REVIEWS.

MEMOIRS of the Life, Writings, and Character, Literary, Professional, and Religious, of the late JOHN MASON GOOD, M. D. By OLINTHUS GREGORY, LL. D. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, 1829.

The history of a great mind is always interesting. But when high intellectual and moral attainments are associated in the same character, and sustained through a life of eminent usefulness, the interest which we feel is of the deepest and purest kind. There is nothing, there can be nothing, pertaining to mankind, more worthy of our interest, than a character at once truly great and truly good. Such was the subject of this Memoir. His "intellectual and moral portrait" is also delineated by a skilful artist, although he modestly informs us, that "the papers which have been preserved with unusual care, in a tolerably connected series, will furnish the principal materials for the picture, and, thus free hiin in a great measure from the temptation, either to overcharge the likeness, or to intercept its exhibition by placing himself before it."

The following condensed passage will present to the reader, in a single view, both the compiler and the subject of this Memoir. "If it be true, as has been often affirmed, that there has rarely passed a life of which a faithful and judicious narrative would not be interesting and instructive; it will surely not be unreasonable to hope that advantage may result from even an imperfect development of the circumstances that contributed to the formation of a character of no ordinary occurrence; one which combined successfully the apparently incongruous attributes of contemplation and of activity; where memory evinced with equal energy its faculties of acquisition, of retention, and of promptness in reproduction; and where, in consequence, the individual attained an extraordinary eminence, not merely in one department of literature or science, but in several; and proved himself equally expert in the details of practice, and in the researches of theory; allowing neither the fatigues of the one nor the absorptions of the other, permanently to extinguish that thirst after the chief good which is the noblest characteristic of true greatness of mind." p. 14.

A most important inquiry to parents and teachers, in perusing the history of an illustrious character, or of a distinguished mind, is, What causes were concerned in its production? It is believed that circumstances, in a measure under our control, impart to children at an early age the seeds and elements of their subsequent character.

The following passage is so practical importance, that we entire.

much to the point, and of so much need not apologize for inserting it

They who remark in how many instances apparently slight circumstances give the essential determination to character; who recollect, for example, the fact, that both the father and the husband of Michael Angelo's nurse were stonemasons, and that the chisel which she often put into his infant hands as a plaything, served to create the bent of genius which issued in the sculptures of that admirable artist-or who are aware how much the poetic inspiration of the ex

cellent Montgomery was nurtured by the early perusal of Cowper's Poems, the only work of taste and imagination which he was allowed to read while at Fulneck school-will not fail to notice what various particulars concurred in the arrangements for John Mason at this susceptible age, to implant in his mind those principles of thought, and feeling, and action, which, ultimately exfoliated, produced that character in maturity which it is our object to portray. From Mr. Mason's "Rules for Students," and from the example of his father, he learned that these "five things are necessary; a proper distribution and management of his time; a right method of reading to advantage; the order and regulation of his studies; the proper way of collecting and preserving useful sentiments from books and conversation; and the improvement of his thoughts when alone;" from Mr. Mason's Essays on "the Principles of Harmony," the illustrations in which are selected with much taste and judgment, he early acquired a relish for easy and mellifluous versification; from the example of his parents, and from that of Mr. Mason, which they taught him to contemplate with veneration, he imbibed the persuasion that universal knowledge did not obstruct the road to eminence in any one pursuit; and a conviction equally strong, though not so invariably in operation, that true piety was susceptible of a happy union with talent and genius: and, superadded to all this, the localities of Romsey enkindled in his bosom a love for rural scenery and rural pleasures, which he never lost."

The principal causes of difference in minds and character are the following. First, constitutional endowments. Secondly, the influence of early associations and instruction, or what may be called the education of circumstances,-in respect to which the subject of this Memoir was highly favored. His father, an evangelical minister, and a man of sound wisdom and piety, devoted himself, while his children were young, to the instruction and superintendence of "a few pupils, fixing the maximum at sixteen in number, including his own sons."

"A desire to preserve his children from the more obvious evils of public schools, and to supply them with the advantage of select associates, placed him in a sphere of employment, but not of weary or anxious labor, with a happy competency, and in the immediate vicinity of the sweetly variegated scenery of the New forest. Fond of rural enjoyments, fond of domestic life, fond of acquiring and communicating knowledge, fond of select and intelligent society, fond of benevolent exertion, blessed with the confluence of these streams of delight," &c.

Such was the combination of felicitous circumstances, which conspired in forming the character of Dr. Good. The intelligent reader of his Memoir will perceive their features strongly impressed upon his whole life.-Thirdly, the active agency of the individual himself, on which more depends than on either or both of the preceding causes. This is the respect in which every man makes himself. Nature and circumstances did much for Dr. Good, but he himself did more. He encouraged and sustained through life the four cardinal qualities of a successful student, ardor, docility, diligence, order. He was ardent. His zeal for knowledge was a perpetual and increasing fire. It was a real desire for knowledge, rather than for its fame. Doubtless he was, to some extent, ambitious, but he seems to have been more desirous to possess the reality than the appearance of learning. Perhaps no student could ever say with more truth, "Labor ipse voluptas."

it

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His docility was remarkable, especially as it existed in connexion with so much genius and ardor. Bold and ardent genius is usually ungovernable. It will not learn from others, however much learn of itself. This is an unfortunate fact. Most bold and mighty geniuses are ruined by self-will. When the will is pliant, and the mind docile, in connexion with a strong and regular genius, there is then, a rare combination of qualities, and a most happy result may be anticipated. The following is a specimen of the docility of Dr. Good.

"Such was the delight with which he pursued his studies of every kind, that it occasioned an entire absorption of thought; so that when he was little more than twelve years of age, his habit of hanging over his books had produced a curvature in his back, equally unfavorable to his growth and his health. His father, anxious to remove this evil, earnestly besought him to join with his fellow students in their various games and sports; and ere long he engaged in these also with his characteristic ardor, and became as healthful, agile, and erect as any of his youthful associates."

This should serve as a valuable hint to all pupils. It is one of many instances, in which the docility of young Good preserved his life, and secured his final greatness. He never presumed that there were no others wiser than he. This docility of temper was maintained through life, and proved of immense advantage to him, not only by enlarging his compass of professional and liberal knowledge, but by recovering him from erroneous and dangerous principles respecting the most momentous of all subjects, and conducting him to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. He was in the true and proper sense, liberal-always willing to learn. Obstinacy was no part of his intellectual or moral habit.

His diligence was almost unparalleled. Never did a man act more fully up to the spirit of his motto, "The measure of life is not the number of its days and years, but the amount of its virtues and duties performed." The following is a specimen of his diligence.

"He was finishing his translation of Solomon's Song of Songs,' carrying on his life of Dr. Geddes, and walking from twelve to fourteen miles a day, to see his numerous patients: nor was this all. In a letter to Dr. Drake, after speaking of these engagements, and adverting with thankfulness to the state of his business as a surgeon (which then produced more than 14007. per annum,) he proceeds thus: I have edited the Critical Review, besides writing several of its most elaborate articles. I have every week supplied a column of matter for the Sunday Review-and have for some days had the great weight of the British Press upon my hands.'

'So great a variety of occupations would have thrown most men into confusion; but such was the energy of Mr. Good's mind, such his habits of activity and order, that he carried them all forward simultaneously, suffering none to be neglected, left in arrear, or inadequately executed."

His love of order is said to have been his " ruling passion," and his habits of order were perfectly formed, and universally applied. "These habits of order, the foundation of which constituted a part of his education, and the consolidation of which was so greatly aided by the circumstances

of his apprenticeship, were evinced through life. The arrangements of his wardrobe, his books, his accounts, his papers, his manuscripts, his time, all bore the stamp of this peculiarity."

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As the Memoir of Dr. Good will undoubtedly be read by the more intelligent members of the community, we shall not anticipate their judgment respecting the amount and value of his intellectual habits and attainments. To us they are astonishing. That a man, in the period of a life not unusually long, should have become a master in so many entirely distinct departments of knowledge ;-that he should have ranged through the whole field of oriental, and classical, and modern literature, and made himself familiar, not only with the Hebrew, Syriack, Persian, Greek, Latin, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and English languages, but also with the contents of most of the principal works in each;-that he should also have become a thorough scholar in various departments of natural and moral science, as his Book of Nature' and other similar productions evince him to have been ;--that he should also have gained the highest rank in the profession of medicine and surgery, both in theory and practice, and have contributed one of the most valuable works (The Study of Medicine,') to that profession, which it has ever received; that he should also have enlarged his mind with copious practical knowledge, on almost all subjects of interest or utility; that he should be engaged in making translations of the Book of Job, and the Psalms, and Solomon's Song, from the Hebrew-in executing his great work,' his translation of Lucretius, from the Latin-in publishing notes and practical commentaries on the Scriptures-in writing poetry-in delivering lectures on physical and moral science and general knowledge-in preparing memoirs-in furnishing matter for two or three distinguished periodicals and all with such success, as completely to confront the adage, that the man of all pursuits is good at none,'-and besides all this, walking twelve or fourteen miles a day, to attend upon so many patients as to yield him fourteen hundred pounds a year,this truly is more than surprising, it is astonishing to us, who have yet so much to learn respecting the true value and improvement of time. We are almost ready to lay down our books, in despair of ever knowing or doing any thing.

We shall now briefly notice the religious character of Dr. Good. The compiler remarks,

"The distinction between the faculties of man as an accountable being, and his attributes as an intellectual being, is as palpable, and as difficult to be evaded by inquirers who deal fairly with themselves and with their species, as the distinction between mind and matter, or the active energy of thought, and the inertia of a stone."

That man is constituted to be a religious being,' no less than an intellectual being-that he is capable of sustaining an accountable, not less than an intellectual relation, to God and his creatures —is what every one knows, or may know. It is in vain for us to

attempt to be atheists, or to throw off our moral responsibility; for there is a principle in every man's nature, which makes him know that he is responsible for his conduct. That principle was implanted by God, the Creator and Governor of the universe, who formed man to be a subject of his moral kingdom.

Man is constitutionally a physical, an intellectual, and a moral being. In a barbarous state of society, his physical nature is considered the most important. A man is estimated by the size and strength of his body. In a state of partial cultivation, one degree above barbarism, his intellectual nature is most regarded. Pedantry and pride of learning prevail, and a man is estimated principally by the supposed strength of his intellect. The question is not, is he morally good, but is he intellectually great. In a state of highest cultivation, when man is found in his most perfect and happy condition, his moral nature is first regarded. The first inquiry respecting him is, does he sustain his accountable relations to God and all his fellow beings? His moral principle, more than his intellectual attainments or his physical power, constitutes the standard of excellence. In this view, how much of barbarism still remains, even in this day of self-styled intelligence and refinement! Society will not have reached its highest, purest, happiest state of cultivation, till the love of God, ruling the heart and swaying the character, is regarded as the chief excellence of man. Knowledge then ceases to produce pedantry and conceit. Pure and humble piety, combining with sound and modest intelligence, constitutes a basis of character, beloved on earth and approved in heaven. Relevant to this point, the following passage is full of truth and wisdom.

"In this age of intellectual and religious illumination, the scales of moral judgement are, too often, equally defective. I need not attempt to sketch the characters of the successful commercial man, the able barrister, the skilful physician, the man of deep and fortunate research, and many others in every profession and every rank, who have passed through the world without raising a serious thought towards their Creator and Preserver, or prescribing to themselves any code of morals except that which accorded most with the modes and fashions of their respective classes, and kept God and his will most out of sight. Yet, who dare censure? nay, who must not commend? For whom have they injured? What law have they broken? If the case is to be decided by the law of courtesy, or of worldly reputation, who but must praise? If by the laws of their country, they must stand unimpeached. Still, a thoughtful man may venture, notwithstanding, to hint that there is a law, less fleeting, awfully binding, nobly universal,-the law of Him who is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,' who demands a surrender of all our faculties and affections to his service, in whose sight even the heavens are not clean,' and before whom something is required which a conformity to the laws of honor, courtesy and reputation cannot alone supply."

It has surprised some, that men of distinguished success in their respective professions and callings, should have often failed to discover the sublime features of religious truth, and the real glory of the Gospel. But our Saviour has informed us that not many wise and noble are called; and for this undeniable fact the following remark suggests a reason.