Note 4 in the author's biography of Thomas Hood.
It is pleasant to record the fact that nearly every literary man or woman with whom I have been acquainted, or whose lives I have looked into has found a generous and disinterested friend in a doctor. I conld, of my own knowledge, tell many anecdotes of the sacrifices made to mercy by members of the profession; of continuous labours without a thought of recompense; of anxious days and nights, by sick or dying beds, without the remotest idea of "fees." I may tell one of a doctor, himself gone home; it was related to me by Sir James Eyre, M.D. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the name of the good physician; but there are, no doubt, many to whom the story will apply. Sir James called upon him one morning when his career was but commencing, and saw his waiting-room thronged with patients. "Why," said he, "you must be getting on famously." "Well, I suppose I am," was the answer; "but let me tell this fact to you. This morning I have seen eight patients; six of them gave me nothing — the seventh gave me a guinea, which I have just given to the eighth." Such a physician Providence sent to Thomas Hood. [139n].
References
Hall, S. C. A Book of Memories of Great Men and Women of the Age, from Personal Acquaintance. 3rd ed. London: J. S. Virtue, n.d.
Last modified 25 March 2005