in my possession a Horace and a Euripides, which were his fellow-travellers, for many years, both at home and abroad. The education he had received under an eminent tutor, and his subsequent studies at Oxford, rendered him equal to the literary enjoyment of these authors. He was learnedly conversant with their works, and indulged in their perusal as an elegant mental relaxation. He was, in every respect, an accomplished classical scholar-his latinity remarkable for its fluency and purity. I have often been astonished at the rapidity with which he would strike off, “currente calamo," whole pages of Latin composition of the most finished elegance, replete with all the graces of diction and critical niceties of idiom. These productions were admitted, by highly-competent judges, to be of the highest order of excellence.

I have now, my dear Madam, given you a rude sketch of the prominent features of Dr. Hope's character, as displayed during his residence in Edinburgh. I have done so in much haste, and under a confusion of circumstances which has altogether precluded due attention to methodical arrangement. I have mentioned just what occurred to my mind at the moment, nothing more. If what I have written is considered by you at all illustrative of my departed friend's early character, pray make what use you please of it. With every sentiment of regard and christian sympathy,

I remain, my dear Madam,

Lahinch, November 26, 1841.

Yours very truly,

G. JULIUS.

LETTERS

FROM

A SENIOR TO A JUNIOR PHYSICIAN,

ON THE

IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS WELFARE OF HIS PATIENTS.

LETTER I.

ON THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE UNDERTAKING.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

You were pleased to desire me to send you the result of my observation and experience on the deeply interesting subject of endeavouring to promote the spiritual welfare of the sick committed to your care. I cheerfully accede to your wish, although I can scarcely hope to offer any suggestions which have not already occurred to your own reflective mind.

If the soul of man be immortal, and if the state of the soul, at the moment of its separation of the body, determine its happiness or misery through endless ages, with

what deep solicitude should every Christian approach the bed of a fellow creature, who, to all appearance, is about to undergo the momentous change, yet unprepared "to meet his God!" If we saw a human being proceeding blind-fold towards a tremendous precipice, even already at its brink, how eagerly should we try to snatch him from the threatening destruction! And can we, my friend, remain insensible to the spiritual danger of the dying man, who seems about to "take a leap in the dark” into the gulf of inconceivable-irretrievable ruin? How often, alas! are we called to witness the appalling scene, unalleviated by the presence of a Christian minister, or any pious relative, who might direct the helpless sufferer to Him" who is able to save to the uttermost."

I am aware, indeed, that those alone who, like ourselves, have felt the weight of medical responsibility, can fully estimate the difficulties to be encountered in attempting to advance the highest interest of a patient, while conscientiously discharging our primary duty, in the exertion of our utmost efforts for the restoration or relief of his bodily frame. Even to those, who, by habits of early rising, punctuality, systematic arrangement, and calm dispatch, have been able to allot a sufficient portion of time to each appointment of the day,-how often does it happen that some unexpected emergency, some sudden complication of disease, the alarming sickness of another member of the family, some anxious inquiries of the patient or his friends, or other unforeseen circumstances, have more than consumed the allotted time, and in justice to the indispensable

claims of other cases, rendered an immediate departure necessary thus affording no opportunity of even alluding to "things unseen and eternal."

Another difficulty is often found to arise, from the almost exclusive occupation of the physician's mind by the diseased condition of the sufferer, the relief of which is, of course, our primary and incumbent duty. In order to give to each symptom, as well as to the whole assemblage of symptoms, a close and discriminating attention, and to adapt, with equal care, a corresponding treatment in medicine, diet, and general management; to do this within a limited space of time, requires a concentration of all the energies of the mind in a degree scarcely compatible with attention to any other subject. Under such circumstances, it is difficult in the extreme, to dispossess the mind of the engrossing anxiety just described, so as to leave it sufficiently free for availing itself of any suitable moment for introducing, with needful delicacy and tenderness, the all important subject of eternity. How frequently too, have we found that by the time we have completed our medical inquiries and directions, the patient has become too much exhausted to render any further exertion safe or practicable!

In addition to the obstacles already specified, you have, probably, my dear friend, sometimes encountered opposition from the mistaken kindness of the patient's relatives, who have deemed it next to madness to endanger the comfortable serenity of one "whose goodness of heart," they persuade themselves, "must secure him a happy

hereafter." Generally, however, the confidence reposed in the kindness and discretion of the medical attendant, will soon allay such a feeling of alarm, and afford the assurance that nothing will be attempted of a doubtful or hazardous character.

But the most formidable hindrance, I apprehend, exists within ourselves. I refer to the prevailing impression among us, that the religious welfare of a patient is foreign to our province; that to aim, in any direct manner, at promoting it, is superfluous, if not also obtrusive; and that the attempt might be regarded, moreover, as an unbecoming interference with the sacred office. The sedative influence of this opinion is often rendered still more paralysing by a consciousness of not possessing the facility and tact supposed to be essential to the success of the effort. Hence, opportunities for speaking" a word in season," are scarcely looked for or desired. The mind, at length, rests satisfied with an abandonment of the matter, as hopeless and impracticable, not duly considering whose cause it is, nor recollecting the divine promise that "strength shall be made perfect in weakness."

Such, my valued friend, are among the difficulties in our way; great, indeed, we must allow them to be, yet, happily, they are not insurmountable.

Assuming, for the moment, that the duties and qualifications of the medical practitioner do not impose upon him a higher degree of responsibility, relative to the spiritual good of his patient, than attaches to every other wellinformed Christian, in reference to his neighbour, I may