History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

148 Biographical Sketches. Hazeltine.
your examination was not thorough, or you would have seen by
the errata that my name was accidentally omitted in the proper
place." "Very well, Mr. Barker," rejoined Dr. H., " I will impose
upon myself the duty of a further examination. In the
mean time allow me to welcome you as a new resident of our
town, and to bid you a very good morning." A few days after,
Dr. H. called on Dr. B., informed him that he had re-examined
the catalogue, found the fa6l as claimed, and with great cordiality
welcomed him as a professional brother. And that he was sincere
and retained his good feeling is abundantly shown by entries in
his journal.
Dr. Hazeltine also served as a magistrate, and his judgments
bore the impress of careful and conscientious investigation and
consideration. His copy of old " Dickinson's Justice," with its
many marginal notes, in his clear and compa6l hand-writing is
now in possession of the writer. But of course the great business
of his life was the medical pra6lice.
In that he was faithful
and trustworthy though some thought him a little too strongly
bound by old customs and traditions. He had great faith in the
virtue of hops, especially in the simple form of a tea, and so
frequently prescribed the infusion that some were so
impolite as
to call him " the hop-tea do6tor." Indeed certain libelous articles
touching this peculiarity of his appeared in the Mirror, written,
it is believed, by Enoch Curtin, in a playful mood. The editor
was proceeded against, and the jury awarded the Do6lor a considerable
amount in damages ; but he, as the editor long after
informed the writer, very readily relinquished all but his adlual
costs, and continued to treat him as if no occasion for difference
had occurred.
The books of daily charges kept by Doftor Hazeltine, were, a
number of years ago, placed in the hands of the writer ; and a
few extracts, which can harm no one, will no doubt be interesting
as showing the scale of professional charges, and at the same
time exhibit the precise and detailed manner in which he was
accustomed to record his transadlions. The first book of the
series bears the inscription, " Richard Hazeltine's Day Book
He removed with his family from South Berwick to Lynn, May
30, 1 81 7." He however must have been here himself some time
before he brought his family, for the first charge to a patient i.''