The native American., 1837-09-09
DIR. PHYSICK.

We have received copy of a pamphlet containing
the proceedings of the Medical Glass Of the University
of Pennsy sylvania, which led to the employment Of a
distinguished artist to make portrait of Dr. Physick
subsequently presented TO the Medical Faculty. Also,
brief sketch Of the address delivered the OCCASION
by the students; and condensed report of the sen-
ments expressed in reply by DR.. Horner and DR..
Hare.
paid 10 great DR.. Physick belongs to his coun-
try; and the remote, well the near, must delight
TO do him honor. He is among the last alive, who
were taught their profession by the greatest man in
that profession in the age which he lived, Mr. John
Hunter and has he not retained this distinction in the
succeeding tmel The use which DR.. Physick has
made Of snch instruction, shows how worthy he was
of such high privilege. He has been teacher in
venerable and noble Institution for long conrse of
years. He retired from this high Office only when
age and inrmy asked for repose. He left full of
honor and of years. and the lovers of his fame there
have forward and paid him the tribute of their
affection, and of their homage. There is something
touching and beautiful in such Offices. How much
does 1t say for the whole character Of the young, when
it thus goes in the of pure veneration for exalt
ed greatness To love the truth, lis to have the
truth! To venerate exceence,--is it not TO know its
worth! How muc do such offences say for him who
calls them forth?
No one at all acquainted with DR.. Physick, either as
professor practitioner, could fail to what dis
tinguished him among men in both these regards.
You made conscious Of the power Of knowledge
in all that he did. There noble frmness in all
his bearing however embarrassing the exigency; but
it was accompanied by quetness noseessness.
allied his efforts TO the powerful the vast, but at the
same time, the STILL in the movements of nature around
You. He was laboring, it might be, to preserve life,
when life was most endangered; when the danger too
was clothed in most appalling circumstances But
there was an almost unparalleled composnre in his
whole manner-a deep calm settled upon him. and
you saw that what external was but the manifes
tation of an internal state Success in all men brings
with il pleasures and who ever witnessed this
result in Dr. Physick ever forget how beautiful was
its expression.
We are talking Of Or. Pbysick he was, in the full
Of his bodily energy. andthe strength and bright
ness of his intellectual power Time has laid his
hand deeply, but still gently npon him, and though
taken from active labor, he still ministers to human
nfrmity, and labors diminish human suffering. The
power Of his name is felt wherever it is known. He
stands between two ages their connecting link. He
carries back at once time in his profession of
unexamped promise, and lives with us to see in the
accomplishments Of the present, the abors OF bis own
mind mnglng with the best that has been the latest
done. This is no common lot; and when we are al
lowed to witness it 10 such example, is it not our
duty is it not most grateful to US, to place ourselves
among those who are paying reverence-who ale at
fectonatey and respectfully saying Of the Giving wha,
may be the melancholy office Of others to record Of
the dead!