PRINGLE. 179 from the low, damp, and marshy parts of the coun- try, to the dry and hilly grounds, so as never to let his forces remain long enough in the swampy places, to be injured by their malaria, he preserved the lives of seven hundred soldiers. In 1753, Pringle was chosen one of the council of the Royal Society. Honours of every sort now crowded upon him with that accumulative rapidity which usually follows the individual on whom the sun of prosperity has once begun to shine, and who has sufficient prudence to warm himself in its rays, without being dazzled by sudden brilliance. On the marriage of George the Third, he was ap- pointed physician to the young queen, and a few years subsequently was created a baronet. He had been previously admitted as a licentiate of the London College of Physicians, and, in 1763, was elected a fellow of that body. We soon find him physician to the Princess Dowager of Wales ; and, after being incorporated into several foreign so- cieties, he obtained, in 1772, the highest distinc- tion of his career, in the eminent office of president of the Royal Society. The period of his election was a fortunate epoch of natural knowledge : a taste for experimental investigation was diffusing itself through every part of the civihzed world, and the genius of Pringle found a happy occupation in cherishing this spirit. An universality of know- ledge, and a singular liberality of spirit, united to very considerable experience, both of active and studious life, seem to have pecuharly fitted him for his difficult post. Sir Godfrey Copley had, ori- ginally, bequeathed five guineas to be given, at each anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, N 2
