Description:

Medical

Bi-fold ALS on laid paper, 7.5" x 9.25". Dated 'New York October 18th 1761". Signed by John Bard as "your most affectionate/Father/John Bard". Extensively penned to the recto and verso of the first page, with the second page blank. Docketed to verso of second page. Paper is toned with a few scant light stains. Three tiny pieces of tape on blank page. Expected folds. An excellent, legible letter with strong contrasting ink.

An outstanding letter written by John Bard to his son, Samuel, who was 19 at the time. The month prior, Sam had just set sail to Europe to spend five years in France, England and Scotland. (He ultimately received his MD at the University of Edinburgh in May 1765). This incredible letter penned by John only one month after Sam's departure hurriedly offered an entire letter of fatherly advice covering everything inclusive of Honor, Piety, health, Love, and Business. An extraordinarily intense letter, almost as though John Bard realized, perhaps only after the fact, that his son just left home for a long time and he wanted/needed to ensure he was guided.

Starting with concerns about Samuel's health and where to go for medical care, John quickly moves to concerns of a more philosophical nature. John's premise is that surrounding oneself with honorable people will help you make good choices and avoid "scheems of Disipation".

John Bard's letter was penned in old English, with the spelling differences preserved. The letter is shown in part below:

" … with regard to your moral conduct I do not flatter you, when I assure you I have the greatest confidence in your Piety, Prudence & Honour . but the severest test of all there is now approaching, you are going to a part of the world where you'l be surrounded with (illegible) --------- your greatest protection will depend upon your first choice of your company. According to all your former conduct you associate with men of gentl, and Business, men of sobriety and Honour, & with Ladies of character, Family, Virtue and genteel Breeding, your time will be most agreeably and most Honorably filled up between a course of Business, and most pure and refigned pleasure, you may safely accompany these thro a course of Business and (illegible) which you'l find will not only afford you the most rational delight and pleasure and give you  … fame , but derive the greatest interest and advantage to all your undertakings 'Twill render all your correspondences easie and delightful, and inlarge your sphere of valuable connections and Friends. H on the contrary you should suffer yourself to be captivated with the Froleck and Gay so far as to give into their scheems of Disipation, and Pleasure you cannot tell how far the powers of your mind may become innervated, and by habit … that manly Firmness which is the principal guard to a generous, virluous and innocent life. Remember my Dear Sam a maxim of that great & good man Mr. Gay which ought to be wrote in letters of Gold...Plant Virtue and Contents the Fruit… and these are the characters I would advise you to Emulate. I sincerely beg of God to Bless you in all your undertakings and am my Dear Sam

Your most affectionate

Father

John Bard"


John's letter to his son comes from a place of guidance, from a place of teaching life lessons, from a place of 'planting virtue' , and was clearly written from a man who embraces the same set of guidelines for himself. As such he raised his son who flourished.

Samuel Bard (1742-1821) founded the first medical school in New York City. He became the personal physician to George Washington.His description of the disease diphtheria was instrumental in formulating treatment for that condition. He helped found the second medical school in the United States at King's College, now known as Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Samuel was grandfather to the John Bard who founded Bard College.

A passionate, important letter in excellent condition.

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