Page:Babell, a satirical poem (1830).djvu/20

and practice in Physic; yet he did not hoard up riches, but dealt liberally to his poor friends and relations, and also gave frankly and generously to young men of good spirits who were in narrow circumstances. So he was not only a learned man, but a Mæcenas too, and an encourager of learning through the whole course of his life. His great care and commisseration of the poor, ought not to be omitted. He not only gave them medicine freely, but money too, for their relief and support; and this kind of charity, is one of the best effects of pure and undefiled religion. Besides, he did not spend all his money on his pleasure and freaks, but erected a most noble Library, which for the great variety and excellent collection of books, is one of the finest I have seen belonging to any private man in the kingdom.

"His love to his country, and loyally to his Prince, were extraordinary—they seemed always to fill his head and heart—and in all his discourses and verses, we find a mighty penchant and byass that way. Loyalty was still the burden of all his songs. In a word, he was one of the greatest geniuses that this age produced; being an excellent Mathematician and Philosopher, a learned and skilful Physician, a quaint and delicate Poet, a judge and master of all polite learning, a generous and charitable man, and a most loyal and dutiful subject.

"I beg pardon for troubling you with this hasty and incoherent scribble. The doleful remembrance of our dear friend may plead my excuse. You know these, and a great many more things about him, worthy to be remembered, which I am not able to express. I entreat you not to communicate this letter to any body. If I had designed to