BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 159
believed, were chiefly prosecuted at the University of Edinburgh. When about
eighteen years of age, he obtained the appointment of Surgeon to the IsiS manof-
war, in which situation he continued four years. “It was while in the
Mediterranean,” says a Memoir by the venerable and Rev. Henry Moore of
London, “ and off the Island of Malta, that he became decidedly religious. His
faith was soon tried. The Isis fell in with a French man-of-war, of seventyfour
guns, when a most desperate engagement ensued, in which Captain Wheeler
was mortally,wounded.” The command then devolved upon the First Lieutenant,
who succeeded in capturing the enemy.
His
case was hopeless. A cannon-ball had shattered his arm, and torn away part of
the abdomen. He spoke solemnly and kindly to the Doctor, who in return
pressed the great truths of religion on his dying Commander. The Captain
was much affected, and repeatedly prayed God to bless him. The first Lieutenant
was then sent for. Remember,
his Majesty’s ship must not be given away. Fight her while she can
swim.’ The Lieutenant took his leave, and the Doctor soon after descended to
his dreadful duty. On the Lieutenant appearing on the deck, the officers cried
out, ‘ Sir, shall we fire 4 ’ to which he replied, ‘ No, not a gun, till we brush his
yards.’ These orders being punctually observed, the combat became so dreadful,
the rigging of the ships being intermingled, that it was quickly over. The
French Captain and his officers, being brought on board the Ish, requested to
see the body of Captain Wheeler. They were accordingly introduced to the
cabin, when, after looking in silence for some time at the appalling spectacle,
the scene ended w-ith the usual French shrug, and an exclamation of ‘ Fortune de
la guerre ! ’
On leaving the navy, which he did chiefly on account of ill health, Dr.
Hamilton commenced practice as a surgeon and apothecary in Dunbar, where he
soon attained celebrity, both professionally and as a gentleman of distin,@shed
private worth. He became a member of the Methodist Society, and laboured
with much zeal in the service of religion. In the course of long and extensive
practice, the Doctor acquired a considerable extent of landed property in the
neighbourhood of Dunbar, and had a pleasant residence at some distance from
the town. Here he had a library, valued above five hundred pounds, always
open to his friends ; many of whom, especially of the Connection, were in the
habit of sojourning short seasons with him, profiting by his intelligence and
friendly aid. “ In the year I spent at Dunbar,” says the Rev. Joseph Taylor,
“ which was 1787, Mr. Wesley paid us a visit, and was gladly entertained at
Mr. Hamilton’s country house. The love and intimacy subsisting between these
two eminent men were unspeakable. Several of the preachers came from other
circuits to .meet him there ; and it was a feast indeed to all present, to sit and
hear these great men converse so freely and fully about the great things of
God.’’
Dr. Hamilton left Dunbar for Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1789, or early in 1790.
“Dr. Hamilton was called from the cock-pit to attend the Captain.
‘ Sir,’ said the Captain, ‘you now command.
The French ship was carried triumphantly into Gibraltar.’’