A biographical sketch of Dr. Lettsom / [John Coakley Lettsom].

  • John Coakley Lettsom
Date:
[1804]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A biographical sketch of Dr. Lettsom / [John Coakley Lettsom]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    All the family of Dr. Lctt- fom participate of his amiablenefs and candour; every perfon with whom he affociates is of the fame defcriptioiu ‘‘ After employing a part of the day in adminiftering comfort to his numerous patients, he returns home, to fhare in the enjoyments of friendfhip, and affembles around him perfons whom he loves, and by whom he is beloved. I fupped one evening with him, when fome of the moft lovely women of London were of the par¬ ty. It is true they were neither powdered nor perfumed, and had not, like moft ladies, heads full of feathers or artificial flowers: but their beautiful hair floated with becoming gracefulnefs on handkerchiefs uncommonly w'hite and fine. Their fimple but ele¬ gant drefs was remarkable for the excellent quality of the fluffs which coropofed it, and its only ornament was the charming counte¬ nances and unaffeded graces of thofe who wore it. Every thing in this houfe cor- 'refponded with that neatnefs and exquifite fimplicity which charac- terifes the Quakers. A young v-'idow, of an elegant perfon and highly cultivated mind, was one of the company; her agreeable viva¬ city formed a pleafing contrafl with the mild and tranquil fenfibi- lity of the other ladies, all of whom, however, poffeffed information and talents. “ We fupped without napkins, a circumflance which is not uncom¬ mon in many houfes in England; but the beft kinds of beer, plain though exquifitely flavoured meats, and the choiceft vegetables, were ferved up in proper vefl'els of the moft elegant form. The cloth was removed, and the defert, and fruits, comfits, and other delicacies, with a variety of wines in cryfla! decanters, were placed on a table of the finefl mahogany. This is the luxury of the Englifti. We drank more than once in cham- paigne and claret to the health of our fair companions, and they pledged us in madeira and con- ftance*. A lively but decorous gaiety, a frank and pleafing fimpli¬ city, animated this fcene. “ Tea, punch, and other liquors, came in their turn. We fhould have paffed the whole night at table, had we yielded to the preff- ing invitations of the Doctor. But notwithftanding his folicita- tions the party broke up at one o’clock. During the remainder of the night I meditated how I fhould become a Quaker ; for, if happinefs can be found any where on earth, it is among thefe worthy men.” As a philanthropift. Dr. Lett- fom muft ever fland high in the re¬ gard and efleem of all good men. The writer of this article cannot hoaft the happinefs of an acquaint¬ ance with Dr. Lettfom, or even a perfonal knowledge; but he has long confidered him, in the privacy of his own thoughts, as one of thofe truly great men, whofe eulogy is written in the hearts of the grateful, and whofe benevolence is recorded in the fmile, which chafes away the gloom from the tear-moiflened cheek of afflidtion. Whether we contemplate him in his profetfional or in his moral cha- rafter, he is alike eftimable ; alike calculated to give repofe to the en¬ feebled body of the anxious valetudi¬ narian, and to infpire with confi¬ dence the hopes of the half-doubt¬ ful yet half-refolved philanthropift. On whatever fubjeft he employs his pen, it aftumes intereft and im¬ portance from his forceful, clear, and impreflive manner of treating it; and, if thefe qualifications were wanting, the objective fcope of his intentions muft infpire a degree of * This lively defcriptlon of Monf. De St. Fond might Imprefs upon the mind of the reader, that the Doftor is a bon vivant; but we know that his temperance is almoft proverbial.
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