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Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_322

I have been obliged to avail myself of the pen ofmy youngest daughter, the only one of my familywho at present resides with me, and who desires tobe recorded with me as sincerely attached to a coun-try where she has already many highly valuable friends. W. R. Toxteth Park, near Liverpool,July 13th, 1830.DAVID HOSACK, M.D., F.R.S., New York. On the 23d December, 1817, Mr. Eddy lost his son, John Hartshorne Eddy. He died in the 34th year ofhis age. He was a remarkable young man. At theage of twelve years, he lost his hearing from thescarlet fever; he had then only the common andordinary instruction of a boy of that age. On hisrecovery, he discovered an ardent desire for know-ledge, and commenced with zeal the process of self-instruction, and that so successfully, that, at eighteen,he was far advanced in polite literature, having ac-quired a good knowledge of the Latin and Frenchlanguages. He was accomplished in drawing, botanypainting, and poetry; and, at the same time, pursued,with assiduity his mathematical studies. We haveknown more than one instance, in which the misfor-tune of deafness has given new acuteness and energyto the mind. The restlessness that generally attendsthis misfortune, drives the mind to examine its ownresources, and to weigh its own powers; and it isastonishing how much can be done, when we areobliged to do it, either by motives of advancement,ambition, or necessity; and no necessity is strongerthan that of preventing the mind from preying uponitself. The paintings of young Mr. Eddy showed tasteand skill, but he did not choose to follow the art asa profession; it had too much to do with others to