Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/304

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2«2 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. Dr. Parry rose, by slow and sure degrees, into fame and fortune. The acute feelings of disap- pointment were for many years placed in abey- ance, and the beneficial consequences of integ- rity, industry, perseverance, and a readiness to exert his extensive knowledge, were amply expe- rienced at the period already assigned as his pro- bationary term. The daily list of his patients, kept from the year 1780 to Oct. 25, 1816, the day which, by a paralytic seizure, terminated his career of public service, accurately records the opinion which was entertained of his merits, and the ex- tent of his professional emoluments. It appears that during this period nearly the whole catalogue of British nobility and many of the most distin- guished men in the kingdom visited Bath for his advice, and, in their preserved correspondence tes- tify the benefits which they had received from his skill and attention. It may not be altogether without interest and benefit to the junior members of the profession, to lay before them the progressive in- crease which appears to have taken place in Dr. Parry's pecuniary profits. By exhibiting the effects of perseverance and knowledge, in connexion with a steady attention to those higher objects, the inquiry after truth, and an unwearied performance of all the duties of charity, such a view may pre- serve many from unwarrantable expectation, and encourage others under a despondence arising from the inevitable delays and difficulties incident to their professional entrance upon the world. The receipts of Dr. Parry's first year, 1780, were 39/. 195, ; of his second, 1781, 70/. Is. ; of 1782, 112/. Is. ■ of 1783, 162/. 55. ; 1784,