Memoir of the late Martin Barry, M.D., F.R.SS.L. and E.

Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoir of the late Martin Barry, M.D., F.R.SS.L. and E. 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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    this period, he fulfilled temporary engagcmeiita with several eminent firms, in order to increase his experience in commercial transactions. He never engaged in business on his own account, hut preferred the medical profession, in order to gratify a love for science, and to apply his mental acquirements more fully in unison with his taste than a commercial life would allow. After thus l>eing trained to business, he thereafter studie<l in the medical schools of London, Edinburgh, Paris, Erlangen, and Berlin. He became a member of the Itoyal College of Surgeons in Eilinburgh, and obtained his degree of M.U. there in 1833, was a member of several societies, such as the Wernerian, Royal Medical and Physical, and eventually of the Itoyal Societies of London and Edinburgh. Soon after graduating he went to Germany, and, as a pupil of the celebrated Tiedemann, at Heidelberg, was closely engaged for about a year in ininute anatomical and physiological investigations. At this time, as aho during bis Edinburgh studentship, he was well known for accuracy in dissection, and skill in making anatomical prepnnitions. Dr Barry was an enthusiastic lover of natural scenery, and devoted much time to botanical and geological pursuits. He annually visited some of the mountain and lake districts of Scotland during the college vacations; and after concluding his studies at Heidelberg in 1834, spent part of the autumn of that year in travelling much on foot tlirou^h Switzerland. In the course of these wanderings he arrived at Chamouni on September 1.5th, and, apparently without any preconcerted intention of attempting such a feat, consulted guides as to the practicability of ascending Mont Blanc. It was then later in the se^on than any successful ascent had been hitherto accomplished, and much hesitation as to making the attempt was expressed by those he consulted. However, as four years had elapsed since the last ascent was made (by Captain Wilbrabam), true also to the impulse of his then great physical energy and ardent temperament. Dr Barry resolved upon the enterprise, and accomplished it with safety to all concerned. His w’as the sixteenth ascent that had been made ; it occupied three days in going from and returning to Chamouiti ; he was rew'arded I)y a mag- nificent view from the summit, and by weather so remarkably fine, “that during the whole time,” says Dr Barry, “ I did not see a single cloud A short account of this journey was published in the “ Edinburgh New I hd- Journal, vol. xviii. In March 1836, he gave (and eventually published), two public lectures, in Edinburgh, on the same subject; their proceeds were presented to the Koval Infirmary ; and his excellent model of Mont Blanc, by which the lec- tures were illustrated, was presented to the University Museum. This ascent gained him the acquaintance of many distinguished persons. Among these was Baron II umboldt, who peisonally requested Dr Barry to translate ft oin the Ger- man an account of his (the Baron’s) “ Two Attempts to Ascend Chimborazo. This translation appeared in the “ Edinburgh New I’hil. Journal, 1^/ • On returning from the continent, and residing for a time in Edinburg i, in order to extend his medical knowledge by further attendance at the Royal In- finnary. Dr Barry was an occasional and ever welcome visitor in various private families he had known during previous years. Some of these were connected with the religious body (the Society of Friends) to which he belonged. By them he was valued for kind gentleness of heart, refinement of manners, ex- tensive information, and a high tone of moral and naturally possessed a sensitive temperament, whu-li was most obviously shown, when any opinions peculiar to himself were called in question or undervalued. This trait characterized him through life ; and owing to the tenacity with which he adhered to opinions once formed, some have considered him dogmatical, oi even pedantic. But we must remember, that although his once ardent mental constitution led him to theorize, and even to beluve, where many waited in doubt, it was a conscientious honesty of purpose wdiich auk K hin^ avow and defend, for he could not conceal what he really thought to be tiue. Having little relish for mere amusement, and f fixed distaste for convivial company, however intellectual, hi never mixed
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