CHAP. XV.

IN June, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, I completed my studies. My enlightened, gener|ous preceptor, presented me with a Dispensatory, Cullen's First Lines, and an elegant shaped case of pock|et surgical instruments. As it is possible that some friend of his may peruse this work, suffer me to pay him a little tribute of gratitude. He was an unaffected gentleman, and a man of liberal science. In him were united, Page  122 the acute chymist, the accurate botan|ist, the skilful operator, and profound physician. He possessed all the essence, without the parade of learning. In the most simple language, he would trace the latent disease, to its diagnos|tic; and, from his lips, subjects the most abstruse, were rendered familiar to the unlettered man. Excepting when he was with his pupils, or men of sci|ence, I never heard him use a technical term. He observed once, that the bold truths of Paracelsus delighted him; but, it partook so much of the speech of our country practitioners, that he was disgusted with the pomposity of Theophrastus Bombastus. He was both an instructor and parent to his pupils. An instructor in all the depth of sci|ence he possessed, and a tender parent in directing them, in the paths of vir|tue and usefulness. May he long live, to bless his country with the healing Page  123 art; and, may he be hereafter blest himself, in that world, which will open new sources of intelligence, to his in|quiring mind.