Clearfield Republican

June 13th, "FRAZER'S ROCK."

John Pocock Holmes, who had been a distinguished British surgeon, died last week in Evansville, Ind., at the age of ninety, destitute and friendless. One of his limbs had been destroyed by cancer, and one leg was paralyzed. On examining his effects, after his death, was found an original certificate of Sir Astley Cooper, testifying to his qualifications as a surgeon, with numerous testimonials from other eminent surgeons of his ability and faithfulness as a member of their profession. It appeared from other papers that he had been, previous to 1827, sixteen years a surgeon in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, at their various posts on this continent. In 1827 he was a practising surgeon in London, holding intercourse with the most eminent men. Among the papers he appears to have preserved with care, is a card of invitation from the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of London to dine at the Mansion House on the 15th of May, the year omitted. But the papers which he seems to have deemed the most precious, are a package of letters from Captain Parry, the great arctic explorer, with whom he seems to have enjoyed a free and cordial intimacy. Among his effects were also two large and beautiful gold medals, awarded to "Doctor John Pocock Holmes by medical societies, for his valuable inventions of obstetrical and surgical instruments." He was evidently a man of correct habits and great intelligence. By what misfortunes he who had enjoyed high professional reputation, and had been the associate and friend of eminent men, was cast homeless and poor, and died at last alone in the shanty of a poor negro nurse, is unknown. It is a painful lesson of the sad vicissitudes of life.