New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
4TyCKERMAN,s MEMOIR OF DIR. FRANCIS

scteristic Historical Discourse has furnished MI
Fuckerman with tie occasion of preparing COM
plete and singularly interesting memoir OF the
beloved humoTist, with who'd he was united BY inc
ties Of long and intimate friendship IL Is
written with rare appecind'n Of Inc geh''i ana
enthusiastic tempcTawe't 81 the subject presents
his sterling virtues in the bfltc,t light, ard illus
srstes his whimsical ways and manners with va
nety Of fresh aud piquant anecdo,e.
TAe poTt1;imre Of DIR. Francis as physician
abounds in salient and curious traits of character
BE was q great advocate Of cheenulDess, and even
gayety, in the medical practitioner lie regarded
a. occasional kindly joke, and hearty Laugh, as part
Of his stock In trade and often Of more elect than
any of the drugs Of the " materia mcdica.' III tho
sick room, he was unusually pleasant and affection
ute, but with none of the pomPous airs with which
many doctors attempt to sustain the dignity OF the
profession. Much Of his practice was gratultous
The relief OF human suffering was his greatest de-
light. No physician in America ever so freely
devoted his time, bis skill and his purse TO the I'D
NJ the frendless and the distressed. Every day DIS
aoor was crowded by poor patients, who ioohod 70
aim for food clothing, medicine, or money LIE
,eusioncrs included every vcrey OF toriorn person.
ages. You might see jostling each other III the
troop of meudicants, now docayed actor, no" ah
invalid printer, on one side muscular freshman
srcugAt to grief BY tod and hard usage on the other
a gentleman Of good education and refined habits,
s,hout wit enough to keep the wolf from the door.
II was never safe for him TO carry much ready mo-
sey. 1t woud oil disappear in the course of the
Cav, without leaving slxpence to pay his stage
hrp. lie was once seen by stranger, who did
not know what to make of his righteousness at
the FIRST interview amid the rocking filth OF the
Five Points, walking barchcaded behind the
little coffin of Id that was borne TO the
Yrave By the ia,her. An aneedote in point
given b. Mr.. Tuckerman will bear repetition
% An eccentric German philosopher was Tor SOM
months one of the doctors PRIZE. es. His broa',
kindly face and long hair, his naive manners sld
talk, radical simplicity of character, guoranc OF
the world and profound knowledge of books his
lofty aspirations and hand-to-hand struggle for
bare subsistence, made him an object Of PECULIAR
sympathy 10 his kind physician; they discussed
German authors ard metaphysical theories, ,olitics
and lfe; and the brave poverty and frugal content
sf bis patient endearod him to his mcdicsl friend.
1t was singular to note amid the practical spirit OF
m American commercial city, such a eomplaeeni
idealism and speculative indulgence; while the doc
Cor pied his circumstances, and found their aleVl
alton most perplexing problem, he had theory
for every disappointment, metaphysical soiace Tor
every actual trouble. Thus, when he proposed TO
marry the daughter of impoverished lady, Sc
tected according to Goethes principle of the elect
Eve afinites the prudent mother suggested that it
vas out of her power to bes,ow any outfit. Madam,
said the lover, Il also AN poor She then re-
iuctanty nunicated the tact tina; the object Of
his affection was in delicate health and unequal TO
endure privation OF encounter care. Madam,
argued the perseyering sutor, am also feeble;
chen, as last resort, and with great reluctance,
she said: Il feel it my duty to inform you that my
daughters mind has been seriously affected, twice
In her life she has been dcranged.' Madam,
eagerly exclaimed the lover, Il also an Eighty.
While the doctor looked forward with alarm to the
prospect of an increase 10 a family so poory
saupped for the battle OF life, the contemplative
German had no misgivings, but sent for his friend
one night about the witchiug hour; and when the
Doctor called him from an adjoining 10 SEE his
hrst-born son, the insignia of poverty around did
not in tho least deprcss his paternal exutaton: by
ut DRul VI wv elutbcl-uE tohON-NoA4Ni'S hN SUI
seyed the little stranger, and, placing ,r paa of
WatoI upon three-ltgged stool, took the baby IL
his arms, knelt down, and after an ejacnla,ory
prayer in his native tongue, dipped his fngers III
the improvised font, and, slowly FLASHING the in
Sanrs brow, baptized him Emmsnuel Kant"
One of the weaknesses Of the warm hearted Doctor
Was passion for literature and literary men. lie
loved everything relating TO the word OF letters
He was familiar with all the members Of that guild
nom the poet and philosopher TO the librarian and
pfoof.reader He had strange taste for haunting
the forom quarters of editors and booksellers. He
always made himself at home with tie books in the
houses of his patients. 1t was enough to be az
author artist, an actor, 10 enjoy his services
without fec or reward. His experience threw him
In contact with all sorts Of miserable and woe
hegoDe understfappers of literature. lie was patient
% fault with their ollies, lsnta meek To their
sbsurditos and never weary with their frequent
tngratitudc and treachery. Thus he gave helping
hand to Weens peddling bis Life Of Washington,
sarIied food 10 Sclleck Osborne in Jail, relieved
Freneau in his poverty and Poe IN his mania, did
not forsake the dying bed Of Griswod ard suffered
sxery species of vexation from literary bores, i'm
posters, and beggarS.
Or. Francis was not little remarkable for bis
ausncy, and occasional yehcmence of expression.
He had keen sense of rhetorical effect. lie de-
lighted in exdberant metaphors, and quaint and
srotesque epithets. When under unusual excite
ment OF spirits he loved TO indulge in verbal carl
eatuDe, and was always dramatic talker In the
freedom Of conversation no had an odd habit Of i'd
dressing every one Of his own sex as Doctor" and
Il was loosely said of him that no President of
University eyer confrlrcl 90 mnnv dncrnea LIZ