{ 1765. Abernethy { John, son of { John and Elizabeth, { April, 24.
This register would suggest that he was born a year later than I have stated. I have, however, preferred 1764, as the year adopted by his family; for although a man's birth is an occurrence respecting the date of which he is not the very best authority, he usually gets his information from those who are. Besides, it was no uncommon thing at that time to defer the christening of children for a much longer period. The education of his early childhood was, most likely, altogether conducted at home; but it is certain that, while yet very young, he was sent to the Grammar School at Wolverhampton. Here he received the principal part of his education; and though the records are somewhat meagre, yet they tend to show that at an early age he manifested abilities, both general and peculiar, which were indicative of no ordinary mind; and which, though they do not necessarily prefigure the future eminence at which he arrived, were sufficiently suggestive of the probability that, whatever his career might be, he would occupy a distinguished position.
Born. Died. Galileo 1564 1642. Kepler 1571 1630. Bacon 1561 1626. Newton 1642[2] 1727.]
[Footnote 2: The same year that Galileo died.]
Born. Died. Priestly 1733 1804. Galvani 1737 1798. Volta 1745 1826. Lavoisier 1743 1794. Crauford 1749 1795. Hunter 1728 1793. Davy 1778 1829.]
[Footnote 4: The valvular contrivances in the veins and heart, which showed that the blood could move in only one direction, had been either observed, described, or their effects respectively remarked on, by Paul, Sylvius, Michael Servetus, Realdus Columbus, Andreas Cesalpinus, and especially by Fabricius ab Aquapendente, of whom Harvey was a pupil.]
[Footnote 5: In a polite letter which I recently received from a distinguished pupil of Abernethy's (Dr. Butter, of Plymouth), I find that James Abernethy died of apoplexy, at Plymouth.]
"Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Ah, fields beloved in vain, Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain."
Mankind naturally feel an interest in the boyhood of men of genius; but it often happens that very little attention is paid to early indications; and, when observed, it is certain that they are often interpreted very falsely.