death of his uncle, the well-known Dr. Wil- with an hæmorrhage from his lungs. From liam Pitcairn who had practised physic here this he recovered, after some time, so far as for nearly half a century, and had been many to be enabled to resume the exercise of his years president of the college of Physicians profession; but the same disease having reDr. David Pitcairn was born on the 1st of curred in summer, he embarked in September May, 1749, in the house of his grandfather, for Lisbon. During a stay of more than 18 the Rev. David Pitcairn, minister of Dysart, months in Portugal, he had no return of the in the county of Fife. When about nine or hæmorrhage, in consequence of which he ten years old; he was sent to the high school ventured to come back to this country in at Edinburgh, where he remained four years; May 1800. He was still feeble; and his after which he went to the University of heart was still beating too forcibly; he for Glasgow, and prosecuted his studies there till some time, therefore, declined altogether enhe arrived at the age of twenty. At this gaging in medical practice. Afterwards, as period of his life he used to spend much of his health improved, he began to eceive pahis leisure time with the family of the Rev. tients at his house; then to meet other phyJames Baillie, minister of Bothwell, in the sicians in consultation at the houses of their County of Lanark, and father of the present patients; and at length, after an interval of Dr Mathew Baillie, of London, and of the several years, to undertake the entire care of celebrated dramatic writer Miss Joanna sick persons at their own homes; except du Baillie. During this intercourse. commenced ring four month in the latter part of the year, an affectionate in imacy between Dr. Pitcairn which he spent almost wholly in the country. and Dr. Baillie; which afterwards, as the In the mean time, however, the palpitation difference of their years became less in pro- of his heart continued; on which account he portion to their whole ages, gradually chang. for a long time lived very abstemiously, ed into the warmest friendship, that continu- drinking only water, and abstaining almost ed ever after. It being now determined that entirely from animal food. But, as the beat he should be a physician, he went in 1769 to ing did not increase, and no other sign of a the university of Edinburgh, and studied me- d seased heart existed, and as he found a vegedicine there for three years, under the imme- table diet to produce in him much flatulence, diate direction of the illustrious Cullen. In about a year or two before his death he be1772 he came to London, and attended the gan to eat moderately of animal food once a lectures of Dr. W. Hunter, and Dr. G. day, and to take sometimes after dinner a sinFordyce. About the same time also, that gle glass of wine diluted with water. Under he might attain an English degree in physic, this change of regimen his appearance altered thou h he was then nearly 23 years old, he considerably, and during the last six months of entered at Ben'et College, Cambridge. In his life, he frequently received the congratula 1780, several years before he received his tions of his friends on the improvement which Doctor's Degree, he was elected physician to his health had undergone. Disregarding the St. Bartholomew's Hospital; and about the advice given by one of the masters of his art, same time may be placed the commencement "si plenior aliquis, et speciosior, et coloratior, of his private medical practice. In 1792, factus est, suspecta habere bina sux debet," he he was chosen physician to Christ's Hospital; seemed to look upon his increased strength and in the following year, his private prac. as a permanent acquisition, and as chiefly valutice being now considerable, he resigned the able from_enaoling him to bear an increase office of Physician to St. Bartholomew's of professional labour. In the course of the Hospital. His office at Christ's Hospital de month of March for instance, he rose several manded but little of his time, and was there. times from his bed soon after midnight, and fore retained by him several years longer, travelled between twenty and thirty miles By the death of Dr. Warren, which took before morning, to visit a patient. From place in June 1797, Dr. Pitcairn was placed these exertions, however, he appeared to at the head of his profession in London. suffer no immediate injury. But about the One or two other physicians possibly derived beginning of April he found that he was as much pecuniary emolument from the heated by his single glass of wine, though dipractice of medicine as himself; but certainly luted largely with water, and therefore disno other was so frequently requested by his continued it. On the 13th he felt a soreness brethren to afford his aid in cases or difficulty, in his throat; but he thought so lightly of But this prosperous state did not endure long., that he continued his professional visits In the autumn of the same year he tell from his horse, and bruised his side. Shortly after, his heart began to beat with violence, and his attention was more particularly directed to this symptom, as it had occurred in one of his brothers, likewise in consequence of a fall, whose heart, after death, was found considerably enlarged. He continued, how ever, to fullow his pro ession till February in the following year, when he was attacked during that and the two following days. In the night of the 15th, his throat became. worse, in consequence of which he was copiously bled at his own desire, and had a large blister applied over his throat; but the irritation occasioned by the latter remedy was so distressing to him, that it was removed before its intended effect was fully produced. On the evening of the 16th, Dr. Baillie cal. led upon him, without knowing that he was ill; and having heard the history of his ail- Few liar Almack, esq of London, and a niece of None mode mode of repeating pa sages from new works of taste, most of which he read immediately after they were published. But, though he had lived so much in society, he never entirely lost a natural shyness of manner, which was more observable at some times than at others. This was often imputed by those who did not know him to pride; though, in truth, it seemed to arise from a diffidence of his own merit. As he advanced in years, his manners became less reserved to strangers; for to his friends they had always been frank and affectionate. His feelings were warm, and he was sometimes betrayed by them into little improprieties; but this disadvantage was greatly outweighed by the ener gy which was hence given to his character, and the interest which he took in the happiness of others. It may be regarded, perhaps, as no inconsiderable title to praise, that he behaved with the utmost kindness and generosity towards his numerous relations. But his endeavours to serve, were not confined to these. He was ever ready to assist his friends in their pursuits, not only by his advice, but by his influence with others, and the sacrifice of his time; to say nothing of other aids which he frequently furnished. Like other men of warm tempers, he was apt to bestow upon his present pursuits more than their due importance; and, as increase of years and professional employment, together with great varieties in the state of his health, necessarily produced alterations in his views of life, he was hence thought by some to be of a changeable disposition. But this was never said, respecting his attachment to persons. He continued to the last, loving to his first friends, and was, in return, most cordially beloved by then. His manner as a physician, was simple, gentle, and dignified, and always sufficiently chearful to encourage hope, without offending by its incongruity with the scene about him. From his kindness of heart, he was frequently led to give more attention to his patients than could well be demanded from a Physician; and as this evidently sprung from no in. terested motive, he often acquired considerable influence with those whom he had attended during sickness. No physician, indeed, of his rank in London, perhaps, ever exercised his profession to such a degree gra. tuitously. His behaviour to other physicians was highly candid and liberal, and he most studiously avoided the slightest appearance of interfering in their professional concerns. Such conduct is no doubt, recommended by its ultimate utility; but in from it arose from a native sense of honour, that appeared in every other transaction of his file. As he attended very carefully to the symptoms of diseases, in the order and degree in which they occur in nature, he had, from this source, and the excellence of his memory, acquired great practical knowledge of his profession. He had, in consequence, also pade many original observations upon Le H2 history and treatment of diseases. He was, for instance, the first who took notice of the connexion between Rheumatism of the external parts of the body, and a certain affection of the heart, which he hence called rheumatism of that organ. Since it was mentioned by him numerous examples of it have been seen by others, which puts the justness of the observation beyond doubt; though no trace of it exists in any author prior to Dr. Baillie, to whom he had communica ed it. He never published any of his observations himself, but several, besides that which has just been spoken of, have been given to the world by others never long enjoyed very good health from the time of his commencing to practise plysick in London For, not to repeat what has already been said respecting his disorders, he was, during many years of the first part of his residence here, much subject to violent head-achs. He twice laboured under severe agues; and suffered several attacks of i flammatory sure throat. But none of his ailments made any considerable permanent impression upon his external appearance; for immediately before his death no person would have supposed, from seeing him, that his health had ever been bad, or that he had at tained the age of nearly sixty years. [Further particulars of Miss anna Seward, whose death was annunc‹d at p. 410 of our last Number. The liberal attainments of Miss Seward, and her devotion to the Muses, long rendered her name celebrated in the Ittered world; whilst her amiable manners, hospitality, and highly cultivated conversation, caused her to be universally sought aster, and respected. Perhaps no person ever possessed in a greater degree, the colloquia powers of pleasing, than Miss Seward. To a minute and accurate acquaintance with the English classics, she added an inexhaustible fund of local and literary anec ote. Naturally eloquent, she cummunicated her knowledge in the choicest, and most energetic language. The animation of her countrance, and the brilliant lustre of her eye, gave a most forcible expression of feeling and intelligence to her words and action Conscious of her ability she freely displayen herself in a manner equally remote from arrugance and affectation Her mind and information were accessible to al; and no one ever parted from her dissatisfied with himself. or without the desire to renew his visit. In familiar conversation s'e greatly excelled; and in reading, more particulary poetry, she was uncommonly sp red and correct. Her doors were at all times open with literal hospitality, and to diffuse chescuiness and happiness over her domestic, and soc al circles, was the endeavour of her life. of infant genius and merit, wherever she met them, she was the warm encourager, and zealous friend Her hand was ever extended in active benevole ce towards the distressed, and her heart most readily paid the tribute of overflowing pity, to the tale of misery. In her intercourse with society no woman had less pride. At the table of the respecta ble tradesman, she was as easy, affable, and entertaining, as at the more sumptuous board of the nobleman. Politeness in her was an inherent quality, not an acquired habit; and her natural humanity was such as to prompt her to acts of kindness, even towards persons who had forfeited her esteem. Such, divest ed of the fulsome praise, which designing flatterers lavished upon her writings and genius, was the amiable and intelligent Miss Seward. Her merits were peculiarly her own; the spontaneous offspring of a good Her heart, and a liberally endowed mind. errors arose from a glowing imagination, joined to an excessive sensibility, cherished, instead of being repressed, by early habits and education. At the time Dr. Darwin came first to reside at Lichfield, Miss Seward was about thirteen or fourteen years of age. The circle which the doctor drew around him, for ten or twelve years from that period, was composed of young men of acknowledged Lalents, and of ardent speculative minds: whose spirits, too buoyant for the beaten track of knowledge, soard to explore the yet untrodden paths of science, and give new To turn systems to an astonished world. aside the smooth current of nature, and to despise established usages, were the principles upon which they conducted their researches. Their visionary pursuits were dignified with the application of philosophy; but were evidently more calculated to gratify their own passions and propensities, than to promote the improvement of mankind. Variety and originality were the objects of their adoration, to which they sacrificed without remorse, reason, and common sense. Among those persons were Mr. Day, (who from Miss Seward's own account of hum, was a capricious wild enthusiast ;) Mr. Edgworth, and Sir Brooke Boothby.-Doctor Darwin promoted and encouraged their idie schemes, and gave consequence to their speculations, by the reputation of his genius, and the va riety of his talents. In this coterie, Miss Seward's early impressions were formed. In the daily habit of hearing new, and ingenious bypothesis, she became enamoured of novelty, and sighed for the meed of lame; in which she was encouraged and flattered by the galJantry of her admirers. Possessed of an active and ductile mind, and a romantic disposition, she fed with avidity upon the in tellectual variety thus placed before her. To poetry she had been fondly attached from her childhood, and her warm imagination naturally became emulous of distinction in her favourite pursuit. But Miss Seward's genius was not of a class to strike out new models of poetic excellence; and her natural god taste had been perverted. She was deficient in fertility of invention; and wanted new and forcible combinations of thought, to accomplish such a task. All her attempts at originality evaporated in turgid obscurity, and pompous inflation. We frequently meet in her poetry with nervous lines, and sometimes with beautiful stanzas; but neither the pleasing vein of easy flowing verse, nor the more happy inspiration of graceful energy, ever accompany her long. We seldom see her thoughts clothed in the dignified simplicity of nature, but usually find them loaded with factitious and ill assortes ornaments. Her prose bears pretty much the same character with her poetic compositions. They abound in sparkling sentences, poetical images, and high sounging epithets; but want arrangement and precision. It is understood that she has left the whole of her works, as a legacy, to Mr. Scott, the northern poet, with a view to their publication in a collected edition, with her life and posthumous pieces; several of which the present writer has heard her name. But of her works, her epis tolary correspondence must be the most de sirable. She had all her life an extensive acquaintance, and especially with men of literature. Her talents and disposition peculiarly fitted her for a species of writing free from the trammels and constraints of regular composition. It is from this source that the nature of her genius, and the powers of her mind, may be fairly appreciated; where, although intermixed with much tinsel and alloy, will doubtless be discovered no common portion of sterling metal. In her remarks upon the writings of her contemporaries, always a favourite topic of communication with her friends, she will be found to display much acute and genuine criticism. Her judgment in the selection of the poetic beauties of others, was for the most part chaste and correct; qualities which in her own compositions seem to be sacrificed to empty sound and vain show. Had the taste, and exquisite feeling, of this lady, been reared and cultivated with care and prudence, it is highly probable that she would have ranked among the first favourites of the Muses; instead of which, the candid and unprejudiced must acknowledge that bei poetic rame cannot long survive the remembrance of her friends, and the partiality of her per sonal admirers. That a mind formed like Miss Seward's should be more liable to act from the impulse of feeling, than from the steady dictates of reason and principle, can not be matter of surprise. A woman independent in fortune, and fascinating in manners, is more likely to be surrounded by flatterers than friends; and if the blandishments of the former found too easy an admission to, her heart, it is a weakness which she shared with nine-tenths of the buman race. And peroaps those who lamented the readiness with which she admitted the specious and designing to her friendship, will allow that, placed in her situation, few wi men would have conducted themselves with greater circumspection.] PROVINCIAL PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES, WITH ALL THE MARRIAGES AND DEATHS, Arranged geographically, or in the Order of the Counties, from North to South. Communications for this Department of the Monthly Magazine, properly anthenticated, and sent free of Postage, are always thankfully received. Those are more particularly acceptable which describe the progress of Local Improvemen s of any kind, or which contain Biographical Anecdotes or Facts relative to eminent or remarkable Characters recently deceased. NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. On the 20th of April, was laid in NewBastle, the foundation stone of a new square at the beat of Howard Street, to be called Northumberland Place. The new church at Wallsend, Newcastle, was consecrated for divine worship by Thomas Burgess, D. D. Lord Bishop of St. David's, on the 27th of April. This neat edifice stands on a spot of ground nearly adjoining the line of redoubts continued from the end of the Romau Wall to Tynemouth, and only about 800 yards from the Roman station called Seyedunum, where stood a Temple of Diana, as appears from the remains of antiquity found there. At the late Ovingham fair, the Tyne side Agricultural Society awarded the following prizes; viz. To Mr. John Rowell, of Hollingball, for the best stallion for hunters or road horses, 51. 5s. To Mr. George Coxon, of Wall, for the best stallion for coach horses, 51. 5s. To Mr. John Turnbull, of Bywell, for the best stailion for draft horses, 51. 5s. To Mr. Antony Wailes, of Bearl, for the best bull, 101.10s. To Mr. Thomas Baites, of Haiton, for the next best bull, 51. 5s. To Mr. William Johnson, of Brudhoe, for the best bull on a fann not more than 11. per acre, 51. 5s. To Mr. Antony Wailes, of Bearl, for the best pair of steers. 51. 5s. To ditto, for the best boar, 31. 3s. To Mr. William Jobling, of Styford, for the next best boar, 21. 2s. The sweeps akes of 20 guineas for heifers, was adjudged to Mr. Antony Wailes, of Bearl. Married.] At Croxdale, Durbam, William Blundell, esq. of Crosby Hall, Lancashire to Miss Stanley, only daughter of the late Sir Thomas Stanley Massey Stanley, Baronet, At Newcastle, Lieutenant Colin of the West Kent militia to Miss Fearney. At Houghton le Spring, the Rev. John Reeves, of Stamfordhim, to Miss Charlton. At Durham, Thomas Greenwell, esq. of Willington, to Miss Isabella Hays. At Brancepeth, the Rev. William Nes feld, to Miss Mills, of Winlaton. ed.] At Newcastle, Mr. William Watson. Mr. John Davidson, one of the serjeants at Mace of this corporation.— Mr. Alexander Wilson, 76.-Mrs. Ann Dixon, S.-Miss Hearn, daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Hearn, of Preston, 14.Mr. Calvert, Clapham, 67.-Mrs. Lowes, Mr. Thomas Marshall, one of the oldest free burgesses of the corporation, 86.-Mr. Hutchinson, jun. a draughtsman and architect of great promise, 24.-Mr. John Shipman.-Mrs. Mary Bootimar, 69.Mr. Thomas Hewitson, many years secretary to the shipping insurance societies, in South Shields.--Mrs. Thompson, 74.Mr. John Grey, 81.-This man was an instance of the diversity that exists in human constitutions. For the last 50 years his beverage was Hollands Geneva. He drank it without water, sometimes in co pious libations, yet continued healthy until within a few weeks of his death. At Durham, Mr. Thomas Woodifield, one of the Bishop's bedesinen, 42.-Johu Crookes Leighton, esq. 42-Mrs. Thompson, 34. At Plawsworth, Mr. George Foreman. At Low Elswick, Mr. William Ryle, 53. At Ovingham Boat-House, Mr. John Johnson, 75. In the great flood, in 1771, he and all his family were sw ptaway in the night, with bis house, out building, and even his garden. Al were drowned except himse f and his brother, who caught the branch of a tree as they pa sed down the current, to which they clung till eleven o'clock he next day, nearly naked At Berwick, Mr. Iranxion, 88 John Nesbit, 99.-Mr James Stewart, 2-Mrs. Gray.-Mr. James Blackett, 74. -Mr. Thomas Hogarth, 7-Mrs. Agnes Atchinson, 85.-Mr Alexander M'Kenzie, 80. At Hexham, Mr. Robert Gate, 28.Mrs Liddle, widow of the Rev Mr Liddle. Mrs. Mary Oxley, 68-Mr. Tulip, 26. At Morpeth, Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford, |