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- CHAPTER XXXI.
JOHN CHAPMAN DAVIE, M.D.
SINCERE will be the regret at the announcement of the death of the subject of this sketch. As I have known him since he arrived in the colony with his father (who was also John Chapman Davie), and his three brothers, William, Horace and Alexander, in 1862, it may not be inappropriate that I, one of his oldest friends, should tell what I know of him. Dr. Davie was born in Wells, Somersetshire, on the 22nd March, 1845, and was therefore sixty-six years of age. He, with his brother Horace (residing in Somenos), were educated at Silcoats College, England, and studied for the profession which afterwards made him known from north to south of the Pacific Coast, at the University of San Francisco. He also studied under a clever English physician, Dr. Lane, and under Dr. Toland, both eminent men who founded colleges in California.
After Dr. Davie had finished his medical course in California he came to Victoria and entered into practice with his father.
When I was about fifteen years old I was troubled a deal with my throat and was under his father's treatment. I was obliged to give up singing in consequence, being a choir boy in Christ Church. In my frequent visits to the doctor's surgery I became acquainted with Dr. Davie, Jr., who undertook the treatment of my throat until I was able to resume my choir duties. Both
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Dr. Davie and his brother Alexander were members of the choir at this time, and regular in attendance at service and choir practice. I can see with my mind's eye at a choir practice both brothers. Mr. Cridge, the rector, always conducted these practices, and he asked each brother in turn to sing his individual part over in the anthem, as they were to take solos, he (Mr. Cridge) beating time as they sang. I might say that we had some fine singers in the choir in those days, and more anthems were sung than even now. His brother Horace and I were school-fellows at the Church Collegiate School, which was situated on Church Hill, just about where Mr. Keith Wilson's residence now stands. It was built as a Congregational Church, and was destroyed by fire about 1870.
At the time I first became acquainted with Dr. Davie his father's office was situated where Challoner & Mitchell's store now stands, and was a very unpretentious affair?as most business places were in Victoria at that time?a wooden one-story frame cottage of three rooms. The doctor's first office was on the corner of Government and Bastion, where Richardson's cigar store stands. At the former office my friend studied and worked with his father until the latter's death, when the son continued the practice in his own behalf.
From Mr. Alexander Wilson, who was a director of the Royal Hospital at the time, I am told a deal about Dr. Davie's early medical career. He says the young doctor was ambitious to become medical officer to the Royal Hospital, then situated on the rock at the top of Pandora Street, and asked Mr. Wilson to try and get the position for him, even without salary, and Mr. Wilson, having great faith in the young man, promised to do his best, and at a meeting of the board, consisting
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