324 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. to lecture with a palsied mind and a palpitating heart." — Yet he generally came back from the hospital in better spirits than he went. Anxiety, with regard to his success as a lecturer, affected his health, and laid the foundation of that disorder of his stomach, from which he was never after- wards entirely free. In a few years Gooch became one of the best lecturers in London, and used to go into the class-room, without any notes, with the most perfect confidence, able to teach clearly and impressively that which he himself thoroughly under- stood : but for this power he paid too high a price. In January, 1814, Gooch married MissTravers. He announced his approaching nuptials to his friend, Mr. Southey, thus, — " Lost time is lost happiness ; the years of man are three score and ten, the months therefore 840, about 360 of my share are already gone, liow many have I to spare ? On the 21st of this month I leave London, and on the 1st of February, God permitting, I bring home my wife. — To me, at least, you have been a suc- cessful preacher." Ten months afterwards he wrote another cheerful letter, reporting progress in his profession, and stating his expectation that he had taken leave of the fear of poverty for life, but expressing a little doubt how far his health might bear the air and the exertions of London. There was but too much ground for apprehension on this point ; in every other respect Gooch was most happily circumstanced, every year added to his reputation, and consequently to his income ; and in his domestic relations no man could be more fortunate ; but no sooner was he free from the dread of poverty which had haunted him in
