HILL, Sir John, a voluminous writer, was originally bred an apothecary; but his marrying early, and without a fortune, made him very soon look around for other resources than his profession. Having, therefore, in his apprenticeship, attended the botanical lectures of the company, and being possessed of quick natural parts, he soon made himself acquainted with the theoretical as well as practical parts of botany: from whence being recommended to the late duke of Richmond and Lord Petre, he was by them employed in the inspection and arrangement of their botanic gardens. Assisted by the liberality of these noblemen, he executed a scheme of travelling over the kingdom, to collect the most rare and uncommon plants; which he afterwards published by subscription: but after great researches and uncommon industry, this undertaking turned out by no means adequate to his expectation. The stage next presented itself, as a soil in which genius might stand a chance of flourishing: but after two or three unsuccessful attempts, it was found he had no pretensions either to the sock or buskin: which once more reduced him to his botanical pursuits, and his business.
business as an apothecary. At length, about the year 1746, he translated from the Greek, a small tract written by Theophrastus, on Gems, which he published by subscription; and which, being well executed, procured him friends, reputation, and money. Encouraged by this, he engaged in works of greater extent and importance. The first he undertook was a General Natural History, in 3 vols. folio. He next engaged, in conjunction with George Lewis Scott, Esq. in furnishing a Supplement to Chambers's Dictionary. He at the same time started the British Magazine; and while he was engaged in a great number of these and other works, some of which seemed to claim the continued attention of a whole life, he carried on a daily essay, under the title of Inspector. Amidst this hurry of business, Mr Hill was so laborious and ready in all his undertakings, and was withal so exact an economist of his time, that he scarcely ever missed a public amusement for many years: where, while he relaxed from the severer pursuits of study, he gleaned up articles of information for his periodical works. It would not be easy to trace Mr Hill, now Dr Hill (for he procured a diploma from the college of St Andrew's), through all his various pursuits in life. A quarrel he had with the Royal Society, for being refused as a member, which provoked him to ridicule that learned body, in a Review of the Works of the Royal Society of London, 4to, 1751; together with his over-writing himself upon all subjects without reserve; made him sink in the estimation of the public nearly in the same pace as he had ascended. He found as usual, however, resources in his own invention. He applied himself to the preparation of certain simple medicines: such as the essence of water-dock, tincture of valerian, balsam of honey, &c. The well-known simplicity of these medicines made the public judge favourably of their effects, insomuch that they had a rapid sale, and once more enabled the doctor to figure in that style of life ever so congenial to his inclination. Soon after the publication of the first of these medicines, he obtained the patronage of the earl of Bute, through whose interest he acquired the management of the royal gardens at Kew, with an handsome salary: and to wind up the whole of an extraordinary life, having, a little before his death, seized an opportunity to introduce himself to the knowledge of the king of Sweden, that monarch invested him with one of the orders of his court, which title he had not the happiness of enjoying above two years. He died toward the close of the year 1775.