James Hinton, my cousin

The most distinguished student of my school was Joseph Toynbee who became the first aurist of the day in London, he unfortunately inhaled some new anaesthetic while experimentalising with it and was found dead at this study table, with note book at his side - (namesake?) His son has distinguished himself at Oxford where he has established a benevolent institution known as Toynbee Hall.

On Toynbees death my cousin James Hinton obtained the reputation of being the best aurist - for a few years he had a very lucrative practice in London, but his health broke down from mental strain, and after being a voluminous writer on metaphysics he succumbed to softening of the brain - His son Charles Hinton is an enthusiastic scientist at Oxford, and has written more than one treatise on theoretical subjects.

Hinton, James

Hinton, James, aurist and metaphysician, born at Reading; after taking his degree was for some time at sea and in Jamaica, but in 1850 established himself in London; specialising in ear-diseases he rose to the top of his profession, becoming lecturer at Guy's Hospital; his leisure was earnestly devoted to philosophy, and gave fruit in “Man and his Dwelling-Place,” “The Mystery of Pain,” “Philosophy and Religion,” &c.1822‒1875.

Definition taken from The Nuttall Encyclopædia, edited by the Reverend James Wood (1907)