John Hunter, at Earl's Court, Kensington, 1764-1793.

  • Merriman, John Jones.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: John Hunter, at Earl's Court, Kensington, 1764-1793. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    [From The Athenaeum, Dec. 4, 1869.] KENSINGTON W 0 K T IIIE S. Kensington Parisli boasts of many past celebrities, and the parishioners have now an opportunity of showing due respect to their memory. Among the illustrious men who l^ved and wrought there are authors, philosophers, and artists, who should not be forgotten. The foundations of the new church are laid, and we are glad to hear of a movement, the object of which is to per- petuate the memory of at least one Kensington worthy, by erecting a memorial window in his honour, in the church. We allude to John Hunter, who not only purchased land and built a house in the parish, but there pro- secuted the researches which have immortalized his name. The College of Surgeons and the medical profession generally will, we trust, aid in this object of doing honour to Hunter. But there is even a greater Kensington name than Hunter’s; need we say it is Isaac Newton ? the most illustrious, certainly, of the men who have claims on the fond recollections of his successors in the parish. We would suggest to the Society of Arts, and to any of the learned Societies having especial sympathy with Newton and his almost God-like work, that Kensing- ton New Church, with a memorial window to John Hunter, and without one to Isaac Newton, would be imperfect. With their co-operation, the honourable end will be easily reached. Then, among authors, we recognise the name of Addison, one of the greatest of our moral writers, and one of whom Kensington is especially proud. If there be no others, we hope at least to see these glorious three enshrined, as it were, in the sacred edifice To look up at them and remem- ber them and their works may be no weak incentive to the spectator to at least try and do likewise, by doing his utmost to turn to account the gifts he holds of God, and will be holden to answer for. The Literary Fund might spare an obolus for him who imagined Sir Roger de Coverly. We leave musical and other celebrities for future testimonials of grati- tude ; but we must insist on the right of Newton, of Hunter, and of Addison to be honoured in the way we have mentioned. With hearty co-operation, the end might be accomplished by a half- crown subscription ; and if extraneous aid come not, we hope that the parish of Kensington will have spirit and liberality enough to suffice for the work, and to pay the above-mentioned tribute of respect and homage of their affection to their own heroes.