Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/301

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PARRY. 279 have been more rewarded by private attachment, and by public confidence. It is true that, like other ardent minds, he felt some degree of early impa- tience at the slow rate of professional advance- ment, and even entertained some little doubt as to the ultimate attainment of the desired success. Under these circumstances, the advice and expe- rience of his esteemed friend, Dr. Denman, were readily communicated ; and while they exhibited the warrantable grounds of hope, moderated also the indulgence of premature and unjustifiable ex- pectation. A letter, dated December 20, 1780, says, " I heard, soon after your arrival at Bath, of your determination to settle there, and as I had always the best opinion of your judgment, had no doubt but you had considered the likelihood of getting forward in the profession. This, you know, can only be done either by powerful in- terest, or by slow degrees, consequent to the assiduous and able exercise of your profession. You must not be dispirited if the attempts you make often fail to answer your expectations. With respect to myself, I assure you, it will give me very sincere pleasure to contribute to your success." A second letter, dated October 16, 1781, alludes to the same subject : — " Since the time of your first settling at Bath, I have ever borne in mind the wish to serve you, if an opportunity offered. There have been very few, but I have mentioned you to several who have come down. I am not surprised that you find your receipts come in slowly at present, but all young practitioners think, when they set up their standard, that the world should immediately flock to it, and they are