The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-05
WARMING THE HEARTS OF THE
LIVING.

Fordyce Barker, died in New York city,
full of years and professional honors. lie
was mourned not only in medical circles,
but by the most cultivated society OF the
metropolis. for he was gifted with shining
social talents. He was tall, handsome
man; a delightful story teller; he had
travelled widely, visiting Europe every
year for twenty-five years; he had Keen
eye for everything worth seeing and re-
Numbering, and he was so charming a
taIker that he made hosts of distinguished
friends in London, Paris and Edinburgh.
It is said that he never sat next to any
body at dinner whom he did not make his
admirer for life by the mingled sense and
wit of his conversation and the kindly
courtesy of his manner. This kind of
fame is apt to spoil man; to make him
either arrogant or insultingly condescend-
ing TO those less fortunate or highly gifted
than himself, but the social genius OF Dr.
Barker rested upon a great and tender
heart. He had the best practice in New
York city; he was courted and fiat
tered on every side, but he re-
manned unsoiled and unspotted to the
last. His finest trait was his
unfaiIing, OVERLOOKING kindness to the
young and struggling men among his
students at Bellevue, where he was lee
turer for many years. He was not simply
the teacher, but the friend of every worthy
pupil. Whenever he found a young man
with special talent he did everything to
develop it, often greatly mountaineering
himself.
One of the most eminent physicians of
the United States confesses that he was
induced to take up the study of medicine
by the persuasion and assistance Of DR..
Barker. He was always ready to use his
influence and give his good word to any
friendless young man whom he found max
ing an earnest fight to get on honestly
and honorably in the world. He never
forgot that more than forty years ago he
had hard struggle to earn his way in the
great city, or that few men were
so largely endowed by nature as he was
with that cheerful, sanguine temperament
which is not easily impressed by adver-
sity. So this good doctor at the height of
his fame, when he was both great physi-
clan and social lion, always found time
and inclination to say good word or do
generous deed for one of "his boys" as he
called his students, and it is certain that
these boys, wherever they are today, are
his sincerest mourners. The kindly face
of the handsome old doctor, his fine, gall
liant figure is pleasant memory to the
"boys," for they always found that he was
Just as good and even better than he
looked. The friendly handshake. the dis
eliminating praise, the earnest encourage
ment. the timely pecuniary assistance that
helped to tide a poor, struggling young
physician over a hard spot; these are
memories of DR.. Barker that survive with
many of his profession throughout the
land who were his pupils. Who shall say
how much good such wise, truthful, dis
eliminating kindness on the part of so
grand and genial man has done to the OBJ
jects of his sympathetic interest and
timely friendshipP
1t has been truly said that he is a great
benefactor who can teach the world how
to raise two blades of grass where but one
grew before; but DR.. Barker went further
and believed that he who by his influence
and aid added one efficient, humane,
happy, useful and upright man to the
working force of the world was better even
than he who teaches US how to double the
growth of the grass. He knew that while
brains and push will finally win their way
that nevertheless the struggle is some
times so bitter that it leaves ugly scars on
the successful soldier; that it hardens his
heart as well as his hand; that it closes
the pores of his moral sympathies; curdles
the milk of human kindness. makes hum
sour and selfish in soul and cynical of
speech. He did not like to see poor man
of talent work so long and hard for recog-
milton that when il finally came the man
would be as full of bitterness and scornful
spirit us was Carlyle, who looking on a
figure of Christ crucifed in the gallery OF
the Louvre could say, "oh, poor fellow,
your part is played out"
DR.. Bankers medical studies and sym
in earnest men of native force and talent a
long, hard struggle for success that comes
late not seldom turns what was originally
melancholy into bitterness and what was
originally sensibiity into scorn, and
knowing this he was careful always to oil
the skids on the road of life for his boys as
they were trying 10 drag their heavy log
out of the woods 10 the saw mill. DR.. Bar
ker lived and died = physician, but so YER
satile were his natural talents. and so large
his requirements that he might have been
anything that he strove 10 be; he would
have conqured in any field where he was
not obliged to stoop meanly low in order to
conquer. He would have shone at the bar.
for he was by nature most acute and
brilliant debater; he was an admirable
writer and talker; he would have made a
good Judge, for he had broad and sound
understanding with natural apprehen-
sion of equity and = warm affection for
justice. but fortunately for his own happi-
ness he chose profession where il is COM
paratively easy to soar above the stag
nant sea of sordid. shallow life. This
that we have related Of him is a part of the
story Of high-minded doctors power for
good in his community that lies back OF
his professional life and is generally left
out of his professional record, and vet who
shall say whether for lasting good it was
not the best part of his work and inau-
enee9 His philosophy OF life was an
eloquent rehuke {, those who never utter