, was born in the year 1706, at Kingston in Surrey. He received his
, was born in the year 1706, at
Kingston in Surrey. He received his education at Eton;
and discovering an inclination for surgery, was bound apprentice to Mr. Cheselden, by far the most eminent man
of his profession. Under this great master, who used to
say, that of all the apprentices he ever had Mr. Belchier
was the most industrious and assiduous, he soon became an
accurate anatomist. His preparations were esteemed next
to' Dr. NichohVs, and allowed to exceed all others of that
time. Thus qualified, his practice soon became extensive;
and in 1736 he succeeded his fellow-apprentice Mr. Craddock, as surgeon to Guy’s hospital. In this situation, which
afforded such ample opportunity of displaying his abilities,
he, by his remarkably tender and kind attention to his
pauper patients, became as eminent for his humanity as
his superior skill in his profession. Like his master Cheselden, he was very reluctant before an operation, yet quite
as successful as that great operator. He was particularly expert in the reduction of the humerus; which, though a very
simple operation, is frequently productive of great trouble
to the surgeon, as well as excruciating pain to the patient.
Being elected fellow of the royal society, he communicated to that learned body several curious cases that
fell within his cognizance; particularly a remarkable case
of an hydrops ovarii, published in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 423; an account of the miller whose arm was
torn off by a mill, August 15, 1737, No. 449; and a remarkable instance of the bones of animals being turned red by aliment only, No. 442. The greatest discoveries frequently
are owing to trifling and accidental causes. Such was the
ease in the last-mentioned circumstance, Mr. Belchier
being led to make his inquiries on that subject, by the bone
of a boiled leg of pork being discovered to be perfectly red,
though the meat was well-flavoured, and of the usual colour.
On his resignation as surgeon of Guy’s, he was made governor both of that and St. Thomas’s hospital, to which he
was particularly serviceable, having recommended not less
than 140 governors. Mr. Belchier in private life was a
man of strict integrity, warm and zealous in his attachments, sparing neither labour nor time to serve those for
whom he professed a friendship. Of this he gave a strong
proof, in becoming himself a governor of the London hospital, purposely to serve a gentleman who had been his
pupil. Indeed, he on every occasion was particularly desirous of serving those who had been under his care. A
man of such a disposition could not fail of being caressed
and beloved by all that really knew him. In convervation
he was entertaining, and remarkable for bons mots, which
he uttered with a dry laconic bluntness peculiar to himself;
yet under this rough exterior he was possessed of a feeling
and compassionate heart. Of the latter, his constantly
sending a plate of victuals every day, during his confinement, to a man, who, having gained admittance to him, presented a pistol with an intent to rob him, and whom he
seized and secured, is an unquestionable proof, as well as
of his personal courage. Such were his gratitude and
friendship too for those of his acquaintance, that on several sheets he has mentioned their names with some legacy as a token of remembrance, as medals, pictures,
books, &c. trinkets and preparations, and on another paper
says he could not do more, having a family of children.
Whenever he spoke of Mr. Guy, the founder of the hospital, it was in a strain of enthusiasm, which he even carried
so far as to saint him. A gentleman having on one of those
occasions begged leave to relnark, that he had never before
heard of St. Guy, Mr. Belchier, in his sentimental way, replied, “No, sir: perhaps you may not find his name in
'the calendar, but give me leave to tell you, that he has a
better title to canonization than nine-tenths of those whose
names are there; some of them may, perhaps, have given
sight to the blind, or enabled the lame to walk; but can you
quote me an instance of one of them bestowing one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling for the purpose of
relieving his fellow creatures?
” Mr. Belchier was a great
admirer of the fine arts, and lived in habits of intimacy
with the principal artists of his time. He enjoyed a great
share of health, though far advanced in years. A friend
of his being some time since attacked with epileptic fits, he
exclaimed, “I am extremely sorry for him, but when I
fall I hope it will be to rise no more;
” and he succeeded
in a great measure in his wish, for being taken with a shivering fit at Batson’s coffee-house, he returned home and
went to bed. The next day he thought himself better,
got up, and attempted to come down stairs, but complained
to those who were assisting him, that they hurried him, and
immediately alter exclaiming, “It is all over!
” fell back
and expired. His body was interred in the chapel at Guy’s
hospiial. He died in 1785.
, an amiable and ingenious writer, was a native of Ireland, where he was born in the year 1706. His father, the rev. William Brooke of
, an amiable and ingenious writer,
was a native of Ireland, where he was born in the year 1706.
His father, the rev. William Brooke of Rantavan, rector
of the parishes of Killinkare, Mullough, Mybullough, and
Licowie, is said to have been a man of grent talents and
worth; his mother’s name was Digby. His education appears to have been precipitated in a manner not very usual:
after being for some time the pupil of Dr. Sheridan, he
was sent to Trinity college, Dublin, and from thence removed, when only seventeen years old, to study law in
the Temple. Dr. Sheridan was probably the means of
his being introduced in London to Swift and Pope, who
regarded him as a young man of very promising talents.
How long he remained in London we are not told*, but on
his return to Ireland he practised for some time as a chamber counsel, when an incident occurred which interrupted
his more regular pursuits, and prematurely involved him
in the cares of a family. An aunt, who died at Westmgath
about the time of his arrival in Ireland, committed to him
the guardianship of her daughter, a lively and beautiful
girl between eleven and twelve years old. Brooke, pleased
with the trust, conducted her to Dublin, and placed her
at a boarding-school, where, during his frequent visits, he
gradually changed the guardian for the lover, and at length
prevailed on her to consent to a private marriage. In the
life prefixed to his works, this is said to have taken place
before she had reached her fourteenth year: another account, which it is neither easy nor pleasant to believe,
informs us that she was a mother before she had completed
that year. When the marriage was discovered, the ceremony was again performed in the presence of his family.
For some time this happy pair had no cares but to please
each other, and it was not until after the birth of their
third child that Brooke could be induced to think seriously
how such a family was to be provided for. The law had
long been given up, and he had little inclination to resume a profession which excluded so many of the pleasures
of imagination, and appeared inconsistent with the feelings
of a mind tender, benevolent, and somewhat romantic.
Another journey to London, however, promised the advantages of literary society, and the execution of literary
schemes by which he might indulge his genius, and be
rewarded by fame and wealth. Accordingly, soon after
his arrival, he renewed his acquaintance with his former
friends, and published his philosophical poem, entitled
“Universal Beauty.
” This had been submitted to Pope,
who, probably, contributed his assistance, and whose manner at least is certainly followed. At what time this occurred is uncertain. The second part was published in
1735, and the remainder about a year after. What fame
or advantage he derived from it we know not, as no mention is made of him in the extensive correspondence of
Pope or Swift. He was, however, obliged to return to
Ireland, where for a short time he resumed his legal profession.