fatigue of the election, which caused him to work almost without cessation for five days and nights, were what he never could recover. From this time he dated the final breaking up of his health, which, thenceforth, progressively and rapidly declined.

Before quitting the subject of this election we would bear a pleasing testimony to the conduct of Dr. Seymour, because we know that Dr. Hope was in the habit of expressing most warmly his gratitude, for the open and bold support which Dr. Seymour gave him from the first. Dr. Seymour and Dr. Hope had never been united by the ties of personal friendship, and there were many points of medical science and practice on which their opinions were opposed: consequently, Dr. Hope had less claim on Dr. Seymour than on many others. He was, therefore, particularly gratified by a line of conduct which proved that Dr. Seymour acknowledged the broad principle of justice, and had the courage to assert it, without respect of persons. Dr. Hope highly esteemed him on this account, and took every opportunity of lauding that which he valued the more, because he could not flatter himself that it arose from private or personal considerations.

During this election, Dr. Hope did not depart from his old principle of observing Sunday. All books and papers were cleared away on Saturday night, and, engrossing as the subject of the election was, it was not permitted to be mentioned in his family. While

he was justified by the Scriptures in expecting the Divine blessing on such conduct, the actual relief afforded by this day of rest from agitating and laborious employment, was so great that a similar course might safely be recommended to those who seek no blessings beyond those of this life. Dr. Hope also remarked, with much pleasure, throughout the election, the superiority of religious men in acting on principle apart from interest, and the respect in which they are held even by those who do not agree with them. He noticed that those whose support he was directed especially to seek, were invariably religious men, and he found that having gained these, their names carried more weight than he could have anticipated. So true is it, that a consistent religious conduct must call down the approbation even of those who cannot, or who dare not imitate it.

PERIOD IV.

FAILURE OF HEALTH-RETIREMENT FROM PRACTICE -DEATH.

CHAPTER I.

THE day after Dr. Hope's election to St. George's Hospital, he removed his family to West End, a small village a few miles to the north of London, with the intention of joining them every evening, and thus enjoying a larger portion of relaxation and country air than he had hitherto allowed himself. The duties attached to his new office were such as to be scarcely felt by him, who, for ten years, had never had the charge of so few patients. The fatigues of a physician's private practice are also comparatively light, especially if, like Dr. Hope, he has laid himself out principally for consultation. At least this was Dr. Hope's estimate of the labours of his profession, which now seldom occupied him "except from nine or ten in the morning till six or seven in the evening. To one accustomed to work for sixteen hours a day, the employment of only ten seems to border on idleness. Feeling the shock that his health had recently under

gone, he made the recovery of this prime worldly blessing his first object, and with that view purposely abstained from all study.

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Dr. Hope had hitherto been so much engrossed by professional objects, that the natural qualities of his mind and heart had scarcely had scope to display themselves. He was eminently fitted to be an agreeable companion, by the rich and varied stores of his information, the lively and intelligent interest which he evinced in all that was said, and still more by the tending modesty of his manners, and a well-bred tact, which at once placed others, however inferior in intellect, on a level with himself. Those who were admitted to his intimacy found his quiet evening conversations instructive, not merely in an intellectual point of view, but on account of the tone and character of feeling evinced in them. They savoured of his natural gentleness of disposition, which was always considerate for the feelings of others, and incapable of indulging in uncharitable constructions. Finding that the ordinary style of London entertainments did not afford him that interchange of thought, feeling, and sentiment which is essential to society in its true signification, he every year withdrew more and more from them, and threw himself into closer contact with those whom he could call his friends. It was in this more select circle that he peculiarly shone. He had also gradually given up attending all places of public amusement, and in expressing an opinion on the sub

ject, he drew a distinction which evinced his candour towards others, at the same time that it did not compromise the superior holiness of the confirmed christian. He allowed that many who are sincere in their religious profession, and conscientious in acting up to the knowledge which they possess, do frequent such scenes, but he believed that these individuals as they make that progress in holiness after which all are to seek, and as their taste for spiritual things increases, will abandon them altogether, as unworthy of beings who have the desire and the capacity for loftier and purer pleasures.

Dr. Hope had always been an affectionate parent, tempering affection with judgment, and as he said, "loving his child too well to spoil him." He now took an active part in the education of his only son, and on the removal of his family to West End, began to instruct him in Latin during the time that he was occupied in dressing. This practice he continued till a few months before his death, when the boy was placed at school.

Dr. Hope's opinions on the intellectual training of children are explained in a paper which he wrote about six weeks before his death, and which is appended to this memoir. He acted upon them with respect to his own son, and the success answered his expectations.

While thus watchful over the development of his son's understanding, he was yet far more anxious that