BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 397
No. CLVII.
MR. JOHN SHIELLS,
SURGEON.
MR. SHIELLSw as a native of Peeblesshire ; and, prior to commencing business
as a surgeon and apothecary, held a situation in connection with the Royal
Infirmary. His first shop was in a land immediately above the Tron Kirkdemolished
when Hunter Square was formed ; and from thence he moved to
Nicolson Street.
In his day few professional men possessed a carriage of any description ; and,
finding himself incapable of making his visits on foot, I&. Shiells bethought
himself that a horse might answer his purpose. To this the only objection was
that he was no equestrian. It consequently became an object of primary
importance to procure an animal sufficiently docile and sure-footed ; which
qualities he at last found in the sagacious-looking grey pony,’ of mature years
so correctly delineated by the artist in the etching.
Mr. Shiells and the pony
are proceeding leisurely on their rounds, apparently on the best understanding,
and seemingly pleased with each other. The surgeon, with his broad half-cocked
hat, and his lightly elevated whip, evidently has not attained the free attitude
of an experienced rider ; yet the complacency of his jolly countenance is expressive
of the great degree of confidence he reposes in the wisdom and fidelity of
the animal.
The figure behind represents the boy, Willie, who actedas groom. He always
accompanied his master, for the purpose of carrying his walking-staff-to take
care of the horse while he was detained in the house of a patient-and to aid
him in again mounting his charger. This was a task which generally occupied
nearly three minutes in accomplishing ; and it was truly amusing to witness the
exertions of the boy to get his master’s leg over the saddle, while the struggle
made by Mr. Shiells himself for that purpose was exceedingly grotesque.
Among his patients at one period was a Mr. Ramage, who kept a shop in
the Lawnmarket. This person was well known as a keen sportsman, and much
famed for his excellence in breaking dogs. Having fallen into bad health, he
was for some time daily visited by Mr. Shiells j but what was rather surprising
for an invalid, the patient, with his head enveloped in a red nightcap, used
regularly to accompany the doctor to the door, and, setting his shoulder to
the seat of honour of the worthy son of Galen, assisted in reinstating him in
hia saddle.
He was short in stature, and latterly became very corpulent.
#
The scene represented in the Print is to the life.
His fint charger waa a h z a pony.
