80 B I 0 GRAPH I C A L S I< ETCH E S.
. The subject of our engraving was born in 1749. He was educated at the
High School ; and, after taking his degree at the University, he spent several
years on the Continent. The respect in which his family had long been held
conspired with his own merit to secure for Dr. Hamilton an encouraging reception
on his return to his native city. At an early age he was elected one of
the Physicians to the Royal Infirmary; and he afterwards obtained, in succession,
the same office in George Heriot's-the Merchant Maiden-and the
Trades' Maiden Hospitals. For upwards of fifty years he continued actively
to superintend these benevolent institutions-in the two first of which his portrait
is preserved, in respect for the zeal with which he discharged the trust
reposed in him.
A field of extensive usefulness was thus opened to Dr. Hamilton, which he
cultivated with unremitting assiduity j and while he followed the bent of his
nature in promoting, by every act of kindness, the comfort of t,hose committed
to his care, he accumulated a mass of experience which enabled him, at a later
period, to give to the world his well-known work, entitled " Observations on the
Utility and Administration of Purgative Medicine in several Diseases "-one
of the most elegant professional works which has ever issued from the pressa
work which may be regarded as a model, whether we consider its practical
value, or the conciseness, the perspicuity, and the modesty of its style. The
eighth edition, " Revised and Improved by the Author, with a Chapter on
Cold Bathing, considered in its Purgative Effect," was published in 1836.
The kindliness of Dr. Hamilton's disposition could not fail to procure for
him the affectionate regard of the. numerous children, and of the sick poor, under
his professional charge j and hence he acquired an honoured notoriety among
all classes of our citizens, more general perhaps than ever fell to the lot of any
other individual.
Dr. Hamilton's appearance was so remarkable that it attracted the notice of
the most casual observer. His upright gait, his elastic step, and his dress of
the old scliool, have not yet faded from our recollection. His character presented
a rare union of the amiable with the sterner virtues. His demeanour
was highly polished, with more of what is termed manner-though never passing
the bounds of the strictest propriety-than is now generally met with.
Another prominent trait in Dr. Hamilton was the simplicity and sincerity of
his mind. Himself a stranger to the remotest feeling of meanness or duplicity,
he could ill conceal his abhorrence of these vices, when he discovered them in
others ; but while he possessed an uncommon power of discriminating character,
this was not accompanied by a suspicious disposition-it merely aided him
in selecting those with whom he might indulge in social intercourse ; and with
father having given rise to a suspicion that he was not qualified to discharge the solemn obligation
imposed by that ordinance. A protracted discussion
took place, which promised no satisfactory termination. The Professor retired unobserved ; and,
after holding a private conversation tith the parent, he baptized the child, and returned to his
brethren, whose debate was thus abruptly closed.
The case was brought before the Presbytery.
