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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 163 Boswell of Auchinleck in these lines-part of an epitaph composed by him on Mr. Wood:- “ But cold the heart that feels M genial glow, Pondering on him whose ashes sleep below : Whose vivid mind, with grasping power, could reach Truths that the plodding schools can never teach. Who scorned, in honesty, the spacious wiles Of dull importance, or of fawning smiles : Who scouted feelings frittered and refined, But had an ample heart for all mankind.” The following anecdote is a proof of Mr. Wood‘s popularity with the lower classes. During a riot in Edinburgh, some of the mob, mistaking him at night (owing to a great resemblance in figure) for Sir James Stirling, then the Lord Provost of the City, and at that time far from being a favourite, seized Mr. Wood on the North Bridge, and were going to throw him over the parapet, when he cried out, “I’m lang Sandy ?Vood-tak‘ me to a lamp and ye’ll see.” Instead of executing their vengeance, he was cordially cheered and protected from farther outrage. Sir James and Mr. Wood, although thus in such different esteem with the lower class of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, were intimate friends. It is told of them, that on one occasion the Provost-with his cocked hat, and long spare figure-meeting the Doctor in the High Street, he jocularly put L guinea into his hand, and giving a piteous account of his sufferings from indigestion, and the state of his stomach, asked his advice. The Doctor-with a figure almost equally spare, and the same head-dress-retreated from the Provost, who continued to follow him, reproaching him for pocketing the money without giving him any opinion on his case, At last, after this scene had lasted for some considerable space, Mr. Wood replied to Sir James’s remonstra,nces :- “You’re quite wrong, Sir James; I have been giving you the best possible advice all this while. If you’ll take hold of my coat-tail, and only follow me for a week as you’ve been doing for the last ten minutes, you’ll have no more trouble with your stomach.” Although very confident in his own practice, and very decided, Mr. ?Vood never failed to call in the aid of his professional brethren when there appeared to be real danger. The celebrated Dr. Cullen and he were frequently in attendance together, and on the most friendly and intimate footing. Upon one occasion they were in the sick-room of a young nobleman of high promise who was afflicted with a severe fever-the Doctor on one side of the bed, in his usual formal and important manner, counting the patient’s pulse, with his large stop-watch in his hand--Mr. Wood on the other, and the parents anxiously waiting the result. The Doctor abruptly broke the silence-“ We are at the crisis ; in order to save him, these pills must be taken instantly,” producing some from his waistcoat pocket. Mr. Wood, who had a real affection for the young Lord, shook his head significantly, and said with a smile, “ 0 Doctor, Doctor, nature has already done her work, and he is saved. As to your pills-you .
Volume 8 Page 230
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