 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Hereditary Genius
267
pleased to try him many ways,” which phrase I interpret to include ill-
health. 12. Brainerd, d. aet. 29, was naturally infirm, and died of a
complication of obstinate disorders. 13. Hervey, d. aet. 55, though an
early riser, was very weakly by nature; he was terribly emaciated
before his death. 14. Guise, d. aet. 81, a great age for those times,
was nevertheless sickly. He was hectic and overworked in early life,
afterwards ill and lame, and lastly blind, 15. Toplady, d. aet. 38,
struggled in vain for health and a longer life, by changing his
residence at the sacrifice of his hopes of fortune.
In addition to these fifteen cases of constitutions stated to have
been naturally weak, we should count at least twelve of those that
broke down under the strain of work. Even when the labour that
ruined their health was unreasonably severe, the zeal which goaded
them to work beyond their strength may be considered as being, in
some degree, the symptom of a faulty constitution. Each case ought
to be considered on its own merits; they are as follow:—l. Whitaker,
d. aet. 48, laid the seeds of death by his incredible application. 2.
Rollock, d. aet. 43, the first Principal of the University of Edinburgh,
died in consequence of over-work, though the actual cause of his
death was the stone. 3. Dr. Rainolds, d. aet. 48, called “the treasury
of all learning, human and divine,” deliberately followed his instinct
for over-work to the very grave, saying that he would not “propter
vitam vivendi perdere causas,” —lose the ends of living for the sake
of life. 4. Stock, d. aet. ? “spent himself like a taper, consuming
himself for the good of others.” 5. Preston, d. aet. 41, sacrificed his
life to excessive zeal; he is quoted as an example of the saying, that
“men of great parts have no moderation.” He died an “old” man at
the age of 41. 6. Herbert Palmer, d. aet. 46, after a short illness; “for,
having spent much of his natural strength in the service of God, there
 |
|
 |
|