Physicians in London, Principal Librarian of the British Museum; Secy, to R.S.; F. of the R.SS. of Berlin and Stockholm and of the Society of Haerlem; and Physician to the Hospital for French Protestants and their descendants. By Charles Peter Layard, A.M., Fellow of St. John’s Coll., Cambridge. London, 1776.
“A mark of the author’s veneration for the character and memory of his deceased uncle.”
“To lay the examples of men of this amiable character before the world is in some measure to prosecute the plan of their lives, and to carry into practice their laudable intentions of advancing to the utmost the benefit of mankind and the glory of God. It is too often observed, and with justice, that the industry of those who are endowed with brighter parts than the generality of men is by no means proportionable to their abilities; because, as they perceive their natural superiority to others, they rely too much on their talents in the acquisition and communication of knowledge. But this was far from being the case in the instance before us. An unwearied application, which commenced in the dawn and failed not till the very extinction of the last gleam of life, gave constancy and energy to the exertion of faculties far exceeding such as are entrusted to the majority. An extent of knowledge comprehending a great number of the most essential parts of science, and a superior acquaintance with the rational theory, joined to eminent skill in discharging the duties of [the medical profession] a profession not more useful to society than difficult ill its study and practice, were the effects of this happy disposition. The very relaxations of a great and good man participate in that dignity which adorns his character. To his vast and valuable fund of profane literature was added an intimate acquaintance with religious and moral learning; the pride of human wisdom had not taught him to scorn what was most worthy his attention; nor had the contagion of infidelity poisoned the pure sources of benevolence in his heart. Deep indeed is the shadow which has fallen upon those who so lately enjoyed the society of our departed friend; but not they alone have been deprived of a father, a husband, or a brother; the orphan, the widow, the afflicted, share in their distress; every honest man has lost a fellow-labourer; every learned man an assistant in his laudable pursuits; every Christian an industrious and faithful fellow-servant; and this country one of its wisest and one of its worthiest citizens.
“I might describe to you the last hours of this excellent person, which corresponded exactly with his former life; I might relate to you with what humility he waved the deserved applause of his surrounding friends; with what earnestness he declared his disapprobation of that vain wisdom which misleads men from the ways of religion, till their ears cannot hear her voice, nor their eyes behold her perfections; with what fervency he professed his faith, with what constancy he persevered in his hope in Christ; and with what resignation and sincerity he awaited that moment which was to divide him from his nearest and dearest connections; but let me recall these words; the nearest connection of a good man is with the merciful Being, whose grace hath enabled him to persevere in that course which is closed in the brightness of His presence.
“A great degree of solid and useful and elegant knowledge, acquired, by the application of excellent abilities, with habitual and unwearied industry; an heartfelt interest in the public good; a charitable attention to that of every private person; and such a belief of religion and obedience to its precepts as constitute the real dignity and happiness of man, — are the most striking features in this unflattered portrait. If, therefore, the tenor of this man’s life excites respect and attachment in the mind of any one, let me exhort him in the words of our Lord, for the sake of God’s glory, for the benefit of the community, for his own present and future happiness, to go and do likewise.”
Dr. Maty’s daughter, Louise, became, on 21st March 1776, the second wife of Rogers Jortin, Esq., son of Archdeacon Jortin. Before that date, another daughter had been married to Obadiah Justamond, Surgeon to the Westminster Hospital, and F.R.S. The other daughter was unmarried.
Dr. Maty’s only son was born in London, 18th December 1744, and was registered Henry Paul at his baptism in the Savoy, 18th January 1745; at Westminster he was entered as Paul Henry; from 1782 to 1786 he called himself Henry only; I appealed to Mr. Winter Jones, late Principal Librarian of the British Museum, and he kindly wrote to me, with charming official positiveness, “His name was Paul Henry.” He became a pupil at Westminster School in 1758, and from thence was elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1763. He became B.A. in 1767, and M.A. in 1770; he also obtained a travelling fellowship and passed three years abroad. He was ordained to the ministry of the Church of England, and became, in 1774, chaplain to Viscount Stormont, our Ambassador at Paris. Dr. Lort, in a letter dated “Old Bond Street, 7th August 1776,” says, “Dr. Maty being dead, his son, who is chaplain to Lord Stormont, is expected over.” Soon after his arrival in London, he renounced the Thirty-nine Articles of his Church and embraced Unitarian ism. That this step was not the result of any very industrious research may be inferred from Mr. Nichols’ account of the posthumous volume of his sermons; “they had
