion. His sister says that, although never rough and rude, he was very full of fun and delighted in inno- cent pranks. Although Mr. Hall's elder sons received at Mr. Blanchard's school the usual instruction in the classics, Marshall, the fourth of his sons, was not taught Latin, though he had instruction in French. His father was much occupied, and did not inquire into the studies of the boy, and at that period the classics were not so universally taught as in the present day. At the early age of fourteen he was taken from school ; and at fifteen he read, with intense delight, Dr. Watson's celebrated "Chemical Essays," following up the subject by a study of the works of the unfor- 8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF tunate Lavoisier. Henceforth his life became one of intellectual industry. About this time he was placed with Mr. Moor, a chemist of some repute and wealth, at Newark. But he greatly disliked his position there, and prevailed upon his father to remove him. At Newark he formed a close friendship with Mr. Eobert Cook, then studying for the medical profession, and the two friends together pursued anatomy and other subjects con- nected with medicine. Feeling the deficiency of his early education, the energy of his character soon developed itself in vigorous and unaided efforts to repair it. He im- posed upon himself the task of writing Latin exer- cises, which he regularly sent once a week by a carrier to be corrected by his friend the Kev. Eobert Almond, then curate of Basford. In a letter wTitten to a sister, from Newark, he says, " I already feel that I can be unremitting in my studies. I rise very early ; so much so, that Mr. Cook says he thinks I intend to live without sleep." It appears that, whilst at Newark, he taught him- self to play the flute, though he certainly never de- voted much time to it. In another letter to his sister he says, " Bring me all the music you can, as I intend, if I can find time, to practise a little on the flute." He insisted on trying to improve his sisters in French, by correcting their exercises, which, for that purpose, were sent to him regularly. He also gave amateur instruction to the sisters of a friend at Newark, in Latin, chemistry, and short-hand writing. Thus DR. MARSHALL HALL. early, as through life, he was characterized by delight- ing to aid others. Some of his letters to his friends at home during this period have been preserved. They all breathe the warmest affection for his family, expressing the most lively interest in each member of it, and in the domestic events, with a longing desire to rejoin them. His friend, Mr. Cook, afterwards became an emi- nent practitioner at Gainsborough, and, in a letter which I have lately received from him, he says, "Your dear husband was esteemed and loved by me, and nothing can be said in his praise beyond his deserts." Mr. Cook relates that, being called up to visit a patient very early one morning before daybreak, on coming down stairs he found his young friend Hall hard at work, studying medicine and chemistry. ^Vllen Mr. Cook expressed his surprise. Hall replied, " I am de- termined to be a great man." It was now decided that Marshall Hall should prepare himself for the career of a physician. Accord- ingly, in October, 1809, lie repaired to Edinburgh, — Then the first medical school in the world, and in the zenith of its fame. Its reputation had been raised to an un- paralleled height by the Monros, by Black, by Cullen, by the Gregorys, the Duncans, the Homes, the Rutherfords, the Hamiltons, the Bells ; by Barclay, Gordon, and many others ; whilst the general fame of the University had been ably sustained by such names as those of Robertson, Blair, Hutton, Dugald Stewart, Playfair, Leslie, Brown, and a phalanx of eminent theologians, philosophers, and literati.* Our young student entered upon his new sphere * See Memoir in the Lancet of July 27th, 1850. 10 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF with tlie ardour and enthusiasm peculiar to him. His first favourite study was chemistry ; but, as the groundwork of all exact medical knowledge, he applied himself with unremitting zeal and industry to anatomy. Dr. Andrew Fyfe, of King's College, Aberdeen, son of the late distinguished anatomical pro- fessor of that name at Edinburgh, and contemporary with my husband, has kindly furnished me with the fol- lowing particulars respecting his Edinburgh studies : — I well recollect the perseverance with which he prosecuted the various departments of medical science, especially anatomy and chemistry. My first acquaintance with Marshall Hall was a request which he made that I should get permission from my father, who was at that time Professor of Anatomy, to allow him and a fellow-student to have admission to the rooms for practical anatomy in the University, at a very early J/our in the miomiiig. My father gave permission and, morning after morning, the visits were paid by him and his friend, accom- panied by myself. I have no doubt it was at these meetings that he acquired that intimate acquaintance with anatomy which paved the way for his future researches. I am not aware that Marshall Hall was intimate with any of the students at college at this time. So far as my recollection goes, he avoided intimacy with them, feeling that it would consume time which ought to be devoted to study. He therefore spent his evenings at home, alone, and though frequently invited to my father's house, he seldom accepted the invitation. Mr. Higginbottom, who afterwards married a sister of my husband's, was his contemporary at Edinburgh, though personally unacquainted with him. He writes as follows : — We were accustomed to attend Andrew Fyfe, the anato- DR. MARSHALL HALL. 11 mist, about seven o'clock in the evening. At these demon- strations we used to notice Marshall Hall particularly, for his great regularity and attention, though without knowing his name ; and, on going earlier than usual to the college, we said to one another, "There will be no one there but the student with the brown greatcoat on, assisting Fyfe to dissect the preparation for demonstration " — so desirous was he to learn all he could, and to be a first-rate anatomist. One evening a dissection of his preparing was shown to the class as a most beautiful specimen of dissection. His conduct at Edinburgh was, in all respects, so exemjDlary that an eminent medical practitioner at Nottingham requested him to allow his son to share his lodgings, that he might benefit by his example. As I have already said, his favourite study, when he first went to Edinburgh, was chemistry ; but he was deterred from too exclusive an attention to that im- portant branch of science by a remark made to hira by Dr. Belcombe of York, whose son was contemporary with him at Edinburgh. This gentleman observed, " 1 never knew a great chemist make a good phy- sician." I mention this as having had an influence upon my husband at this period of his studies. At the commencement of his career in Edinburgh, he wrote and published in Nicholson s Journal several papers on chemistry, which showed much originality and research ; one of these, in particular, upon the various combinations of oxygen, has been considered very remarkable, especially as the work of so young a man. But [as a contemporary adds] during the progress of his studies, his attention became concentrated on purely medical 12 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF researches, and it was soon evident to all who knew him and were competent judges, that, with his originality, diligence, and assiduity, he must attain excellence in any department of medicine to which he might direct his powerful mind.* That he very early determined to make the dia- gnosis of diseases a special study appears from the fol- lowing plan, which has lately been discovered among some old papers. It bears no date, but was probably written soon after the commencement of his studies at Edinburgh : — 1. To spend two hours in the morning in dissection and the study of operations. 2. Then two or three in the wards of the hospital ; inquiring particularly into the history, symptoms, treatment and effect of remedies on each patient ; but especially making a particular study of diagnosis. 3. The plan of studying diagnosis : — (1.) The formation of a diagnostic arrangement by bringing together those diseases which, being most similar, are most apt to be mutually mistaken ; and (2.) The collection of diagnosis from every source of dis- tinction, in the history, symptoms, causes, effects of remedies, &c. &c. (8.) This plan embraces all diseases — medical, surgical, puerperal, &c. 4. To go through a course of study, comprising chemistry, physiology, and materia medica, in as practical a man- ner as possible. 5. To study the Latin and French languages, reading Cel- sus, Heherden, and Gregory ; Corvisart, Chardel, Pinel, Dessault, Bichat, &c. &c. This manuscript is written in a remarkably neat hand, and with great accuracy. * The Lancet for July 27tli, 1850, p. 120. DR. MARSHALL HALL. 13 There has long existed at Edinburgh a society well known to the profession, composed principally of students, and called " The Royal Medical Society." Its members meet weekly, to read papers and discuss their subjects. This institution is said to hav^e exerted an influence on the medical students of Edinburgh, and on their career through life, second only to the University itself. The late Dr. G. Wilson makes the following re- marks upon it : — * It is unquestionably the most distinguished among tlie student-societies of Great Britain devoted to the prosecution of science. It has existed for more than a century (having been instituted in 1 787, and incorporated by royal charter in 3 788), and during that period has numbered among its mem- bers the majority probably of the physicians, and many of the surgeons, of this country and its colonies. [The greater portion] of the regular attendants at the meetings of the Medical Society are hondjide students ; [and] on occasions of special interest the medical professors and lecturers of the Univer- sity and extra-academical school, as well as the practitioners of the city, are present. Each member is required to read an essay on some medical question, a liberal interpretation being put upon the word medical, so as to include purely anatomical, physiological, and other scientific subjects. A copy of this lecture circulates among the members for several days before it is read, so that all who please may make themselves master of the author's views, and prepare themselves for defending or opposing them in the debate which always follows the reading of the essay. As the subjects (selected by a committee appointed for. the purpose) are chosen so as to secure the discussion of vexed questions, it rarely happens that the debate flags, and on * "Life of Dr. J. Eeid," p. 48, &c. 14 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF special occasions, where sides are keenly taken, or senior mem- bers engage in the proceedings, the scene presented is one of the most animated description. It may seem to unprofessional readers a needless matter to make so lengthened a reference to a single society. But those who know how great is the interest taken by the majority of the intelligent students of medicine in Edinburgh in the Koyal Medical Society, will not wonder at the special notice taken of it here. It is as truly an educational institution as the Universit}^ or the medical schools. Its weekly meetings are looked forward to, and remembered, with the keenest in- terest. To be an office-bearer in it is a duty eagerly sought after ; to be one of its four annual presidents is to reach a very high honour ; and I question whether any dignity can compare, in the eyes of a medical student, with that which attaches to the office of Senior President. I have seen tears shed at the loss of a presidentship, and the whole student-world is in commotion for days before the annual election. Of this society Marshall Hall soon became a distinguished member, furnishing papers and en- tering vi^ith great spirit into the various discussions. I again quote from the letter of Mr. Higgin- bottom : — At that time there were about two thousand students in the University, in all the classes ; and Marshall Hall was con- sidered the first young man there, and as exhibiting great promise. Whenever he entered the room of the Royal Medical Society, he was pointed out and distinguished by the other students, who used to exclaim, " There's Hall ! there's Hall ! " In 1811 he was elected Senior President of the Royal Medical Society. This was considered a very high honour at so early an age. The following gentlemen were elected at the same time. The subjoined is an extract from my note book : — DR. MARSHALL HALL. 15 Votes. " Marshall Hall, Esq. ... 41 J. C. Cookworthy, Esq. . . .27 H. S. Belcombe, Esq. ... 25 Hugh Ley, Esq 23" There were 13 candidates. Dr. John Davy, the distinguished brother and biographer of Sir Humphry Davy, has favoured me with the following communication, which will be read with interest : — All my recollections of your dear husband are of a very favourable kind. I remember him as President of the Royal Medical Society, as Physician's Clerk, resident in the Infirmary — his first field for observation — and as a lecturer (the last winter he was in Edinburgh, after he had graduated) on diagnosis, the subject on which he first published. Being senior to me, we were not on terms of intimacy then. Dr. Boutflower and Dr. Whaley were his particular friends. I can say with confidence, however, that no one amongst the students had a higher character for zeal, ability, and correctness of conduct ; indeed, in these respects, he was an example to his fellow-students. In the Medical Society, of which he was elected Senior President, he was distinguished for a ready and easy elocution and a pleasing manner, which, with the information he gave, always secured him attention.* I now proceed to quote the first portion of some most valuable recollections furnished me by my husband's college friend. Dr. Bigsby : — * In Marcli, 1857, when witkin five months of liis death, he received a notification of his being elected an honorary member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. This tribute of respect gratified him much. He looked at his diploma and called it his " crowning honour." It seemed to revive many pleasant recollections of former days. IG BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF It is true that my recollections of Marshall Hall apply principally to periods now remote ; but it would show a pitiable amount of obliviousness did not some few particulars survive the lapse of time respecting a great discoverer and a great physician, with whom I was in Edinburgh closely associated, and to whom I owed a much-coveted position in the Royal Infirmary of that city. Marshall Hall was two years and a half my senior, and commenced his studies at Edinburgh a couple of years before me. Although not known to each other previously, we soon met, became friends, and eventually, for a winter, lodged together [in Richmond-place], as was natural in fellow-towns- men engaged in the same pursuits. Few men have changed during their progress through life so little as Marshall Hall. As he began, so he ended, deliixhtiusr in the labour — the labour itself — of investigation. Of course his mind grew ; became more furnished, enlarged in grasp, combined better, and saw further into the obscure ; but the great characteristic remained predominant through- out — a singular amount of conscientious painstaking in all his researches. Arrived at Edinburgh, my friend settled down at once, and applied his clear practical mind to untiring, unremitting study and bedside observation. All the stores of knowledge which his preceptors had either gathered or created, Marshall Hall was eager to acquire ; a hardy, enduring constitution seconding all his efforts. With certain occasional deviations into some of the collateral sciences, to which we shall soon allude, all his energies were directed to the formation of the skilful bedside physician, that is, to the alleviation and cure of disease. His labours were incessant among books, lectures, hospitals, and among the earnest young men of his day — himself early acknowledged to be the foremost. All youthful relaxations and public amusements were avoided ; and so were other branches of science, unless im- mediately connected with his profession. He devised, how- DR. MARSHALL HALL. 17 ever, at this time, a diflferential thermometer, once supposed to be an improvement on that of Leslie ; and he amused him- self, from time to time, with a series of experiments on optical spectra, suggested by those of Dr. Darwin ; and his visitors were few who had not in some way to assist. In liis last session in Edinburgh he was appointed Clinical Clerk to each of two clinical professors in suc- cession, Dr. Eutherford and Dr. Duncan. During- his residence in Edinburgh he formed an intimacy with Dr. Duncan, Jun., and assisted him by contributions to the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, even at this early period of life. He also furnished a review of Dr. Sutton's work on " Delirium Tremens." He has himself described his habits in reading to have been constantly to endeavour to carry his thoughts beyond the statements of his author ; and, in experi- menting, to think intently on phenomena deemed inexplicable or inapplicable to the matter in hand. This invaluable habit could not fail to lead to dis- covery and advancement in knowledge. Such was his constant energy that his fellow- students were wont to say, " Hall never tires." Leading the most regular and temperate life, his health continued good at Edinburgh, except that, at one time, he was subject to profuse bleedings at the nose. Having passed through an extended course of study, he graduated in June, 1812. The subject which he selected for his thesis was " De Eebribus Inordinatis." It was dedicated to his father. In order to acquire a facility in writing Latin, he read c ]§ BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF and re-read Celsus, till the style was familiar to him. It was customary for the students to avail themselves of the assistance of what is termed a " grinder," to prepare them for their examinations and to write their theses ; but he had no assistance of this kind. He prepared himself, and wrote his own thesis, which was highly commended ; and not only did he compose his own, but also those of two friends, whose superior education ought to have rendered this task comparatively easy to them. These theses, written by one self-taught in classics, were approved by the authorities ; whilst that of a third friend — a man of superior accomplishments, who wrote his own — was rejected ! A striking instance of the success which attends painstaking. The latter gentleman had re- ceived a first-rate education, was musical, went much into society, and was a man of elegant manners ; but his attention had not been concentrated on his studies — and he was rejected at his examination. Marshall Hall's examination was short. His su- perior attainments being evident, he was dismissed with " Bene, domine, bene ; satis est ! " He had entertained no fear of the result of his ordeal, because he knew and felt that he was thoroughly prepared for it. It is a fact worthy of record that, during the whole three years of his studentship, he never once missed a lecture ! We have now followed Marshall Hall through his student life at Edinburgh. We have seen the zeal with which he prosecuted his chemical, anatomical, DR. MARSHALL HALL. 19 clinical, and other studies, not content with just the mere amount of knowledge necessary for " passing," but making himself bonci jide master of his subject. We have seen the position which he took at the first medical school of the world. Besides his student labours, we have noticed his contributions to periodi- cals, some of these contributions being original and important. There is, however, another point of view which places these distinctions still more in relief: it is the circumstance that, besides the ordinary labours of a medical student, and the self-imposed task of writing the scientific papers to which I have adverted, he went through the additional toil of supplying, by his own unaided exertions, the deficiency of his early education. But, as a distinguished author observes, " Natural genius converts disadvantages themselves into stimulants."* Immediately after obtaining his degree, Dr. Marshall Hall returned to Nottinghamshire, where, however, he had scarcely arrived when he received a notification, as unexpected as gratifjdng, of his nomination to the office of Clinical Clerk, or Eesident House Physician, to the Eoyal Infirmary at Edinburgh. At that time Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Spens were in office \ the former one of the most illustrious, the latter one of the most excellent, of physicians. Dr. Bigsby remarks : — This very desirable office was obtained purely by the su- perior claims of Marshall Hall. He was now placed in a position eminently suited to his qualifications and aims. His field of * See " My Novel," by Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. C 2 20 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF observation was large, varied, under easy management, and all his own. The will, the power, and the opportunity were well met, for once. To this position we owe his first works, his treatise (as well as his lectures, which I attended) on the " Physiognomy of Disease," and his universally-known work on " Diagnosis ; " both derived from daily clinical observation, and principally composed during his residence in the Royal Infirmary. Visit Marshall Hall when we might, the labour was always going on, and knew no suspension, whether in the street, the house, alone, or in company. The idea of the day was always fructifying and perfecting. Sometimes he was attempting generalizations, or full and well-connected descriptions ; at another, overlooking an artist copying from life the effect on the physiognomy and attitude of some chest affection perhaps. Furthermore, he had the valuable faculty of detecting the portions of medical science most admitting of extension, or most requiring rectification — of this availing himself largely in after life. The pains were very great which he took to discover a useful and natural arrangement of the numberless diseases which afflict mankind. The various symptoms he grouped . together in an abbreviated form, on separate slips of paper, and placed in a multitude of different sequences* — so striving to improve upon his predecessors. At a later period these publications placed him most ad- vantageously before the profession — being nevertheless in truth only the comparatively small precursors of the magnifi- cent contributions to medical science afterwards to flow from his pen. Among the very first to recognise the worth of his labours was Dr. Matthew Baillie, then in the zenith of his influence, as I know from the perusal in those early days of more than one encouraging letter from that kind-hearted and sagacious physician. * This plan of arrangement lie continued tlirougli life. DR. MARSHALL HALL. 21 During his whole stay at Edinburgh, Marshall Hall was a model to the young men around him in purity of life and conversation, as well as in cheerful assiduity. He was a good son to his parents, a firm friend, and very fond of teaching and encouraging his younger com- panions in study. The following graphic account is from the pen of my husband's excellent friend, Dr. G. Webster, of Dulwich : — It was in the winter of 1812 that I first saw Dr. M, Hall, on entering the wards of the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh. I have distinctly in my mind's eye the intelligent, attentive, and ever-active Clinical Clerk, with the official journal-book under his arm, the pen in hand, ready to register the reports and prescriptions of the day, as dictated by Dr. Thomas Spens, whose colleague was the celebrated, but eccentric Dr. James Hamilton, author of a work still ranked among the classics of our profession. I have ever remembered, and duly valued, the admirable manner in which the Edinburgh Hospital was conducted — the daily visits of all the physicians and surgeons to their patients ; the excellent and regular course of clinical lectures on the most important cases ; the clinical wards and clinical professors attached to them, in connexion ' with the University ; and the system of constant superintend- ence, by means of the resident house physicians or "clinical clerks." Much of the success of this practical teaching — these bedside demonstrations — depended on the conduct and capacity of the clinical clerks, both in diagnosing the disease, and in accurately recording all new symptoms as they arose.* In these respects Dr. Hall showed remarkable sagacity and * One day, during the clinical rounds in the hospital, Marshall Hall checked the late Dr. W. F. Chambers, who was laughing and talking with some other students, and thus interrupting the clinical lectui*e. Thirty years afterwards, I heard Dr. Chambers good-naturedly revert to this little incident, adding, to my husband, "You were quite right." — C. H. 22 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF judgment ; while by his kindness and urbanity in discharging his official duties he greatly encouraged the younger students, who invariably looked with great respect on the Clinical Clerk. I myself viewed Dr. Hall not only as an important official jjersonage, but as one who had attained a most enviable position, to which very few could aspire. It was during this clerkship, this residence in the Edinburgh Hospital, that Dr. Marshall Hall laid the solid basis of all his future fame, by the close and diligent study of disease at the bedside. As the first-fruits of his industry, he gave, in 1813, a course of lectures, on the '' Principles of Diagnosis," to his personal friends, and to those of the students who felt an interest in the subject. His auditors amounted to about fifty, among whom were Professor Grant, of University College, Dr. Robert Lee, &c. These lectures were afterwards expanded into the celebrated work on " Diagnosis," the first edition of which was published in 1817 by Messrs. Longman. Having now contemplated Marshall Hall, during his educational years, in a scientific point of view, and as an exemplary and successful student, let us pause awhile and inquire whether the whole being of the youth was absorbed in his intellectual culture, or whether the aflfections of the heart went pari passu with the unusual development of mind. Let us for a few moments draw aside the veil from private life — let us look behind the scenes of academic career, and we shall behold a beautiful picture — the home affections flowing in a pure and uninterrupted stream from a warm and tender heart. I proceed to quote some letters written by him to his family during his stay in Edinburgh. They ex- liibit his character far more truly and forcibly than anything which I could write. DR. MARSHALL HALL. 23 The first letter, to liis elder brother Samuel, dated Edinburgli, December 3rd, 1809, commences with some scientific observations on tbe heating and ex- pansion of steam. He then proceeds to say : — My father desired me to write when I might want money. I have at length (for I really thought I never should have done) paid all my fees, and they have nearly taken all my money. I shall, I hope, for a short time be less tormented for money, but I cannot even enjoy this hope completely ; for a few of the lectures endure only for three months, though the greater number, by far, are for six ; so that in two months' time, I shall again have either two or three fees of SI. 7s. 6d. to pay. These excepted, I shall incur no other expenses during five months, but for my board and lodging, which I think are very reasonable. I am quite at a loss to know whether to return after the winter course of lectures or not. The summer course of three months would be of material advantage to me ; and in summer the expenses of lodgings are very much less than in winter, in consequence of the less number of students. On the other hand, I am so much more deficient in Latin and Greek and in the mathematics than I ought to be, that it Avould be of signal advantage to me indeed if I could spend all the summer Avith a proper tutor in these different branches. If I could attend some tutor, and lodge and live very retired and undisturbed, I should derive a benefit which would endure for ever. Pray think of this for me, and excuse a short letter that I may write and thank my dear sisters for their letters. I shall hope to hear from you as soon as possible. — M. H. His deficiency in the classics and mathematics still pressed upon his mind, and he wrote as follows on the subject : — March 24th, 1810. My honoured Father — It gives me real pleasure to acknow- ledge your kind letter enclosing 1. I should have written 24 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF some time ago, but that I waited till I should hear from you. I have received a letter from Mr. Witt of Repton, Derby- shire, saying he will be happy to give me all the assistance in his power, and he will be satisfied with whatever Dr. Sleath and a friend of mine may think reasonable and equitable. Now, having duly and seriously considered the matter, I have only to say, that if I be left to my own choice, / shall not hesitate to acce^jt his offer. At the same time I submit the case to maturer judgment, and however you may think proper to decide, I shall be contented. I shall say no more on the subject, except that I repeat that I have not formed this decision without having previously considered all \\\epros and the cons. I need not add that I shall be very desirous to know your sentiments on the above subject. I shall be much obliged if you will write a few lines to me ; they will much relieve my uncomfortable uncertainty, and will give me much satisfaction. I believe I shall have the happiness of again seeing my dear parents in May. I should be anxious for this period, but have much to do in the mean time. I beg my very best love to my dear mother, brothers, and sisters. — Be assured, my dear father, of the dutiful affection of your son, MARSHALL Hall. The plan which, he proposed of reading with a tutor was not carried into effect, and he toiled on alone and Tinaided, but without a murmur, at his classics. To his Sisters — on the Death of another Sister. Edinburgh, Oct. Oth, 1810. My dearest Sarah — My return to Edinburgh has made me feel our loss more severely. I cannot look towards Leith, towards the ship which conveyed nie to my sisters, without renewing the anguish which I feel in our loss. I cannot but remember the anxiety with which I entered the ship — the long eight days, as they appeared to me, that I was at sea — how anxiously I looked for a brisk wind which DR. MARSHALL HALL. 25 should carry me swiftly along to those whom I loved so tenderly ! . . . . Edinburgli, Oct. 9th, 1810. My dearest Anne — It se'ems a long time before I shall see you all again. Before that time comes, I have much anxiety to suffer. I shall have to pass six examinations in Latin, of two hours' duration, before I can pass as a physician. The idea of this, and the fear of being rejected — for such a thing is not impossible — will prey and hang heavy on my mind for the next two years.* I assure you, my dear sister, you do not oftener wish for my company than I do for yours ; but this you can conceive. You have the company of Sally and my mother. I am here isolated, an outcast, or at least a voluntary exile from society. If I could spend my Sundays at home, or if you could be with me, I should be happy indeed. . . , In a short time I shall be looking forward to settling in the world ; then, if my dear sisters live with me, it shall not be one of the least of my studies to make them as happy as I can ; nothing would be a more real pleasure to me than to be able to do this. Would that I maybe able ! It is one of my consolations that, if I do not meet with great success in my profession, so as to be able to make myself rich, yet I shall, which is better and happier, be able to lead at least a useful life. No one has it more in his power to relieve distress, to befriend the friend- less on the most needful occasions, than a medical man, if he be disposed to do it, and I hope I shall never want charity. — • &c. &c., Marshall Hall. Edinburgli, June, 1811. My dear Sarah — A fellow-student leaves Edinburgh to- morrow on his way to London. He of course passes within a quarter of a hundred miles of all that is dear to me on earth, and inclination, not less than this opportunity, invites me to write to you. I cannot feel a more exquisite pleasure than I now do, under the impression that I am conversing with my dear, my dearest Sarah * I know, from himself, that as the time for examination approached, fear gaveplace to the consciousness of being thoroughly prepared. — C. H. 26 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF I have little more to add, except fresli and unnecessary assurances of love as unchangeable as the universe. My dear sisters do not half know the sincerity, the integrity, tlie earnest- ness of my love to them. How does our little niece do ? I suppose I shall see a charming, prattling girl, when I come to Basford again ; and among my inquiries let me not forget my little John. [His brother.] I am anxious indeed to hear that he is placed under Mr. Almond — I hope, to make progress in knowledge. And now, my dearest Sarah, good-bye. Let me hear from you soon, and let us be more constant in our interchanges of love and affection. Give my love to my dear father and mother, brothers and sisters, and believe me, what I have ever been, and ever shall be, your most affectionate brother, MARSHALL Hall. In the preceding letter his anxiety about his youngest brother is remarkable. Having himself suffered from a neglected education, he constantly sought to obviate this evil in the case of his brother John. It is rare to find one brother manifesting such earnest solicitude for the education of another, the parents being still alive. August 28tli, 1811. My dear Sister — I am rejoiced to hear that John is pleased with Mr. Almond, and is likely to make much im- provement. I should like to see an attempt of his at letter- Avriting. I hope he will write better letters than it will ever be in the power of his brother Marshall to do. I often wish he had a strong inclination for the medical profession. If I should be prosperous, I should be able to do much for him. I only fear that, when he should be studying things, he, like myself, should have words to study. So our little niece is advancing in stature and in the affections of all ! I promise myself much delight in the opportunity, which I hope another summer will bring me DR. MARSHALL HALL. 27 of enjoying her sweet prattling and infant innocence, and of embracing a living monument of our departed sister. I have no time left to write you anything about myself and my little tour ; but as I am sure you will be delighted in hearing of my delight, I shall give you some account of my movements, in answer to your next letter. I may just say, that we were out ten days and a half; walked, on an average, thirty miles each day, which makes about 300 miles. With regard to the Highlands, they surpass all description and all conception. I will give you some account of them in my next. One thing only was wanting to render the enjoy- ment of my tour complete. I never beheld a sublime and beautiful view ; I never was pleased with the sweetness and beauty of a walk, or a sail on the beautiful lakes ; never was struck with wonder at the contemplation of a lofty waterfall, or of a tremendous and terrible precipice, or of mountains 4000 feet in height, without feeling that none of my plea- sures were unattended by the vacancy of solitary enjoy- ment, and by the most ardent wish that my dear sisters could share the pleasures, but escape the toils, of our journey, for some toils we had, I do assure you. Give my best love to my dear mother, and thanks for her attentive nursing of you — also to my father and brothers — and be assured of the eternal love of your affectionate Marshall. Ediuburgli, Sept. 27th, 181L My dear Father — With regard to myself, I think I have every reason to be contented with my prospects. I hope I shall be elected Clerk at the Infirmary ; indeed there is every chance of it — but you know elections are never sure. It is an admirable situation. The fee is 20Z. a year, besides board. I must stay two years ; at the expiration of which time, I do not hesitate to say, I shall be prepared for practice. After that, different Avays are open to me. If I can do nothing better, I will enter the army or the militia, until a fair oppor- tunity of commencing practice occurs. However, I am quite happy with my situation, and not over 28 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF fond of money. T hope I shall always be so. A doctor has at least an ample field for the practice of charity and benevo- lence. I may say that no man has more talents than a physician — would that I may be able only to improve them ! I am at present busy composing my Thesis Edinburgh, Dec. 20tli, 1811. My dearest Anne — I cannot tell you how gratified I am with your kind letter I need not say that I am just now particularly busy ; if you consider that the University examinations are impending, you will readily conceive that my whole time mus.t be completely engaged ; they commence at the end of March or the beginning of April. I am particularly glad to hear that my father is well con- tented with my advancement in my studies. Since I began to study, it has been my great wish to make him pleased with permitting me to follow the predilection I felt for the study of medicine. If my father feels satisfied, I should not care for the observations of a whole censorious world besides. — Marshall Hall. Edinburgh, August, 1812. My dear Sisters — Once more I regard with a heavy heart the length of time and of distance by which we are to be separated from each other. I cannot describe the crowd of thoughts which rushed through my mind the moment I parted with you ; the very elements themselves seemed at war, and all things concurred to induce a state of mind not to be conceived or described. I never feel the parting until the moment comes, and then, oh, then, I am overwhelmed with feeling. But I will not dwell on this subject. You dwell in my heart, ray dear sisters. — Marshall Hall. 1812. My dear Father — I write to you with heartfelt satisfaction from the Royal Infirmary, surrounded by some of the most des- titute and miserable objects of our nature, amongst the most loathsome and most mortal maladies, which are the daily objects of my care and observation. It is not difficult to conceive whence DR. MARSHALL HALL. 29 my satisfaction arises — not surely from the frequent occasions of seeing my fellow-creatures so wretched and helpless ; no, it is rather from my efforts, at least, to obviate the calamities of humanity, from that real and practical knowledge which I cannot fail to acquire of their proper treatment, with the hope of at length becoming, after so many years' preparation, a respectable and a useful member of society. I have often recurred, in my letters to you, to this topic. I wish you to feel, as I am persuaded you do, that my becoming a medical man will have been the cause of my chief happiness in this life. I am sure you will be rejoiced to hear that I still regard it as such. I hope you are all quite well at home. Does my little Ellen ever inquire for her uncle Marshall ? I find I shall not be able to resist the gratification of seeing you all again next summer I am preparing a paper or two for the journals. Let me hear how the grand experiments succeed. I expect to be Chief Physician to his Majesty through their means still. — Your most affectionate and dutiful son Marshall. Edinburgh, 1812. My dear Sarah — No, my dearest of sisters, I do not measure your love by the number of letters you write to me ; but if I may judge from my own feelings, I may truly say that a more frequent correspondence would be the means of giving it further vigour and growth. Short absences from those we love most dearly, increase our endearments ; but long absences, unless fre- quently prevented by interchange of letters and love, have an opposite effect. And when I consider that it is more than a dozen years since I was at home in any other capacity than that of a visitor, I sometimes feel a little temporary fear lest so long an absence from the bosom of my friends should have an ill effect on their hearts towards me. But these are my childish fears, and they respect you, my dear sister, least of all. Your letters are the refreshing dew that waters the flower of my affection, which only requires the sweet light of your countenance to come into perfect blossom. 30 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF What do you say to our young surgeon's* coming to Edinburgh ? I am all wishes, hopes, and anxiety, but my hopes predominate. Before you receive this, he will have set off; and when you see him again, I trust it will be to rejoice, to praise and love him the more. William Wright comes to Edinburgh in about a week or a fortnight. He would bring my silk stockings, also a Quarterly Review, and above all some tea. It is my ho7i- hon. My success, hitherto, has given content. Few succeed in a plan of study who do not deserve it. — &c., MARSHALL Hall. September 20t]i, ] 813. My dear Father — The real pleasure I enjoy in writing to you has always one alloy. I can never answer your letters — or rather, I ought to say, I can never answer those models of ex- cellence which it is your constant kind care to place before me. When you bestow praise, I always fear lest I should not deserve it; when you set before me some new excellence, I always lament that I shall never be able to attain to it ; yet will I always try ; and though my ruling passion be ambition, yet it sJtall be the ambition of being good as well as gixat. If numerous good resolutions could make me so, I should not be undeserv- in