GOOD, JOHN MASON, M.D., was born on the 25th of May 1764, at Epping, where his father was minister of an Independent congregation. He was educated at home, where he studied Latio, Greek, aud French. At fifteen years old he was apprenticed to a surgeon in Gosport, on leaving whom he studied for a short time at Guy's Hospital, and, in 1784, commenced practice iu partnership with a surgeon at Sudbury. He met however with but alight success ; and in consequence of having engaged himself as security for a friend who failed, he was induced to remove to Loudou in 1793, princi pally with a view of obtaining employment iu literature. For a time his progress was very slow ; but by perseverance he succeeded, and in 1820 found himself so well established, both in literary and professional fame, that he determined on taking the diploma of M.D. at Marischal College, Aberdeen. From this time to his death, which occurred is Jauuary 1827, after a long and painful illness, be continued actively pursuing the practice of medicine and the study of almost all branches of science and literature.
Dr. Good was a voluminous writer on various subjects, but none of his works have any permanent value; his principal works were the following : 1795. Dissertation on Diseases of Prisons and Poorhouses,' prize essay, published at the request of the London Medical Society, 12mo. 1795. 'A short History of Medicine,' published at the request of the Pharmaceutical Society, 12mo. It consists principally of a history of the practice of apothecaries in England. 1800. ' Translation, in verse, of the Song of Solomon.' 1803. ' Memoirs of Dr. Geddes,' 1 vol. 8vo. 1805. ' Translation of Lucretius' (in verse), 2 vole. 4to., his principal classical work. 1812. Translation of the Book of Job,' 1 vol. 8vo. 1820. 'Physiological System of Nosology, with a corrected and simplified nomenclature,' 1 vol. 8vo. lie had been twelve years collecting materials for this work, and it served as an introduction to the larger one which he published in 1822. 1821. ' Translation of the Book of Proverbs.' 1822. 'Study of Medicine,' in 4 vols. 8vo., consisting of a digest of the severe] aysteme of posology previously published, and an attempt to classify all deecribed diseases in regular orders, genera, &c., as in tho arrangements employed in natural history. 1820. ' Book of Nature,' 3 vols. 8vo. This work contained the lectures delivered by the author at the Surrey Institution on the phienomena, 1st, of the material world; 2nd, of the animate world ; 3rd, of the mind.
A Translation of the Book of Psalms' was just completed at the time of his death. Those however were but a portion of his works;
for some time previous to settling in London ho bad been a large contributor to the World,' a daily newspaper; at that time in ex tensive circulation, and to the 'Analytical and Critical Review.' Of the latter he was for a considerable time the editor ; and very many of the articles on theology, morals, and Eastern literature which attracted most notice in it, as well as in the British and Monthly Magazines, wero from his pen. He was engaged at the same time iu many other literary pursuits, as in the editing of the Paatologia,' in conjunction with Mr. Bosworth and Dr. 0. Gregory, The extent and variety of Dr. Good's works are sufficient to indi cate their character ; they evince great industry, with a retentive and orderly mind, and every mark of sincerity and piety ; but they show that he was deficient is judgment, critical acumen, and personal observation ; and his medical writings especially are hence of far less value than the labour that must have been bestowed upon them might have given them, had it been better directed. But he seemed to have no suspicion of his unfitness for any literary task ; and houce never hesitated to undertake any project though most nusuited to his habits and acquirementa. Thus, although wanting every requisite qualification for such a duty, his overweening self-coufidenco led him not only to consent to edit the Letters of Junius, but to select merely from his own opinion of resemblance of style, other letters which had been published under a great variety of names in Woodfall'a Advertiser, and without scruple assign them to the great unknown, to the utter confusion, as it has proved, of almost all subsequent investigations respecting the author of the Junius Letters, and judgment of his character and conduct. Dr. Good's principal faculty seems to have been a facility of acquiring languages: he had learned Latin, Greek, and French, in his father's school ; while an apprentice he acquired Italian, and soon after commenced Hebrew. While engaged in the translation of Lucretius he studied German, Spanish, and Portuguese; and afterwards, at different times, Arabic, Persian, Russian, Sanscrit, and Chinese. Of his knowledge of all these, evidence is presented in unpublished translations, in reviews of their literature, and in the constant references made to their works in his medical and other writings. A biography of Dr. Good was published by his friend Dr. Olinthus Gregory, in 1 voL 8vo.