Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-06-29
VIRGINIA MEDICAL COLLEGE.

To the Editors Of The Enquirer:
Perceiving by the papers that DIR. W.. I. Scott the
late talented and accomplished lncumoeut u
Chair of Chemistry in the Medical Collegeo OF pirgl'
mia, bss resigned the Office, with the view oil moving
10 the country, il has occurred to me- mat Vhiuno.e
service might be dons to the institution ny Gaining 10
the attention of the Board of Visitors the name o, q
gentleman who is in every respect thoreushty ana
sminently qualified to fill the vacancy, ana whose
election, i, il believed, would be greatly accePtao'e
TO the friends of the college and the puoiic At i"rge'
| refer TO Mr.. Bennett Puryesr, at present anu 's ~
lsat Fix OF eight years, Professor OF ChemisHy III h'n
mond College. Mr.. Puryear WAS a regular Rrauuh'o
some ten years ago at one of the highest literary III,
situations of the country~and with its fret honors' anu
then took all of the scientific tickets in the University
of Virginia, and gave especial and peculiar attention.
to the School of Chemistry, at that time under Tue
charge of perhaps the fuest practical teacher OF
Chemistry in this country-Dr. Robert Rogers-and
wss not only graduated, hut distinguished Tor ME TX,
traordinary skill and proficiency IN thst science anu
ia applications. Az before stated, Tor me last sx OF
eight wears, MIR. Puryear mas been filling the Cha'r
If Chemistry and its cognate sciences, In the RLch'
moud College with what high anu complete sa'isln'.
ton to the Board Of Trustees and the irlenos VI 'ne
Institution. their frequent complimentary ac'ioh III
references to hin abundsntly atteats. Here, then' Is u
man of real science and Of real practicalkno"ieuge OIL
md indeed perfect familiarity with The subject ahd tne
duties to be performed, aud the manner OF performing
them, and who has for years been daily engaged III
their performance. When the extreme Importance
10 considered OF nhVlDR u fNOTOHgH ouu a'"J" F"S'.
tical teacher of Chemistry in every medical school.
it is a matter OF congratulation that q gentleman 80
admirably qualified TO ill the office is eligible to It
II chemistry teaches the doctors all they know aboat
the elements and properties OF the medicines they
use, is i, not of the first necessity TO have a teacher
fully competent and skilful TO teach, practicsily' the
science upon which 30 much depends? There Is not
perhaps, II man in the country. North or South, IN
all respects better qualified to give the thorough III
%struction 80 much needed Is Professor Puryesr.-
With the genuine modesty of true science, he has
shrunk from that notoriety which sclolIsis oltsn
SEEK; content, by the diIlg-nt cultivation OF naturally
6ns mental gins, and the steady, undertaking pursuit,
with u devotee's ardor of the subjects OF his Chalr,
TO make himself q thorough chemist and accomplished
scholar, hiding hs time patiently for those higher ~:
wards which always in the end distinguish the career OF
lsborious and persevaring toll in all honorable probes
sion. The duties Of the chemical Chair IN me hedi'
cal College could be easily performed oy Professor
p, without in any manner interfering with thoSe OF
his present position, aud thus both institutions would
receive tho benefits of his ripe learning and practi'
cal experience.
A FRIEND oF TIRE MEDICAL COLLEGE.