DR. BENJAMIN ALLEN, OF BRAINTREE. 149
probably proud of the fact that he was a pupil of this eminent
man—one of the most famous "High Masters" of this well-
known school—for he refers to it several times. Gale was
something more than an eminent scholar and schoolmaster ; for
he was an early Fellow of the Royal Society (elected 1677). He
took an active part in the affairs of the Society and presented
many curiosities to its museum. He sat also on the Council and
acted, from 1685 to 1687, as honorary secretary. Without
doubt, Allen had good cause to remember his old master with
gratitude ; for one may infer that Allen was indebted to him for
his interest in the study of Natural Science.
In due time, Allen proceeded to Cambridge, where, on 20th
April 1681, he was admitted a pensioner at Queen's College. Mr.
Bramston was his tutor.1 Here, even thus early, he engaged in
the study of Natural Science ; for he himself tells us that his work
on The Chalybeat and Purging Waters of England, published in 1699,
was largely written while still an undergraduate.
At Queen's, on 15th April 1688, when in his twenty-fourth
year, Allen took his degree as a Bachelor of Medicine,2 but he
never proceeded to that of Doctor of Medicine. Two years
before this, however, he had commenced to practise on his own
account, either at Cambridge or at Braintree ; for he refers
several times (pp. 6, 115, and 117) to a "Widow Robinson," of
whom he says "[She] was the first patient I had and I cured
her, 1686." This was when he was but twenty-two years old.
Of the early years of Allen's professional life, subsequent to
taking his degree at Cambridge in 1688, we know practically
nothing—not even where they were spent. The many entries
in the "Common Place Book" refer chiefly to the events of
later years, after 1700, and throw no light upon the point.
Possibly he acted as assistant, either to his father, Dr. Benjamin
Allen, in London, or to Dr. Joshua Draper, of Braintree, whose
daughter he afterwards married.
It is clear, at all events, that Allen had established himself in
practice at Braintree some time before 1692 ; for Ray, writing in
that year, speaks of him3 as "our principal physician at
1 For this and other information, derived from the Registers of the College, I am
indebted to the kindness of the President. There is no record to show when Allen left the
College.
2 See Graduati Cantabrigienses. 1639-1787, p. 5 (1787),
3 In a letter to Sir Tancred Robinson dated 8th July 1692 (see Correspondence of John
Ray. pp. 252-253 : Ray Soc., 1848).