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294 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. of the heterogeneous materials which were left in the editor's hands, and of the principle on which a selection for publication was made. However true it may be, that these posthumous fragments confer no additional reputation on their author, and that they fall short of the expectations of the public, it has never been denied that they supply an ample store of valuable materials for reflection, and abundant hints that may assist the future labourers in the wide field of medical inquiry. Amongst these imperfect records, Dr. Parry's pre- face to his intended volume, which appears in a more complete form, may, perhaps, be considered one of his most important productions. It consists of an inquiry into the nature of human knowledge, and the means of attaining it ; and into the me- chanism of cause and effect, with a particular re- ference to the science of medicine. It was his opinion, that " above all, it is essentially requisite that the physician should learn the art of reason- ing, or that facility of distinguishing or rightly classing ideas which must necessarily flow from the habitual application of the mental faculties to various branches of science, and which he who has been merely occupied with what is called the practice of the profession, can rarely hope to possess." As a practitioner, he was distinguished by a clear insight into the nature of various maladies, by promptness and decision in their treatment, and by a marked humanity and kindness to his patients. In his professional connexions and relations he was eminently liberal, and, at the same time, independent. While he treated his