The biography of Stephen Hales, D.D., F.R.S / by Percy M. Dawson.

  • Dawson, Percy M. (Percy Millard), 1873-
Date:
[1904]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The biography of Stephen Hales, D.D., F.R.S / by Percy M. Dawson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    19/22 (page 17)
    will Hales was one of the witnesses, was heard to say, I [i shall be very glad to see Dr. Hales; I always love to see him; he is so worthy and good a man. To the end of his long life his mind was ever actively planning scientific experiments and benevolent enterprises. In November, 1760, his signature appears on the parish regis- ter for the last time. On Sunday, January 4, 1761, he died after a slight illness. His death was the occasion of the fol- lowing article, which appeared in the January number of the Gentleman's Magazine: The following Character of the late Dr. Hales, may be relied upon in every particular, and it is to be regretted that we have not more particulars concerning his useful Life from the same hand. On Sunday the 4th instant, died, at his parsonage-house at Tedington, universally lamented, in the 83rd year of his age, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hales, P. R. S., member of the royal academy of sciences at Paris and clerk of the closet to her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales. If any man might ever be said to have devoted his whole life to the public, to all mankind, it was Dr. Hales. He possessed a native innocence and simplicity ol manners, which the characters of other men, and the customs of the world, could never alter; and though he often met with many unworthy objects of his kind and charitable offices, yet they never once lessened his natural and unwearied disposition of doing good and relieving distress. His temper, as well as the powers of his understanding, were happily fitted for the improve- ment of natural philosophy, possessing, as he did, in an uncom- mon degree, that industry and patient thinking, which Sir Isaac Newton used modestly to declare, was his own only secret by which he was enabled so fortunately to trace the wonderful analysis of nature. Dr. Hales began his inquiries into natural knowledge very early in life, and he continued it uniformly as his darling amusement, being engaged in experiments until within a few weeks of his death. His industry had this farther excellence, that it was always pointed at the general good of his fellow creatures, agreeable to the almost unlimited benevolence of his heart; and being animated with the success of some of his Courthope: Life of Pope, F. D. F. D. In the phrase Plain parson Hale, (Moral Essays, Epistle II) Pope doubtless refers to Hales whose correct name unfortunately could not be made to rhyme with fail In the preceding line. G. M., January, 1761, XXXI, 32.