Medical bibliography : A. and B. / by James Atkinson.

  • Atkinson, James, 1759-1839.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical bibliography : A. and B. / by James Atkinson. 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.

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    There is not perhaps any man so good a judge of the difficulty of writing a book, as an actual author. He soon discovers how many qualifications are necessary, how much science is required, and which ap'the points of most difficult access. He soon finds out his own deficiencies ; and, as regards his powers, that some difficulties may be insurniouutahle. That essay, which sometimes originates in study and amu^eraent gets insensibly into growth, and is perpetuated. For, havmg been undertaken in the spirit of an inquirer, it is frequently carried on in the ca])acity of a student. This student, however, soon assumes the master, and pronounces his decisions on critical subjects as authoritatively as if all learning and languages were at his fineerg ends. ° This not being my case, I have studiously avoided much communi- cation with the Germans, or with their most excellent authors, and, m most humble deference, with the dead languages; for, every thing dead except victuals, I abhor. And, notwithstanding, 1 possesi JNoehdens German Grammar or Syntax ; yet, I know not so much ot that tongue as of a neat's tongue : or, as a'child fust born. Nay, in pointof guttural expression, I know less. The German tongue is to me most odontoIgoid and difficult. And although I am very sensible tnat mere dint ot application may convert an alphabet into a language, ; S 11 presses in a printing-office, could not squeeze one 8>llaljle ot the German accent out of my tongue. from m 'J'''''''^ niis-«pent, if he merely clear the obstmction ^om ,iny path ; and the very attempt to shew what is right, frequent- <inrrsr''''T'*^'^7- ^^^^^^^^ '^^ in^mediate^lunZs of . society who attempts improvement. ■ coJdtt«;''rZl'T' ^°r'f be™ most ably I men Bv H departments, by most able f men. By Harwood, D.bdin, Haller, Gesner. by variis variorum of