LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 DAVIS 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 JOHN COLLINS ARREN, M.D. 
 
 COMPILED CHIEFLY 
 
 FROM HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND JOURNALS. 
 
 Ml 3 1 
 
 wi 
 
 BT v 
 
 EDWARD WARREN, M.D. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 TICK NOR AND FIELDS 
 
 M.DCCC.LX. 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 DAVIS 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 
 
 J. SULLIVAN WARREN, 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 
 
 22, SCHOOL STREET. 
 
TO 
 
 JAMES JACKSON, M.D. 
 
 FOR FIFTY YEARS THE FAITHFUL FRIEND AND ADVISER OF DR. WARREN, 
 
 ttolumes are gratefully 
 
 HIS CHILDREN. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 DR. WARREN had early formed the design of preparing 
 materials for a biography. For this purpose, he formed, 
 in the first place, a chronological record, setting down from 
 recollection, as far as possible, some important event in each year, 
 by which that year should be marked, and his memory recalled to 
 that period of time, so as to serve as a nucleus, around which 
 should gather other recollections and incidents. 
 
 He next commenced a list of subjects ; to which he added from 
 time to time, as matters of interest occurred to him. This list 
 furnished him with heads, from which he could select as inclination 
 or opportunity prompted. Thus he formed what he termed his 
 " Biographical Notes." These were written, by his dictation, in 
 his leisure hours, chiefly upon loose sheets of paper, so as to be 
 susceptible of change of arrangement, mostly about the years 
 1849, 1850. To these he added " Surgical Notes," commenced in 
 1849, and carefully revised, some years after, by himself. 
 
 The letters written from Europe during the period of his 
 early studies in England, Scotland, and 'France, have been pre 
 served with care, and are of great interest, as displaying the warmth 
 and freshness of a youthful and sympathizing observer of the great 
 events of that epoch. 
 
 During the time of his second visit to Europe, he kept an 
 ample journal, which he carefully revised and arranged after his 
 return home. This was in three quarto volumes, but consisted in 
 very large proportion, as was natural, of medical matter. 
 
 From the time his revision of the European Journal was 
 completed in 1838, he kept what he called a " Domestic Journal," 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 in which were briefly noted the events of each day. This record 
 was written with his own hand, up to the time when an affection 
 of his eyes, in July, 1844, obliged him to discontinue it. After one 
 year's interval, he resumed it by the aid of an amanuensis. From 
 this time he scarcely missed a day until within a week of his death. 
 
 The printed writings, of which a carefully prepared catalogue 
 is to be found in the Appendix, consist, in larger number, of articles 
 written for medical and scientific journals ; extending from the year 
 1802 to that of his death in 1856. I have carefully examined the 
 whole of these, and have endeavored to give some notice of each 
 paper in the year when it was published, and a more extended 
 notice of his larger works. 
 
 These, then, were the principal materials for my work, the 
 Biographical and Surgical Notes, the Letters from Europe, the Eu 
 ropean Journal, and the Domestic Journal. 
 
 The simplest and far the easiest course would have been to 
 prepare, in the first place, a general sketch of the life and writings 
 of Dr. Warren ; and then to have given, in order, his Biographical 
 and Surgical Notes, his Letters, and the European and Domestic 
 Journals. This plan has been pursued in relation to certain political 
 characters, as in the Life of John Adams by his grandson, 
 where journal, autobiography, and letters are all valuable, either 
 as historical or political documents. It has the advantage of giving 
 these parts in an entire and connected form ; but it has the difficulty 
 of involving much repetition, and compels the reader or student to 
 turn from one part of the work to another. 
 
 I made it my aim, therefore, to weave together the different 
 materials, and such others as could be obtained from individuals, 
 or as supplied by my own knowledge of facts, into a connected nar 
 rative, somewhat in the manner so ably done by Michelet in his 
 Life of Martin Luther, or in that adopted in the Life of Sir Charles 
 Napier. 
 
 But it seemed best to give the Biographical Notes as they were 
 written; it being impossible to separate, without mangling, the 
 different parts of the same subject, so as to bring events into 
 the order of time. I have, therefore, introduced each portion 
 under the year in which the account given by the writer com 
 menced, the subject being sometimes continued through life. The 
 subject of Religion, for example, is, given under the year of his 
 
PREFACE. VU 
 
 connection with St. Paul's Church, and is carried to the end 
 of his life ; being completed from the various sources above referred 
 to. The subject of Politics commences with his settlement in 
 Boston, after the termination of his studies abroad ; and is completed 
 under one view. 
 
 In other respects, the history of each year is completed by 
 portions of his journal or letters, and an account of his labors and 
 publications for that year. Many of his early letters could not be 
 given without too much repetition, as their substance is given in 
 the Biographical Notes. The Domestic Journal, also, like the 
 European, is full of medical matter unsuitable for the present 
 volumes. 
 
 Since the printing of the work commenced, however, some 
 portions have been added to it, others withdrawn, and changes 
 of arrangement made, over which I have had no control. 
 
 To Professor HOLMES I am greatly indebted for his careful 
 examination of the work in a crude state, his valuable advice in 
 regard to it, and for some concluding pages. 
 
 E. W. 
 
 OCT. 31, 1859. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page 
 
 BIRTH AND EDUCATION 1 
 
 II. 
 CHANGE OF MANNERS. BIOGRAPHICAL, NOTES 11 
 
 III. 
 
 CHOICE OF PROFESSION. DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE. LETTERS FROM 
 EUROPE 20 
 
 IV. 
 EUROPE IN 1799-1802. BIOGRAPHICAL, NOTES 41 
 
 V. 
 EUROPE IN 1799-1802. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 53 
 
 VI. 
 POLITICS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 64 
 
 VII. 
 
 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS. NATURAL-PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY. 
 MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY CLUB. BOSTON ATHENAEUM. MEDICAL SOCIETY 
 FOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT. FRIDAY-EVENING SOCIETY 72 
 
 VIII. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. BOSTON MEDICAL, ASSOCIATION. DIS 
 EASES OF THE HKART. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. MEDICAL SCHOOL . . 81 
 
 b 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 MEDICAL AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL 
 HOSPITAL. COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. WASH 
 INGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. 
 LETTERS 98 
 
 X. 
 
 DR. JOHN WARREN. MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL COLLEGE. PROFESSIONAL 
 EMINENCE. OPERATIONS. LETTERS. INVITATION TO PHILADELPHIA. 
 SUMMER EXCURSIONS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES . 130 
 
 XL 
 
 EARLY IMPRESSIONS. EELIGION. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. BIOGRAPHICAL 
 NOTES. PRAYERS . 155 
 
 XII. 
 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE 177 
 
 XIII. 
 
 HOSPITAL. MUMMY. BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. VISIT TO CONCORD. 
 VISIT TO OLD HOUSES. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. PRACTICE. LETTER 
 TO JUDGE PARKER 206 
 
 XIV. 
 GYMNASIUM. TEMPERANCE. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 223 
 
 XV. 
 
 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. DR. GORHAM. LABORS, AND 
 ARRANGEMENT OF TIME. PHYSICAL EDUCATION 236 
 
 XVI. 
 
 BOARD OF CONSULTING PHYSICIANS. CHOLERA. CASE OF SUSPENDED 
 ANIMATION. DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. MEDICAL CASES. RECREA 
 TIONS . 253 
 
 XVII. 
 
 CONSULTING PHYSICIANS. SMALL-POX. DR. JACKSON. BIOGRAPHICAL 
 NOTES. WORK ON TUMORS 269 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1837. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO 
 EUROPE 280 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 XIX. Page. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1837. JOURNAL 293 
 
 XX. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1838. JOURNAL. LETTERS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES .... 312 
 
 XXI. 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF A DOMESTIC JOURNAL. REVIEW OF JOURNAL . . . 338 
 
 XXII. 
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. THE HORSE. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES .... 351 
 
 xxm. 
 
 JOURNAL. LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. OPERATIONS. NEW MEDICAL 
 COLLEGE 362 
 
 XXIV. 
 INTRODUCTION OF ETHER. CHLOROFORM. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES . . . 381 
 
 XXV. 
 
 RESIGNATION OF PROFESSORSHIP IN HARVARD COLLEGE. LECTURES. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 393 
 
 / 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. PREPARATIONS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES . . 404 
 
JOHN COLLINS WARREN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BIRTH AND EDUCATION. 
 
 JOHN COLLINS WARREN was born in Boston, 
 on the 1st of August, 1778. 
 
 At the time of his birth, his father, Dr. JOHN 
 WARREN, lived in a house at the corner of Avon 
 Place and Central Court. When he was a year old, 
 the family removed to the corner of Sheafe's Lane 
 (Avery Street) and Washington Street. 
 
 At the former residence, an event took place 
 which he often alluded to in after-life, and may be 
 quoted as showing how deeply an impression may 
 be fixed in the mind of an infant. 
 
 Major Louis Baury de Bellerive, a French officer 
 of the army of the American Revolution, an intimate, 
 friend of his father, was in the habit of visiting at the 
 house, and took a great deal of notice of the child. 
 He possessed estates in St. Domingo ; and, on one 
 occasion, he told him, that, if he would come to his 
 country, he would show him raisins growing against 
 
EARLY LIFE. [^E'r. 1. 
 
 the walls, outside of the houses. The child, though 
 only one year old, probably pondered upon this ; and, 
 aided by the elegant appearance of the officer, who 
 possessed great personal attractions, which were per 
 haps heightened by a handsome uniform, it made an 
 indelible impression upon his mind. It is very pro 
 bable also that his father may have frequently, in 
 after-times, recalled the matter to his memory; and 
 the explanation which must have been given as soon 
 as he could understand it, that grapes were called 
 raisins in French, must have given additional force to 
 the remembrance. His father, whether for the sake 
 of experiment, or with the hope of strengthening the 
 memory by giving it the earliest fixed date, pursued 
 this course with others of his children ; calling their 
 attention to the earliest subject suitable to make an 
 impression, and then, from time to time afterwards, 
 bringing back the scene to them, and fixing it in 
 their minds by vivid description and action, which he 
 doubtless had a remarkable power of doing. Thus, 
 in the total eclipse of 1806, a child, not two years 
 old, was taken in his father's arms to the top of the 
 house, where he spread out his arms, and uttered, 
 after his father, the words " all dark." The scene 
 was frequently repeated to the child, and his action 
 and words imitated; and it was further fixed in his 
 mind by anecdotes of the dark day in Boston and its 
 neighborhood in 1780, when the cows came home at 
 mid-day from pasture, and the fowls went to roost. 
 In those days, it is to be recollected, cows were sent 
 
1779-83.] EARLY LIFE. 3 
 
 to pasture on Boston Common, and most gentlemen 
 had barns and yards large enough to keep poultry. 
 The scene thus impressed was never forgotten, and 
 would present itself in after-life in colors more vivid 
 than those of any recent events. 
 
 His earliest recollections were always associated 
 with the incident above mentioned, and with the 
 gentleman with whom it was connecte/1. At this 
 period, and in this house, he also mentions his re 
 membrance of rolling marbles on a painted canvas 
 carpet with Dr. Eustis, afterward Governor Eustis, 
 who was then about twenty-five years of age. 
 
 From Avery Street, Dr. John Warren removed to 
 Sudbury Street, and thence to School Street in 1785, 
 where he resided for the rest of his life. 
 
 When John was about five years of age, he went to 
 Master Vinal's reading and writing school in West 
 Street. After the family removed to School Street, he 
 was sent to the Public Latin School (Master Hunt's), 
 which he entered at the age of eight years, going at 
 mid-day for an hour to Master Carter to learn writing 
 and arithmetic. He continued to attend here for 
 seven years, during which time he states that he read 
 a good deal. The " Spectator " he knew thoroughly, 
 and thinks it had a very favorable effect on his habits 
 of thinking. His father had a set of the " History 
 of Rome," in six folio volumes, translated from the 
 French of Catron and Rouille. It was full of plates 
 of battles and sieges, and was always a source of in 
 exhaustible entertainment to the younger members of 
 
 
LATIN SCHOOL. \_JEl. 7. 
 
 the family. From this history he conceived a taste 
 for war, which continued through life. Knox's 
 " Winter Evenings " was also a standard work in his 
 father's library, which he read with pleasure and 
 advantage. Not the least of the great changes of 
 manner between that day and this is that of reading. 
 Now we are inundated with books, which succeed 
 each other with railroad speed, and which all who 
 profess a taste for literature are supposed to read. 
 Fifty or sixty years ago, comparatively few books 
 were published in this country. Private libraries 
 were supplied with English editions ; and standard 
 works, such as the " Spectator," the " Rambler," 
 Shakspeare, Thomson's " Seasons," Milton, and 
 Knox's " Winter Evenings," were read and re-read as 
 leisure served. It was a great treat to John, when, 
 in his thirteenth year, his father permitted him to 
 go to a book-auction of new books, and make some 
 purchases. Knox's work, and probably several of 
 the other books above mentioned, were among those 
 purchased. 
 
 Soon after his entrance into the Latin School, he 
 attained the head of his class, and kept it to the end 
 of the seven years which he passed there, except 
 at one period, when a boy of the name of Samuel 
 Howard, from the North Square, came to the school. 
 With him he had a long contest, each being alter 
 nately at the head of the class. Notwithstanding 
 this rivalry, they were great friends, and played to 
 gether. At length Howard left school, and John 
 
1779-85.] LATIN SCHOOL. O 
 
 remained in undisturbed possession of the first place ; 
 and Howard, who Dr. Jenks says was unqestionably 
 the best scholar in the class, became a merchant in 
 Georgia, and died there. 
 
 The time spent at the Latin School, except during 
 the period of his rivalry with Howard, which was a 
 continual source of excitement and uneasiness, he 
 refers to as the most agreeable portion of his life. 
 He had got settled in his place : he says he studied 
 tolerably, and rode on horseback to his father's farm 
 at Jamaica Plain two or three times a week. Though 
 always delicate, he had no severe illness. 
 
 Those whose recollections go back to the time of 
 his entrance into the Latin School describe him as 
 remarkable for his scrupulous neatness of person, and 
 for his love of order as shown in the arrangement of 
 his room, his library, and his clothes. He was also 
 distinguished, as a child, for a high tone of moral 
 feeling ; but was cold, reserved, and silent, even at 
 that age. Beneath this reserve or shyness, however, 
 was concealed a temperament warm and excitable. 
 His disposition was affectionate; and his mother often 
 mentioned the devoted and patient attention which 
 he displayed in watching by her bedside during an 
 illness, when he was nine years of age. His con 
 stitution was naturally feeble ; and this probably 
 rendered him less inclined than other boys to active 
 pursuits. 
 
 He had a strong natural love of music, and could 
 easily catch a tune upon once hearing it. In his 
 
6 LATIN SCHOOL. [JEn. 14, 15. 
 
 biographical notes, he states that he perfectly retains, 
 after the lapse of fifty years, the air of a tune which 
 he had learnt in Paris from one of Napoleon's offi 
 cers, with whom he boarded. 
 
 At the first distribution of the Franklin Medals, in 
 1792, his name stood at the head of the list. Upon 
 leaving school for Harvard College, in 1793, he de 
 livered, as head scholar, a " Valedictory Address " 
 before the " Venerable Fathers " of the town. 
 
 This address, a copy of which is extant, partly in 
 his handwriting, consists in a laudation of public- 
 school education, and in grave advice to those who 
 were to remain in the school, to avail themselves to 
 the utmost of the advantage they enjoyed. This 
 mode of instruction, he says, " tends to an universal 
 diffusion of information through all ranks and condi 
 tions of men, and to disseminate among the rising 
 generation those principles which must produce the 
 most happy effects upon society at large. A mode of 
 education which shall confine the means of inquiry 
 to a few, and those the children of the wealthy only, 
 will necessarily give them a superiority over those 
 of the poor. Even with respect to bodily strength, 
 which is often greater in children of the lower class, 
 from their being prepossessed with an idea of general 
 inferiority, they suffer those powers which nature 
 gave them for their defence to lie useless and unim 
 proved. A mean, cowardly spirit is thus generated 
 in childhood ; and those ideas, which, from early 
 life, we have by association been used to entertain 
 
1793.] COLLEGE-LIFE. 7 
 
 in connection, it will be difficult ever after to 
 separate." 
 
 As the address is short, the whole might be given ; 
 but, as the scholars were not required to write the 
 addresses they delivered, there is some doubt whether 
 this was composed by himself or for him. The quo 
 tation is not, therefore, given as a specimen of his 
 composition, but as what he actually delivered. The 
 Rev. Dr. Jenks, his classmate both at school and col 
 lege, from whom the manuscript, and the information 
 connected with it, was received, states that, on this 
 same occasion, he himself pronounced an oration 
 prepared for him by the late Rev. Dr. Freeman, also 
 in praise of public-school education. 
 
 In his fifteenth year, he left the Latin School for 
 Harvard College. He had a room on the lower floor 
 of " Massachusetts ; " and, for chum, J., an ex 
 cellent person, he says, but disposed to amusement 
 rather than study ; though, in the third year, he 
 reformed, and became very steady and attentive. One 
 morning, on awaking, John found the floor of the 
 room covered by an immense five-bar gate, which 
 J. and his friends had, in a frolic, brought from a 
 gentleman's residence. Before he was fully aware of 
 it, Peter, the kitchen-man, entered, and discovered 
 the gate. They knew that he would give informa 
 tion ; and that, if the gate was officially found there, 
 the punishment would be severe. J. was alarmed, 
 and went off to Boston. Warren consulted Gorham, 
 afterwards Hon. B. Gorham, who was then in the 
 
S COLLEGE-LIFE. [JEn. 15. 
 
 junior class. They agreed to cut up the gate, and 
 carry it piecemeal into the cellar. Soon after this 
 was done, the tutors came round to search ; but, not 
 discovering any traces of the gate in the rooms, no 
 body was punished ; though they must have known 
 where the gate had been deposited. 
 
 He received some prizes in college, and his class 
 gave him the Latin Valedictory. He found college- 
 life very pleasant. 
 
 His two surviving classmates (Judge White, of 
 Salem, and the Rev. Dr. Jenks) testify to his honor 
 able standing with his class at Cambridge, both as a 
 scholar and a gentleman. The latter says, " Indeed, 
 the rank obtained in the community by his uncle, 
 and not only sustained, but increased, by his beloved 
 and lamented father, and of which he was never un 
 mindful, constantly bore him up. Of the Warren 
 family, I know we used to talk when schoolboys." 
 
 The deep-seated principles of religion, and reve 
 rence for sacred things, as well as firm moral princi 
 ples, which were possessed and inculcated by Dr. 
 John Warren, were never more needed than they 
 were at this time. 
 
 An interesting account of the state of college, at 
 this period, has been given by the Rev. Dr. Channing, 
 who was in the class after, and by Judge White, who 
 was in the same class with him. The doctrines of 
 the French Revolution were universally prevailing ; 
 " spreading its disastrous influence," says Judge 
 White, " throughout the civilized world, and pouring 
 
1793.] COLLEGE-LIFE. 9 
 
 upon our country a flood of infidel and licentious 
 principles. Our colleges could not escape the con 
 tagion of these principles ; and I have no doubt that 
 to these, and the pernicious books embodying them, 
 much of the disorderly conduct, and most of the 
 infidel and irreligious spirit, which prevailed at that 
 period among the students of Cambridge, may justly 
 be attributed." 
 
 Dr. Charming says, " College was never in a worse 
 state." " The system of government and instruc 
 tion went on much as it had done years before ; and 
 the result was a state of great insubordination, and 
 the almost total absence of the respect due to indi 
 viduals of so much worth" as the members of the 
 government and the teachers. " The state of morals 
 among the students was any thing but good."' 
 
 Though Warren never loved study for itself (for 
 he has borne ample testimony to the contrary), and 
 though he never acquired fixed habits of application, 
 he imbibed none of the contagion of evil principles 
 described above. He acquired, however, such a 
 knowledge of the languages as was useful to him in 
 after-life, arid devoted much time to reading. 
 
 Mr. Warren graduated in 1797. He did not im 
 mediately commence the study of a profession. It 
 was his father's wish that he should not enter one 
 which he himself had found so laborious, and in 
 many respects so anxious and harassing, as his own ; 
 but that he should engage in the more immediately 
 lucrative pursuits of the merchant. In order, there- 
 
 2 
 
10 COLLEGE-LIFE. (>ET. 19. 
 
 fore, to prepare himself for that or for any other 
 occupation, he devoted one year after leaving col 
 lege to the study of the French language with Mr. 
 Sales, who was afterwards, for nearly forty years, the 
 well-known teacher of the French and Spanish lan 
 guages in Harvard College. 
 
 During this year and the next, he had ample op 
 portunity for cultivating social intercourse, and of 
 observing the manners of the time. It is to be recol 
 lected, that the large influx of French gentlemen of 
 rank and birth, whom their king had permitted to 
 follow their generous inclination to serve in the cause 
 of liberty, had already imparted the polished man 
 ners of that court, which has always given laws in 
 the world of fashion. The severity of Puritan man 
 ners had yielded in some degree to this softening 
 influence; and few traces of the stern republican 
 could have been found in that society into which 
 Mr. Warren now entered. In his biographical notes, 
 he has given us an account of the manners which 
 prevailed at the time referred to. It is here given 
 in his own words. 
 
1797.] CHANGE OF MANNERS. 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CHANGE OF MANNERS. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 AT the period when I left college, and became an inhabitant 
 of Boston, it was thought necessary to undergo the opera 
 tion of a barber half an hour every day. This was per 
 formed in a barber's shop, where there were a number of 
 other persons waiting; and, of course, the average time 
 lost in this way was little short of an hour, besides the 
 horrid consequences of being obliged to carry on one's head 
 a quantity of curls, flour, pomatum, and a long cue or a 
 heavy club. 
 
 This practice was broken up by the French Sans-culottes, 
 who were the first to cut the hair close, and thus to get rid 
 of these uncomfortable paraphernalia. The dress, at that 
 time, was a colored coat ; metal buttons, usually yellow ; 
 colored and figured waistcoat ; short breeches, buttoning 
 at the knees ; long boots, with white tops ; and, when 
 riding on horseback, a pair of leather breeches, instead of 
 pantaloons of drab cloth. These leather breeches were 
 daily cleaned with yellow clay, which required that the coat 
 should never be brought in contact with them. Then a 
 shirt, ruffled at the breast and about the wrists ; a white 
 cravat, filled in with what was called a pudding, the use of 
 which, from the effect of habit, could not be dispensed with 
 for some years. Cocked hats were very much worn at that 
 
12 CHANGE OF MANNERS. [.T. 19-21. 
 
 time, but not by the young : and gentlemen of a certain 
 age wore wigs, which were sent to the barbers once a week 
 to be fresh dressed ; so that, on Saturday night, we saw 
 the barbers' boys carrying home immense piles of wig-boxes, 
 as a preparation for going to church on Sunday. The 
 arrangement of dress for a party required a total change, 
 white small-clothes, silk stockings, pumps, and a colored 
 or white waistcoat. 
 
 Physicians who had much business, in those days, rode 
 on horseback. Riding in a chaise was very rare, and in 
 a four-wheeled carriage still more so. My father rode on 
 horseback till within a few years before his death. He rode 
 with great rapidity, and never stopped for any thing till he 
 reached his destination. Within a few years of his death, 
 he used a chaise, with a powerful horse, and drove with the 
 utmost possible speed, avoiding with great adroitness all 
 obstacles. He never had any attendant except in the win 
 ter, when he indulged in a good booby-hut, with a pair of 
 horses driven by a black servant. A succession of these 
 servants he obtained from my grandfather's estate in Rhode 
 Island. The last of these, whose name was Cuff, or Cuff 
 Collins, died about the year 1848, in Rhode Island, at the 
 place of his birth, receiving a pension which made him 
 comfortable in his old age. 
 
 Dr. Lloyd generally drove a very fine horse ; and Drs. 
 Jarvis and "Whipple were famoiis for beautiful saddle- 
 horses, and the elegance with which they rode. The saddle- 
 horses were tied in the streets ; but, when in harness, they 
 were accustomed to stand without being tied. The streets 
 in that day were very irregular, being partly paved and 
 partly gravelled. The sidewalks were paved with round 
 stones, without curb-stones ; and the sideways were guarded 
 by rows of posts, which were very convenient for the hitch- 
 
1797-99.] CHANGE OF MANNERS. 13 
 
 ing of horses. Ladies were more rarely seen in the street 
 than now, except in the evenings, when they walked to 
 parties, attended by their gentleman or by a servant ; but, 
 in great balls and assemblies, they endeavored to obtain a 
 hackney-coach, though the number of these was very small. 
 
 There was, at that time, but one market-place in town ; 
 and my father was in the habit of going to market, not 
 withstanding his great business, two or three times a week. 
 But there were provision-carts, which carried supplies to 
 every door. 
 
 Large parties opened at seven or eight o'clock in the 
 evening, and were much more formal than at present. A 
 regular introduction to the master and mistress of the 
 house was indispensable on the part of every guest; and 
 many compliments and kind inquiries were interchanged. 
 Dances were usually, at the opening of the ball or assembly, 
 one or two minuets. A friend of mine told me, a short 
 time since, that he saw me dance a minuet in 1806, or 
 thereabouts ; and that this was the last time he had wit 
 nessed this dance in Boston. After the minuets, contra 
 dances and cotillons were in fashion. There were rarely 
 suppers ; but refreshments were commonly handed round : 
 and, when suppers were given, the whole party sat down, 
 not all at one time, but usually at two different periods. 
 
 Parties were very long ; and much wine and punch were 
 consumed at them to help to wear away the time. What 
 was most striking in these parties, compared with those of 
 the present day, was the great politeness with which indi 
 viduals were accustomed to treat each other : so that it was 
 much more common to dispute precedence in favor of their 
 friends than of themselves ; and persons of a certain age 
 were treated with a degree of deference now wholly disused. 
 In fact, one of the great traits in the manners of the pre- 
 
14 CHANGE OF MANNERS. [JEn. 19-21. 
 
 sent day is the want of respect with which young persons 
 are accustomed to treat those older than themselves. This 
 change of manners is partly, or principally perhaps, to be 
 attributed to the French Revolution ; which, while it has 
 swept away many useless and inconvenient ceremonies, has, 
 to a certain extent, destroyed that refined delicacy of con 
 duct which characterized the preceding century. 
 
 Dinner-parties were more common then, and especially 
 lady dinner-parties. The latter were very agreeable. The 
 ladies all retired at a certain time ; while the gentlemen 
 remained in session long after. Gentlemen dinner-parties 
 began early, arid ended late. They were preceded by a 
 heavy draught of punch, and attended with such free po 
 tations of strong wines as would shock the more delicate 
 drinkers of the present day. The great care on the part 
 of the host was to present to the guests as much ordinary 
 wine as they could be made to drink, and then to bring 
 forward, in succession, a variety of old wines, each having 
 a character a little better than that which preceded. All 
 of these had some remarkable history connected with them ; 
 the detail and discussion of which constituted an important 
 part of social conversation. 
 
 The drinking of healths was carried to a great excess. 
 The master of the house, if particularly hospitable, felt him 
 self bound to notice each guest, however distant he might 
 be, and however numerous the company. Then there was 
 a series of toasts, beginning, in this country, with " The 
 President of the United States," followed by " The Ladies ; " 
 while, in England, " The King " was followed by " The 
 Church," then members of the royal family, then favorite 
 lords and ladies : and these proceedings were occasionally 
 varied with a song. The want of voice was no apology ; 
 and I judged, from the manner in which these songs were 
 
1797-99.] CHANGE OF MANNERS. 15 
 
 executed, that a sort of education had been undergone for 
 this purpose. Sometimes, though rarely, an absolute re 
 fusal was given ; and, in this case, the individual might 
 redeem his character by telling a story. If he could not 
 do this, he was compelled to extra potations. On the whole, 
 the dinner-parties of those times must be looked on with 
 disgust : for not only was the quantity of wine sufficient to 
 make irreparable inroads on the physical organization, but 
 these potations led to the greatest extravagance of language 
 and thought ; and the conversation at a dinner-party, if 
 taken down by a stenographer, and presented to the party 
 on the morning following, would have filled them with 
 shame and regret. Happily, the times have changed ; and 
 the Temperance revolution, if it has not carried purity and 
 health into the social dinner-party, has, to a certain extent, 
 abated the intolerable nuisance inflicted on our forefathers. 
 
 Custom has also abolished the general and pernicious 
 habit of a morning draught of flip or other stimulant ; for I 
 remember well the time, when grave gentlemen, and even 
 clergymen, made a diurnal visit to particular friends or 
 particular taverns, where hot punch, porter, brandy and 
 water, bread and cheese, were employed to help consultation 
 on the topics of the day. It may readily be imagined, that 
 a conversation under such circumstances was not likely to 
 be brief, and that no small part of the morning was wasted 
 in this relaxation. 
 
 Time was, in fact, not very important to most men at 
 that period. From the peace of '83 until near the begin 
 ning of the present century, very little business was done 
 in Boston. About half a dozen merchants were sufficient to 
 carry on the greater part of the foreign trade ; and the rest 
 were condemned to a small business, which did not fill up 
 their vacant hours. Of course, there was much time to be 
 
16 CHANGE OF MANNERS. [JEn. 19-21. 
 
 occupied in eating, drinking, and card-playing. The pur 
 suit of science, and scientific reading, were little thought of 
 till about the year 1800. Although there were, in fact, 
 some societies formed with very good objects, they were not 
 followed up with any degree of activity. 
 
 About that time, various new associations began to be 
 formed : and I was particularly engaged in a Society for the 
 Study of Natural Philosophy, in 1802 ; another, of a some 
 what social character, in 1804 ; the Anthology Club, in 1804 ; 
 and others of greater or less importance. When business in 
 creased, and science began to flourish, the attention of our 
 educated people was directed to new objects, and time began 
 to be considered important. Physicians set the example in 
 this way. They demanded of each other, that no one should 
 encroach on the time of his professional brother by a want 
 of punctuality. Five minutes was allowed for inevitable 
 impediments ; and, beyond that time, no one considered 
 himself bound to waste his time in awaiting his dilatory 
 colleague. They thus falsified the opinion once very strongly 
 expressed to me by the celebrated Dr. Lettsom, of London, 
 that he never knew an American who understood the value 
 of five minutes. The times have altered, however, since 
 Dr. Lettsom lived ; and now, perhaps, there are, in conse 
 quence of the industrious occupation of most individuals, 
 few people more exact in their engagements than our coun 
 trymen. The great head of our republic set them an exam 
 ple on this point of morality. I remember (and, I dare say, 
 other persons living also remember), that when he was in 
 Boston, in the year 1789, he appointed Colonel Hitchborne 
 to rendezvous at his residence, corner of Court and Tremont 
 Street, witli his troop of dragoons, at eight, A.M. Precisely 
 at eight, General Washington was seen issuing from the 
 street-door ; and, although the troop of horse had appeared, 
 
1797-99.] CHANGE OF MANNERS. 17 
 
 he, with his aids, mounted in a moment, and set off on their 
 route at a brisk trot. Colonel H., arriving at the house after 
 wards, found that President Washington had left Boston 
 without an escort ; and he was obliged to pursue for some 
 time at a gallop, before he succeeded in overtaking him. 
 
 My father was so very much occupied in professional busi 
 ness, giving lectures, attending societies, &c., that punctuality 
 and method were indispensable to the accomplishment of 
 these numerous objects. I therefore learned very early to 
 apportion out my time for definite objects ; and pursuing the 
 plan thus laid out, in a faithful and exact manner, formed a 
 habit of occupation which enabled me to accomplish with 
 ease what without it would have been burdensome, and 
 compelled me to fly from indolence and repose by something 
 like an instinctive movement. For the same reason, I have 
 been led to avoid all those amusements which are resorted 
 to merely to pass away time, without contributing any thing 
 to the stock of intellectual, moral, or physical improvement. 
 
 While I thus seem to be extolling myself for these import 
 ant advantages, I mean, in fact, to express my thankfulness 
 to Providence for their enjoyment ; and, under Providence, 
 to my father and mother for training me in these habits. 
 But I know individuals living at this time, who have been 
 more industrious, more punctual, and more efficient, than I 
 have : and I may venture to notice here the names of two 
 such persons ; namely, Dr. James Jackson and President 
 Everett. I never knew either of these gentlemen fail to 
 fulfil an appointment with exactness ; and I do know that 
 they occupy, and have through life occupied, the whole of 
 their time in such a way as to accomplish the great objects 
 of life in the most perfect manner. 
 
 The relations between professional (that is, medical) men 
 in this place, both in former and present times, have been 
 
 3 
 
18 CHANGE OF MANNERS. [JET. 19-21. 
 
 with some exceptions, highly commendable. Their inter 
 course with each other, between young and old, between 
 learned and unlearned, is generally characterized by polite 
 ness, great care in avoiding every thing which might lead to 
 an unfavorable opinion of the practice of another, and an 
 equal caution not to attempt to divert the confidence of the 
 patient from another to himself. The physicians of Boston, 
 in the year 1806, at the instance of Dr. Jackson and myself, 
 adopted a code of medical ethics which has since governed, 
 or at least influenced, their conduct towards each other in 
 the happiest manner ; and though the profession here, as 
 everywhere else, has not been wholly free from heart-burn 
 ings, jealousies, and a certain kind of intrigues, there is, 
 perhaps, nowhere a higher degree of professional honor and 
 mutual respect. 
 
 The physicians of the old time had the reputation of being 
 sceptical, both in this country and in Europe. They rarely 
 went to church ; though that was not the fact in regard to 
 those with whom I was best acquainted. Of late years, there 
 has been a favorable change ; and many physicians, in this 
 country and in Europe, have distinguished themselves by a 
 thorough examination of the subject of religion, and by the 
 publication of powerful arguments in favor of a religious 
 faith. The general attendance on churches was, however, 
 more exact than it is now ; for it was rare for any respecta 
 ble family to be absent from church the whole Sunday. The 
 Sundays were much better observed than they are now ; 
 the town was more tranquil ; there was less driving, talking, 
 smoking, in the streets, until about fifteen years ago ; when 
 a certain individual, whose name would disgrace the page on 
 which it was written, called together young, thoughtless 
 people, on Sundays ; set them to dancing, singing, and com 
 mitting all such practices as he thought best calculated to 
 
1797-99.] CHANGE OF MANNERS. 19 
 
 desecrate the day. Since that time, there has been a decided 
 alteration in the aspect of the Boston streets on Sunday. 
 While, however, these facts are undoubted, religion was less 
 attended to than it is now ; that is, there was less study of it 
 by a certain part of the population. There was a total want 
 of Sunday schools, and of religious meetings on any days 
 but Sundays. A Bible was rarely seen in a fashionable 
 house ; and, I recollect very distinctly, the first exception 
 which I witnessed occurred in the family of a very beautiful 
 and accomplished lady. Some years after, this lady was 
 taken ill of a fatal sickness ; and when, in conversing with 
 her on religious subjects, I mentioned this fact, she seemed 
 much gratified, and said that it had been the practice of her 
 youth to prepare her mind for a change from this world to 
 another, under the conviction that she could never do it 
 properly while in a sick-chamber. 
 
 As there were comparatively few poor, there were few of 
 those institutions which draw forth the best feelings of man 
 kind ; and that wonderful liberality and benevolence, which 
 has of late years characterized the city of Boston, was un 
 known. 
 
 On looking back, therefore, we find great reason to be sa 
 tisfied with the condition of society in which we live. There 
 are, indeed, many more poor, and there is more vice : but, 
 on the other side, we see a wonderful growth and expansion 
 of all the high qualities which lead man to relieve his fellow- 
 beings ; to cultivate the useful arts and sciences ; and, with 
 unceasing activity, to promote that state of character which 
 leads him to seek and look forward to a better existence. 
 
20 CHOOSING A PROFESSION. [^T. 21. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 CHOICE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. DEPARTURE 
 FOR EUROPE. 
 
 THE troubled state of Europe at this time, when Eng 
 land and France were in fierce contest (the English 
 fleets sweeping the seas ; and the French armies, 
 headed by Citizen Bonaparte, carrying all before them 
 by land), had nearly annihilated commerce. Dr. John 
 Warren found it impossible to obtain such a situation 
 in a counting-room as he thought entirely suitable for 
 his son ; and John was, therefore, left to pursue the 
 preference which he felt for a profession. At the 
 end of the year after he left college, he commenced 
 the study of medicine with his father ; choosing this 
 profession, after mature deliberation, because he con 
 sidered it the most useful. 
 
 He does not appear to have had much bias to me 
 dical pursuits ; and his introduction to the study was 
 not, perhaps, the most agreeable. There was no hos 
 pital in Boston at this time ; nor, strictly speaking, 
 any medical school. It was the custom of the time 
 for physicians to dispense their own prescriptions, 
 which were prepared by the pupils at the physician's 
 house. The pupil, though not precisely an apprentice, 
 was required to perform all the duty of one. 
 
1799.] VOYAGE TO EUROPE. 21 
 
 Some disgust at this sort of life, together with other 
 causes, may have stimulated the strong desire which 
 Mr. Warren felt to visit Europe, and avail himself of 
 the advantages afforded by foreign medical schools 
 and hospitals. After one year spent in the study of 
 medicine at home, he embarked for London, June, 
 1799, and arrived there in twenty-four days. 
 
 It was an interesting period in the history of the 
 world. The American Revolution had been accom 
 plished. The King and Queen of France, who hja^IT^ 
 yielded to the course of freedom so far as to permit;' . 
 their subjects to aid in the war of revolution, had feeif ~* / \$ 
 dethroned and beheaded. The French Directory ^r| ( r^ 
 in power; and, elated by the brilliant success^ Wr^ 
 their army and their general, were insolent and over 
 bearing to the country they had assisted. England 
 still claimed her right as sovereign of the seas, 
 and prosecuted her claim of search in regard to 
 neutrals ; a claim which, of course, was exercised 
 civilly or tyrannically, according to the disposition of 
 the captain of the ship. The French republic had 
 no disposition to be behind ; and, probably presuming 
 upon past services, treated her sister republic with 
 insolence. Upon remonstrance being made, she re 
 quired from America a sum of money to assist her 
 in the war with England, as compensation for her re 
 dress of injuries or future forbearance. A war ensued, 
 which, by the testimony even of Las Casas (or La- 
 voisne), was brought on by the vexatious and insolent 
 conduct of the French. Its duration was so short. 
 
22 VOYAGE TO EUROPE. [JET. 21. 
 
 that it seems almost to have been forgotten in history 
 amid the greater events which were daily passing. 
 
 It was during this war that Mr. Warren sailed for 
 Europe. His passage, though of longer duration 
 than in these days, had more objects of interest. It 
 could not have been possible, at that exciting period, 
 for the nephew of General Warren, and the son of one 
 of the most ardent and disinterested patriots who ever 
 lived, to behold public events with indifference. He 
 had previously evinced a deep interest in politics ; 
 and, on the breaking-out of the French war, took an 
 active part in military affairs, and in the organization 
 of companies. On board ship, his warlike inclinations 
 found full scope, and must have agreeably interrupted 
 the dulness incident to a sea-voyage in more quiet 
 times. As his letters to his father and family de 
 scribe his voyage and subsequent progress with so 
 much more freshness than any subsequent relation 
 could do, it seems proper to introduce some of them 
 here, even at the risk of repetition. The acute reader 
 will find in them a truer picture of his views, feelings, 
 and character, at that time, than could be displayed 
 elsewhere. 
 
 His first letters express much anxiety in regard to 
 the yellow fever, which had prevailed in Boston the 
 previous year ; sweeping off, as he says, friends, neigh 
 bors, and classmates. 
 
 These first letters show that the opinion held at that 
 time, in Boston, of England, was very much such as 
 travellers, in after-times, give of Italy ; and that he 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 23 
 
 had been warned, much in the same manner as Ameri 
 cans now are in regard to the latter country, against 
 imposition, knavery, robbery, and murder. He wisely 
 determined it was best to make himself easy upon that 
 head ; and he states that he has not found such a state 
 of things as he had been warned against. The Eng 
 lish, on the other hand, believed that Americans were 
 devoted, soul and body, to trade and profit ; and that 
 they were willing to submit to any insult, rather than 
 suffer interruption in these matters. 
 
 It may almost be said of England at that time, and 
 probably for ages before, if not from the time of her 
 very birth as a nation, that her normal state was a 
 state of war. War, with all its evils, calls forth noble 
 sentiments of patriotism, unselfishness, and disregard 
 to gain. There can be little doubt, that, at that period, 
 England, plunged in wars from which she derived no 
 profit, but incurred vast pecuniary loss, might make 
 the reproach without fear of retort. A long peace 
 has now produced a different state of things ; and that 
 nation is now as thrifty, and devoted to gain, as are 
 her brethren on the other side of the Atlantic. 
 
 LONDON, 27th July, 1799. 
 
 DEAR FATHER, Although in a few days I shall have a 
 much better opportunity of writing to you, yet I cannot 
 omit sending a few lines by the first ship to inform you of 
 our safe arrival. Our passage was short and pleasant, with 
 out any thing more than the common occurrences of a sea- 
 voyage, except frequent alarms from the appearances of 
 ships which we met. The few things worth noticing, I have 
 
24 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [^Sx. 21. 
 
 minuted ; and, though they are of very little consequence, 
 will send them with my next letters. On the twenty-second 
 day we landed at Deal, and, after a pleasant journey of two 
 days, entered London. The smoke, crowds, noise, and bustle 
 of this immense town prevented my thoughts from flowing in 
 any sort of regularity for some days. As soon as I could see 
 around me, I sought lodgings ; which I succeeded in get 
 ting in a pleasant part of the town, where a number of 
 Americans lodge. Perhaps you knew Mr. Harrison Gray, 
 formerly of Boston. The house is kept by his brother. I 
 shall not be able, however, to remain long here, as it is not 
 a place very convenient for attending the hospitals ; and the 
 price of two guineas a week for boarding and lodging, 
 although I am told it is low here, and believe not more 
 than is given at Boston, yet is higher than I can well afford. 
 I have now been ten days in London, and have become 
 very much familiarized to it. I have found that there 
 is no necessity for acting as if the people were all cheats 
 and thieves. I have passed the streets, by day and by 
 night, without being robbed, murdered, insulted, or injured 
 in any way. It is true that a great degree of circum 
 spection is absolutely necessary, particularly in money 
 matters. A man must be very prudent, or money will 
 glide from him in a most astonishing and unaccountable 
 manner. There are, in truth, many temptations, which it 
 requires a high degree of caution to avoid. But it is like 
 wise certain, that travellers have told us amusing stories, 
 which are barely founded on fact. I have received many 
 attentions here, particularly from Mr. Cabot and Mr. Gore ; 
 and I have become very much acquainted with the latter. 
 As to my medical arrangements, I have done almost nothing 
 yet ; for you will easily perceive that it must require a little 
 time to become easy and at home in London. I have been 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 25 
 
 advised, for the most part, not to go to Edinburgh. Respect 
 ing that, I shall not determine at present, but shall pass the 
 ensuing winter in attending the hospitals and lectures. I 
 shall probably be able to write much more fully on that and 
 some other subjects in a short time. Your letter reached 
 me iii five days after I came here ; and nothing could have 
 made me happier, had not my satisfaction been damped by 
 the contents. I hope, however, nothing serious will happen 
 from Harriet's accident. I hope you will write to me by 
 every opportunity ; as, among strangers, every thing from 
 home is particularly dear to me. Please to give my love to 
 my mother, to my brothers and sisters, and to any friends 
 who may inquire for me. 
 
 Your affectionate son, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 LONDON, Aug. 19, 1799. 
 
 DEAR FATHER, Three weeks since, I wrote to you by the 
 " Merchant ; " but, on account of the embargo laid the day 
 after my writing, that ship has not yet sailed. You will, 
 therefore, probably receive the former letter and this at the 
 same time. I then mentioned that our voyage was pleasant, 
 but uninteresting. Our employments on board ship were 
 principally of a warlike nature ; and we became so expert in 
 the exercise of the great guns, that the oldest seaman in the 
 ship could not outdo us. One night, the captain, determined 
 to try our alacrity, and presence of mind, ordered the mate 
 and boatswain to call all hands to quarters at midnight, 
 when we were buried in profound sleep. In five minutes 
 we were all at our stations, and had every gun prepared for 
 action. We cried to the captain to point out the enemy, 
 that we might fire ; and were not unpleasantly disappointed 
 at hearing it was merely an experiment. So, after all hands 
 
 4 
 
26 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [JEx. 21. 
 
 had a drink of grog, we retired quietly to our berths. In 
 the British Channel we were often alarmed, and were obliged 
 every night to sleep in our clothes. A terrible fog caused 
 us to run close upon the French coast ; for nothing could be 
 seen till within pistol-shot. After chasing a privateer, quar 
 relling furiously with one British cruiser, and receiving 
 polite treatment from some others, we landed at Deal on 
 10th July. I was impressed with a kind of pleasing solem 
 nity, when I touched the land of our forefathers, while I 
 recollected how many important events had been transacted 
 there ; how many heroes, statesmen, and philosophers had 
 there displayed their greatness ; and how important a part 
 in the theatre of the world was at that moment filled by this 
 little island. The town of Deal is a small, ill-built place, 
 with nothing remarkable but three strong castles for the 
 defence of the seacoast. The people are, in every respect, 
 extremely civil to strangers. On the day following our 
 arrival, there was to be a review of a beautiful regiment by 
 Prince William of Gloucester. While we were deliberating 
 in what manner we could see it, an officer entered, and 
 requested our company at his chamber, where we might have 
 a full view of the troops. We accepted the invitation ; and 
 after being highly delighted with the appearance of the 
 troops, and receiving the greatest attention, as we were 
 departing, the lady of the commander of one of the castles 
 asked us to call on her the next day, and view the inside of 
 the castle. Here, too, we were highly gratified by the no 
 velty of the thing, and the urbanity of the people to strangers 
 whom they never before saw, and from whom they could 
 expect no return for their politeness. Dover Castle being an 
 object of curiosity to strangers, we, on the next day, rode to 
 that place. Shakspeare alone can describe the stupendous 
 cliffs _of Dover. My brain turns at the very idea. The 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 27 
 
 prospect from the top of the cliffs is grand. On one side, 
 the ocean, unbounded, and covered with a vast variety of 
 vessels passing to all parts of the world ; on the other, a 
 most delightful country, diversified by gentle risings and 
 depressions, enriched with the most luxuriant verdure ; at 
 our feet, the town of Dover ; and, towering over our heads, 
 the celebrated Castle. We saw the beach where Caesar 
 landed, and that where Charles II. was received at the 
 restoration. Calais is so plainly discoverable, that many 
 houses upon the coast may be distinguished. Our journey 
 to London through this charming country was highly plea 
 sant. Something interesting was constantly presented, a 
 Gothic church or monument of Saxon antiquity. At Can 
 terbury is standing a tower of Ethelred ; the remains of a 
 monastery founded by St. Augustine ; but, above all, its 
 famous Cathedral, built about a thousand years ago. On 
 entering, one is struck with awe. The long Gothic aisles 
 and high arches, the windows painted in the ancient man 
 ner, with the sufferings of saints, conspired, with the coldness 
 of the place, to chill us with solemnity. Here are monu 
 ments of some of the English kings ; particularly a fine one, 
 in brass, of the Black Prince. The armor in which he 
 gained the battle of Poictiers, though crumbling to pieces, 
 is still to be seen. The silver shrine of Thomas a Becket 
 stood in this church till the time of Henry VIII. ; and the 
 pavement around is actually worn away by the knees of pil 
 grims. About the middle of July, we entered London ; and, 
 in a place where people from all parts of the world reside, 
 one soon becomes familiarized. The English manners, 
 though much like ours in many respects, are still more 
 different than I expected to find them. I can, however, 
 accommodate myself much more easily to their manners 
 than to their climate. The sun seldom deigns to show 
 
28 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [IE?. 21. 
 
 himself for more than two hours at a time ; and, in the first 
 three weeks after our arrival, but one day passed without 
 rain. August has been as cold as, and I think very like, 
 our April. I can now with perfect ease account for the pre 
 valence of suicide in England. I have passed this month in 
 seeing the wonders which it is necessary to know something 
 of, in delivering my letters and receiving the consequences, 
 and in gaining the information requisite for the arrangement 
 of my plans. I have been universally advised to attend the 
 hospitals, in the first place, whether I go to Edinburgh or not ; 
 and have determined to do that next week. There are two 
 kinds of students in the hospitals ; the one called "dressers," 
 and the other " walkers." The first have the advantage of 
 practising on all the simple surgical cases, and dressing all 
 wounds themselves : the others merely see what is done. Of 
 course, the former have vastly the greatest opportunities : but 
 the expense is likewise double ; as the walker pays 25, the 
 dresser <50. Though I do not like to pay so much money 
 for one object, I believe I shall enter as dresser ; for, as I 
 intend to become a surgeon, I think the acquiring a facility 
 and steadiness in manual operation of the utmost importance. 
 There are good lectures on almost all branches distinct from 
 the hospitals. Every moment of time which can be spared 
 from surgery and dissections, I shall devote to them ; and, if 
 I can acquire a satisfactory degree of medical knowledge 
 from them, I shall not choose to incur the expense of going 
 to Edinburgh : if not, a question will arise which is to be 
 decided in future. It will be necessary, when I have entered 
 the hospitals, to give up every idea of amusement and com 
 pany ; for a student who is tolerably disposed to be indus 
 trious will find every moment of his time fully occupied. I 
 could give you a sketch of affairs in Europe ; but you will 
 be probably quite as soon, and much more fully, informed by 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 29 
 
 the gazettes. Suwarrow, after taking Mantua, is marching 
 to Genoa. Massena is to be succeeded by Moreau, in the 
 command of the army opposed to the Archduke. This army 
 is now at Zurich ; and accounts of a battle are every moment 
 expected. France does not now, as formerly, vomit flames 
 upon all her neighbors: but she is dreadfully convulsed 
 within ; and whether she will be strong enough to withstand 
 the shocks by which she is shaken, must be very shortly 
 determined. Insurrection is the order of the day. Small 
 parties of troops, which some call Royalists, and others 
 Jacobins, appear all over the nation. One party cries, 
 u Down with the Royalists ! " another, " Down with the Jaco 
 bins ! " The new Directory has just gained an important 
 victory in shutting up the Jacobin Club. How long they 
 will be able to prevent its meetings is very uncertain. 
 France and England are using every effort to engage the 
 King of Prussia. A misunderstanding between the Danish 
 and the Russians is increasing. The King of Denmark 
 seems disposed to quarrel, and is probably backed in secret 
 by the Prussians. The English have formed great hopes of 
 their expedition to liberate Holland : that is, to re-instate the 
 stadtholder. I doubt whether the Dutchmen will receive 
 them with the cordiality they expect. The lower-class 
 Dutch are still fond of the Sans-culottes, who have been 
 squeezing them so affectionately. But the richer people 
 will never allow their patriotism to expose their property. 
 The combined fleets are at Brest, and will probably very 
 soon attempt the liberation of the Dutch from the Texel. 
 The effects of their success cannot be calculated. Bonaparte, 
 having been sufficiently amused with his trip to Egypt, is 
 now attempting a return to France. The Turks, however, 
 have so exceedingly strong a desire to see the terrific hero 
 who made Europe tremble under his sword, that he will 
 
30 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [JE.T. 21. 
 
 most probably see Constantinople, before Paris. Europe is 
 drenched in blood. Even in this country, the painful effects 
 of war are everywhere seen . 
 
 LONDON, Dec. 8, 1799. 
 
 MY DEAR FATHER, In a letter (No. 7) by the way of 
 Liverpool, I had the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt 
 of your last (No. 4) by the " Thomas Russell ; " since which, 
 I have not received any thing. I could but little express 
 the pleasure I felt at once more hearing from my family ; at 
 again conversing with my father; and I should do myself 
 very small justice by attempting it now. No one, living in 
 the midst of friends, surrounded by those who are attached 
 to him, is a judge of the value of that attachment : 'tis for 
 him only, who is far removed from any who love him, to 
 estimate the worth of a family, and to know his affection for 
 them. I am that one. In that letter, I gave you a summary 
 of the reasons that determined me to remain here. I men 
 tioned my ideas of the value of anatomical and surgical 
 knowledge, and the incomparable advantages in this place 
 for the study arid practice of those arts, and of midwifery 
 and physiology ; such as, taken together, are not to be found 
 elsewhere. I mentioned that Edinburgh was to be preferred 
 in what respected medicine, but that advantages of that 
 nature were secondary, because they may be had at home, 
 while the first cannot ; that I did not consider chemistry 
 of comparative importance. To speak truth, this has been 
 played the fool with in a wonderful manner. At one time, 
 we were explaining every thing on chemical principles : 
 hydrogen and oxygen, azote and carbon, were stuck to 
 every thing. Every stripling in medicine could learn the no 
 menclature ; and then, blazing forth these new arid unusual 
 terms, astonished the ignorant and confused the learned. 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 31 
 
 This did well for a time. But at length these men were ques 
 tioned. They could not sustain their principles throughout ; 
 and it was discovered that names alone had deceived: 
 Nomina, et prceterea nihil. Chemistry now sunk to its 
 place. In America, it still occupies too high a rank ; but this 
 will not exist long. I do not mean to cast the slightest 
 reflection on the new nomenclature, nor on chemistry itself: 
 I hope to be well versed in them both, and to know how to 
 apply them properly. Once, I remember, you asked whether 
 I intended to become a surgeon. The question remains unan 
 swered. At that time, I had seen enough to have an idea of 
 the difficulties of an operation, but none of its pleasures : 
 now I see a good operation with the pleasure I used to feel 
 at the successful solution of Euclid's problems, a pleasure 
 greater than almost any I know. I have acquired that 
 taste, that high relish, for these, without which no man 
 can exert himself for the attainment of any art ; and am 
 only surprised that I was so long blind. There are opera 
 tions almost every day, the stone, hydrocele, cataract, and 
 amputations innumerable ; but Mr. Cline's operations for 
 aneurism or hernia are grand. It is pleasure to see him 
 take up or turn his knife. There are some observations 
 respecting these matters which I have not now sufficient 
 time to communicate, but shall take the first opportunity. 
 The lectures have gratified me very much : they have such 
 immense advantages from the preparations. Not a part but 
 is elegantly prepared ; some injected with quicksilver, some 
 with wax ; dried and wet. Every morbid appearance is 
 here preserved. You well know how much clearer an idea 
 is conveyed by these specimens than can be done by a dead, 
 flaccid body. If I had time, I should make many myself ; 
 but I despair of doing a quarter of what I wish, here. Dis 
 section is carried on in style : twelve or fifteen bodies in a 
 
32 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [JET. 21. 
 
 room ; the young men at work on them in different ways. 
 The people called resurrection-men supply us abundantly. 
 An odd circumstance happened some time since. A hungry 
 beggar had got some bread, and ate with so much avidity as 
 to suffocate himself and fall down in the street. One of the 
 resurrection-men, passing, immediately claimed the man as 
 his brother, took him to the dissecting theatre of St. Tho 
 mas, and secured a good price. The man's trachea is now 
 made into ^"preparation . The surgeons here, considering 
 themselves at the head of their profession, dare to differ 
 from everybody else, if they think they have truth with 
 them. No authority is believed sufficient to prevent inquiry : 
 thus, much of the rubbish left by Haller is cleared away, 
 and even some of his own works overturned. A new theory 
 of generation is brought forward ; but what is infinitely more 
 important than the best-wrought theory, are the discoveries 
 respecting the absorbents. Much has been done, and all the 
 able anatomists and physiologists are employed upon the sub 
 ject. In this and every other research, the people here look 
 for facts : they trust no theory, but experiment is the only 
 creed. Go to Edinburgh for theory ! I have much to say 
 on many of these particulars, but must defer it to another 
 time. I receive so much pleasure from the pursuits in 
 which I am absorbed, that I hardly have time to think of 
 my disconnected situation. The acquaintances of a letter 
 of introduction are most of them at an end : and this is, in 
 truth, a fortunate circumstance ; for my time is so totally 
 and completely occupied, that I can hardly squeeze out half 
 an hour to inquire if there are any ships for America. You 
 may be astonished to hear of retirement in London ; but I 
 live in a more complete solitude than if I were at Castle 
 Hill.* No one comes to see me but Senter ; nor do I visit 
 
 * His grandfather's (Governor Collins's) farm at Newport. 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 33 
 
 any one but him, except sometimes on Sundays, the only 
 day I ever dine out. I form no acquaintances with the young 
 men, that extend further than the walls of the hospital. 
 When the stimulus of company is taken away, I find .that 
 nature can be supported with much less than I could have 
 believed. My food is as simple as possible ; but contents as 
 well, and preserves my health better, than when I lived 
 richly. On the whole, I do not spend a half-penny that I 
 can help ; and there are some books I should like to possess, 
 which I do not think I can afford. Perhaps this may savor 
 too much of egotism : but I suppose you would wish to have 
 some idea of my manner of living ; and, besides, I wish to 
 convince you, as far as is proper for me, that the confidence 
 you have testified in me in your last letter is not misplaced. 
 That, however, can only be fully known to you by futurity. 
 It is sufficient that I appreciate the opportunities I enjoy ; 
 that I know any useless expense must destroy some of these 
 advantages. If, under these circumstances, I am idle or 
 extravagant, what am I ? I have always believed that a 
 young man of spirit would be better with confidence reposed 
 in him, than when shackled by caution. For this reason, 
 when I left my country, I did not seem to listen to the 
 advice everybody was giving me. Perhaps pride was in 
 the case likewise ; but I love pride. It has always been of 
 service to me ; and I would not relinquish it in the presence 
 of the King of Great Britain, or any other man. 
 
 You have no idea, sir, what a shocking place this is in 
 winter. No cold weather, for the grass is perfectly green ; 
 but a constant drizzling, that keeps the town dirty as a ken 
 nel, notwithstanding all that can be done. The air is 
 thickened with smoke and vapors, so that it is scarcely 
 respirable ; and as for the sun, no one can tell when he was 
 seen. The days are five hours long ; or, more strictly speak 
 ing, there are five hours of twilight : for, while I have been 
 
 5 
 
34 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [^E r r. 21. 
 
 writing, I have, within this week, been obliged to stop almost 
 every day, at some part of it, so totally dark was it. Many 
 have already cut their throats ; and, if the present weather 
 lasts (which it will), a terrible slaughter will take place, I 
 dare say. They have, however, plenty of amusements here : 
 in truth, there is amusement at every step through the 
 streets of London. I constantly meet something new and 
 interesting in this wonderful place. Mrs. Siddons is now 
 playing ; but, the theatre being at a great distance, I cannot 
 go there so often as I wish. I have not, therefore, yet seen 
 this celebrated woman ; but shall take the first opportunity. 
 I have but this day learnt that a ship sails for Boston to 
 morrow ; and must, therefore, say less than I wished to. I 
 shall, however, soon write again to you, and to some of my 
 friends. Gurley will, I hope, write to me by every opportu 
 nity. I cannot refrain from thanking you for the length of 
 your letter, engaged as you are at every moment. Sir, I 
 beg you will spare me as much time as you can. Please to 
 tell my dear mother that her letters are short and sweet ; 
 but I cannot think they would be less sweet were they 
 longer. Will none of my brothers or sisters write ? It 
 would be useless to enumerate all the friends I would be 
 remembered to. Tell them, I think of them all particularly, 
 and would write to them had I time ; but I have already 
 written to more than have returned it, and more than I ever 
 will again. Wish my Aunt Polly joy for me. I am rejoiced 
 that H. is so well recovered from the accident. Give my 
 love to every one of them, and, most of all, to my mother. 
 The " Minerva " is every day expected. After receiving my 
 letters by her, I shall write by a ship to sail at the end of 
 this month. 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 Your affectionate son, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
1799.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 35 
 
 "The information that our family was well, and my 
 native town in a fair way to escape the ravages of the yellow 
 fever, contributed to make me happy. I have been ex 
 tremely anxious respecting the appearance of that dreadful 
 disorder again. Knowing that you take so few precautions, 
 and that you hazard yourself so much in every case of 
 danger, I with reason dreaded its effects. Should I hear 
 that it has appeared in Boston, I shall a thousand times 
 wish that I had never seen the Atlantic. Rest assured, sir, 
 that my highest happiness consists in thinking of home, 
 and that all the novel scenes of England or of all Europe 
 would have no effect in obliterating the remembrance of my 
 friends ; nor even would they at all compensate for the ab 
 sence from my family." 
 
 September, 1799. "I am the luckiest dog in life ! I was 
 called away at the end of the last period (i.e., while visiting 
 Netley Abbey with some ladies, and proposing to explore a 
 subterraneous passage) to a dislocated shoulder, which I 
 have reduced in very handsome style. Within the three 
 first days of my week, I have had one fracture, and one 
 injury of the cranium ; one fractured leg, and another that 
 we thought was fractured at first ; one fracture of the ribs, 
 and this dislocation ; besides two or three trifling accidents. 
 I have been exceedingly fortunate every way ; and I verily 
 begin to think I shall be famous." 
 
 Jan. 24, 1800. " Rest assured, sir, I am tolerably closely 
 employed. I neither eat, drink, nor sleep much : for one 
 sound is singing in my ears ; keeps me waking at night, and 
 rouses me in the morning, ' There is no time to lose. 9 My 
 anxiety to return home is very great; but my anxiety to 
 return with proper improvements, with such acquisitions as 
 shall make me respectable in my own and in the eyes of 
 others, and shall raise me a little above the common herd, 
 is much greater than that." 
 
36 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [jET. 22. 
 
 March 12, 1800. " Bread is so scarce, that an Act has 
 passed for eating old bread instead of new. Pastry is laid 
 aside by the great ; and the king eats no bread with his 
 meat. A variety of substitutes for bread are proposed by 
 the schemers. Some say potatoes ; others, rice ; and some 
 would have bread made of one-third sawdust, finely levi 
 gated. You would be immensely diverted to hear all the 
 schemes mentioned. 
 
 "The 'Medical Repository' is very well received here. 
 Should you send me one or two copies of each number, I 
 could dispose of them to much advantage ; to Drs. Lettsom 
 and Hawes particularly. I should be very glad of the publi 
 cation respecting the yellow fever, for which you subscribed, 
 if it is yet out ; and a spare copy of the letters of our im 
 mortal Washington. All these things would be exceedingly 
 acceptable here. 
 
 " Last evening, I was at the theatre. The king and his 
 family were there. At such times, the house is always filled ; 
 and I underwent more suffering than I would again for 
 all the kings in Christendom. The queen and princesses 
 are all ugly. The princes are handsome men. The house 
 was full of nobility ; many of the ladies completely stuck 
 over with jewels. In truth, there are many more jewels 
 than beauties among these noble ladies. The men, how 
 ever, as well as all the genteeler class of Englishmen, are 
 handsome. Both men and women walk better, and have 
 generally a more elegant air, than in America.'' 
 
 June 8, 1800. " Nobody here believes that the Bour 
 bons will reign again in France. Travellers, who passed 
 through France at different periods, say that, in spite of 
 war, the French never were so happy, since they existed as 
 a nation, as they are at present. Bonaparte, possessed of 
 dictatorial power, exercises it with the highest wisdom and 
 moderation." 
 
1800.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 37 
 
 July 9, 1800. " Mr. William Cooper, my old master, is 
 succeeded by his nephew, Mr. Astley Cooper, as lecturer ; 
 a young man of the greatest natural abilities, and almost 
 adored at the hospitals. His practice is directly the reverse 
 of his uncle's. Old Mr. Cooper would say, ' Let Nature 
 alone : she will open that abscess infinitely better than you 
 can.' The other says, ' Had you dilated that abscess from 
 top to bottom at first, it would have been well long ago.' 
 The obligations I am under to Mr. Cooper are infinite. He 
 has always treated me with the most particular attention, 
 and suffered no opportunity of instructing me to pass by. I 
 wish it were possible to return, in the smallest degree, the 
 favors with which he has loaded me. 
 
 " Mr. Sheridan made a bold and furious attack on Mr. Pitt 
 in the House of Commons. I had the good fortune to hear 
 this animated debate. Mr. S. charged Pitt with deception, 
 and inability to conduct public affairs. He spoke in the 
 most exalted terms of Bonaparte ; and said, that, setting 
 aside the manner in which he had acquired power, he had 
 acted with singular virtue, moderation, and magnanimity; 
 that his military talents had not been paralleled since the 
 days of Hannibal. Mr. Pitt answered by evasion. 
 
 " Such strains of eloquence I could scarce conceive of. 
 Pitt is far the greater orator. His big round periods roll 
 like thunder upon the ear. Sheridan's eloquence is more 
 like a torrent. At one time, its force seems to bear down 
 every thing before it ; then it becomes smooth, and flows 
 along with the most delightful regularity ; afterwards it is 
 rough, broken, and interrupted. 
 
 " I have heard nothing of the hospital which was to be 
 established in Boston. Does it progress ? and have you, sir, 
 a prospect of getting appointed to it ? " 
 
 December, 1800. "If it please God to preserve my 
 
38 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [M'l. 23. 
 
 health, I will endeavor to do honor to my country and to 
 my family. I will attempt to repay, in some degree, the 
 obligations I feel for being what I am. Talk no more of 
 nature, dear mother : it is to you I owe every improvement 
 I possess. 
 
 " Nothing can be more interesting than Dr. Hope's course. 
 His address is so pleasing, his method and illustrations so 
 perspicuous, and his experiments so striking and beautiful, 
 that one cannot fail to be delighted with the science he 
 teaches. 
 
 " Among other speculations which are now the reigning 
 topics among chemists and philosophers, the most curious is 
 one on a newly formed gas, of which, perhaps, you have 
 already heard, the nitrous oxide of azote, or gaseous 
 oxide of azote." 
 
 Mr. Warren, as will be seen, was keenly alive to any 
 reproach or slur upon the American character, and 
 ready to resent it in such a manner as to silence it, at 
 least in his presence. Both in England and France, he 
 adopted the resolution to avoid, when possible, being 
 drawn into a quarrel ; but, when once in, to carry it 
 effectually through. 
 
 His political opinions before he left home, his ha 
 tred of the principles of the Sans-culottes, have been 
 already described. In England he was a strong 
 Republican, ready, upon a sudden impulse, to frater 
 nize with, or rather to lead, a mob ; and, in one or 
 two instances, narrowly escaped being involved in 
 public disturbances ; being once arrested by the police, 
 but rescued and applauded by the people. 
 
 To those who recollect the feelings maintained a 
 
1801.] LETTERS FROM EUROPE. 39 
 
 few years afterwards by the Federal party in regard to 
 Napoleon, it is striking and interesting to hear the 
 moderation and prudence, the freedom from selfish 
 aims or ambitious views, of the First Consul, spoken 
 of in these letters; the perfect conviction enter 
 tained, that the freedom of the French republic 
 incurred no danger from him. 
 
 There can be no doubt that Napoleon made Wash 
 ington, if any man, his first model. To those who 
 incline to speculate upon past events, it may be inte 
 resting to consider what would have been the after- 
 history of Napoleon, if he could have obtained his 
 earnest wish for peace and alliance with England. 
 England would make no peace with a usurper : hence 
 Napoleon could only live in a state of warfare ; and 
 his destruction, with the restoration of the Bourbons, 
 and probably the Bastille, or the conquest of Europe, 
 were the only alternatives. There is a stereotyped 
 assertion, that the French cannot govern themselves ; 
 and subsequent events go very far to prove it. Still, 
 as we know that Napoleon had a strong genius for the 
 w r orks of peace, and how much he did for the sciences 
 and the arts, is it not probable, that, had he been per 
 mitted, he would have been content with the cultiva 
 tion of those works, and obtained far greater glory as 
 the benefactor of his nation, and, more or less, the 
 peaceful reformer of Europe I 
 
 It may be said that this was not possible ; for that, 
 sooner or later, the sovereigns of the Continental na 
 tions must have found that their safety depended upon 
 
40 LETTERS FROM EUROPE. [JEl. 23. 
 
 crushing the Eepublic and the Republican ruler. And 
 here probably lay the true issue of the question, not 
 in the moderation or the ambition of Bonaparte. 
 
 Be this as it may, it is not wonderful that a young 
 man of ardent feelings was disposed to admire the 
 genius and brilliant qualities of Napoleon, and to 
 adopt the more generous views of Fox and Sheridan, 
 rather than the colder and more cautious ones of 
 Pitt. 
 
 In writing from France, he alludes to two dangers 
 which he supposes may be sources of alarm to his 
 father, who feared the effect of his residence there. 
 The first is the adoption of ultra Democratic, or Jaco 
 binical, principles. This fear, he says, is perfectly 
 unfounded ; for, had he been inclined to such princi 
 ples when he left home, a very short residence in 
 Paris would have cured him. The second danger 
 which he supposes his father fears, that to his mo 
 rals, he allows, is a more serious one. Against this 
 danger, he thinks he is sufficiently on his guard. 
 
 With these extracts from his letters, we proceed to 
 his biographical notes, giving an account of the same 
 period. 
 
1799-1802.] SAILING FOR EUROPE. 41 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1799-1802. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 HAVING passed a year after leaving college without deciding 
 on a profession (employing, however, a considerable time 
 in the acquisition of the French language from Professor 
 Sales), I devoted a second year to the study of medicine. 
 Then, having obtained permission to visit Europe, on the 
 morning of the 16th of June, 1799, my luggage having been 
 sent on board previously, I took leave of my family, in School 
 Street, about eight o'clock, and walked alone to the ship 
 " Minerva," at Long Wharf. I recollect my sensations at that 
 time very distinctly. Though not yet twenty years old, I 
 was launching out into the world, for the first time, under 
 my own direction. I felt the responsibility, and the danger 
 of exposure ; and this, and the quitting of my friends, at first 
 produced a degree of despondency. But this soon passed 
 off, and left me full of hope and expectation. 
 
 On board ship, I found a number of friends, particularly 
 John Hubbard, and his sister Miss Mary Hubbard, Miss 
 Gear (now Mrs. Tucker), Mr. and Mrs. Higginson, and 
 others. In a short time, we were under way ; and, on the 
 following day, were out of sight of land. Our country 
 being at that time at war with France, our ship had an 
 armament of twenty-six pounders. The passengers imme 
 diately enrolled themselves to take charge of some of them. 
 
 6 
 
42 LANDING IN ENGLAND. [^T. 21-24. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard, Lieutenant Sturt, an Englishman, one seaman, 
 and myself, had charge of one quarter-deck gun. This we 
 got to manoeuvre with great ease by daily exercise. Some 
 times we practised firing at marks ; in which I was, at that 
 time, very successful. We often pursued other ships, and 
 were sometimes pursued ourselves. When we arrived in the 
 English Channel, which was crowded with English and 
 French cruisers, we were sometimes detained by the Eng 
 lish, and treated rather roughly. We always gave them as 
 good as their own ; and, on one occasion, our Captain Turner 
 told the captain of an English ship that he hoped he should 
 some time have the pleasure of meeting him on the broad 
 sea. One of the English lieutenants who came on board on 
 another occasion, noticing how angry we were at being 
 stopped, said he had seen Americans before, and they were 
 the most uneasy people he had met with on the seas. We, 
 however, landed without any fight ; but, the next voyage, 
 the same ship " Minerva," of twenty guns and forty men, was 
 attacked by a strong French ship-of-war, having the same 
 name, and carrying the same number of guns and one hun 
 dred and fifty men. Of course, our " Minerva " was no match 
 for such a ship, being a thin-sided merchant-vessel. She 
 made a good fight, however, before she was taken ; and three 
 of the four men who were at my gun were killed, or very 
 much lacerated. 
 
 In order to save the voyage round to the Thames, the 
 passengers were set ashore at Deal, near Dover. This 
 was a sailors' town, but very neat, built of stone ; and the 
 first thing I recollect to have noticed was a small stone 
 Gothic church, a thousand years old. This was very delight 
 ful to us Americans. In the course of the morning, we 
 understood there was to be a review just outside of the 
 town, and walked out to see it. There we found a fine Bri- 
 
1799-1802.] LONDON. 43 
 
 tish regiment, and a body of artillery. One of the officers, 
 seeing us there, spoke to one of our party ; and, finding we 
 were Americans, immediately told us that he had been in 
 America in the late war, and was, if I recollect rightly, 
 in the Battle of Bunker Hill. His name was Captain Par 
 ker. He attended to us through the review, and afterwards 
 took us to his quarters to tea. On walking into town, we 
 had an opportunity of noticing the beauty and richness of 
 the verdure of the swells called downs, and the immense 
 cliffs of chalky rock, which form a boundary to the ocean, 
 four or five hundred feet high. 
 
 The next day, we set off for London in a fine English 
 stage-coach ; passed the night at Sydenham, and arrived in 
 London towards evening the next day. We were landed at 
 a small hotel near Soho Square. As we first arrived in the 
 vortex of London, we began to be astonished. The immense 
 population, streets continued ten miles out, and the vast 
 number of carriages, affected us certainly in a manner not 
 at first agreeable. We seemed to apprehend we never 
 shoiild emerge from this vast confusion. 
 
 On the next day, we changed our quarters to a pleasant 
 situation in Bloomsbury Square, a nice boarding-house, 
 kept by Mr. John Gray, a British refugee from America. 
 Here I met Dr. Hewson, son of the famous Mr. Hewson, 
 who wrote on the blood. He afterwards settled in Phila 
 delphia, and died very lately. There was also a British 
 officer in the house (Captain Wilson), who was very kind to 
 me, showing me the new things. 
 
 After remaining in this place about a month, I took a 
 journey through the south of England, along the south 
 coast to Southampton, the Isle of Wight, Hastings, Brighton, 
 Dover, Margate. In the latter place, I met with General 
 Arnold, the traitor, so called. He was there witli his family. 
 
44 WILLIAM COOPER. [^Ex. 21-24. 
 
 I recollect a son, very handsome ; and a daughter. Arnold 
 was rather a stout man, broad-shouldered, large black eyes. 
 He walked lame, from a wound received at the attack of 
 Quebec, I think. 
 
 The period of lectures now approaching, I made an ar 
 rangement with Mr. William Cooper, Surgeon of Guy's 
 Hospital, to be his dresser for a year ; for which I paid him 
 fifty guineas ; that is, two hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. 
 Cooper was senior surgeon ; and, as it happened, I was 
 senior dresser. I was immediately put in charge of about 
 forty patients, comprising as interesting a collection of sur 
 gical accidents and diseases as could be desired. A large 
 number of these patients required daily dressing, which I 
 practised for a year faithfully. During my week, I slept in 
 the hospital. 
 
 As Mr. Cooper was well advanced in life, he left matters 
 pretty much to me. He came there only twice a week, and 
 walked round with his dressers in a very quiet way, making 
 amusing and instructive remarks. He had no great respect 
 for America, considering her as having separated from the 
 British empire before maturity. He was, however, very 
 much pleased to find we were so white-complexioned, and 
 so little contaminated with Indian blood. On one occasion, 
 he asked me, " Have you schools in America, Mr. Warren ? " 
 I gave him Judge Minot's " History of the Rebellion in 
 '88." He afterwards said to me, " Sir, the first sentence 
 of your American author is bad logic." He was a very 
 pleasant man, however, and occasionally asked me to dine 
 with him. Finally, he resigned his office, and retired with 
 Mrs. Cooper, having no children, to the beautiful town of 
 Tiverton, in the south of England, near Exeter ; from which 
 last city my family originated. Mr. Cooper once said to me, 
 " Your family has a claim to the estates of the Duke of 
 
1799-1802.] OCCUPATIONS. 45 
 
 Norfolk. The Warrens formerly held that property ; and, 
 now the line of Howards is extinct, you can put in your 
 claim." This gentleman was succeeded by his nephew, Mr. 
 Astley Cooper, who was then quite a young man, but very 
 promising. He was one of the handsomest men I ever saw ; 
 was always very kind to me through his life. My residence, 
 while at Guy's Hospital, was in St. Thomas Street, close to 
 the hospital. I lived at a cork-cutter's, and had two small 
 rooms on the third story, one front and one rear. I lived 
 in the usual manner of medical students ; that is, entirely 
 by myself. Food being provided by the landlady, I took it 
 in my room. We breakfasted at nine, dined at three, and 
 drank tea irregularly. My time was wholly occupied at the 
 hospital ; and, of course, there was no great tedium. In 
 the morning, I went through my dressings ; at noon, attended 
 Olive and Cooper's lectures ; dissected in the afternoon ; and 
 wrote off my notes at night. This last I did with great 
 regularity ; and got a fair copy, in epitome, of the lectures 
 above mentioned ; and also of Sir Astley Cooper's lectures 
 on surgery, in the evening. At the same time, I attended a 
 complete course of midwifery by Dr. Haighton, and a course 
 of physiology by the same gentleman. We had also a good 
 course of lectures on the teeth, by Mr. Fox. 
 
 Saturday or Sunday, I often dined out, and particularly 
 at Mr. Gore's, a commissioner in London : in which case, I 
 always walked from the borough, so called, where the hospi 
 tal was, to his house, four miles off, and back again ; and 
 never thought of taking a hackney-coach, of which, in fact, 
 there were very few at that time. I do not recollect to 
 have ridden in a gig all the time I was in England, but 
 was once or twice on horseback. Sometimes I went to the 
 theatre, in the evening, to see Mrs. Siddons or Mr. Kemble. 
 But this happened very rarely, perhaps on account of the 
 
46 ADDRESSES A MOB. [^T. 21-24. 
 
 distance ; for Drury Lane and Covent Garden were about 
 three miles from the borough. 
 
 One evening, in going from my lodgings to the West End 
 of the town, I fell in with a mob, which was raised on 
 account of a scarcity of bread. Instead of keeping clear of 
 it, as would have been wise, I entered into it, and talked with 
 the people, to ascertain what their views and objects were. 
 At this time, a charge was made upon the mob by a body of 
 dragoons ; and every one was obliged to save himself as he 
 could. This attack irritated me among others ; and we ral 
 lied, and made preparations for defence. Soon after, we 
 were assailed by a body of police. Sympathizing with the 
 people, who were in a state of starvation, and irritated by 
 the attacks, I got on the edge of the sidewalk, and began 
 to address the crowd on their unhappy condition. They 
 were highly delighted to find a person, dressed like a gentle 
 man, haranguing in their favor ; and loudly cheered, and 
 demanded a repetition of the harangue. At this moment, a 
 gentleman spoke to me, drew me aside, and represented the 
 dangerous position I was taking; and that, although the 
 people were in a suffering state, they were not likely to get 
 any remedy in this way. I readily understood this, of 
 course ; and, having no great desire to be apprehended as 
 the leader of a mob, I walked oif with him in the direction 
 I had been going : and he, having ascertained what course I 
 was taking, offered to show me the way ; for it so happened, 
 that, in following the mob, I had been drawn entirely away 
 from the usual route from the east to west, into the compli 
 cated streets and lanes of the northern part of London. 
 However, this gentleman went with me a good distance, told 
 me he was an officer in the army, that he had no connection 
 with the police, and that his speaking to me was accidental. 
 I then as freely told him who I was, and made him understand 
 
1799-1802.] RESIDENCE IN LONDON. 47 
 
 I had no desire to overturn the British government. By a 
 long and perilous route, I reached my destination, and 
 walked back to the borough the same evening. 
 
 Among those whom I was most acquainted with in London 
 was one of my brother-dressers, Mr. Roots, of Kingston 
 on Thames. He was of a good English family, a person of 
 fine natural talents, great wit, a ready writer, but more 
 fond of pleasure than of labor. From him I learnt more of 
 the manners, customs, and feelings of the English people 
 than I could have obtained from common intercourse. He 
 was highly aristocratic, and had a great respect for the class 
 of nobility, and seemed to be free from the least jealousy of 
 their superior advantages. He told me, that, in his section 
 of the country, there were certain noblemen who were 
 looked on as the fathers of the people. They were not only 
 liberal with money, he said, but studious in their politeness 
 towards their inferiors. I kept up a correspondence with 
 him for many years, and visited his residence at Kingston 
 when I was in England the second time. 
 
 At Mr. Gore's, afterwards Governor Gore, I was quite at 
 home. I was often at the minister's, Mr. King ; and was 
 well acquainted with Mr. Trumbull, the painter, who was a 
 commissioner ; Mr. Samuel Cabot, Secretary of the Commis 
 sion ; and Mr. Samuel Williams, consul. 
 
 The most distinguished medical men of that time were 
 Dr. Saunders, Ralph, and Babington, in Guy's Hospital. At 
 St. Thomas's was Dr. Fordyce ; at St. Bartholomew's, Mr. 
 Abernethy ; and at St. George's, Sir Everard Home. 
 
 The second summer I was in London, I visited Oxford in 
 company with Mr. John Pickering. He being a classical 
 scholar, and an old college acquaintance, we had a delightful 
 visit. He gave me a small Didot's Virgil, which I have 
 retained to this time. And the mention of this brings to my 
 
48 OLD TORIES. OET. 21-24. 
 
 mind that Mr. William Cooper gave me a beautiful Elzevir 
 edition of Caesar's " Commentaries," which I also have. 
 Dr. Stark, of Norfolk, Va., gave me another edition of 
 Caesar, also carefully preserved. Dr. Simmons, whom I 
 was much with in Edinburgh, gave me a neat copy of 
 " Junius." 
 
 My life in London was, on the whole, very pleasant, my 
 time fully occupied ; and although I was situated in a 
 remote, dark, unhealthy part of the city, I never felt any 
 thing like ennui. Occasionally, the common routine was 
 enlivened by a visit to some remarkable place ; as some 
 ancient church, Westminster Abbey for instance. I walked 
 to the abbey, which was not over three miles, towards the 
 close of the day, when the setting sun shone through its 
 colored windows, making impressions on my mind which are 
 still fresh in my recollection. 
 
 I was kindly received in London in the houses of a num 
 ber of the refugees, or " old Tories," as they were called. 
 They were usually gentlemen of advanced age, living very 
 comfortably. They were remarkably healthy ; which was 
 attributed to their change of climate, and their return, as 
 Sir Charles Lyell would say, to their native air. Among 
 them, I often visited Harrison Gray, Esq., of Rathbone 
 Place, Oxford Street ; the Vassals, a distinguished Boston 
 family, who lived at Clapham, four miles from London ; and 
 the Timminses, of the same place. Mr. Vassal used to exe 
 crate, in strong language, the conduct of the Massachusetts 
 Legislature to him and his family in confiscating their es 
 tates. William Vassal, who was a classmate of my father's, 
 lived in the west of England ; and I never saw him but once, 
 which was at the house of Mr. Joy. The Joys were also 
 very kind to me ; and Mr. George Joy has frequently written 
 to me since. 
 
1799-1802.] LIVERPOOL. 49 
 
 In the autumn of 1800, I left London for Edinburgh, in 
 company with my friend Mr. Jones, mentioned elsewhere as 
 the author of the treatise on the hemorrhage of divided 
 arteries. His work on this subject is the most important 
 addition to surgical pathology that I recollect. Jones was a 
 West Indian, a native of Barhadoes. He resided much in 
 England ; but ultimately returned to his native island, and 
 died there at an early period. He was a person of elevated 
 character, excellent talents, and great industry. We left 
 London together in a post-chaise, a very expensive but 
 delightful mode of conveyance, as it enables one to stop 
 at any moment to examine an interesting spot ; to go fast 
 or slow, the speed being determined by the presents you 
 make to the postilion. We took about a month to go to 
 Edinburgh ; stopping, of course, at all interesting spots. 
 Our first day's visit brought us to Cambridge, where we 
 remained long enough to visit many beautiful and classical 
 spots. Among these, the most captivating is the beautiful 
 river Cam, with its grassy banks, flowing through the midst 
 of the colleges. 
 
 From Cambridge we went through Huntingdon, the 
 birthplace of Oliver Cromwell, to Derbyshire, and examined 
 all the wonders of that country, so interesting in a pic 
 turesque and geological view. Matlock is decidedly the 
 most attractive of these. Its precipitous mountains, deep 
 valleys, and romantic waterfalls, form pictures in which 
 nothing is wanting to satisfy the imagination. From Derby 
 shire we crossed the country to Liverpool, which was then 
 in an incipient state. We made no stay there, as there was 
 nothing interesting. But our visit was enlivened by the 
 occurrence of an extempore party. We met at tea or supper 
 about a dozen Englishmen, travellers, merchants, farmers, 
 country gentlemen. They seemed to be a good hearty set 
 
50 SKIDDAW AND SCROFFLE. [JET. 21-24. 
 
 of people. We soon got acquainted, and sat down together 
 as cordially as if we had been old friends. After a good 
 supper of beefsteak and coffee, the conversation became 
 very free ; and it was soon agreed that each man should tell 
 a story, sing a song, or pay a smart fine. This was carried 
 into full execution. Though many of the songs were not 
 very musical, they excited peals of applause proportionate 
 to the utter defect of any thing like music. From Liver 
 pool, we went to the celebrated Lakes of Cumberland and 
 Westmoreland. The waters of Windermere, Derwent, and 
 Keswick, exceeded every thing in picturesque beauty which 
 I have seen before or since. Near the south end of the Lake 
 of Keswick, there is a very perfect Druidical circle, I think 
 about a hundred feet in diameter. Every stone is sacredly 
 preserved in its place. At the other or northern end of the 
 lake is seen the mountain Skiddaw, which reminded me of 
 the versicle I used to read, when a child, in Colver's folio 
 account of England, in which he says the country people 
 about the Lake of Keswick know when a storm is approach 
 ing. The proverb is, 
 
 " If Skiddaw's top have a cap, 
 Scroffle wots full well of that," 
 
 Scroffle is a village on the opposite side of the lake from 
 Skiddaw. My recollection of this poetical proverb shows 
 the use of poetry in aiding the memory ; for, if this had 
 been written in prose, it probably would not have come 
 into my recollection so perfectly after .the lapse of fifty 
 years. 
 
 In the north of England, we passed through the city of 
 Lancaster, a small town, but very ancient, containing the 
 relics of a castle, where, for aught I know, John of Gaunt 
 was born. At Carlisle (which was the next considerable 
 
1799-1802.] EDINBURGH. 51 
 
 town, and, like all the English towns, very neat and beauti 
 ful, containing ancient stone churches, and surrounded by 
 mouldering stone walls) we met a gentleman who was going 
 to Scotland. Dr. Jones and myself, as is very common in 
 England, engaged a post-chaise with this stranger. Our next 
 and last day's journey from Carlisle to Edinburgh was one 
 hundred miles, to be performed in one day by post-chaises. 
 We set out, therefore, at two o'clock in the morning ; and, 
 without seeing any thing that made an impression on my 
 mind, we reached Edinburgh on the same evening, and were 
 landed at the George Hotel in the new town. Here I 
 remained a few days to look up lodgings ; and fortunately 
 found a very good room at Mrs. Burrill's, Beecher Place, 
 in the old town. My room was in the sixth story, or flat, as 
 they called it. It was a very large room, containing a niche 
 with a bed at one end. Here I lived very comfortably on a 
 quartern-loaf of bread, a mutton-chop, and potato cooked in 
 the Scotch way, which is very good ; tea, with bread and 
 butter, morning and night. The quartern-loaf lasted a 
 fortnight. I scarcely ever dined out ; had no fellow-lodger 
 but one American, Mr. Clay, of Virginia. He, though 
 a very pleasant man, was rather dissipated, and was out a 
 large part of the time ; so that we rarely came together, and 
 always took our meals apart. Very rarely, we had a meet 
 ing of the Americans and West Indians, which was generally 
 held in one of our rooms. There was, I think, no Northern 
 man there except myself; but a large number of Virginians 
 and South Carolinians. Most of the West Indians preferred 
 our society to that of the English or Scotch ; and some of them 
 were very good men, with whom I retained communication 
 through the greater part of my life. So far as I know, they 
 are all dead now. Once I dined at a great feast given by 
 the Scottish Whigs to Lord Erskine ; which was the first 
 
52 LECTURES AT EDINBURGH. [^T. 21-24. 
 
 great political dinner I ever attended. There was a great 
 deal of speech-making, and enough of eating and drink 
 ing. 
 
 The latter part of the time I was in Edinburgh, my 
 friend Roots came there ; and, Clay having gone, I took him 
 into our elevated apartment, and passed some weeks very 
 pleasantly with him. 
 
 My course at Edinburgh was to rise at eight in the morn 
 ing ; and, having breakfasted, to go to Dr. Gregory's lecture 
 at nine, Dr. Hope's chemistry at ten, John and Charles Bell 
 at eleven, infirmary at twelve, Munro's anatomy and sur 
 gery at one. I got home about three, and dined ; then passed 
 the afternoon and evening in writing off lectures : not the 
 whole of them, of course ; for that would be impossible. 
 But I took notes of all of them, and wrote off, first, infirmary 
 cases, of which I have quite a collection. 
 
1799-1802.] LEAVES EDINBURGH. 53 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1799-1802. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 EDINBURGH is undoubtedly the place for a student. Every 
 thing there is calculated for study. There is, however, lit 
 tle association between the students and the inhabitants ; 
 which is, of course, a great disadvantage to the former. On 
 the 4th of June, 1801, I left Edinburgh to go to Paris. 
 There being at that time war between Great Britain and 
 France, it was impossible to go direct to the latter country. 
 It was thought safe, however, to proceed to Holland, though 
 this country was under the power of France. I therefore 
 took passage in a supposed neutral vessel belonging to the 
 city of Papenberg, having for my companion a Virginian by 
 the name of Flournoy. The vessel was small ; and there was 
 but one berth for us, and that too short. There were no 
 other passengers but ourselves ; and the crew, being Dutch, 
 were not acquainted with the English- language. The 
 Dutch not being famous for fast sailing, we were a week in 
 crossing the North Sea ; living upon salt pork, beef, and 
 cabbage. One night, we suddenly found ourselves sur 
 rounded by a large fleet of ships of war, some of them of 
 the largest size. The captain directly knew it was a British 
 fleet, there being no other ships of war which could navigate 
 the ocean at that time. Our little vessel lay directly under 
 the stern of an immense line-of-battle ship of the first class ; 
 and the latter, being magnified by the obscurity, had a most 
 
54 HOLLAND. [&1. 21-24. 
 
 imposing appearance. They allowed us to pass, however; 
 and we arrived safely at Rotterdam, after sailing up the 
 Maese, through a country perfectly flat, and on a level below 
 our vessel. The novelty of the very clean, straight streets, 
 sometimes lined with trees, and a multitude of canals inter 
 secting the city in all directions, struck us very agreeably. 
 The air of cleanliness which pervaded every thing was par 
 ticularly displayed in the hotel, where we found a great 
 assemblage of people from various nations, French, Ger 
 mans, English, Americans. We soon made acquaintances, 
 and found ourselves very much at home. The next day, 
 visited a very large anatomical museum, which was shown 
 by a portly Dutch woman with perfect sang-froid. 
 
 From Rotterdam we went to the most famous cities in 
 Holland, Amsterdam, the Hague, Leyden, &c. In the 
 latter town, we called on the famous Professor Sandefort, 
 who showed us the anatomical collection of Ruysch, famous 
 for the most beautiful injected preparations which have ever 
 been made. 
 
 Here I bought a great collection of books ; for, going into 
 a bookseller's shop, when he found we were strangers (as he 
 readily did ; for we spoke no Dutch, but only French), he told 
 us, that, now the French had the mastery of Holland, his trade 
 was-at an end ; and he should be glad to sell as many books 
 as we could carry away, for a very little money. I ventured 
 to purchase of him, though without knowing how I should 
 ever get them out of the country, a large box of anatomical 
 works, principally plates, which I had packed up, and left 
 with directions to ship them for Boston the first opportunity. 
 The bookseller was highly delighted with his bargain ; and 
 I paid him, I think, about seventeen dollars for this boxful. 
 The books arrived safe home in due time ; and, being gene 
 rally in Latin, have been among the most useful in my library. 
 
1799-1802.] BRUSSELS. 55 
 
 From Holland we went into the Low Countries, particu 
 larly Antwerp and Brussels. The immense stone houses, 
 with court-yards, the windows barred with iron as strong as 
 our jails, presented a contrast to the buildings we had been 
 accustomed to in England and our own country. Antwerp, 
 formerly one of the great marts of Europe, was almost des 
 titute of inhabitants : a vast number of houses unoccupied, 
 many of which we might have purchased for a quarter part 
 of their original worth. In Brussels, I went once to the 
 theatre, and was much struck with the chivalric air of 
 the people ; which might, perhaps, be partly produced by my 
 imagination, when I brought to mind the wars of Charles 
 the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and the military operations 
 which that country had been the scene of from the time of 
 the Romans to the present day. 
 
 At Brussels it was necessary to get permission to go into 
 France ; and whether this could be obtained was a matter of 
 some uncertainty. It was necessary to undergo full exami 
 nation before the Prefect of the Department. So I took my 
 passports from home and from our minister in London (Mr. 
 King), and waited on the prefect. I found him to be a 
 Frenchman, good-looking, very keen ; dressed in a long 
 sky-blue frock, with morocco slippers. He turned over 
 my passports, took a thorough survey of me, and said 
 my papers should be ready at a certain hour. So, after 
 paying a small fee, I received them, and set out the next 
 day for Paris in a diligence. We were two or three days on 
 the route, travelling day and night with the same passengers 
 (about six on the inside) ; and passed through a great number 
 of famous towns, which had been rendered particularly 
 remarkable by the recent events of the French Revolution. 
 Among these was Cambray, with, its quadruple walls ; 
 Mons, where the French alarmed the inhabitants by floating 
 
56 BONAPARTE. [^T. 21-24. 
 
 balloons over their heads ; Lamear and Valenciennes, the 
 latter of which exhibited the destructive effects of the 
 French bombardment. We arrived in Paris in the middle 
 of the month of July, and landed at the Hotel de Boston, 
 Rue Yivienne, where I was at once at home among my own 
 countrymen. By the aid of my banker, Mr. Thomas Mel 
 ville, I obtained a place in the household of Dubois, after 
 wards Baron, then sole Surgeon of the Hospice de 1'Ecole 
 de Medecine, Rue de 1'Ecole de Me'decine, close to the 
 School of Medicine. This was a very fortunate place for 
 me, as it brought me into very intimate relations with half 
 a dozen students, as well as Dubois, and some French 
 gentlemen of his acquaintance ; particularly Bessieres, aid-de 
 camp of Murat (who was afterwards King of Naples), and 
 nephew of Marshal Bessieres ; Pougueville, and the savans 
 who had been in Egypt with Bonaparte. Both these gen 
 tlemen took a particular fancy to me. Bessieres afterwards 
 offered to carry me to the army, if I desired to see service. 
 Pougueville wrote an account of Greece, and instructed me, 
 for his own amusement, in the Italian language. He had 
 been in Greece and Egypt with Bonaparte, and spoke Greek 
 very fluently. He gave me, among other things, a song in 
 modern Greek, which he used to sing ; and the air, as well 
 as the song itself, I retain after the lapse of fifty years. 
 
 Bonaparte was at that time First Consul. Cambacers 
 and Le Brim were also consuls, but had no power. At 
 Dubois', we used to talk freely of his projects ; and the 
 opinion of some of them was, that Bonaparte would soon be 
 Emperor of the French nation. Dubois was of a different 
 opinion. He was a great friend of Bonaparte, from having 
 been with him in Egypt. He said, " Bonaparte has all the 
 power of emperor now ; and he has too much sense to alarm 
 the people by assuming the title." However, in four years 
 
1799-1 802. j PLAN OF STUDY. 57 
 
 after, he was actually Emperor. Dubois voted for him ; was 
 accoucheur to the Empress; Baron, and member of the Le 
 gion of Honor. 
 
 My plan of study in Paris was the following : Anatomy 
 and chemistry I determined to pursue till I got a thorough 
 knowledge of them. The foundation of chemical knowledge 
 I had laid in Edinburgh, by a close attention to a six months' 
 course of the best chemical lecturer in Europe, Dr. Hope. 
 By the aid of Dubois, I got admission to the lectures of 
 Vauquelin, who was, perhaps, the best chemist in France, 
 though certainly not the best lecturer. He had a small 
 private class of about forty, composed of first-rate men of 
 science and noblemen from all parts of Europe. I usually 
 sat close to Vauquelin, by the side of a Russian nobleman. 
 This course was two hours a day, every other day, for seven 
 or eight months. By its aid I was able to go into practical 
 and experimental chemistry, as soon as I returned to Boston, 
 in the Natural-Philosophy Society, which, by its apparatus, 
 the zeal of its members, and the necessity of lecturing on 
 different topics, gave me a very satisfactory acquaintance 
 with the subject. The changes and improvements in chemi 
 cal science which took place when I was closely engaged in 
 the practice of medicine were made with such rapidity, that I 
 was unable to follow them ; and, though I have done something 
 to supply the deficiency, I never expect to do it effectually. 
 
 As to anatomy, I began it anew under the direction of 
 Ribes, with the students of Dubois only. We took up the 
 Osteology of Gavard ; which is, I suppose, the best that has 
 ever been written. It is a thick octavo volume. This I 
 went through pretty thoroughly ; and learned, not only the 
 anatomy of the bones, but the mode of describing anatomi 
 cal subjects, of which I had no idea before. I attended also, 
 under the same roof, the old Capuchin Convent, which 
 
58 MANNER OF LIVING. [-ffiT. 21-24. 
 
 was the seat of our hospital and lectures, a course of 
 anatomy by Chaussier and Dupuytren. The former was the 
 author of the first scientific anatomical nomenclature. The 
 latter was just beginning to develop his talents. I recollect 
 remarking to him, that he spoke with great facility, and that 
 I understood him better than any other lecturer. He re 
 plied with a modesty quite peculiar, and which he certainly 
 got wholly rid of at a later period of life. 
 
 Dubois gave us a course of midwifery, and occasionally a 
 very beautiful lecture on anatomy. Besides these lectures, 
 I attended Dubois' clinique twice a week, his daily visit at 
 the hospital in which we lived, and the medical clinique of 
 Corvisart at the Charitd. After the winter courses were 
 over, I attended the lectures of the Jardin des Plantes. At 
 the head of the lecturers there was Fourcrois, a great 
 orator as well as chemist. Next to him was Cuvier, an 
 elegant lecturer, and destined to play the first part in the 
 science of comparative anatomy and paleontology. Des- 
 fontaines was considered the best lecturer on botany. Be 
 sides these, I attended some scattered lectures of Sabbatier, 
 whose anatomy was the favorite work of my father. At 
 Dubois', we rose, in the winter, in darkness, and scrambled 
 to the hospital, or else through mud and dirt to La Charitd. 
 The H6tel Dieu was too far off, and at that time in too bad 
 a condition, to be attended with advantage. At about nine, 
 A.M., we convened in the salle a manger, about half a dozen 
 of us, and, without sitting down, took, from certain shelves 
 placed around the room, our breakfast, consisting of bread, 
 cream, and a bottle of thin Paris wine. Then we went to the 
 lectures ; and had dinner with Dubois and his family at four, 
 P.M. The dinner was always, first, bouillon ; second, bouillie ; 
 third, some kind of roast meat and potatoes, followed by 
 cheese. In the evening, we had some wine, and bread and 
 
1799-1802.] FRENCH STUDENTS. 59 
 
 cheese, if we wished it. In the season of grapes, we had 
 this fruit instead of cheese ; never tea, coffee, chocolate, 
 or any thing of the kind. In the evening, we sometimes 
 went to the theatre ; but not more than two or three times 
 in the winter. Once I went to a grand masquerade, or bal 
 masque', at the opera-house. I was in a domino, with a mask. 
 While there, I was accosted by a judge in flowing red robes. 
 He was a Frenchman, but pretended to be an old acquaint 
 ance ; and, when I disclaimed this, he related a number of 
 personal incidents which he pretended had occurred in the 
 course of my life. And, indeed, he was perfectly correct ; 
 but where he got his information, I never learned. I had 
 scarcely got rid of the judge, when I was accosted by two 
 French ladies, elegantly dressed, who called me by name, 
 and entered into conversation ; from which, of course, I did 
 not retreat. I waited upon these ladies round, hoping to 
 discover in them some Parisian acquaintances. They invited 
 me to call at their hotel in Faubourg St. Germain ; but, soon 
 after, they slipped into the crowd, and I never saw more of 
 them. 
 
 The French students with whom I mingled were green 
 from the French Revolution. They were, for the most part, 
 a rude and vulgar set of people. Sometimes they behaved 
 in such a way that I resented it, and got into some pretty 
 serious quarrels. There were no English there, there being 
 war with England at the time ; and, in my hospital, no Ame 
 ricans ; so that I was obliged to look for aid among other 
 foreigners. The principal person who stood by me in these 
 troubles was a German by the name of Souveraires, of 
 Vienna. Ultimately, the French students learned not to 
 meddle with us ; and, from that time, we went on more 
 quietly and pleasantly. 
 
 My residence in the family of Dubois gave me a good 
 opportunity of becoming acquainted with the manners and 
 
60 VOYAGE HOME. [JST. 21-24. 
 
 feelings of the French. Conversation, with a little dancing, 
 occupied most of the time. Billiards were very common in 
 private families. What the French call petits jeux were 
 ingeniously varied, so as to afford an inexhaustible fund of 
 amusement. Wine and tea were scarcely ever seen in private 
 families or at private parties. In fact, tea was unattainable 
 for the most part. 
 
 The French resort, however, very much to public places, 
 spectacles. There was always a great deal going on which 
 served to amuse people who were very easily amused. I 
 went once to St. Germain, the ancient palace of the kings of 
 France ; once to Montmorenci, where I had an opportunity 
 of seeing the amusements of the country people. Near the 
 chateau was a beautiful grove of ten or a dozen acres, in 
 which were collected all the peasantry, male and female, of 
 the village. The women were dressed in their gayest clothes, 
 many with little straw hats and floating ribbons, others 
 without any covering for the head ; dancing, singing, making 
 all sorts of music, playing every variety of games. The 
 women bore the principal part in these entertainments. 
 
 At the end of summer, I left Paris for London, on the 
 way home. I passed about six weeks there, collecting books 
 and preparations ; and embarked for home on the 17th Octo 
 ber, 1802. The only ship I could find was a West-India 
 sugar-ship, called the " Richard." The accommodations 
 were excessively bad ; and the passengers, who were only 
 ten or twelve in number, very much crowded. Among them 
 were Colonel Gibbs, of R.I., with whom I was very much 
 acquainted ; Consul Lyman, father of William Lyman ; and 
 Mr. Yose, afterwards Dr. Yose, of Liverpool, who wrote the 
 account of the first successful operation of Sir Astley Cooper 
 on carotid aneurism. I met him again in Liverpool thirty- 
 five years after. 
 
 The voyage was fifty days long, dark, disagreeable ; the 
 
1799-1802.] VOYAGE HOME. 61 
 
 ship very dirty ; the fare very poor ; the passengers very 
 dull and frightened. A few of us passed the time gayly, 
 being rather amused with the irritability of the other pas 
 sengers. We had one exciting incident. About noon, one 
 day, we espied something at a great distance, which appeared 
 like a floating mast projecting from the water. As it lay out 
 of our course, the captain was unwilling to lose time in 
 looking at it. We prevailed on him, however, to alter his 
 course ; and, when we approached the object, we sent a boat 
 to it. The waves were so high, it seemed impossible for a 
 boat to ride safely in such a sea. The boat was absent some 
 time ; and not till it returned close to our ship could we 
 discover that it had taken in six human beings. It was a 
 small vessel from New Bedford, bound for the West Indies, 
 which had been capsized by a squall in the night. A number 
 of people were drowned. Six saved themselves by getting 
 on the bowsprit, which was the part projecting from the 
 water. They lived upon some bits of salt pork, which they 
 succeeded in cutting out of the forecastle ; and, when it 
 rained, they spread a blanket to catch the water, which they 
 afterwards sucked from it. Some of them stood in the 
 water all the time, so that their legs were ulcerated. As 
 soon as the boat touched the side of our ship, one man 
 mounted over the backs of the others ; and presently we saw 
 a tall negro fall down upon our deck. The crew was a 
 family party from New Bedford, the negro being their ser 
 vant and cook. The captain was quite an old man, with two 
 sons and one or two nephews. Our passengers were soon 
 occupied in getting them comfortable clothes ; and I had a 
 regular duty afterwards in dressing their wounds. One of 
 them called on me some time after my arrival home, and 
 thanked me. We arrived in New York on the 5th Decem 
 ber, 1802 ; and, the next day, I took passage in a Newport 
 
62 COMMENCES PRACTICE. [^T. 25. 
 
 packet, which, leaving New York at four in the afternoon, 
 sailed rapidly through the Sound, and reached Newport the 
 next morning ; which was thought very great. 1 landed 
 there, and made a visit to my fellow-student Senter ; then 
 went aboard a Providence packet, which brought me to 
 Providence at dark. There, hiring a stage-coach, we pushed 
 on to Boston, and reached the corner of School Street, where 
 my family lived, at midnight. I soon roused them, and 
 heard the voice of my old friend Dixwell demanding what I 
 wanted. 
 
 The next day was a jubilee in the family; and, for the 
 few following days, I was employed in making visits. I 
 found at home my friend William Tudor, who had been 
 with me in Europe ; and he introduced me to his family and 
 other friends, and among them Mr. Mason's family, with 
 whom I soon became much acquainted. My father had 
 suffered from an attack of paralysis some time before ; and, 
 though he had got over it pretty well, he required aid in his 
 professional duties. He was, at that time, probably in 
 greater practice than any other physician who was then, 
 or has been, in Boston. He had lately had with him Dr. 
 Shurtleff, who had got the run of his practice, and took off 
 a good deal of it. In a few days after getting home, I found 
 it necessary to begin practice, in order to afford some relief 
 to my father. Although well acquainted with the principles 
 of the medical art, I had gone very little into the details of 
 private practice ; my time having been necessarily devoted 
 to the elementary and scientific parts of the study of medi 
 cine. I recollect being very much puzzled on being sent to 
 a child in a fit, to determine exactly what dose of ipecac 
 to give as an emetic. I ultimately fixed on thirteen grains 
 for a child four years old. My father was quite amused that 
 I should have given exactly that dose, and seemed to con- 
 
1803-1805.] MARRIAGE. 63 
 
 sider it rather large for a child of four years. My father 
 having a very great practice in midwifery, many of these 
 cases fell to my lot among poor people. But, although it 
 was rather a dirty practice, it was gratifying to me to be 
 able to bestow my time on people who were disposed to 
 receive me favorably. In the course of that summer, I 
 was left with the whole practice, medical, surgical, and 
 obstetrical. At this time, I underwent many severe trials 
 from the great pressure, the want of the habit of practice, 
 and the unwillingness of many persons to confide in so 
 young a physician. In the autumn, I undertook the dis 
 sections for the lectures at Cambridge. In this I was quite 
 at home ; but the daily attendance at Cambridge, and the 
 time spent in dissections, interfered with another more 
 important business, the preparation for my approaching 
 marriage with Miss Mason, daughter of the gentleman 
 mentioned above. The marriage took place Nov. IT, 1808, 
 after a six months' engagement, and within a year of 
 my return from Europe, at the house of Mr. Mason, which 
 was the best house in Boston, and occupied the space where 
 Mr. Powell Mason's house now stands. In that house I 
 passed the first six weeks of married life, and then went to 
 Tremont Street, to the house belonging to Mr. Samuel Eliot, 
 where the Pavilion now stands. 
 
 At that period, I made sometimes fifty visits a day. 
 
 We passed the first year in Mr. Eliot's house, where 
 our eldest child was born, which lived about eighteen 
 months. It died of teething shortly after our removal to 
 Park Street, which was in October, 1805. My eldest daugh 
 ter, afterwards Mrs. Lyman, was born a few months after 
 our removal ; and the rest of my children successively at 
 intervals of about two years. 
 
64 POLITICS. [./Ex. 24-27. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 POLITICS OF 1802. 
 
 DURING this exciting period in the political world, 
 the subject of this Memoir took an earnest part in 
 public affairs. 
 
 It was a time when the vital interests of the coun 
 try were at stake; and no man of literary abilities 
 could be held excused from using his energies for the 
 welfare of his country. There were then only two 
 parties ; and each considered the other as traitors to 
 liberty. The Federalists were looked upon by their 
 adversaries as desirous of introducing monarchical 
 rule ; while their adversaries were considered, per 
 haps with more reason, as pursuing measures tending 
 to anarchy, mob-rule, a reign of terror, ending more 
 surely in despotism. 
 
 The younger Dr. "Warren, like his father, followed 
 the principles of Washington and Hamilton. In 
 England, he had been naturally rather inclined to 
 democratic, or at least to anti-aristocratic, principles ; 
 but in France, as he relates in his letter to his father, 
 he saw sufficient to cure him of any ultra-liberal 
 tendencies, had they existed. 
 
 In his Biographical Notes, he gives an account of 
 his political engagements as follows : 
 
1802-1805.] POLITICS. 65 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 In 1820, I was chosen a member of the State Convention 
 for amending the Constitution, and sat as a member three 
 months. This is the only political office I ever held ; although 
 I was very much concerned in the politics of 1798, in oppo 
 sition to the principles of the French Revolution. I wrote 
 a good deal on politics, and succeeded, with others, in get 
 ting up a military spirit ; in consequence of which, various 
 new military companies were formed, particularly the Boston 
 Light Infantry, of which I was an officer. 
 
 After returning from Europe in 1802, 1 joined the Cadet 
 Company, and officiated as a private ; was chosen surgeon, 
 and continue so to the present time (1849), having held the 
 office about forty years. 
 
 The politics of the country, after the time of General 
 Washington, assumed a character of which nobody of the 
 present day can form an adequate notion. The general 
 impression among the educated part of society was, that a 
 certain set of men were desirous of translating the French 
 Revolution to this country. Of course, with it was to come 
 the guillotine, the abolition of religious worship, and proba 
 bly also atheism. The Federal party, though in the mino 
 rity, were powerful in talent, property, and determination. 
 They breasted the popular current ; and finally succeeded 
 in diverting its course, although Federalism died in the 
 struggle. 
 
 Among the events of the day, in which I had some con 
 cern, was the shooting of Austin by Selfridge, in State 
 Street, at mid-day. Austin, the father, was editor of the 
 principal Jacobin paper, the " Independent Chronicle ; " 
 which, singularly enough, ultimately merged in a Whig 
 
 9 
 
66 SELFRIDGE AND AUSTIN. [vEx. 24-27. 
 
 paper.* It was the vehicle of abuse and denunciation. On 
 one occasion, I was denounced myself ; and, without con 
 sulting any one, went armed to the " Chronicle " office to 
 demand the name of the author. The name I could not 
 obtain ; but was never assailed afterwards in that paper. 
 On the other side, also, personal recriminations were some 
 times severe ; and many were directed particularly against 
 Mr. Benjamin Austin, the editor above alluded to. One of 
 these, which made heavy charges against him, was thought 
 or known to proceed from Thomas 0. Selfridge, a lawyer, a 
 college classmate of mine, a person of talents, but not very 
 much liked. Mr. Austin had a son who had just graduated 
 at Cambridge, a courageous young man, who did not 
 understand that his father could not have the privilege of 
 insulting other men, without drawing on himself an equiva 
 lent abuse. Young Austin, irritated by the sarcasms poured 
 on his father by Selfridge in the article alluded to, openly 
 declared that he should punish the author personally on the 
 first opportunity. Selfridge, hearing of this threat, armed 
 himself to repel the attack. The facts were so well known, 
 that public expectation was excited ; and a great number of 
 people were gathered together in State Street to gratify 
 their curiosity about the expected rencontre, and take part, if 
 necessary, in a general affray. At twelve o'clock, Selfridge 
 was on Change ; and, soon after, young Austin came down 
 with a good-sized stick, sought out Selfridge, and, as soon as 
 he discovered him, levelled a blow at his head. At the same 
 moment, Selfridge drew a pistol from his pocket, fired, and 
 Austin fell dead. Selfridge had received a severe contusion 
 on the forehead ; but, whether before or after the shot, no 
 one of the many present could ever satisfactorily testify. 
 Selfridge soon gave himself up for trial. I was called to 
 
 * The Boston Daily Advertiser. 
 
1802-1805.] A MOB. 67 
 
 examine his wound, and afterwards to give testimony at the 
 trial. Selfridge was ultimately acquitted ; and my testimony 
 was quite important in the case ; which led him to look upon 
 me as one of his special advocates, an honor which I did 
 not particularly covet. The Democratic, or, as it was then 
 called, the Jacobin or Antifederal party, stimulated by the 
 violent writings of Mr. Austin the elder, rose in mobs, made 
 processions through the streets, hung Selfridge in effigy, 
 and, it was thought, would ultimately hang him in person. 
 Notice was given that a great mob would be formed in 
 Charlestown on a certain evening, and, marching through 
 the North End, would be joined by a great body from that 
 quarter, and thence proceed to attack the house which Sel 
 fridge lived in, a boarding-house, situated in Howard 
 Street, where the so-called Howard Athenaeum now stands. 
 Selfridge, much alarmed, sent round to his friends to request 
 their aid in the protection of his residence and person. I 
 went there, and found only five gentlemen besides the people 
 in the house. The mob came, as was expected, through 
 Hanover Street ; and, when their appearance became very 
 threatening, I proceeded to the High Sheriff, Mr. Allen, to 
 demand a posse of officers to protect the house. He, being 
 of a timid character, declined interposing. I returned to the 
 boarding-house, and arranged with the other gentlemen, that 
 all the male servants of the house, five or six in number, 
 should, when the mob approached, be stationed on the steps 
 of the door, with lights. By and by, they came. At their 
 head was a bad-looking man, with a paper-cap on his head, 
 and a club in his hand. As soon as he came in front of the 
 door, one of the gentlemen (Mr. Tuttle), stepping out, seized 
 him by the collar, on one side ; I. did the same on the other ; 
 and, without ceremony, dragged him into the house, secured 
 the doors, and left the mob without their leader. They soon 
 
68 A DUEL. [JE'f. 24-27. 
 
 dispersed ; while we, on our part, sent for officers to secure 
 our victim, had him lodged in jail for the night, and got 
 home ourselves without broken heads. After this, the 
 excitement gradually calmed, and there were no more mobs. 
 Selfridge lived a number of years, but was never supported 
 or encouraged by the Federal party ; and he died consider 
 ing himself a sort of victim to the cause he had undertaken 
 to defend. 
 
 Another event in which I was engaged occurred some 
 time after. Mr. William Austin, of Charlestown, a nephew 
 of the editor, wrote a severe political personal article against 
 General Eliot, commanding-officer of the military in this 
 district, brother-in-law of Colonel T. H. Perkins, and always 
 forward in the support of Federal principles. The general, 
 meeting with Mr. Austin, struck him ; and a contest ensued, 
 in which it was thought Austin had the advantage. The 
 son of General Eliot, a spirited young man of two or three 
 and twenty, sent a challenge to Mr. Austin ; which was 
 accepted, and a meeting was arranged to take place on the 
 borders of Rhode Island. I was consulted about these pro 
 ceedings, and finally requested to go out as surgeon to Mr. 
 Eliot. Our party reached Providence in the evening, had a 
 pleasant supper, and the next morning, at four, proceeded to a 
 wood lying near the boundary of Massachusetts. Mr. Henry 
 Sargent was second to Mr. Eliot, and Mr. Charles P. Simmer 
 to Mr. Austin. The parties were placed at twelve paces 
 distant, fired together, and Austin was wounded in the 
 lower jaw. He said, however, he was ready for another 
 shot. They again took post ; and, on the second fire, Austin 
 was again wounded in the thigh. Both of the shots took 
 full effect ; but owing to the precaution of Mr. Sargent, who 
 made the charge rather light, from the apprehension that 
 Eliot, who was unaccustomed to firing, would fire too high, 
 
1802-1805.] POLITICS. 69 
 
 neither of the balls penetrated deep ; and thus another 
 catastrophe was happily averted. After the affair was over, 
 we got into our carriages, and drove to the first tavern in 
 the State of Massachusetts, on the way homeward. Here I 
 dressed the wounds of Austin, and he recovered without 
 any subsequent inconvenience. I was blamed by a few 
 persons for taking any part in such an affair ; but the great 
 mass of people at least, those whom I was accustomed to 
 associate with seemed to consider it right and necessary 
 under the circumstances of the times. In the present state 
 of public opinion, such a procedure would be thought very 
 objectionable. 
 
 The savage character of political feeling gradually ex 
 pired with the destruction of Robespierre and his ferocious 
 accomplices. The Federalists, finding their property and 
 persons were not to be assailed, became languid in their 
 efforts to overcome the opposite party ; and ultimately, in 
 the time of President Jackson, the two parties became fused 
 with each other. The old Democrats were neglected by 
 General Jackson ; many of the Federalists became Jackson- 
 ites ; and, the name of " Federalist " becoming extinct, that 
 of "Whig" was substituted. 
 
 Wholly occupied by professional pursuits, I took no other 
 part in the political squabbles of the day than to give my 
 vote, and sometimes a little money, for the support of what 
 I considered good government, and an onward movement 
 for the happiness of the people and the prosperity of the 
 country. I always opposed the Antislavery movement, so 
 far as I judged it contrary to the Constitution and to the 
 happiness of the negro population. On one occasion, I was 
 the Yice-President in a conservative meeting in Faneuil 
 Hall, which was called to express the public opinion in this 
 town on the violent proceedings of some antislavery persons. 
 
70 POLITICS. [JET. 24-27. 
 
 This was done, however, without any reference to opinions 
 and proceedings of the two great political parties.* 
 
 The Federal party were always strenuous supporters of 
 the central power of the United-States Government, in oppo 
 sition to the pretensions of the State Governments. In this 
 sentiment I always thoroughly concurred, from a belief that 
 the democratic character of our institutions would always 
 prevent any excessive increase of power in the central admi 
 nistration, and that the people would always support the 
 State Governments in opposition to the General Government. 
 Of course, the great danger of our political institutions 
 would lie from the assumption of authority by the State 
 Government, in any case where their particular interest 
 might seem to conflict with the general interest ; and that 
 thus the Union would ultimately be broken. Such a state 
 of things has actually arisen, in the attempt of South Caro 
 lina to nullify the laws of the United States. This was 
 successfully opposed by President Jackson ; but, had a 
 weaker man been in the government, the State would very 
 likely have made a successful opposition. This example 
 will be followed by others. 
 
 At a dinner at Mr. Josiah Quincy, jun.'s, which took 
 place some years after the administration of General Jack 
 son, a number of gentlemen of the first character being 
 present, the Honorable Judge Story, in an eloquent manner, 
 assailed the administration of General Jackson, particularly 
 his disposition to oppose the acts of the other branches of the 
 government, and his vetoing certain bills ; also his strenu 
 ous determination to have a metallic .currency. 
 
 * On a subsequent occasion, Dr. Warren presided at the great Union meeting, 
 in Faneuil Hall, in 1850, called to express the opinions of all parties opposed to the 
 disunion of the States. His speech on this occasion is given in another place. 
 
1802-1805.] POLITICS. 71 
 
 After the honorable judge had concluded his remarks, 
 which were very severe, I ventured to make a reply, and to 
 show what he himself must allow that the great dan 
 ger in our political condition arose from the opposition of 
 the States to the General Government ; that this danger had 
 been increased by the introduction of the democratic princi 
 ple, so called (but, in reality, an aristocratic principle) ; of 
 the non-sociability of the States, in consequence of which an 
 individual can have no redress, in cases of oppression, from a 
 State Government. The doctrine had been uniformly main 
 tained by the most eminent Federalist statesmen, that there 
 could be no possible danger, under our government, of a 
 tyrannical and arbritrary use of power by the United-States 
 Executive, to an oppressive extent ; that General Jackson's 
 determination to enforce a specie-currency, however incon 
 venient it might be temporarily, was a measure which history 
 would recall as a judicious and necessary proceeding. 
 
 The judge replied to my remarks, of course ; and all 
 Whig company, being opposed to General Jackson, assented 
 to the judge's remarks. On this I said, in conclusion, that 
 I was sorry to find that all the old Federalists present had 
 adopted Democratic principles, and I alone remained to 
 vindicate the good old Federal party. This brought on a 
 laugh, and the conversation subsided. 
 
72 NATURAL-PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY. [>ET. 25. 
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING his professional and political labors, 
 Dr. Warren found time to engage in other pursuits, 
 of a literary and scientific nature. Soon after his 
 return from Europe, he was invited to become a mem 
 ber of a private society for the study of natural phi 
 losophy, founded in 1801 by Dr. Kirkland, Judge 
 Davis, and others. The members lectured in turn ; 
 and it must doubtless have been of great advantage 
 both to Dr. Warren and Dr. Jackson, who prepared 
 the chemical lectures, in aiding to give them a facility 
 in lecturing. 
 
 Some account of this society, which is frequently 
 referred to in the Biographical Notes, may be consi 
 dered interesting. 
 
 It was to be confined to ten members ; the number 
 not to be increased without the consent of the whole. 
 These members consisted of John Davis, William 
 Emerson, Nathan Frazier, James Jackson, John Snel- 
 ling Popkin (then pastor of the church in Federal 
 Street), Josiah Quincy, Timothy Williams, John 
 Quincy Adams, and John Lowell. To these were 
 added, the subsequent year, John C. Warren and 
 John C. Howard. 
 
1803.] NATURAL-PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY. 73 
 
 A large sum was liberally raised for the purchase 
 of apparatus and books. By the regulations, some 
 book on natural philosophy was to be selected, from 
 which a portion was read at every meeting ; and this 
 was followed by discussion. The members also deli 
 vered lectures upon such subjects as each deemed best 
 suited to his taste or his powers. It was voted that 
 one of the members should give a lecture of an hour 
 long at each meeting of the society. 
 
 March 24, 1802. "The Committee met, and pro 
 ceeded, according to law, to make choice of lecturers 
 for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were 
 appointed ; viz., Judge Davis, Dr. Kirkland, Dr. 
 Jackson, Dr. Howard, Mr. Channing, Mr. Higginson, 
 John C. Warren. 
 
 " Dr. Kirkland signified his acceptance of the office 
 of lecturer, and agreed to give six lectures on astro 
 nomy. Judge Davis agreed to lecture on some branch 
 of natural history, probably botany. Mr. Polluck 
 agreed to lecture on entomology, unless the society 
 should prefer experimental philosophy. Mr. Polluck 
 engaged for five lectures. Dr. Jackson accepted the 
 office of lecturer, and engaged to treat on the follow 
 ing subjects in chemistry ; viz., those included in the 
 seventeen first articles of Henry's " Epitome of Che 
 mistry," on which he agreed to give ten lectures in 
 the winter course. Dr. Warren engaged to give ten 
 lectures on that branch of natural history composed 
 of human and comparative anatomy and physiology. 
 
 " Mr. Higginson accepted the office of lecturer, and 
 
 10 
 
74 NATURAL-PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY. [^Ex. 25. 
 
 engaged to give five lectures on mechanics, in the 
 summer course." The President agreed to give ten 
 lectures on botany. Dr. Howard agreed to give five 
 lectures on chemistry. 
 
 In this society, Dr. Warren took for one of his 
 subjects an analysis of the water of Boston. He 
 found that such an analysis had been already at 
 tempted by Monsieur Feron, a friend of Dr. John 
 Warren, who belonged to the French army or navy. 
 He bestowed much time on this subject; and pre 
 sented to the society, in so striking a light, the 
 impurities of their well-water, as to make a perma 
 nent impression upon the minds of some of them. 
 For himself, he says, he never ceased to think on the 
 subject, and to speak of it as opportunity presented. 
 About the year 1820, he procured a petition to the 
 Legislature for bringing in water, which was signed 
 by the principal part of the physicians in Boston. 
 Mr. Patrick T. Jackson offered at that time to bring 
 in the water by a company formed by himself, provid 
 ed the City Government would give him the manage 
 ment and the profits of it. They refused; and the 
 citizens were destined to wait thirty years longer for 
 this copious source of health and comfort. Dr. 
 Warren attended various meetings on this subject; 
 wrote a number of articles ; was once before a Com 
 mittee of the Legislature ; and finally attended the 
 celebration of the commencement of the works at 
 Lake Cochituate, and its consummation in Boston on 
 the 25th of October, 1848. 
 
1803.] MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY CLUB. 75 
 
 This society continued in existence until July or 
 August, 1807 ; when the principal part of the appa 
 ratus was sold to the Boston Athenaeum, and the 
 proceeds divided among the members. The greater 
 part of the chemical apparatus was taken by Dr. 
 Gorham, a newly elected member : other members 
 took the remaining articles. 
 
 Among other objects of attention in this society 
 was the observation of the great eclipse, in 1806, by 
 Drs. Jackson and Warren. 
 
 In 1803, also, Dr, Warren became a member of the 
 Monthly Anthology Club, a society of more public 
 and general utility, and more permanent in its results, 
 than the former. The "Monthly Anthology" was 
 commenced and conducted by.Phineas Adams for six 
 months, but unsuccessfully, as far as profit went. 
 Messrs. Munroe and Francis, the well-known publish 
 ers, applied to Rev. William Emerson; by whose 
 exertions the ablest literary men in Boston were 
 engaged in its support, and formed themselves into a 
 society. Among its members were the highly gifted 
 Buckminster, whose early death was so much la 
 mented ; William Smith Shaw, who took so ardent an 
 interest in the formation and progress of the Athe 
 naeum, and was for many years Librarian ; Dr. Kirk- 
 land, Rev. Samuel C. Thacher, Peter C. Thacher, 
 and others. 
 
 The work was conducted with great ability for six 
 years, and ten volumes were published. As justly 
 said by President Quincy, it " may be considered as a 
 
76 BOSTON ATHENJEUM. Mr. 25, 26. 
 
 true revival of polite learning in this country, after 
 that decay and neglect which resulted from the dis 
 tractions of the Revolutionary war ; and as forming 
 an epoch in the intellectual history of the United 
 States." 
 
 It was much to the honor of this small body of men, 
 originally fourteen, that they did not pause in their 
 labors, or content themselves with their magazine 
 alone. A reading-room was required for the wants 
 of the literary public ; and this was soon instituted by 
 their exertions. To this was subsequently added a 
 library, and liberal donations from the members. 
 Their earnest labors caused it to increase rapidly. 
 There were six good circulating libraries in Boston. 
 The Boston Library had been established in 1794; 
 and it probably was supposed it would answer the full 
 purpose of a circulating library for the time. The 
 original object of the Anthology Club, therefore, was 
 to establish a reading-room, and library of reference. 
 From this beginning arose the Boston Athenseum. 
 It may be worthy of remark, that the original found 
 ers of the Athenaeum were content with a plain 
 building of the least possible pretensions ; centrally 
 situated, indeed, where the Savings Bank of the Town 
 of Boston afterwards stood. It was intended for 
 the use and resort of studious literary men, and the 
 kernel only was considered of value: little regard 
 was paid to the shell. Books were not allowed to 
 circulate until 1826. 
 
 Dr. Warren was co-editor of the " Anthology ; " 
 
1803-1806.] MEDICAL SOCIETY. 77 
 
 but his increasing professional occupations seem to 
 have prevented his taking an active part in the affairs 
 of the Athenaeum. In fact, owing to the death of 
 some members, and the increasing business occupa 
 tions of others, its management was left pretty much 
 for many years to Mr. Shaw, to whose zeal and labors 
 this institution is very greatly indebted, and to whom 
 President Quincy has done justice in his History of the 
 Boston Athenaeum. 
 
 About this time, also, Dr. Warren and Dr. Jackson 
 formed a private medical society for mutual improve 
 ment, in conjunction with Drs. Dixwell, Coffin, Bui- 
 lard, Shattuck, and Howard. This society met once 
 a week, on Thursday afternoon ; medical papers were 
 read, and medical discussions took place. This society 
 continued five or six years ; and the members remained 
 together until death removed all in succession, except 
 Drs. Jackson and Warren. From this society, and 
 principally from the exertions of the two last men 
 tioned, sprang the Boston Medical Library, a very 
 useful institution, but finally absorbed by the Athe 
 naeum. 
 
 This society met once a week at each other's houses 
 successively. Each, in turn, produced a medical pa 
 per, which was discussed by the members. They 
 published various medical articles. A certain physi 
 cian having become extremely obnoxious to the 
 medical profession by his proceedings and writings 
 in regard to various men and various subjects, and 
 who had been considered uniformly successful in his 
 
78 FRIDAY-EVENING SOCIETY. [JET. 28. 
 
 numerous newspaper controversies, they determined 
 to follow him, notwithstanding his great tact in this 
 course. They accordingly met him in the newspapers, 
 and turned upon him his own weapon, ridicule ; by 
 which they finally drove him out of the field. Their 
 articles were published in the " Repertory," edited by 
 Dr. Park, which afterwards merged in the " Daily 
 Advertiser." Dr. Warren wrote an article on the 
 cow-pock, or vaccine, intended to oppose and ridicule 
 the appellation " kine-pock," which Dr. pro 
 posed to substitute for that of " cow-pock," the Eng 
 lish name. Dr. Warren endeavored to show how 
 ridiculous it was for a person in this country to pre 
 tend to alter a name given by its founder, then in 
 Europe ; to show also the absurdity of substituting a 
 plural number for a singular: and that the proper 
 nomenclature was easily derivable from the Latin 
 name of cow ; viz., vacca. Then the fluid inoculated 
 would be vaccine fluid, the disease vaccine, the verb to 
 vaccinate, and the inoculation itself a vaccination. 
 
 From that time, Dr. 's " kine-pock " began to 
 
 fall into neglect, was soon thrown out by medical men, 
 and is now altogether disused, except by a few persons 
 in New England. 
 
 The Improvement Society lasted a number of years. 
 Dr. Warren wrote many papers during its existence, 
 and particularly one on the cholera of infants, with 
 dissections. 
 
 About 1806, a Friday-evening Society was formed, 
 having a social character ; that is, having a supper. 
 
1806.] AMERICAN ACADEMY. 79 
 
 The members read, in turn, some article on a scientific 
 subject. There were about eight members of this 
 society, among whom were Colonel George Gibbes ; 
 President Holley ; Dr. James Jackson ; Rev. Joseph S. 
 Buckminster, who was also a member of the Antho 
 logy Club ; the Honorable Benjamin Vaughan, of 
 
 Hallowell ; a Portuguese philosopher, Don ; and 
 
 Francis C. Gray. This society lasted five or six years. 
 Strangers were constantly in the habit of attending the 
 meetings. 
 
 When the " New-England Medical Journal " was 
 set on foot, a weekly meeting, composed of Drs. Jack 
 son, Channing, Bigelow, Gorham, and Warren, was 
 formed ; to which were ultimately added Dr. George 
 Hayward and Dr. John Ware. Papers were brought 
 forward, read, and criticized, at this meeting; and 
 measures for carrying on and improving the " Jour 
 nal" were discussed and adopted. 
 
 About this time, an effort was made to get up 
 meetings of the American Academy for scientific 
 discussions ; the meetings having till that time had 
 merely a business character. A number of meetings 
 were held, some of them in a room in the State 
 House. But they ultimately fell through, and were 
 not renewed till about the year 1845, since which 
 they have met for social and conversational purposes 
 monthly during the winter. 
 
 When Dr. Wistar was in Boston, about the year 
 1806, he came to the Friday-evening Club at Dr. 
 Warren's. He was so much pleased with the pro- 
 
80 AMERICAN ACADEMY. [JE>T. 28. 
 
 ceedings, that, on his return to Philadelphia, he set 
 out to form a similar society. This has continued 
 until the present time ; but has now lost the scientific 
 part of the arrangement, and is a social meeting, 
 comprising very large numbers of the most distin 
 guished individuals. 
 
1806.] MEDICAL SOCIETY. 81 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 THE Massachusetts Medical Society was established in 
 1781, with power to elect officers, examine and license 
 candidates for practice, hold estate, and perform all 
 the other actions, and possess the liabilities, of a body 
 corporate, for ever. 
 
 In the following year, after several preparatory 
 meetings, by-laws were enacted ; a common seal was 
 chosen ; and Edward Augustus Holyoke, who died in 
 1829, at the age of one hundred, was chosen Presi 
 dent. The society, at first limited to the number of 
 seventy, was afterwards enlarged, so as to embrace, if 
 they desired, all respectable practitioners in the State. 
 The objects of the society were to regulate the prac 
 tice of medicine in the Commonwealth, elevate the 
 character of the profession, and raise the standard of 
 medical education. 
 
 They published a collection of papers, forming one 
 number, in the year 1790; but want of funds pre 
 vented their proceeding with further publications, 
 until the energy of several newly added members gave 
 a fresh impulse some thirteen or sixteen years after. 
 Dr. Warren was admitted into the Medical Society 
 
 11 
 
82 MEDICAL SOCIETY. [vET. 28. 
 
 in 1803, and immediately began to interest himself 
 earnestly in its welfare ; he and Dr. Jackson stimu 
 lating the members to write, and undertaking the 
 labor of publication. 
 
 In June, 1806, he communicated to this society a 
 history of a wound of the femoral artery, containing 
 some particulars of much interest. 
 
 A lad of fourteen, attempting to leap a fence, fell 
 upon the pickets ; one of which, half an inch in 
 thickness, entered the upper part of the thigh. The 
 blood flowed in a torrent, and he became insensible. 
 He was revived by stimulating applications. 
 
 When seen by Drs. John and J. C. Warren, the 
 next day, the hemorrhage had not returned. Arrange 
 ments were made to arrest it on the instant, if it should 
 return. He seemed for some days to be going on w^ell ; 
 but, on the twenty-ninth (the fifteenth day after the 
 accident), the blood suddenly burst out while he lay 
 in bed. In two minutes the compress was applied, 
 and the bleeding arrested. He lost about a pint of 
 blood. It being determined to tie the artery, com 
 pression was removed ; but, to the surprise of all, the 
 artery did not bleed. On the next day, many bleed 
 ings occurred, but were suppressed by the attendants. 
 It was resolved to tie the femoral artery in the groin. 
 About twelve ounces of blood were lost during the 
 operation. 
 
 On the fifth day, a small gangrenous spot appeared ; 
 and, the day following, there was extensive separation 
 of the cuticle, partial coldness of the limb, small 
 
1806.] CASE OF HERNIA. 83 
 
 pulse, &c. On the seventh day after the operation, 
 there was fresh hemorrhage, which recurred at inter 
 vals ; and, in the evening, he died. 
 
 Dr. Warren draws three inferences from the case : 
 1. That the patient might have been saved, if the 
 operation had been resorted to before the repeated 
 hemorrhages had taken place. 
 
 2. That obstruction to the femoral artery, especially 
 above the profunda, cannot always be produced with 
 out danger to the limb. 
 
 3. When nature has been left to operate the cure, 
 and the hemorrhage is suspended, it will be a long 
 time before the patient can be considered safe. 
 
 This history is valuable, also, as showing how far 
 the efforts of nature will sometimes go in arresting 
 dangerous hemorrhage. The patient in this case, 
 though confined to his bed, was restless and turbulent ; 
 and neither he nor his parents could be made to real 
 ize his danger. It is probable, that, could perfect 
 stillness have been enforced, a cure might have been 
 effected by nature. Opium was directed, to keep him 
 quiet for the operation. This was the first case of 
 ligature of a large artery, after an accident, per 
 formed here. 
 
 In the following year (1807), he contributed an 
 account of a case of strangulated hernia, one of 
 the most remarkable cases, if not the most remarkable, 
 he says, of any which he ever performed. The patient 
 lived many years after, in good health. 
 
 In 1805, Dr. Warren and Dr. Jackson were ap- 
 
84 MEDICAL SOCIETY. [^ET. 29. 
 
 pointed a Committee, by the Councillors of the Mas 
 sachusetts Medical Society, for the composition of a 
 pharmacopoeia for the society's use. The work was 
 finished, and the manuscript presented to the Coun 
 cillors in June, 1807 ; and was ordered to be printed 
 under superintendence of the Committee. 
 
 Before this publication, monstrous anomalies in the 
 preparation and names of medicines existed in this 
 State. By the aid of a very extensive catalogue of 
 corresponding names, they introduced a correct no 
 menclature, and presented to physicians and apothe 
 caries a uniform mode of preparation. It cost them a 
 year's labor. It was finished and laid before the 
 Councillors in June, 1807; and printed the year fol 
 lowing. 
 
 " It was favorably received here and elsewhere, and 
 was brought into general use. Its leading objects 
 were to introduce a systematic nomenclature of medi 
 cal substances, in conformity with the improvements 
 in modern chemistry ; to simplify medical prescrip 
 tions, by omitting obsolete and useless formulae of 
 foreign pharmacopoeias ; to bring into notice several 
 indigenous articles in common use in some of our 
 larger towns ; to procure uniformity in the prepara 
 tion and administration of medicines ; in a word, to 
 act as a convenient manual for the physician and 
 apothecary. And these objects were happily at 
 tained." * 
 
 * Dr. Alden's Discourse, 1838. 
 
1805-1808.] VACCINATION. 85 
 
 The practice of vaccination had been introduced in 
 this country as early as 1800. 
 
 So much mismanagement, however, prevailed in 
 regard to it, that it was found necessary to correct the 
 practice by some authority that could be relied upon. 
 On the 3d of February, 1808, a Committee was 
 appointed by the Massachusetts Medical Society to 
 " inquire into the present state of the evidence respect 
 ing the prophylactic power of the cow-pock, and to 
 report such measures as they may find to be expedient 
 for establishing the practice on a safe foundation." 
 
 On this Committee were appointed Dr. John War 
 ren, who had always taken an ardent interest in the 
 subject ; Aaron Dexter, James Jackson, and John C. 
 Warren. 
 
 The Report was read on the 1st of June, 1808. It 
 consisted of about fifty closely printed pages, going 
 into an elaborate examination of the evidence upon 
 the subject, and presenting, in the end, four resolu 
 tions, which embody in a compact form results, from 
 the validity of which nothing has since occurred to de 
 tract. They contain all that is now known upon the 
 subject ; and the proper rules of action, from which 
 subsequent experience has shown no reason to deviate. 
 Controversies have since arisen as to the validity and 
 permanence of vaccination: but nothing has really 
 been shown to invalidate the opinions and rules con 
 tained in these resolutions, that those who undergo 
 the cow-pox are as perfectly protected as those who 
 have had the small-pox ; and that it is better to re- 
 
86 MEDICAL LECTURES. [JEl. 30. 
 
 vaccinate, in order to insure the certainty of the first 
 vaccination. 
 
 It cannot be said that cow-pox is a better preserva 
 tive against the disease than small-pox itself; or 
 that it may not recur in some cases after cow-pox, as 
 well as after small-pox. 
 
 In 1805, Dr. Warren removed to No. 2, Park Street ; 
 where he continued to reside for the rest of his life, 
 a period of over fifty years. During this year, he 
 took a room over Mr. White's apothecary store (then 
 No. 49, Marlborough Street), and gave public demon 
 strations in anatomy for the established physicians of 
 Boston. They were resorted to by nearly all the 
 younger part of the Boston Faculty. 
 
 In 1806, he was chosen Adjunct Professor in Ana 
 tomy and Surgery with his father ; and this situation 
 he held until the death of Dr. John Warren in 1815, 
 when he was chosen Professor in his place. 
 
 Dr. John Warren, while surgeon of a military hos 
 pital in Boston in 1780, had commenced the first 
 course of anatomical lectures ever delivered in New 
 England ; and, the following year, they were attended 
 by the students of Harvard College. In 1783, Presi 
 dent Willard proposed to him to accept the office of 
 Professor of Anatomy, which office was created in refe 
 rence to him ; and he furnished a plan for a medical 
 school, which was adopted. It is now a difficult 
 matter to conceive the interest and attention with 
 which a body of students, who were eager to avail 
 themselves of advantages then rare, listened with 
 
1808.] MEDICAL POLICE. 87 
 
 delighted attention during an extempore lecture of 
 over two hours. Those who enjoyed this privilege 
 describe the senior Warren as very eloquent. 
 
 One of the most important medical institutions to 
 which Drs. Jackson and Warren contributed their aid 
 and support an institution invaluable for the har 
 mony and union it has promoted for fifty years among 
 the medical men of Boston is the Boston Medical 
 Association. 
 
 This association was formed in 1806. In the fol 
 lowing year (1807), the Standing Committee, consist 
 ing of John Warren, Lemuel Hayward, and John 
 Fleet, were directed to propose a code of medical 
 police for the regulation of the members. They 
 reported the following year ; and their Report was 
 adopted May 1, 1808. 
 
 The object of this report and the regulations is to 
 produce good feeling, honorable conduct, and a high 
 sense of moral feeling ; and to prevent all unfair 
 constructions and interferences among the mem 
 bers. 
 
 They encourage consultations in difficult and pro 
 tracted cases, enforce the value of time and punctu 
 ality, recommend measures for avoiding the slightest 
 attempts to depreciate the character of any other 
 physician, and urge the necessity of avoiding any 
 such inquiries or hints as may weaken the confidence 
 of patients in those they employ. 
 
 The Committee condemn appeals to the public in 
 case of differences among physicians ; show that both 
 
88 MEDICAL POLICE. 
 
 parties injure themselves by such appeals ; and recom 
 mend measures for their private settlement when they 
 occur. 
 
 The use of quack medicines is forbidden to each 
 one ; or of any secret nostrum, even of his own inven 
 tion : " for, if it is of real efficacy, the concealment is 
 inconsistent with beneficence and professional libera 
 lity ; and, if mystery alone gives it value and impor 
 tance, such craft implies either disgraceful ignorance 
 or fraudulent avarice." 
 
 A fee-table is established ; and, while gratuitous 
 services to the needy are urged, wealthy physicians are 
 discouraged from omitting to charge those able to 
 pay, as this is an injury to their medical brethren. 
 
 Seniority is to be determined by the period of public 
 and acknowledged practice of the physician in the 
 town. 
 
 The Eeport bears the strong impress of the physi 
 cian whose name is at the head of the Committee, by 
 whom the preamble was undoubtedly written. 
 
 The code thus adopted has formed the basis of 
 medical conduct in Boston for fifty years past. It has 
 been cheerfully adhered to by the whole medical fra 
 ternity in this city, and has regulated the conduct of 
 members towards each other and towards their patients. 
 
 To the observance of this code, the profession are 
 indebted for the great harmony which has prevailed 
 among them, and, indeed, throughout the State ; for it 
 has shed its influence over the Medical Society of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
1808.] BOSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 89 
 
 In 1850, arrangements were made for dividing the 
 Massachusetts Medical Society into district societies, 
 subject, as branches, to the control of the parent soci 
 ety. In virtue of the by-laws formed for this purpose, 
 the Suffolk District Medical Society, which includes 
 Chelsea with Boston, took its origin. 
 
 As it was composed of nearly the same medical 
 men as the Boston Medical Association, though under 
 different officers ; and as the interest of the members 
 was kept up by stated meetings, forming, in fact, a 
 society for mutual improvement, the existence of the 
 Boston Medical Association was endangered. It was 
 thought by many that the new society might take its 
 place. Holding annual meetings, and for business 
 only, the interest of the members had died away. Dr. 
 Mason Warren, however, interested himself in the 
 matter ; and, by personal application to many of the 
 members, succeeded in arousing their attention to the 
 value of an association which had so strongly promoted 
 the union and good-fellowship of the large body of 
 physicians who composed it ; an association which 
 had the prestige of established rules, and of some 
 antiquity. He was appointed chairman of a Commit 
 tee, consisting of Drs. N. B. Shurtleff, John W. War 
 ren, jun., and himself, for revising the rules and 
 regulations. Dr. Jackson gave his concurrence and 
 able assistance, contributing an Introduction. By his 
 aid, and that of others, this valuable institution was 
 rescued from dissolution, and has since continued in 
 efficient action. 
 
 12 
 
90 MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. [yET. 31. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1809, Dr. Warren read a paper upon orga 
 nic disease of the heart before the Councillors of the 
 Massachusetts Medical Society, which was afterwards 
 published. It was a subject which had then received 
 little attention in this country or in England. In 
 France, Corvisart and others were devoting much 
 attention to it. Dr. Warren gives ten cases of a good 
 deal of interest, exemplifying the symptoms of this 
 disease, and the differences between this and hydro- 
 thorax. The first case is one of particular interest, as 
 that of a Governor of the Commonwealth who died 
 the previous year, and whose death was doubtless 
 hastened by the anxieties of office. 
 
 These cases may be considered interesting upon 
 another account. The researches of Laennec did 
 not introduce auscultation until nearly ten years after 
 this time ; and although some physicians had been in 
 the habit of applying the ear to the chest, and even 
 Hippocrates is said to have done so, the sounds were 
 not marked and systematized, nor was much reliance 
 placed upon them. Since the introduction of ausqulta- 
 tion, so much has been written upon it, that it may 
 well be doubted, whether, in the brilliant glare of a 
 new discovery, other means of diagnosis have not been 
 too much neglected. It is well, therefore, sometimes 
 to go back to observations which were made before 
 the introduction of this method, when the older phy 
 sicians were obliged to depend entirely upon other 
 symptoms for diagnosis. Dr. Warren's cases are 
 related with a clearness and simplicity that render 
 
1808-1809.] DISEASES OF THE HEART. 91 
 
 them interesting. His maxims with regard to value 
 of time applied also to words. He never used unne 
 cessary verbiage, or attempted a minuteness of descrip 
 tion which darkened the subject. He always described 
 in forcible language, and with as few words as pos 
 sible. 
 
 Dr. Warren has given, in a portion of his Biogra 
 phical Notes, an interesting account of the circum 
 stances which gave rise to this communication. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 In the year 1808, 1 was called to attend Governor Sulli 
 van, who was then Democratic Governor of this State. He 
 had from early youth been affected with epilepsy. Notwith 
 standing this affection, with which he was often attacked in 
 public places, he became one of the most eminent men of his 
 time as a lawyer and orator. He distinguished himself also 
 as an author, having written a valuable account of the Dis 
 trict of Maine. His sons, four in number, were early 
 friends of mine, and have continued so. I suppose it was 
 owing to their influence that I was desired, though just 
 beginning practice, to attend the Governor of the Common 
 wealth. 
 
 He was subject to frequent attacks of cough and difficulty 
 of breathing, followed by copious expectoration of mucus, 
 and frequently of blood in quantities. He had, also, violent 
 palpitations of the heart, and great shortness of breath on 
 going up stairs. Under one of these paroxysms, his life 
 seemed to be in danger ; and I requested my father to see 
 him in consultation. Among some remarks which he made, 
 he dropped a suggestion of a derangement of the heart. 
 
92 DISEASES OF THE HEART. [JEt. 30, 31. 
 
 The moment he spoke the word, the whole subject flashed 
 upon my mind. In 1801 and 1802, I had attended the 
 lectures of Corvisart in Paris. He examined many bodies 
 before us, used percussion, and pointed out organic changes 
 in this organ. Amidst a multitude of other concerns, this 
 account of diseases of the heart had slipped my mind, but 
 was revived in the way I have mentioned. In England, the 
 subject was so entirely unknown, that a patient in Guy's 
 Hospital, dying of hypertrophy, or, as Corvisart called it, 
 aneurism of the heart (the largest I have ever seen), was 
 thought by the celebrated Dr. Saunders to have died of 
 hydro thorax. The body was not examined by the physi 
 cians, but was left to me, who was a surgeon's pupil, and 
 had no right to do it. With the aid of my friend Seriter, I 
 examined it, and got out this enormous heart, which is now 
 preserved in the museum of the Medical College. 
 
 The symptoms of organic disease of the heart were not, 
 indeed, unknown ; but they were attributed generally to 
 other causes than derangement of the heart itself. I studied 
 Governor Sullivan's case very carefully, and immediately 
 discovered all the symptoms mentioned by Corsivart and 
 some others. It so happened, that, at that period, there 
 occurred a train of the most remarkable cases of heart affec 
 tion which I have ever had the opportunity of witnessing. 
 In consequence of this, I felt myself encouraged to speak of 
 them, with a view of explaining and introducing a know 
 ledge of this disease. The Governor's illness made a great 
 noise, from the very peculiar state of parties at the time. 
 Of course, there was much conversation about this notion 
 of organic disease. All the older physicians, except my 
 father, ridiculed this " organic fancy," as Dr. Danforth 
 called it. 
 
 In the month of December, 1808, the Governor died, with 
 
1808-1809.] DISEASES OF THE HEART. 93 
 
 full symptoms of organic disease of the heart. Permission 
 was given to examine the body thoroughly ; and I in 
 vited the principal physicians in town, most of whom came. 
 Among them were Drs. Danforth, Rand, Jeffries, Dexter, 
 my father, and Dr. James Jackson. I proceeded to examine 
 the body with tremulous confidence, knowing that some of 
 the gentlemen present held a different opinion, and confi 
 dently expected I should fall into disgrace and ridicule. 
 
 In the examination, I proceeded to point out the swelled 
 limbs, purple visage, edematous eyelids, the water in the 
 thorax and abdomen, congested lungs, all of which belonged 
 to the train of organic changes. But the heart was yet 
 untouched. I then stated that the heart would be found 
 enlarged, the left cavities increased in capacity, and the 
 origin of the aorta, with its valves, ossified to a considerable 
 degree. I then made a small aperture in the left ventricle, 
 which was full of coagulated blood ; and, passing the finger 
 into its cavity, sought for the aortic aperture. This was 
 very much contracted, and surrounded by a bony ring ex 
 tending through the aorta to the valves. The heart was 
 enlarged, and its cavities extended ; the parietes thickened. 
 The other gentlemen examined successively, and were all 
 satisfied of the change of structure. 
 
 The subject was soon after illustrated by the appearance 
 of Corvisart's work in this country. In England, the know 
 ledge of these complaints became more slowly diffused than 
 here ; but, since that time, they have been very much 
 studied, and are now well understood. Since that time, 
 also, percussion and auscultation have been generally intro 
 duced. 
 
 At that time, we supposed, or, at least, I did, that all con 
 firmed organic diseases of the heart were necessarily fatal. 
 But, after a few years' experience, I began to see that pa- 
 
94 SPOTTED FEVER. [i&r. 3?. 
 
 tients might recover under proper management ; and, of 
 late years, it has been rare for me to see a patient die of this 
 disease. The course of treatment I have found successful 
 is the following : 
 
 I. Diminution of food. 
 
 II. Abstinence from animal food and all stimulants. 
 
 III. A mild mercurial course continued for a year. 
 
 IV. Counter-irritation over the cardiac region. 
 V. Small bleedings from the arm. 
 
 VI. Mental and bodily tranquillity. 
 
 In 1806, a disease of peculiarly fatal character 
 appeared at Medfield, in this State, and was known 
 under the name of " spotted fever." It prevailed in 
 the high land of Worcester County ; afterwards came 
 to Cambridge, and in some degree to Boston. The 
 eruption, says Dr. Warren, was perfect, was magnifi 
 cent. It had the form and aspect of the spots of a 
 leopard, in some cases. The disease was called a cold 
 fever ; and the pathological phenomena consisted in 
 congestion of the brain and lungs. All the diseases 
 of the period were impregnated with, and bore the 
 stamp of, this affection. 
 
 Hot external applications in the beginning, bleeding 
 in the re-active stage of the disease, and cordials in 
 the advanced stages, were employed. The Medical 
 Society appointed Drs. Welch, Jackson, and Warren 
 to draw up a Report upon this disease. Circulars 
 were addressed to every Fellow of the Society, and 
 to other reputable physicians in whose vicinity it had 
 prevailed, requesting answers to a list of questions 
 
1810.] MEDICAL SCHOOL. 95 
 
 which were proposed. Communications were re 
 ceived in reply from twelve persons, all Fellows of 
 the Society. Dr. Warren made many post-mortem 
 examinations, the results of which were incorporated 
 in the Report. 
 
 " Before the appearance of this pamphlet," says 
 Dr. Alden, in his Address to the Massachusetts Medi 
 cal Society in 1838, " the treatment had been, in many 
 cases, empirical, and of course, in those instances, 
 prejudicial. Active stimulants, opium, brandy, and 
 steaming, were too often indiscriminately used ; and 
 it was the opinion of intelligent and cautious observ 
 ers, that not a few of the individuals attacked died of 
 the remedies rather than of the disease. After a full 
 and careful investigation, it turned out, as might have 
 been anticipated, that the disease was a highly con 
 gestive form of fever, varying exceedingly in its type, 
 in different places and seasons, and requiring, like 
 other forms of fever, an eclectic, rather than a spe 
 cific, mode of treatment." 
 
 This Report was made to the society, June 20, 
 1810. 
 
 In 1810, the Professors succeeded in obtaining the 
 removal of the Medical School to Boston. At the 
 time Dr. John Warren commenced lecturing, it was 
 necessary to cross by a ferry to Cambridge ; or, in 
 stormy weather, to ride round nine miles, through 
 Roxbury. Cambridge Bridge, erected in 1786, facili 
 tated the route : but still it was found a serious evil 
 for a physician in full practice to ride daily to Cam- 
 
96 MEDICAL SCHOOL. [-&T. 32. 
 
 bridge and back ; and, as most of the pupils resided 
 in Boston, it was equally inconvenient to them. There 
 were also some objections made to under-graduates 
 attending the lectures intended for medical students, 
 as had been the previous custom. One of the senior 
 professors resided at Cambridge ; and this had, pro 
 bably, delayed the removal. 
 
 These objections, however, were finally overruled 
 or compromised, on the condition that lectures should 
 also be given in Cambridge. 
 
 The hall over Mr. White's store was fitted up as 
 well as circumstances admitted, and the lectures were 
 given here for several years. As the number of pu 
 pils increased, the accommodations were found insuffi 
 cient ; and great exertions were made, particularly by 
 Drs. Warren and Jackson, to provide a more ample 
 arrangement. Application was made to the corpora 
 tion of Harvard University for their aid in enlarging 
 an establishment which was, in fact, their property. 
 They agreed to apply to the Legislature for a grant of 
 ten thousand dollars a year for ten years ; with the 
 condition, that, if this was obtained, the sum of twenty 
 thousand dollars should be advanced for the building 
 of a new college. By the aid of this provision (which 
 gave three thousand dollars a year to Williamstown, 
 and three thousand to Amherst), they succeeded re 
 markably well in obtaining this grant. The principal 
 labor was done by Dr. Jackson and Dr. Warren. 
 They applied to the members of the Legislature indi 
 vidually and personally ; wrote pamphlets, and articles 
 
1810.] MEDICAL SCHOOL. 97 
 
 in the newspapers ; and omitted no honorable means 
 to obtain the desired object. By the grant of this sum, 
 the University was relieved from the great pressure 
 under which it then labored. Great assistance was 
 obtained from the Honorable John Lowell, of the cor 
 poration, and from President Kirkland. A lot of land 
 was purchased, and a very substantial building erected 
 and opened in 1815. Dr. John Warren, who had 
 taken a very ardent interest in this matter, and given 
 it every aid, did not live to see it completed. 
 
 13 
 
98 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. [>ET. 33. 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 MEDICAL AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 THE Medical School being fairly established in Bos 
 ton, the next object was to obtain for the students the 
 advantages of clinical instruction. As there was no 
 Hospital, the Alms-house was the only place where the 
 poor could be received, or diseases observed by medi 
 cal pupils. 
 
 The old Alms-house in Boston stood on Park Street, 
 together with a Workhouse and Bridewell, and a Gra 
 nary. In 1800, a new Alms-house was built in Leverett 
 Street. The professors solicited the privilege for the 
 Medical School, of attending there. This was given, 
 on the condition that the physician should attend gra 
 tuitously, and supply the sick with medicines. This 
 was done for a number of years by Dr. Warren and 
 Dr. Jackson, the former taking the surgical de 
 partment, and the latter the medical. 
 
 In the mean time, they began to exert themselves 
 to interest the public, and especially the wealthy men 
 of the town, in the erection of a Hospital, to be con 
 nected with the School of Medicine. Dr. John War 
 ren had already addressed a letter to Governor 
 William Phillips, to interest him in this matter ; and 
 
1811.] LEGACIES. 99 
 
 Mr. Phillips ultimately agreed to give twenty thousand 
 dollars, as appears by the following letter : 
 
 Letter from Governor Phillips. 
 
 BOSTON, July 81, 1810. 
 
 SIR, I am impressed with the importance of the subject 
 upon which we have repeatedly conversed, that of esta 
 blishing in this town an hospital for the reception of lunatics 
 and other sick persons. To place such an institution in a 
 respectable and permanently useful situation, a large sum 
 will be required. I will engage to pay to the Overseers of 
 the Poor of the town of Boston, twenty thousand dollars, so 
 soon as one hundred and fifty thousand dollars shall have 
 been subscribed, for the erection of such an hospital, and one 
 hundred thousand dollars of said sum actually paid to said 
 Overseers, provided the inhabitants of the town of Boston 
 shall discharge me from their demand against me, as the 
 executor of my late honored father's will, for five thousand 
 dollars, which he bequeathed to said town toward the build 
 ing a hospital ; as it is my intention that said legacy be 
 included in said sum of twenty thousand dollars. 
 
 With respect and esteem, 
 
 I am, sir, 
 
 Your humble servant, 
 
 WILLIAM PHILLIPS. 
 
 JOHN WARREN, M.D. 
 
 A Circular was prepared and signed by James 
 Jackson and John C. Warren, in which the want of a 
 hospital, and its advantages over an alms-house, are 
 very forcibly urged. However good may be the 
 arrangements of such an institution, there are very 
 serious evils which seem inseparably connected with 
 
100 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. [JET. 33. 
 
 an alms-house. " Most especially they suffer from the 
 want of good nurses. In the alms-house, they are 
 selected from among the more healthy inhabitants ; 
 but, unfortunately, those who are best qualified will 
 always prefer more profitable and less laborious occu 
 pations elsewhere. It must, then, be obvious, that 
 the persons employed as nurses cannot be such as 
 will conscientiously perform the duties of this office." 
 The Circular goes on to show, in a forcible manner, 
 the importance of a medical school in New England, 
 and the absolute necessity of a hospital to a medical 
 school. 
 
 This paper, which has been republished in Mr. 
 Bowditch's history of the hospital, was drawn with 
 great ability, and was well deserving of being rescued 
 from the oblivion of a transient circular. The same 
 reasoning which applied then may apply again. It 
 probably has not yet been found possible to render 
 alms-houses the most unexceptionable places for the 
 treatment of the sick poor ; and the same want which 
 existed in 1810, when there was no hospital, may 
 exist again in the city or the state, when there is only 
 one hospital, and over six times the amount of popu 
 lation. 
 
 Application was also made to J. Perkins ; Colonel 
 Thomas H. Perkins ; David Sears ; William, Richard, 
 and George Sullivan. All these gentlemen, and some 
 others, exerted themselves ; a spirit of liberality was 
 excited in our community, and the way prepared for 
 opening a general subscription. These and other 
 
1811.] LEGACIES. 101 
 
 gentlemen called on every respectable individual in 
 Boston, and obtained a sum of more than one hundred 
 thousand dollars. This was increased by a donation, 
 by the Legislature, of the Province House, the 
 ancient habitation of the Governors of this State, 
 which was sold for fifty thousand dollars; and, in 
 1818, the foundation of the hospital was laid by a 
 Masonic fraternity, on the 4th of July. The east 
 wing was first built, then the centre, and afterwards 
 the west wing. 
 
 During the lapse of a few years following, legacies 
 poured in from every quarter; and ultimately two 
 additional wings and a kitchen completed the edifice 
 as it now stands (1849). Some of these legacies 
 were obtained partly through the influence of Dr. 
 Warren. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Truro, a Jewish gentleman, having 
 met with a bad fracture in being thrown from his 
 chaise, experienced a fatal mortification of the leg. 
 Dr. Warren was requested to inform him of his 
 approaching fate, and invite his attention to his will. 
 On doing this, he proposed to him to contribute to 
 the hospital, to which he gave ten thousand dollars ; 
 and to the Humane Society, to which he gave five 
 thousand. 
 
 Dr. Warren was instrumental also in interesting 
 Mr. John McLean in behalf of the hospital, he 
 having a favorite servant under the surgeon's care in 
 that institution, Mr. McLean bequeathed one hun 
 dred and twenty thousand dollars to the hospital ; in 
 
102 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. 
 
 recognition of which, his name was affixed to the 
 Asylum at Charlestown (now Somerville). From the 
 character of those who had charge of the hospital, 
 who were persons of enlarged views, and mostly of 
 liberal education, the establishment assumed a dif 
 ferent character from that of other similar institutions. 
 In cleanliness, and in the perfection of its arrange 
 ments generally, it has surpassed every other esta 
 blishment of the kind in this country and in Europe. 
 Dr. Warren originally subscribed four hundred dol 
 lars ; and, when the building was enlarged, five 
 hundred more. Subsequently, he gave a thousand ; 
 the interest to be appropriated to the purchase of 
 religious and moral tracts for such sick persons and 
 convalescents as were able to read them. The distri 
 bution appears to have been faithfully accomplished, 
 and is said to have done, and to be still doing, much 
 good. 
 
 While Trustee of the Humane Society, he proposed 
 to them to give their superfluous funds for the sup 
 port of free beds in the hospital. This was done, 
 and the donation continued for many years. 
 
 To the active practitioners of the present day, the 
 phrase " College of Physicians," as applied to any 
 New-England institution, must be entirely new. The 
 idea of such an institution having ever existed, is pro 
 bably long since forgotten. 
 
 It is now so long since the controversy on this 
 subject passed away, that it may be regarded as mere 
 matter of history ; and, as such, there can be no harm 
 
1811.] COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. 103 
 
 done by alluding to it. The history of the past is 
 useful; and it is better to have facts related upon 
 authority, rather than vague traditions, which may 
 be used for bad purposes, whenever an individual or 
 a class rise up so to apply them. 
 
 On the twelfth day of February, 1811, a petition 
 was presented to the General Court of Massachu 
 setts, signed by twelve well-known physicians. The 
 sentiments here set forth appear plausible and well 
 intended. They, however, involve a fallacy. " Two 
 stars keep not their motion in one sphere ; " and two 
 medical societies, holding equal privileges, could not 
 exist harmoniously together. Jealousies and rivalry 
 must ensue. As it is short, it may be given in 
 whole : 
 
 THIS PETITION MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH, That seeing 
 health is a blessing which sweetens all our enjoyments; 
 and long life that which all men naturally desire ; so every 
 thing that tendeth to secure the one, and leadeth to the 
 other, is an object worthy the attention of this Legislature. 
 
 And considering, moreover, that, of the various methods 
 of obtaining and diffusing medical knowledge, not one is 
 found so effectual and desirable as a friendly and liberal 
 intercourse and honorable associations of its professors ; more 
 especially when their end and aim is nrntual improvement 
 and the public good ; and experience has proved that two 
 literary and scientific societies produce more than double 
 the advantage of one. 
 
 Influenced by these sentiments, we your petitioners pray 
 the Honorable Legislature to constitute us, and such as 
 may hereafter associate with us, a body politic and corporate, 
 by the name and title of the Massachusetts College of Phy- 
 
I 
 
 104 MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. [JEl. 33. 
 
 sicians ; with such powers, privileges, and immunities as 
 other medical associations, of the like nature and views, 
 enjoy, under the same denomination, in several States of 
 the Union. 
 
 And your petitioners shall, &c. 
 
 An account of this controversy is given as follows 
 in the Biographical Notes : 
 
 The connection of the professors with the Medical Soci 
 ety enabled them to unite the force of that body to that of 
 the Medical School, for the advancement of medical science. 
 
 Before that time, the Medical Society uniformly opposed 
 
 the progress of the Medical School. Drs. and other 
 
 original members professed an opinion, that the Medical 
 School should not interfere with the license to practise 
 medicine. On this ground arose the first dispute. 
 
 At length the gentlemen alluded to left the society ; and 
 the existing generation composed of such men as General 
 Brooks, Dr. Fisher of Beverly, and others united with 
 them, in order to form a solid union, and to prevent the 
 collision of separate bodies. The professors, some years 
 after, proposed a set of articles providing for the examina 
 tion of all medical students for practice by a joint Board. 
 The proposal, though perfectly fair, excited some jealousy ; 
 and the plan was abandoned, never to be revived. The 
 society lost the opportunity of influencing all the medical 
 examinations, and of basing them on principles which were 
 sound and practicable. They also lost a large number of 
 licentiates ; as young men naturally preferred the medical 
 degree of the University to a mere license to practise. 
 
 No loss of good feeling, however, was experienced upon 
 the part of the society : on the contrary, the professors of 
 the Medical School continued to labor for the society, and 
 were for some time its most active members. 
 
1811.] COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. 105 
 
 A great excitement was produced by the effort on the 
 part of a few physicians to get up a medical institution, 
 independent of the Medical Society and the Medical School, 
 combining the powers and privileges of both. They were 
 to be authorized to give lectures, confer degrees, and to 
 regulate, like the Medical Society, the practice of the pro 
 fession generally. 
 
 The profession, the society, and the Medical School, op 
 posed these measures. Political feeling would, however, 
 have carried the proposed institution, but for the following 
 circumstances : First, eight or ten physicians, of the Demo 
 cratic party, voted with the Federalists. Second, the 
 speaker (Honorable Judge Story) , partly from his personal 
 acquaintance with the individuals of the Medical School, 
 and partly from seeing the inconvenience and injustice of 
 the plan, was led to take a decided part against it. This 
 gave me an opportunity of addressing him in a pamphlet of 
 some length, styled a " Letter to a Republican Member of 
 the House of Representatives." This letter was distributed 
 to every member of the whole government, beside pushing 
 it into every part of the community. 
 
 The third circumstance above alluded to was the personal 
 application of the members of the Medical School, with Dr. 
 John Warren at their head, who was also President of the 
 Medical Society at that time. They waited on the greater 
 part of the members of the General Court of both parties, 
 and conversed with them individually. 
 
 The members were also invited to attend the lectures in 
 Maiiborough Street, where they became acquainted with 
 the Medical School, and imbibed an interest in it, which led 
 to the grant of the sum of money, elsewhere spoken of, to 
 the University. 
 
 A Committee of the society and of the Medical School, 
 
 14 
 
106 COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. [JET. 34. 
 
 with Dr. John Warren at their head, supported by General 
 Brooks, Drs. Dexter, Townsend, Childs of Pittsfield, Kit- 
 tridge of Andover, and the large body of the most respecta 
 ble veteran members of the profession, met the Committee 
 of the House of Representatives in the Senate Chamber. 
 They were addressed by most of the gentlemen above named, 
 and by others. 
 
 The conference was quite imposing. The chamber was 
 crowded with spectators ; and the venerable character of 
 the opposers of the memorial, or petition, altogether produced 
 a strong impression. Dr. Jackson and myself were pre 
 sent to supply the materials for their seniors to work with. 
 The subsequent discussions in the Senate and House were 
 violent, but highly favorable to the Medical School. The 
 community took deep interest in the affair. The debates 
 were protracted for a week or ten days, during which no 
 other business was done. 
 
 On the question being taken, there were two hundred and 
 nine in favor of the memorial, and two hundred and eigh 
 teen against it. A reconsideration was moved by the 
 minority for the next day, which was carried ; and, in 
 the mean time, the memorialists scoured the country, and 
 brought in some additional votes, diminishing the majority : 
 but this majority, though small, being quite decided, the 
 affair was considered settled; and great was the joy of 
 the Medical School. 
 
 If the result had been different, there would have been 
 two medical schools at this day in Boston ; and the conse 
 quence would have been, that qualified persons, in successful 
 business, would have declined the chairs, and they would 
 have been filled for the most part by young aspirants, who 
 labored for money only, and who would have quitted an un 
 profitable concern as soon as they found they could do better. 
 
1812.J WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 107 
 
 The results of this combat were, on the one part, a suc 
 cessful medical school ; on the other, the elements of a 
 hostility which showed itself whenever it could do / so with 
 effect. Among the fruits of the latter was an interference 
 in getting subjects, which was very unpleasant. The con 
 troversy was carried on with great warmth in the news 
 papers of the day. 
 
 No further attempt was made to get up a second medical 
 school until many years after. 
 
 A very important and interesting society, of which 
 Dr. Warren has given no account, and in which he 
 held office, was the Washington Benevolent Society, 
 formed about the year 1812. 
 
 The preamble to their Constitution describes the 
 subscribers as having associated for the " purpose of 
 giving advice, assistance, and information to such 
 American citizens as may stand in need thereof." 
 
 After expressing their admiration of the singular 
 ability and pure intentions with which the measures 
 of government had been conducted under the gui 
 dance of George Washington, and alluding to the 
 commercial and general prosperity produced, and 
 the respect acquired among foreign nations by those 
 measures, they refer to the dangers which may arise 
 from a corrupt administration, and from the evil 
 designs of ambitious men, who will attempt to mis 
 lead the understandings and inflame the passions of 
 the people. These designs can be counteracted only 
 
108 WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. [^E'f. 34. 
 
 by honest zeal in the cultivation of public intelli 
 gence, animated by public virtue. 
 
 " We hold it to be always a right, and sometimes a 
 duty," they say, " to assemble and deliberate upon the 
 state of public affairs, to acquire and to impart know 
 ledge, and to increase the ardor of our patriotism by 
 the warmth of our social attachments. 
 
 " We will use our best endeavors to support the 
 Constitution of the United States in its original pu 
 rity ; to have the government administered with 
 fidelity, wisdom, and ability ; to oppose all encroach 
 ments of democracy, aristocracy, or despotism ; to 
 maintain the Constitution of the Commonwealth ; 
 and, with all our strength, to oppose the establish 
 ment of any usurped power therein." 
 
 Besides the obligation to exert themselves for the 
 due administration of government, and for advancing 
 the general welfare, they declare the object of the 
 society to be, to supply the wants and relieve the 
 sufferings of unfortunate American citizens within 
 the sphere of their personal acquaintance. " To 
 keep constantly awake our feelings of compassion ; to 
 inspire us with a confidence that.we should ourselves 
 receive assistance from our brethren, if, by any unfore 
 seen calamity, we should be reduced to distress ; and 
 to increase our means of doing good to our fellow- 
 men, we have formed ourselves into a society." 
 
 The qualifications for membership were a good 
 moral character, and a firm attachment to the Consti 
 tution of the United States. Each member was to 
 
1812.] WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 109 
 
 pay two dollars upon his admission to the society, for 
 the purpose of forming a fund for the objects men 
 tioned. 
 
 This society, it will be observed, was formed about 
 the commencement of the war of 1812, when pro 
 perty of all kinds was entirely uncertain. The 
 embarrassments of commerce, or the depreciation of 
 public stock, might at any time reduce the wealthiest 
 individual to beggary. Eeal estate even was not 
 secure from the invasion of a foreign foe, and dangers 
 might be apprehended even from the violence of 
 .party mobs. The insurrections of Shays and others 
 were still fresh in the minds of most men. Not only 
 buildings might be burnt, but the records of property 
 might be destroyed. The history of this society itself 
 affords a striking instance of the insecurity of all 
 investments. 
 
 It was therefore peculiarly appropriate to the cir 
 cumstances of the time, to form a society, the members 
 of which should be bound, not only to constant exer 
 tions for the support of order and good government, 
 but also to assist each other in case of unexpected 
 reverses. 
 
 General Arnold Welles, who was closely connected 
 with the family of Dr. Warren both by the ties of 
 marriage and of friendship, was the first President. 
 Among the Vice-Presidents w r ere William Sullivan, 
 Honorable Josiah Quincy, John C. Warren, and Ben 
 jamin Russell. The Honorable John Welles was 
 Treasurer. Lemuel Shaw, Esq., was Secretary. 
 
110 WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. [JE'r. 34. 
 
 The society was first known by the name of the 
 "Washington Association." Their Annual Meeting 
 took place upon the 22d of February, and they had 
 an oration in honor of Washington. Soon after, the 
 name was changed ; and it was determined to fix 
 upon the 30th of April the anniversary of the 
 inauguration of the first President for a public 
 celebration ; probably because that season of the year 
 was better suited for parade and display. The Gover 
 nor, Lieutenant-Governor, and staff, the clergy, the 
 Government of Harvard College, and all who held 
 places of honor and distinction, were invited person 
 ally to attend. Among them we find the names of 
 Caleb Strong, Christopher Gore, John Brooks, Isaac 
 Parker, John T. Kirkland, James Freeman, William 
 E. Channing, and Joseph S. Buckminster. The 
 Boston Light Infantry, the Winslow Blues, and the 
 Washington Artillery, volunteered their services. 
 
 They assembled in the State House, and, preceded 
 by the Infantry Companies, marched in procession to 
 the Old South Church. Banners were provided, 
 having for their mottoes, " Independence," " Union of 
 the United States," "Commerce," "Peace," "National 
 Glory." One hundred youths followed, dressed in 
 uniform, decorated with wreaths and garlands, each 
 bearing upon his breast a small but elegant copy of 
 Washington's Legacy. The Washington Artillery 
 brought up the rear. An oration was delivered by 
 the Honorable William Sullivan; and odes, written 
 for the occasion, were sung. 
 
1812.] WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Ill 
 
 There was an earnestness and reality in such a 
 celebration in those days. Military pomp was not 
 mere show. The soldiers were men who might soon 
 be called upon to sacrifice their lives for their families 
 and hearths. Additional solemnity was given to the 
 procession by the attendance of the large body of 
 distinguished men, a few only of whose names have 
 been given above. It was a time when it might be 
 feared, with just reason, that not only the principles, 
 but the very name, of Washington might be brought 
 into contempt by the extent of democratic principles, 
 and the popular furor in favor of a rival and suc 
 cessor. 
 
 Societies were speedily formed, upon the same 
 model, in the other towns of New England, and soon 
 extended even to the Southern cities. One of the 
 earliest was in Portsmouth, in which we find the name 
 of Daniel Webster, as one of a Committee to mature 
 resolutions for forming a Constitution upon the model 
 of that of Boston. Others were formed in Cambridge, 
 Charlestown, Plymouth, and shortly after in Balti 
 more, and other cities at the South. These societies 
 embraced all the leading men of the Federal party. 
 In February, 1814, we find the number of the mem 
 bers of the Boston Society, initiated and paid, to be 
 sixteen hundred and forty-seven. 
 
 These societies held no ulterior or secret views : to 
 support the Federal Constitution, to honor the name 
 and preserve the principles of Washington, to sup 
 port the State Governments, and to assist the destitute, 
 
112 WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. [J5x. 34. 
 
 were the sole objects of their association. Although 
 these men had exerted themselves with all their 
 powers to avert the war of 1812, yet it was proved by 
 subsequent events that they were the most prompt 
 in defence of their native land, and the first to appre 
 ciate the services of those military and naval officers 
 who won honor for themselves and their country by 
 the faithful discharge of their duties. 
 
 In September, 1812, the society sent a vote of 
 thanks, accompanied with a letter of congratulation, 
 to Isaac Hull, late commander of the " Constitution " 
 frigate, on occasion of his brilliant victory over the 
 British frigate " Guerriere." In December of the 
 same year, similar marks of approbation were sent 
 to Stephen Decatur, on occasion of his " glorious " 
 victory over the " Macedonian ; " and to Captain 
 Jones, of the sloop " Wasp," for his brilliant victory 
 over the sloop " Frolick." 
 
 The reply of Hull was as follows : 
 
 BOSTON, Sept. 12, 1812. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, I have had the honor to receive your ad 
 dress of the 10th September, covering the vote of the 
 Washington Benevolent Society of Massachusetts, on the 
 capture of the British frigate " Guerriere " by the " Con 
 stitution," under my command. 
 
 To receive the approbation of a society composed of so 
 respectable a portion of the citizens of the third city in the 
 Union, and through a channel so highly respectable as your 
 Committee, is to me flattering in the highest- degree; and I 
 should be wanting in gratitude were I not to acknowledge 
 the honor done me. 
 
1812.] WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 113 
 
 Permit me therefore, gentlemen, through you, to make 
 known to the society, of which you are members, my feelings 
 of gratitude ; and I pray that they may be assured, that if 
 my feeble efforts have contributed towards the advancement 
 of a naval establishment, or have in any way been service 
 able to my country, I feel that I am more than compensated 
 by the strong testimony I have received from my fellow- 
 citizens of their approbation. 
 
 Accept, gentlemen, my warmest thanks for the very 
 friendly and polite manner in which you have been pleased 
 to communicate to me the vote of the society, and my best 
 wishes for your individual health and happiness. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with great respect, gentlemen, 
 Your obedient, humble servant, 
 
 ISAAC HULL. 
 
 (Addressed) ARNOLD WELLES, WILLIAM SULLIVAN, 
 FRANCIS J. OLIVER, HENRY PURKITT, Esquires. 
 
 Decatur's answer is more concise : 
 
 NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 1813. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, Your favor of the 10th of December, 
 enclosing the vote of the Washington Benevolent Society, 
 has been received. It is highly gratifying to me to know, 
 that, in the discharge of my official duty, I have been 
 thought to merit the approbation of such a distinguished 
 body. I beg you, gentlemen, to accept the assurance of my 
 warmest gratitude for the very flattering sentiments con 
 tained in your letter. 
 
 I have the honor to be 
 
 Your most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 STEPHEN DECATUR. 
 
 (Addressed) ARNOLD WELLES, WILLIAM SULLIVAN, 
 FRANCIS J. OLIVER, HENRY J. PURKITT, Esquires. 
 
 15 
 
114 WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. [jET. 34. 
 
 The following is the reply of Commodore Brain- 
 bridge to a similar communication : 
 
 UNITED-STATES FRIGATE " CONSTITUTION," 
 BOSTON HARBOR, Feb. 27, 1813. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, I have received your communication , en 
 closing the vote of thanks from the Washington Benevolent 
 Society of Massachusetts to myself, and the officers and crew 
 of the United-States frigate " Constitution," for capturing 
 the British frigate " Java." To receive the applause of so 
 numerous and highly respectable body of our fellow-citizens 
 for having done merely our duty, cannot be otherwise than 
 grateful to our feelings, and will stimulate our exertions to 
 future deeds. 
 
 For the friendly sentiments, gentlemen, which you, as a 
 Committee, have expressed towards myself and other officers 
 of the navy, please to accept my thanks, and best wishes for 
 your happiness. 
 
 I am very respectfully yours, 
 
 WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. 
 
 (Addressed) General ARNOLD WELLES, WILLIAM 
 SULLIVAN, Esq., FRANCIS OLIVER, Esq., Colo 
 nel DANIEL MESSENGER, Dr. JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 It is an illustration of the precarious condition of 
 all property at this period, that no safer investment 
 of the funds of the society could be found, than in the 
 notes of those members who were considered perfectly 
 responsible. The trust was declined by most of the 
 members; and those who accepted it, did so from, a 
 sense of duty, and to their own loss: so that, even 
 under the management of one of the ablest financiers 
 in Boston, a large sum was lost by the unexpected 
 
1812.] WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 115 
 
 failure of a firm whose notes were held by the Trea 
 surer. 
 
 As the society increased in numbers, the celebra 
 tions grew more and more brilliant every year. 
 General Welles, Josiah Quincy, E. T. Channing, 
 Timothy Bigelow, successively delivered the ora 
 tions. 
 
 i 
 
 The most brilliant celebration, and probably the 
 last, took place upon the anniversary succeeding the 
 peace. The standard of the rising generation was 
 borne and supported on this occasion by four hundred 
 youths in uniform, decorated with wreaths and gar 
 lands, and each bearing upon his breast, as on pre 
 vious occasions, an elegantly bound copy of Wash 
 ington's Legacy. The address was delivered by the 
 Rev. Horace Holley. 
 
 The society held together a few years longer ; but 
 the dangers, which had given it its origin and sup 
 ported its vigor, had disappeared. Its objects seem 
 fully to have been attained. The name, if not the 
 principles, of Washington, grew, and still grows, in 
 esteem more every year. Individuals of all parties 
 and opinions combine to render it respect; and to 
 speak lightly of his name, is to incur universal cen 
 sure. The Constitution, also, has been held in honor ; 
 has stood severe shocks, and become confirmed by 
 time. The principles of the Washington Benevolent 
 Society survived the dissolution of that body, and lea 
 vened the opinions of those most opposed to them. 
 
 The physicians who preceded Dr. J. C. Warren 
 
116 MUTUAL ASSISTANCE. [JEn. 34. 
 
 and Dr. Jackson, had been too entirely occupied in 
 the daily routine of professional duties, and in the 
 all-absorbing political questions of the day, to devote 
 much time to medical literature. 
 
 Now, however, a new era in the medical history of 
 New England had arrived. Dr. Jackson was chosen 
 Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic, in 
 1812; Dr. Gorham was Adjunct Professor in Che 
 mistry ; and Drs. Bigelow and Walter Channing 
 received professorships a little later. Probably there 
 can nowhere be found in medical biography an 
 instance of greater unity and good feeling, than pre 
 vailed among these gentlemen for the whole period 
 of their connection with the College ; until, in fact, 
 increasing years, and the claims of extensive practice, 
 caused them, one by one, to retire from the labors of 
 the chair. 
 
 It is impossible here to avoid the remark, how diffi 
 cult it is to introduce the name of Warren, without 
 that of Dr. Jackson also, in all these efforts for the 
 advancement of medical science ! It is difficult to say 
 whether the warm-hearted zeal of Dr. Jackson, or the 
 unwearied energy of Dr. Warren, first started a par 
 ticular project: whichever started one, the other was 
 never behind. Had they acted in opposition, how 
 much they might have injured each other ! how 
 entirely their efforts for the public good would have 
 been neutralized ! Acting in concert, each aided to 
 extend the business, the profits, and the reputation of 
 the other, without injury to himself. 
 
1812.] NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. 117 
 
 The establishment of a medical journal to open a 
 vehicle for medical improvement, to form a repository 
 for such observations as might be made, and with the 
 design also to aid the Medical School ; was first pro 
 posed by Dr. Warren. Dr. Jackson agreeing, they 
 invited Drs. Gorham, Bigelow, and Channing to unite 
 with them. Each contributed papers from time to 
 time, and divided the labor of getting up the numbers. 
 It was published quarterly. This work was very 
 useful to the Medical School, inspired many physi 
 cians with a taste for observation, and was useful as 
 a medical history of the times. Drs. Hayward, Ware, 
 and Webster afterwards became connected with it, 
 and formed a club, which met every month, to 
 read and judge of articles, having a slight supper 
 to aid them in their deliberations. The editorship 
 finally passed entirely into the hands of Drs. Ware 
 and Channing. The subscription was small, and the 
 work hardly paid its way. It was continued, how 
 ever, to the seventeenth volume ; and, in 1828, it was 
 on the point of dying out, when it was proposed to 
 purchase a weekly medical journal which had recently 
 been established, and unite the two. 
 
 The first number of the " New-England Medical 
 Journal" was published in January, 1812. 
 
 It commences with " Remarks on Angina Pectoris," 
 by Dr. John Warren, one of the few medical pa 
 pers which he wrote. The next is a very valuable 
 paper upon the "Morbid Effects of Dentition," by 
 James Jackson, republished in the " Boston Medical 
 
118 NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. [>ET. 34. 
 
 and Surgical Journal" in 1828. Then follows an 
 article on Bichat, probably editorial. 
 
 The " Cases of Apoplexy, with Dissections," by 
 John C. Warren, afford two instances in which the 
 stomach, after death, was found filled with indiges 
 tible food, and evinced some appearances of inflam 
 mation in this organ, with marks of commencing 
 digestion. Dr. Warren urges the opinion, that the 
 food in the stomach was the cause of death, notwith 
 standing the assertion of John Bell, "that the stomach 
 never affects the head." He, therefore, is in favor 
 of emetics in cases of this kind, and, in the second 
 number of the " Journal," gives a case furnished by 
 Dr. Fisher, of Beverly; in which, upon exhibition 
 of an emetic, large pieces of beef were thrown up, 
 and the man recovered. 
 
 He says in conclusion, " When, therefore, we find 
 a patient, affected with this disease, soon after taking a 
 large quantity of food, and whenever we find him 
 inclined to vomit, an emetic should be administered. 
 It has been objected, that the exertions in vomiting 
 prevent the return of blood from the brain, and thus 
 increase the causes of rupture in the blood-vessels. 
 This objection is well founded, but not of sufficient 
 magnitude to counterbalance the advantages from 
 evacuating the stomach ; for no objection can be of 
 importance enough to prevent our removing the 
 cause of the disease: and we can hardly conceive 
 that any plan of cure can be adequate, that does not 
 comprehend the removal of that cause, which still 
 
1812.] NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. 119 
 
 exists, and must still operate. This difficulty seems 
 to be somewhat lessened by the fact stated by writers 
 on this subject, that hemorrhage from the lungs is 
 not aggravated, but even sometimes restrained, by 
 the operation of an emetic. Now, this organ is, no 
 doubt, more violently agitated and compressed by the 
 operation of an emetic than the brain. It is well 
 known^also, that certain cases of uterine hemorrhage 
 are cured, and that abortions are sometimes arrested, 
 by the effects of this remedy. The use of emetics 
 does not, so far as we can discover, interfere with the 
 practice of blood-letting." 
 
 The quotation has been carried to this length, 
 because it aifords a specimen of sound reasoning, and 
 shows a general state of opinion at the time, that we 
 look back upon with some surprise. 
 
 John Bell inquires, " By what mechanism, or what 
 nervous sympathy , could the stomach affect the head ? " 
 And the manner in which this paper was received by 
 other physicians shows that the connection between 
 the stomach and brain was a novel idea; and it is 
 advanced with some diffidence by the writer himself. 
 This must have been a few years before dyspepsia 
 became fashionable. Since then, the responsibility of 
 the stomach for headaches, and nearly all other 
 diseases, has been fully recognized. 
 
 Our ancestors ate hearty meals, and sometimes 
 drank heartily too, without any idea that what they 
 put into their stomachs would give them headaches, 
 fevers, or apoplexy. Afterwards, all diseases were 
 
120 NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. [/Ex. 34. 
 
 referred to the stomach. Whether this organ had 
 more than its share of blame, seems to be a disputed 
 question ; and, of late, the modern term " neuralgia " 
 has rather superseded " dyspepsia " in popularity. 
 The nerves of the stomach have lately been found to 
 become irritable and capricious, and this, full as often, 
 when the organ is kept free from repletion as when 
 overloaded. Yet Dr. Good originally made only two 
 species of neuralgia, neuralgia of the face, and 
 neuralgia of the foot.* Now, wherever there is a 
 nerve, it may be the subject of nerve-ache. " Neural 
 gia " is as satisfactory a term as " dyspepsia." To tell 
 a patient he has an indigestion, would never satisfy 
 him: and to say that a disease is upon the nerves, 
 implies that the patient is nervous ; meaning, by 
 a very strained interpretation, a malade imaginaire. 
 But the term " neuralgia " is as satisfying as " dys 
 pepsia." 
 
 Dr. Warren always through life continued to pay 
 great attention to the state of the stomach. If this 
 was kept free, and not compelled to undue exertions, 
 especially, when some lesion of a distant part pro 
 duced a disturbance in the system, every other func 
 tion would go on better. The majority of surgical 
 diseases are the cause or the result of inflammation. 
 The fire is kept up and increased, by stimulating food, 
 or by too large a quantity. 
 
 In addition to every prescription, therefore, he 
 
 * Nosology. Dr. Good subsequently added neuralgia mammas. 
 
1812.] NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. 121 
 
 seldom failed to write the direction, " Abstain from 
 animal food and butter." He made articles of diet 
 his particular study ; and often, by a careful regula 
 tion of these articles, he avoided the necessity of 
 prescribing medicines. The custom of giving little 
 medicine has been fully introduced of late, and direc 
 tions for low diet are generally enforced; but very 
 few physicians, if any, have made so much of a 
 science of the regulation of food, and the composition 
 of articles of diet for the sick or the convalescent. 
 
 In the first volume is also found " Cases of Organic 
 Diseases of the Heart and Lungs," in which Dr. 
 Warren continues the subject of the treatise before 
 mentioned, and proposes to give from time to time a 
 few of the numerous cases which were then present 
 ing themselves. He gives one case of aneurism of 
 the aorta, one of opening in the mitral valve, and 
 one case of disease of the lungs. To the second 
 volume he contributed " Observations on some Dis 
 eased Eyes," containing cases of ophthalmia, protru 
 sion of the iris, &c. This latter case was cured by 
 the application of lunar caustic to the iris, and the 
 sight was preserved. 
 
 He also furnished a paper of collections of morbid 
 anatomy, designed to induce others to furnish obser 
 vations which were to form a distinct department of 
 the " Journal." This paper contains cases of inflam 
 mation of the pericardium and inflammation of the 
 pleura. The first case described, he states, is precisely 
 similar to that of Mirabeau, who died of the same 
 
 16 
 
122 NEW-ENGLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. [^T. 34. 
 
 disease (pericarditis), and whose case is described in 
 the same number of the " Journal." 
 
 In the third volume, he gives an account of the 
 appearances on examination of ancient dislocations 
 of the two ossa humeri in the same subject. In this 
 case, both shoulders had been dislocated a long time 
 previous to his death. 
 
 Some further observations on disorders of the eyes, 
 in the fifth volume, and, in the twelfth volume, " A 
 Case of Aneurism cured by Ligature of the external 
 Iliac Artery," appear to be all to which he has 
 attached his name. This, of course, does not include 
 editorial articles. 
 
 That this " Journal " was ably supported, and held 
 a high rank, cannot be doubted. It was, however, 
 not a profitable concern ; and, as the editors became 
 more engrossed in medical practice, they had less 
 leisure and inclination to manage it. After reaching 
 the seventeenth volume, says Dr. Warren, " We got 
 tired of it." A journal of lighter form and more 
 frequent appearance was thought better suited to 
 the wants of the time. The " London Lancet " 
 had given this form great popularity. The " New- 
 England Medical Journal " was continued until 1828, 
 and then merged in the " Boston Medical and Sur 
 gical Journal." 
 
 The following letters, received by Dr. Warren in 
 the course of this year, are of considerable interest. 
 
 The first, from President Kirkland of Harvard 
 College, shows the manner in which medical stu- 
 
1812.] LETTERS FROM FRIENDS. 123 
 
 dents were admitted. Those who had not received 
 the degree of Bachelor or of Master of Arts were 
 required, as at present, to pass an examination in 
 Latin and natural philosophy ; and it appears to have 
 been a question at this time for the President to 
 decide by whom this examination should be made. 
 
 Dr. Francis Moore and Dr. Thomas Sewall took 
 their medical degrees in 1812. As they had not 
 previously received the degrees of Bachelor or Mas 
 ter, they were required to pass an examination in the 
 manner mentioned. Dr. Sewall became Professor of 
 Anatomy and Physiology in Columbia College. He 
 practised in Massachusetts long enough to become a 
 member of the Massachusetts Medical Society; and 
 afterwards removed to Washington, where he prac 
 tised with great success until his death in 1845. Dr. 
 Moore became also a member of the Massachusetts 
 Medical Society, but afterwards removed to the State 
 of New York. The degree of M.D. appears to have 
 been first conferred by Harvard College only the year 
 previous (1811). Before that time, the degree of 
 Bachelor of Medicine only was given. The vacant 
 professorship was promptly filled by the choice of 
 Dr. James Jackson, who occupied the chair until 
 1836. 
 
 The work of Dr. Wistar, to which reference is 
 made in his letters, is the treatise on Anatomy, which 
 was adopted as a text-book by the Medical Faculty 
 of Harvard, and used for so many years as the main 
 work for students in that branch of study. The 
 
124 LETTER FROM PRESIDENT KIRKLAND. [^Er. 34. 
 
 letters of Sir Astley Cooper are fine examples of the 
 forcible brevity of his style, and evince the esteem 
 and interest which he felt for his former pupil. 
 
 The letter of Mr. Harrison, besides his humorous 
 allusion to the danger of witnessing military parades, 
 illustrates two great objects which occupied the atten 
 tion of scientific men and inventors at that period. 
 The first was the discovery of perpetual motion ; for 
 which a high reward was offered, notwithstanding the 
 declaration of the most competent judges as to its 
 impossibility. One of great ingenuity, whether the 
 same or not as that referred to in the letter, was put 
 in operation in this neighborhood. It for some time 
 defied investigation, but was eventually found to be 
 worked by an agent concealed in a cellar. The other 
 object was a method of warming the large cold 
 houses of the time. Furnaces were not introduced 
 until many years after ; and, as wood became scarce, 
 the large fireplaces, with large open-mouthed chim 
 neys, became entirely insufficient. After many inven 
 tions of various kinds, a soapstone fireplace was 
 constructed, with a back sloping forwards, so as to 
 allow very little room for the escape of heat; and 
 this principle has been adopted in all modern fire 
 places and grates. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, June 13, 1812. 
 
 DEAR SIR, I consent to the examination of Messrs. 
 Moore and Sewall at such time as the Faculty determine, 
 and in such manner. I need not be present. I am satisfied 
 with the Latin of both, and the natural philosophy of Dr. 
 
1812.] LETTERS FROM DR. WISTAR. 125 
 
 Sewall. Dr. Moore's natural philosophy I shall be satisfied 
 for you to examine and determine. 
 
 The Faculty of the University of Cambridge is without 
 any Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic. 
 
 Dr. was removed by the corporation on the 20th of 
 
 May ; and, of course, he ceases to be Professor from that 
 time : though, if the vote of removaf shall be disallowed by 
 the Overseers, he will then be in office again. 
 
 With esteem, 
 
 Your friend and humble servant, 
 
 JOHN T. KIRKLAND, 
 
 President Harvard College. 
 
 Dr. J. C. WARREN, Anatomical Professor Anatomy 
 and Surgery, and Secretary Faculty of Medicine. 
 
 DEAR SIR, I beg your friendly acceptance of the first 
 volume of my publication on Anatomy, which I cannot offer 
 you without accompanying it with a request that you will 
 look with great indulgence on a work which has been com 
 posed under the pressure of a great deal of business not 
 immediately connected with it. Permit me also to beg that 
 your father and yourself will favor me with your advice 
 respecting its future improvement. Any hint of that nature 
 will confer a real obligation on, dear sir, 
 
 Your sincere friend and humble servant, 
 
 C. WISTAR. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 1812. 
 
 DEAR SIR, There is a gentleman in Boston of such a 
 description, that I am certain you will derive great pleasure 
 from his acquaintance. Mr. Correa is a native of Portugal, 
 who has passed a great part of his life in the society of the 
 most distinguished philosophical characters of Europe, par 
 ticularly those of England and France. After a short 
 
126 LETTERS FROM SIR ASTLEY COOPER. [^T. 34. 
 
 interview, you will understand his character ; and I need 
 say nothing further, excepting that he left us in company 
 with Mr. and Mrs. Dashkoff, who are also very interesting 
 strangers. If they should not be in Boston, you will proba 
 bly hear of Mr. Correa from Captain Hull ; as he came to 
 Boston with that illustrious officer. 
 
 By one of the medical students who left this for Boston 
 last spring, I had the pleasure of sending you the first 
 volume of the anatomical publication in which I have been 
 engaged. Please to favor me with a note to say whether it 
 arrived or not, that I may send another in case you have 
 not received it. I am interested in this request ; for I hope 
 to be favored with some advice and observations from your 
 father and yourself on the subject. 
 
 We are much pleased here with your periodical work, 
 the " New-England Journal." The talents and the infor 
 mation which are displayed in it will commend it to the 
 respect and attention of all well-informed physicians, and 
 must establish its reputation. 
 
 Please to assure your worthy father of the continuance of 
 my sincere regard and best wishes, and believe me 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 C. WISTAR. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 12, 1812* 
 Dr. WARREN, Jun. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, This will be given you by Mr. Gary, 
 who has a small hydrocele, for which I wish him to consult 
 you. I have punctured it several times, as it was too small 
 for injection ; and, if it should remain small, perhaps you 
 will think that the best mode of treatment. 
 
 I am glad to see you so zealous in the pursuit of science, 
 and hope the amor nummi will never smother the love of 
 
1812.] LETTER FROM MR. HARRISON. 127 
 
 your profession as a science ; for it is that rock on winch 
 medical men are shipwrecked in England. 
 With every good wish, believe me 
 
 Always yours truly, 
 
 ASTLEY COOPER. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Mr. P. appears to me to labor under a mala- 
 die imaginaire, rather than any important disease. 
 
 He has unpleasant feelings about him, arising not from 
 the use, but from the abuse, of mercury ; and it will be a 
 long time before he gets rid of them. 
 
 I should apprehend he would find much relief from the 
 decoction sarsaparillas and soda preparata, with an occa 
 sional aperient. 
 
 I feel much gratified in seeing the result of your progress 
 in science, and of hearing of your welfare in your pro 
 fession. 
 
 I am yours truly, 
 
 ASTLEY COOPER. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I received, about three weeks after 
 date, your letter of the 1st instant. The packet for Dorsey 
 and letter for Edwin were immediately sent ; and I've since 
 had an interview with the latter, urged expedition, and 
 tendered payment, as you suggested. The engraving will 
 not be completed before March next. I found them busy 
 engraving the likeness of Hanson, of Charles Street. 
 
 Had you recollected our positions the day of the Cadets' 
 exhibition, independent of their firing at an angle of forty- 
 five, we were not exposed. The Horse Marines, to which 
 corps I have the safety to belong, are always cautious : and 
 I took good care to watch closely their marching and coun 
 ter-marching, and to constantly wing them ; bearing in 
 
128 INCREASE OF BUSINESS. [^E'r. 28-37. 
 
 mind, as I always do on these great occasions, that one of 
 my precious fellow-citizens, who doted on military exhibi 
 tions, at one of them on our Common, had a ramrod gently 
 passed through his g-ts. 
 
 I take it for granted your philosophers are much occupied 
 with Redheffer's machine. Here 'tis almost the only topic ; 
 and all our scientific, practical, and mechanical men are 
 decidedly of opinion it is a self-moving machine ; and, if a 
 deception, the deception cannot be discovered, as he took it 
 down piece by piece, and put it up again, in the presence of 
 twenty scientific and well-informed men. Such is the 
 impression here, that our Councils have appointed a Com 
 mittee to wait on him to ascertain if it can be applied to 
 our water-works, and to buy the right. On the other hand, 
 all our book-philosophers totally deny it, but admit it is a 
 most uncommonly ingenious deception. But I take it for 
 granted, Dr. Dorsey has given you all this, and a minute 
 description of the machine. 
 
 As soon as the weather has become cold enough with you 
 to test your fireplace, I hope to. receive your opinion of its 
 use ; also your opinion of Mr. Mason's, and of the soap- 
 stone stoves, such as there is one in use in your North- 
 American Insurance Office. To your good wife I can only 
 say, I trust she is well, and to tender her our affectionate 
 regards, and to the family. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 GEO. HARRISON. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 28, 1812. 
 
 In 1806, three years after his marriage, he has 
 noted his own business as much increased, and having 
 become very respectable. He was now, as we have 
 seen, in addition to his daily routine of medical and 
 
1806-15.] INCREASE OF BUSINESS. 129 
 
 surgical practice and operations, aiding his father in 
 the demonstrations and lectures at Cambridge, giving 
 private demonstrations in Marlborough Street, and 
 taking an active part in political and military affairs. 
 He was contributing occasionally to the papers of the 
 Medical Society, and engaged with Dr. Jackson in 
 publishing their communications. He was an active 
 co-editor of the " Medical Journal ; " and, for lighter 
 occupation, aiding in the labors of the Anthology 
 Club, or preparing the chemical experiments, and 
 lecturing on human and comparative anatomy and 
 physiology in the Society of Natural Philosophy. At 
 the same time, his literary employments were occa 
 sionally varied by a little light skirmishing in the 
 public papers, in which the members of the private 
 Society of Medical Improvement engaged with an 
 adversary whose ready pen, and powers of ridicule, 
 had hitherto met with much success. 
 
 His father continued to practise pretty actively 
 until his last sickness in 1815. 
 
 17 
 
130 DEATH OF DR. JOHN WARREN. [^T. 37. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 DR. JOHN WARREN. MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL COLLEGE. PRO 
 FESSIONAL EMINENCE. OPERATIONS. LETTERS. INVITATION 
 TO PHILADELPHIA. SUMMER EXCURSIONS. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 IN 1815, the beginning of April, died my father, Dr. John 
 Warren. He served in the army of the Revolution ; laid 
 the foundation of the Medical School at Cambridge ; was 
 for a long time an eloquent lecturer ; and the principal, it 
 might be said almost exclusive, practitioner of surgery in 
 New England. He was President of the Medical, Humane, 
 Agricultural, and other societies. He taught temperance by 
 precept and example ; having scarcely, through the whole 
 of his life, drank wine or stimulants. He wrote very little, 
 on account of the excessive business which he undertook ; 
 for, being the most popular practitioner in Boston of his 
 time, he was occupied day and night. He went out to the 
 very last week of his life ; and the pleuritic disease which 
 caused his death was attributed to his going out in the night. 
 
 Many of the last years of his life were disturbed by his 
 lending his name as an indorser. This involved him in a 
 vast purchase of eastern land, which required great atten 
 tion, and caused him great anxiety. But for this occurrence, 
 his property would have been nearly doubled. 
 
 Although I was well established in business at the time 
 of his death, the loss of his advice and aid was very much 
 felt ; as I had from that time, for many years, no one to 
 aid me in consultation in difficult surgical cases. All my 
 
1813.] MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL COLLEGE. 131 
 
 operations were, of course, to be done on my own responsi 
 bility ; and this with the weight of lectures, a large private 
 practice, and some literary and scientific pursuits, which 
 together constituted a mass of labor that sometimes seemed 
 to be insupportable. 
 
 In this year was built the first Medical College, 
 situated in Mason Street, the funds for which had 
 been obtained principally by the exertions of Dr. 
 Jackson and Dr. Warren. It was opened the suc 
 ceeding year. Up to this time, the lectures had 
 been delivered in the hall over Mr. White's apothe 
 cary's store, at 49, Marlborough Street. 
 
 Dr. Warren was now chosen Professor of Anatomy 
 and Surgery in his father's place, and stood facile 
 princeps among the surgeons of New England, as 
 did Dr. Jackson among the medical practitioners ; 
 Dr. Jackson having early abandoned the practice of 
 surgery. The elder Dr. Warren, as has been said 
 above, had a more extensive practice than any one 
 ever had before in Boston, or will ever be likely to 
 have again. The number of medical men has so 
 much increased, and their qualifications are so much 
 more equal than formerly, that there cannot be any 
 monopoly. It is not probable that any one will ever 
 again have so much surgical practice as his son ; or, 
 at least, have so exclusively the comm r d of all the 
 most important surgical operations. 
 
 There are now more surgeons of equal claims and 
 equal standing, and the relation of physician and pa- 
 
132 PROFESSIONAL EMINENCE. [^E'f. 37. 
 
 tient has changed. The latter no longer feels bound 
 to adhere to his physician or surgeon, but acts in 
 accordance with the direction of St. Paul, " Prove 
 all things." Nor, in like manner, does the practi 
 tioner feel bound to sacrifice himself, his health, or 
 his comforts, even his life, to his patient. The con 
 nection was formerly like a close family tie ; and it 
 was a necessary consequence, that the attachment to 
 the father descended to the son. Dr. Warren's con 
 nection with the College and the Hospital made him 
 widely known, and gave him important advantages 
 over competitors. These advantages, though very 
 great, would have been unavailable, had they not 
 been combined with unwearied industry and devotion 
 to his profession. 
 
 It does not appear that he had any natural bias for 
 his profession; for he informs us that he spent one 
 year in deciding upon it. The second year, he speaks 
 of it in his letters as time lost in the pretended study 
 of medicine. The dry reading of medical books, 
 without hospital visits, was not to his taste ; and, if 
 he visited patients with his father, he was not likely 
 to be much interested, especially in visits so rapidly 
 made ; neither could the " medicine-room " have 
 been much more attractive to a cultivated taste. 
 
 But, from the time of his arrival in Europe, he 
 determined to devote heart and soul to his pursuit. 
 As we have seen, he soon became deeply interested 
 in operations, dissections, and lectures. Then he 
 formed the resolution which he adhered to through 
 
1815.] DEVOTION TO HIS PROFESSION. 133 
 
 life, never to devote a moment to any amusement 
 that had not some useful object. From the com 
 mencement of his practice, he gave himself up en 
 tirely to his profession, and allowed himself no other 
 recreation than science or literature afforded. 
 
 In one of his letters to his father, written from 
 Paris in 1801, he says, 
 
 " I hate study. Nothing but strong stimulus would 
 have ever impelled me to it. And I suppose, that, 
 could I lull my conscience with any good pretence, 
 I should relinquish it, and become as idle as ever." 
 In another place he says, 
 
 " You had sufficient stimulus to study to overcome 
 all obstacles. I require more, but have less." 
 
 In these words, we find an important clew to the 
 character of the writer, and the secret of his industry 
 through life. It was not the result of early habits of 
 application. It was not like that of the horse at the 
 mill, the clerk at his desk, the operative at his daily 
 toils, or the student at his book. It was not the 
 result of habit, of necessity, or of love for the pursuit 
 he had chosen. It consisted in a constant series of 
 mental efforts. Hence the wideness and variety 
 of his pursuits, and the earnestness with which he 
 plunged into every labor, as if that one was the most 
 important in life. Had fate fixed him to a mer 
 chant's desk, it would have required either the stimu 
 lus of poverty or an intense love of gain to keep him 
 there. 
 
 Having resolutely determined, on his arrival in Eu- 
 
134 DEVOTION TO HIS PROFESSION. [^E'f. 37. 
 
 rope, to devote himself, heart and soul, to medical 
 improvement, and made it an absolute rule never to 
 waste time in any useless amusement, he acquired 
 a fondness for his profession ; and, after his return 
 from Europe, he sought out constantly objects of 
 interest and employment. In after-life, he had ac 
 quired a positive fear of idleness ; and his taste for 
 surgery, surgical operations, and anatomical dissec 
 tions and preparations, had become very strong. The 
 examination of a morbid tumor in his private dissect 
 ing-room, or the manufacture of a beautiful specimen, 
 were as truly recreations with him, as a visit to the 
 theatre, or a game of whist, to others. 
 
 But, in addition to this excessive industry, Dr. 
 Warren possessed that temperament or power in 
 which genius and talent consist, the faculty and 
 habit of throwing himself into his subject, whatever 
 it was he engaged in, with his whole mind and 
 strength. We rarely find so much tenacity of 
 purpose and constancy, combined with so much de 
 votion to the particular object on hand. This gave 
 him his power as an able writer and interesting lec 
 turer. 
 
 By those who wished to depreciate his claims as a 
 surgeon, and who could not deny his success, it was 
 said that he was a mere expert operator, and other 
 wise destitute of surgical skill. This remark was 
 once made under rather peculiar circumstances. 
 Some twenty years since, on returning in the even 
 ing from a public celebration at Cambridge, in 
 
1815.] MODE OF OPERATING. 135 
 
 which Dr. Warren had been one of the speakers, 
 about twelve of Dr. Warren's near relatives (in fact, 
 his brothers and sisters, with their children) occupied 
 an omnibus with two persons, one a young phy 
 sician from the South ; the other a gentleman of 
 property in Boston, well known to the family, though 
 they were unknown to him. A discussion between 
 the two ensued, which lasted nearly the whole dis 
 tance, principally in depreciation of the claims of Dr. 
 Warren, much to the edification of the family ; the 
 young medical gentleman allowing only the manual 
 dexterity of the surgeon. 
 
 This, however, was the least of his qualifications. 
 He did not aim at dexterity ; at least, if celerity is a 
 proof of dexterity. " I do not operate by time," he 
 said to a spectator who took out his watch to ascer 
 tain the length of an operation : " you may put up 
 your watch, Dr. ." 
 
 Operations are said to be the opprobrium of sur 
 gery. None paid greater attention to this maxim 
 than Dr. Warren. His higher skill was in detecting 
 disease, and in treating it both before and after an 
 operation. He perceived its seat with an eagle eye ; 
 and when, in after-years, his sight was partially im 
 paired, still, by the delicacy of his touch, he could 
 often discover the evil that . lay concealed from the 
 eyes of others. 
 
 It was said a quarter of a century ago, by an Ame 
 rican physician settled in Paris, that, if he was obliged 
 to undergo a surgical operation, he would come to 
 
136 MODE OF OPERATING. [^T. 37. 
 
 Boston to have it performed, he had so much more 
 confidence in the after-treatment. Other Americans, 
 in fact, all who had followed the surgeons of the 
 French hospitals, would have said the same. They 
 operated beautifully, but the test of cure was wanting. 
 The French surgeons declared that healing by the 
 first intention (which, as has been before said, Dr. 
 Warren introduced into New England) was out of the 
 question in their climate. 
 
 Dr. Warren never made up his mind to perform an 
 operation until all probable means of cure had been 
 fully tried. The patient, therefore, might always feel 
 full confidence that he would never perform or advise 
 one unless it was absolutely necessary. Having deter 
 mined to operate, he prepared himself deliberately 
 for it by reflecting in his own mind upon the method 
 required ; putting on paper a list of the contingencies 
 that might occur, and of every instrument or article 
 that might be wanted. In important cases, he re 
 sorted to authorities ; and often practised the opera 
 tion beforehand in the dissecting-room. Thus it was 
 with him always a matter of study, greater or less, 
 according to the importance of the case. He took 
 pains also to avoid every thing which might interfere 
 with the steadiness of his hand, the delicacy of his 
 manual tact, or any thing that might disturb his mind 
 or distract his thoughts. 
 
 He proceeded to the operation with the greatest 
 deliberation and caution ; taking care to be certain of 
 the nature of every part or texture before he divided 
 
1815-18.] UNREMITTED EXERTIONS. 137 
 
 it; assuring himself at every step that he knew 
 exactly where he was. The slightest unfavorable 
 change, either during the operation or afterwards, 
 was seen by him instantaneously. This, at least, was 
 the case in after-years. The operation performed, he 
 proceeded to bandaging, which with him was also a 
 science. Perhaps one of the greatest improvements 
 which he adopted was in the little use made of the 
 needle in closing wounds. By the use of adhesive 
 straps, and skilful bandaging, these were often dis 
 pensed with; and thus the unpleasant necessity 
 avoided of making additional painful wounds, and 
 leaving a foreign substance to create irritation. Great 
 use seems formerly to have been made of the nee 
 dle ; and, even now, patients or their friends, in 
 the country at least, constantly speak of sewing up 
 a cut as they would of mending a rent in an article 
 of dress. 
 
 Thus it may be seen, to the satisfaction of every 
 one, that the position which Dr. Warren now occu 
 pied was obtained and held, in the first place, by his 
 diligent and earnest preparation in the study of his 
 profession, and by availing himself to the utmost of 
 the very great advantages which he had enjoyed 
 abroad; in the second place, by his continued and 
 unremitting efforts, not only to keep his ground, but 
 to make progress, and advance his science. These 
 exertions were never remitted to the last days of Jiis 
 medical career. If there were any who supposed 
 that he fell easily and naturally into his father's place, 
 
 18 
 
138 LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. [^ET. 40. 
 
 with little exertion of his own, or that he held his 
 position without talents of a high order, and unwea 
 ried and exclusive devotion to his profession, they 
 were utterly ignorant of his labors. The chair of 
 anatomy and surgery had no soft cushion in his or 
 his father's time. 
 
 Dr. Warren appears now to have been fully occu 
 pied with his lectures, hospital-visits, and operations, 
 and his private practice. He does not seem to have 
 published much for the next five years ; but he 
 always found time every day or evening, at least 
 one hour, for writing. 
 
 The following very pleasant and entertaining letter 
 from Dr. Roots, his fellow-student in London, was 
 received in the early part of this year: 
 
 MY DEAR OLD FRIEND WARREN ! On looking over some 
 papers, I find your last letter, dated March, 1816 ; and, 
 having written you a long answer very soon after, I am 
 disposed to think you never received it. Therefore I will try 
 my luck again ; and will begin by hoping you and your 
 dear wife are well, I say dear wife, though she is unknown 
 to me ; but I feel a regard for her, in consequence of her 
 being dear to you, I even feel a sensation bordering on pa 
 rental love for your children ; and though you, perhaps, will 
 say this is a forced and romantic feeling, I encourage it as 
 one that comes from the best and warmest corner of my 
 heart, where you, my old boy, always had a berth from our 
 first acquaintance, well, I hope you are all as well In this 
 new year 1818 as you were in 1816, and that you are going 
 on as successfully in your professional pursuits as you can 
 wish. I should like much to have a look at your old phiz. 
 
1818.] LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. 139 
 
 I wonder whether you have the same solemn, serious gravity 
 that formerly sat upon your countenance, and which I was 
 often wont to put to flight by some of my volatile nonsense. 
 And yet, though we were such different men, we always hit 
 it well together. Poor Senter ! I am not surprised at his 
 end. I think he was a little too impetuous in his manner ; 
 and though his heart might be good, yet it is necessary that 
 the outworks of the citadel should be kept in good repair, 
 if we wish the keep itself to be respected. I have been 
 during four or five months, the last summer, in a very bad 
 state of health, in consequence of calculus forming in the 
 bladder ; but, by its showing itself palpably in the beginning 
 of its formation, with the assistance of our old friend Astley 
 Cooper, I was enabled to get it away by gradually dilating 
 the neck of the bladder with very large bougies, and thus 
 succeeded in dislodging so inveterate a foe. ... About 
 nine years ago, Astley Cooper cut my father for the stone ; 
 which operation succeeded wonderfully, and my father has 
 never had a symptom of it since. But he has never tasted 
 fermented liquor since ; and, as this is an hereditary disease, 
 I am upon the same regimen of restraint, and never, by any 
 chance, touch a drop of any fermented liquor. Indeed, in 
 my father's case, this abstinence from all such fluids has pro 
 duced the happiest result ; for, since he has thus left them off, 
 he has never had one attack of gout ; and, before, he never 
 went six months without a severe fit of gout. Old Cooper, 
 you have heard, I dare say, is dead. Astley is quite well, 
 and continues daily adding to his fame. He lately had an 
 opportunity of doing what no other man would dare do ; 
 which was tying the aorta of a man just before its bifurca 
 tion, in consequence of an aneurism of the internal iliac. 
 He cut down the linea alba ; groped his ponderous paws to 
 the very vessel in question. Having shoved the intestines out 
 
140 LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. [l&l. 40. 
 
 of his way, he passed a ligature, and the patient lived five 
 days afterwards ; and, as Cooper says, only died then in 
 consequence of mortification, and not from his tying the 
 aorta. He is now (woe to all stray dogs and cats that fall 
 in his way ! ) trying the same experiment on all four-footed 
 animals that chance throws in his dangerous way ; and, I 
 dare say, he sometinles longs to give a tie to one of his two- 
 legged sufferers. I tell him, he has only now to cut off a 
 patient's head, and keep him alive a few hours, so that he 
 may say he only died from some little accidental circum 
 stance, hut not from the simple operation of dividing the 
 head from the body, and then he will be more than human. 
 However, he certainly is a most useful man : he leaves no 
 thing to theory, but brings it all to practice, when opportu 
 nity offers ; and this is the only way to improve the science. 
 Clive goes on very soberly, and his son lectures with 
 Cooper. He is in a bad state of health, threatened with 
 consumption. Austin, the West Indian, having realized a 
 great fortune in Demarara, has come over to this country 
 to settle as a private gentleman. He spent a day or two 
 with me lately. I believe, just now, he is gone on a visit 
 to Paris. My wife is well, and is the same good, endearing 
 creature she was fifteen years ago, when I married her; 
 and I can safely say, I love her now more deeply than I 
 ever did at that young and sensitive period. I have 
 only the same boy and girl I told you of before. I dare 
 say, you have added to your five since you wrote. Direct 
 your next to Dr. William Roots, Surbiton, Kingston on 
 Thames. Both my father and mother are living and well : 
 the brother (Charles), the proctor, is dead. He died at St. 
 Lucie, in the West Indies, where he had got a good appoint 
 ment ; but the climate killed him. I never got any answer 
 to any of my letters to Symons. I wish you would write to 
 
1818.] INVITATION TO PHILADELPHIA. 141 
 
 him, and tell him how much I should like to hear from 
 him. I hope our two countries will long enjoy the blessings 
 of peace. As for peace in Europe, England now so entirely 
 holds the master-key in her own hands, that there is every 
 prospect of its long duration. Napoleon can't escape so 
 readily from St. Helena as he did from Elba ; and as for the 
 Bourbons, they must do what we tell them. I spent a short 
 time in Paris a little while back. But Jack Frog- don't look 
 very kindly on his friend John Bull. The fact is, he feels 
 mortified and humbled : though, by the by, our people 
 stopped too short in their career ; for Jack Frog had got 
 very insolent, and wanted his wings clipped a little more. 
 However, we are now (tooth outwards, as is always the case 
 with both countries) very good friends. 1 hope much you 
 won't delay giving me a long account of yourself; and tell 
 me if you think there will ever be any prospect of your 
 paying a visit to England. Give my kindest regards to 
 your dear wife. Kiss your children for me. If you have 
 another boy, let me be his godfather. Call him William 
 Roots ; and then tell him, that, in conjunction with his fa 
 ther's name, he never can do a base action. With my best 
 and most faithful wishes for the welfare of yourself and 
 every branch of your family, my dear old Warren, believe 
 me always 
 
 Your sincere and affectionate friend, 
 
 WM. ROOTS! 
 
 SURBITON, KINGSTON ON THAMES, Jan. 10, 1818. 
 
 In the year 1818, whilst Dr. Warren was in the 
 full tide of a successful and rapidly increasing prac 
 tice in medicine and surgery, he received an invita 
 tion to become a candidate for the Professorship of 
 Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. He has 
 
142 INVITATION TO PHILADELPHIA. [^ET. 40. 
 
 given an account of this affair in his Biographical 
 Notes, as follows : 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 On the 22d January, in the year 1818, died Dr. Caspar 
 Wistar, a distinguished Professor of Anatomy in the Uni 
 versity of Pennsylvania. He was a person of excellent 
 character, amiable manners, and had reached a high degree 
 of eminence as a public lecturer. Soon after his death, 
 I received letters from friends in Philadelphia, earnestly 
 soliciting me to become a candidate for the place vacant by 
 the death of Dr. Wistar. I took the matter into considera 
 tion ; but, some time after, I received a letter from my 
 friend Dr. Dorsey, a distinguished physician and surgeon 
 in Philadelphia, informing me that he should be a candidate 
 for the office, and intimating the wish that I should decline. 
 On receiving his letter, I immediately wrote to him and to 
 my other friends, informing them I should decline competi 
 tion with Dr. Dorsey. 
 
 In November of the same year, Dr. Dorsey was seized 
 with fever, and died after a short illness. The friends who 
 had applied to me before, and various others, now renewed 
 their applications in terms which demanded my most serious 
 consideration. They thought that my position in Philadel 
 phia would be more eligible and productive than that in 
 Boston, for Philadelphia was considered as having the first 
 medical school ; as being, on the whole, the most agreeable 
 city ; and the receipts of the school would amount to not less 
 than ten thousand dollars per annum to the Professor of 
 Anatomy ; that I should be able, no doubt, to take a high 
 stand in surgical practice, as the principal surgeon was too 
 much out of health to make great efforts ; and, independent 
 
1818.] LETTER FROM H. G. OTIS. 143 
 
 of him, there was an ample field of surgery in so large 
 a city. 
 
 On the other hand, my friends and family in Boston 
 were opposed to my removal, and presented to my con 
 sideration a number of objections, which are much better 
 stated in the following letter than I can describe them : 
 
 Letter from Harrison Gray Otis. 
 
 WASHINGTON, 12th March, 1818. 
 
 MY DEAR SIB, The inducements for you to remove to 
 Philadelphia, are, as I understand them, to be resolved into 
 those of emolument, and those of ease. Taking it for 
 granted that the income of the proposed place is not over 
 rated, a consideration of some value arises, whether the 
 same amount will go further with you than even your pre 
 sent professional gains in Boston. A man, I believe, may 
 live as cheap in Philadelphia as in Boston ; but not every 
 man. It is a place of great style and fashionable exaction. 
 You go there as a very conspicuous person. All eyes will 
 be upon you. You will have new connections to form. 
 With a great income, and considerable leisure, you will be 
 expected to entertain. You will incline rather to exceed, 
 than fall short of, the expectation.. Your children must be 
 lifted into the first circles by your own efforts, and must 
 dress as well as other people's children. The summers may 
 require a retreat in the country. The expense of removing 
 is something; the loss of debts something. The emolu 
 ments, though their augmentation seems to be anticipated, 
 may diminish ; and whether the New- York institution, and 
 the Baltimore institution, and the Boston institution, will 
 not probably attract a portion of the students who resort to 
 Philadelphia, when these shall have acquired more gristle, is 
 
144 LETTER FROM H. G. OTIS. [JET. 40. 
 
 an inquiry to answer which nobody is more competent than 
 yourself. In Boston, your practice might be lucrative ; to 
 what extent, I pretend not to know. And such is your van 
 tage-ground, that you may very soon, if you cannot already, 
 relieve yourself from much of the labor by choosing your 
 patients, and declining a portion of your calls. You can 
 also extend it, if you please. There is nobody nor nothing 
 in your way. You are not called upon or expected to 
 devote your time to company at home ; and you command 
 at your own pleasure your society abroad. Less money is 
 requisite for the dress and education of your family. You 
 may extend, diminish, or vary your expenditures every 
 successive year. And, if you prefer becoming a mere 
 professor and lecturer a few years hence, why not put toge 
 ther the materials that are collecting, and give to your own 
 offspring the advantages of your own patronage and cele 
 brity. Nothing but the determination is wanting to elevate 
 your establishment to a level with those of any city in 
 America. That your College or Association of Physicians, 
 taking Philadelphia and Boston for standard, is composed 
 of higher talents than theirs, is a fact of which I entertain 
 not a shadow of doubt. My inference, on the whole, then, 
 is, that it is, at best, doubtful, whether, at the end of a ten- 
 years' exile from your native country, you would find your 
 self in greater affluence than in the old " head-quarters ; " 
 but, that you would part with more happiness than any 
 addition to your coffers would compensate, I have no doubt 
 at all. Then for the ease : if your calculation would be to 
 attend merely to the duties of the chair, and decline prac 
 tice, are you sure that you would not find it a tame and 
 insufficient occupation ? When the course is finished, 
 should you not, in the long days, be inclined, with the 
 Prince de Ligne, to conjugate the verb " ennuyer " ? and 
 
1818.] LETTER FROM H. G. OTIS. 145 
 
 would you not often wish to dip your hands in innocent 
 blood ? Would you not look back with regret upon the 
 many friends, of both sexes, whose experience of your pro 
 fessional skill and tenderness has made your residence 
 among them, and their reliance upon your future aid, 
 essential to their comfort, and to whom your removal will 
 be a cause of unfeigned and permanent distress ? Hearing 
 of the illness, dangers, sufferings, of interesting beings 
 among your family and friends ; of the calamities " which 
 flesh is heir to ; " and realizing their vain longings for the 
 aid of their wonted physician ; thinking of the service you 
 might perform, and certainly of the consolation you might 
 afford, would you be at your ease ? I think not. You 
 would fly again to yowr practice. You would seek new 
 connections ; endeavor to create new attachments and de 
 pendencies ; and perhaps, at the end of many years of 
 greater labor than you must submit to here, you would find 
 yourself in some measure consoled and requited for the 
 dissolution of your early, natural, consanguineous, local, 
 municipal, academic, and professional connections. To 
 these considerations may be added others not undeserving 
 of attention. The gentlemen of the profession to whom 
 you would owe your elevation are, beyond doubt, persons of 
 great liberality of sentiment and views. But our nature is 
 human, not angelic. You will certainly be in somebody's 
 way ; and you will be considered as an obstacle to the 
 views of more than one aspirant to the chair you would fill. 
 A sort of feeling that a Yankee interloper has come into the 
 association, " et alter tulit honores," must exist ; probably 
 not in a degree to display itself at first, or annoy you by 
 any revolting exhibition of envy or malignity : but it will be 
 there, ever ready to germinate to produce feuds, cabals, and 
 discomfort, and to wound feelings. If any man can root 
 
 19 
 
LETTER FROM H. G. OTIS. [yEx. 40. 
 
 out or prevent the extension of this natural polypus, it 
 
 would be you. But I know by experience how very uncom 
 
 fortable may be rendered the tenure of office by the envy, 
 
 jealousy, or cupidity, of a very few persons ; and though the 
 
 village dogs don't always bark at a stranger who goes 
 
 through, yet, if he seizes on a village bone, he must be 
 
 stronger than they are, to bear it off in peace. This is no 
 
 reproach to men or dogs ; for so God hath ordained : and the 
 
 laws of nature operate with uniformity in all cities, and in 
 
 all classes and conditions. Now, the contingency of this 
 
 sort of discomfort is something, as the thing itself would 
 
 certainly be a good deal. In Boston, the effect cannot 
 
 happen, there not being the same cause. You are a town- 
 
 born child, of a known and celebrated family and descent,; 
 
 built upon the town-stocks ; breaking no blockade in coming 
 
 into port, and riding at moorings where all the natives 
 
 have been used to see you ever since you were launched. 
 
 Your success and standing in your profession are acqui 
 
 esced in, as the result of industry and qualifications ac 
 
 quired under the observation of the whole neighborhood ; 
 
 and your brethren are reconciled to your claim to an 
 
 hereditary faculty in the different branches of your pro 
 
 fession, that entitles you to the rank you hold. From 
 
 sudden ebullitions of concealed chagrin or disappointed 
 
 emulation you have nothing to fear. There are no spring- 
 
 guns or man-traps in your way to and from your lecture- 
 
 room ; and you can calculate upon the duration of the 
 
 esteem and confidence which surround you, because you 
 
 know their basis, and have witnessed their growth. To all 
 
 this I add one further reflection, the bearing of the pro 
 
 posed measure may be of great moment to your children. 
 
 It is an obvious advantage to the young folks to grow up in 
 
 the midst of a respectable family connection. Weight of 
 
1818.] LETTER FROM H. G. OTIS. 147 
 
 character and success in life are frequently promoted by the 
 esprit de corps or de famille. Uncles and cousins are fre 
 quently of service to each other in a great variety of 
 relations ; and, to females, this connection and relation are 
 invaluable. You are now in the midst of a clan; and the 
 children of brothers and sisters are growing up together in 
 habits of friendship, with the probability of " dwelling toge 
 ther in unity," and the certainty of the confidence and 
 complacency which are derived from feeling that one is not 
 alone in the world. Go elsewhere, and you become the 
 solitary parent stock ; no " genus et proavus " on which to 
 value yourself, and no connections of blood or family to 
 bolster up the children. I say nothing of taking your wife 
 from her family and friends, a separation which I believe 
 will make a wound which even you can't heal ; though I 
 dare say it would be disguised under good-humor and kind 
 dispositions, to conform fo your plans. I forbear also to 
 enlarge upon the superior advantages you now enjoy for the 
 education of your children, and upon the fame and dignity 
 which will probably attend your efforts to build up the 
 medical institutions of your own Country, to be a distin 
 guished founder of a new establishment, rather than^an 
 important prop to an old one ; but will only add, that, 
 under every aspect in wMch I can view the question as it 
 affects your interest and prospects, the migration would be 
 unfortunate, and a cause orVregret to you through life. In 
 all these opinions my wife most fully concurs, and will 
 perhaps write a postscript. Excuse me for saying an old 
 
 " I never knew an oft-removed tree, 
 Or yet an oft-removed family, 
 To thrive so well as those that settled be." 
 
 Adieu, my dear sir ! I am threatened now with a pain in 
 
148 INVITATION TO PHILADELPHIA. [vET. 40. 
 
 my toe, which I ascribe altogether to the fidgets brought 
 on by your letter. 
 
 I am very truly and respectfully 
 
 Your friend and servant, 
 
 (Signed) H. G. OTIS. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I did think I had very much to say on 
 this important and interesting subject : but my husband, as 
 usual, has exhausted the subject ; and I need only say amen 
 to the foregoing. If, however, he has omitted any thing, it 
 must arise from a lurking envy on the part of that sex on 
 whom your loss would fall most heavily, and for whom he 
 has that exquisite tenderness, that he would wish an exclu 
 sive claim to a reciprocity. If your cruel project is not 
 quite relinquished, we the aggrieved shall have a meeting, 
 and make a most touching appeal to all your fine feelings. 
 In all events, believe me most truly your friend, and deeply 
 interested in your welfare, reputation, and happiness. 
 
 s. o. 
 
 Mr. Otis was a gentleman equal in talent to any person 
 in our community at that time. He and his family had 
 been friendly to me on my first establishment in Boston. 
 He continued so to the day of his death. 
 
 Besides the objections portrayed in the above letter, there 
 were two of great consideration to others, which his deli 
 cacy had let him to omit. The first of these was a sense 
 of gratitude to the community in which I lived, for the 
 kindness and consideration I had always experienced. A 
 favorable notice had been taken of my labors, such as they 
 were ; and a sort of hereditary regard to my family, spring 
 ing from the labors and efforts of my uncle and father, and 
 some others of its members. 
 
1818.] INVITATION TO PHILADELPHIA. 149 
 
 The second objection not mentioned in the above letter, 
 which had an important influence on my mind, was, that 
 my father, having died only three years before, had left 
 Boston without any one who was particularly known as a 
 surgeon ; and some years would have been required to form 
 any one. 
 
 The negotiation continued for some months, and cost me 
 much thinking, much writing, and much anxiety ; but, 
 when the period arrived for making a reply, I did it decid 
 edly in the negative, for the reasons stated above, and have 
 never seen cause to regret my decision. From that time 
 till the last three years, I have been as much occupied as 
 possible. If I had been in Philadelphia during this period, 
 I should have lectured and written more, and practised 
 less. I should possibly have had more reputation in sur 
 gery, and less property. Instead of being now situated in 
 a very large circle of friends and relations, among whom I 
 could enjoy the fruits of my labors, I should have been 
 placed, no doubt, among many distinguished men and very 
 good friends, but less near to me than those in Boston. 
 
 In the year 1838, being then in Europe, I received an 
 application, on the part of the Regent of the University of 
 New York, to take the office of Professor of Anatomy in 
 that institution. 
 
 The same reasons which had operated on my mind in 
 regard to Philadelphia, influenced me in respect to that 
 from New York ; and, with the expression of my thanks 
 for the high honor conferred upon me, I respectfully 
 declined the invitation. 
 
 June 6, 1820, Dr. Warren read to the Massachu 
 setts Medical Society, as their Annual Discourse, " A 
 
150 SENSORIAL SYSTEM. [-<ET. 42. 
 
 Comparative View of the Sensorial and Nervous Sys 
 tems in Man and Animals." This was perhaps the 
 earliest publication in Boston upon the subject of 
 comparative anatomy, which was always a favorite 
 science with him. Like every thing else which he set 
 about, he prepared this treatise with the greatest care 
 by dissections, and by the examination of the labors 
 of others, particularly of Cuvier, whose lectures he 
 had attended with great pleasure when he studied 
 in Paris. 
 
 Adopting as his guide the arrangement of Linnaeus, 
 improved by Cuvier, he commences with the classes 
 of vertebral animals, and describes the particular 
 nervous structure in each of these ; and hence goes 
 down to the lowest order of animal life. Thence he 
 goes into an account of the different races of men, 
 and gives a comparative view of the crania of these 
 races. He comes to the conclusion, that the structure 
 of the brain in animals shows nothing to prove that 
 the intellectual faculties are altogether dependent 
 on the organization of the brain. He is disposed to 
 attribute the differences in the races of men more 
 to education than to physical structure. He thinks 
 that the Mongol race may be as susceptible of im 
 provement as the Caucasian. The North-American 
 Indians he thinks equally capable of education, if 
 commenced from the cradle. With regard to the 
 African, he states, that, in those born in this country, 
 " their appearance alters for the better ; the features 
 expand, and assume a milder character ; the body 
 
1820.] SENSORIAL SYSTEM. 151 
 
 becomes more upright. In one of the New-England 
 States, where slavery was retained, in a mitigated 
 form, longer than in the rest, it has been distinctly 
 noticed, that the children of Africans, born in this 
 country, and brought up with those of the whites, as 
 occasionally happened in large country estates, were 
 as intelligent, as gay, as ready to imbibe the rudi 
 ments of learning, as the whites ; and, if their educa 
 tion had kept pace with that of the latter, they might 
 generally have continued on the same level through 
 life." 
 
 This little treatise must have been listened to and 
 read, at the time of its delivery and publication, with 
 great interest, because the language is clear, and rea 
 dily understood by the scientific or the unscientific ; 
 and it doubtless contributed to call attention to the 
 science which the genius of Cuvier so brilliantly 
 illustrated, and which has since been so earnestly 
 pursued in this country. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 The period of 1820 (that is, that time before and after 
 wards) was filled, as before mentioned, with extensive 
 practice, and with various other occupations. In 1820, the 
 Hospital began. At about the same time, St. Paul's Church, 
 and its consequent labors, commenced. In 1820, I deli 
 vered the Annual Discourse to the Massachusetts Medical 
 Society. This was the first publication in comparative 
 anatomy here, and cost me many laborious dissections. 
 It was, however, finished early ; so that, after it was com- 
 
152 JOURNEY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. [^El. 42. 
 
 pleted, and before it was delivered, I had time to go into the 
 country for a few days to recruit a little from the labors of 
 the winter. Mr. Mason, my father-in-law, possessing an 
 extensive sheep-farm in Dublin, N.H., invited his family to 
 make a visit to the place. The party consisted, as well as I 
 remember, of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Grant, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Sears, Mr. Trueman, and myself. Mrs. Warren re 
 mained at home to take care of the little family, which was 
 then five or six in number. It was the 23d of May, and 
 the trees were covered with blossoms ; but, when we arrived 
 in New Hampshire (which was the afternoon of the day 
 we left Boston), we were interrupted by a violent snow 
 storm, which confined us in a poor tavern eleven miles 
 short of Dublin. The great Monadnock was the first ob 
 ject which presented itself on the following morning ; and, 
 although at considerable distance, it appeared so near as to 
 seem to tower over our heads, covered with snow from its 
 base to its summit, and gave some idea of one of the snowy 
 peaks of the Alps. 
 
 Dublin is singularly situated at the base of Monadnock ; 
 the eastern side of the mountain appearing quite precipi 
 tous, like a wall, and the country below stopping abruptly 
 at its base. This country, contracting to a narrow pass, 
 gradually rises till you reach the highest part, where, from 
 the road, you might contemplate to the east and south the 
 whole country from that place to Boston ; and on the north 
 lay the village of Dublin, its church, and a beautiful lake, 
 beyond which the country opened to the north arid west. 
 We passed two or three days in this romantic situation ; and 
 some of the company ascended Monadnock, though with 
 great difficulty. 
 
 About that time, I went up Wachusett in company with 
 Dr. Bigelow. Being about to visit a patient in Groton, I 
 
1820.] JOURNEY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. 153 
 
 invited him to accompany me ; and we visited, in the first 
 place, the patient, at the house of Samuel Dana, Esq., a 
 famous Democratic politician. After this visit to Groton, 
 we crossed a beautiful country, through Harvard and Lan 
 caster, to Princeton ; but did not reach there till ten o'clock 
 at night, very dark, threatening to rain, and we ignorant of 
 the route. The inn was an uninhabited one, so far as 
 regarded guests, as there were none ; and there was very 
 little to eat. The next day was Sunday ; and we were shut 
 up all day by a violent rain-storm, during which I read no 
 small part of the " Universal History " of Anquetil. Dr. 
 Bigelow amused himself in a similar way. The next morn 
 ing, being clear, though wet, we took a guide, and ascended 
 the mountain. The first part of the ascent was through a 
 tall and regular grove of walnuts and oaks. These, as we 
 ascended, became shorter, and, at the summit, dwindled 
 into shrubs, so firm and bushy that one could almost walk 
 upon their summits. We were told there was a carriage- 
 road from Westminster, on the other side. The summit of 
 the mountain is bare, and the view magnificent. The river 
 Nashua forms a peculiar feature in the scenery ; and the 
 country towards Boston is so free and open, that the sea 
 may be discovered with a telescope. Ward Nicholas Boyl- 
 ston, Esq., the patron of the Medical Institution, afterwards 
 lived in Princeton ; and I made him a very pleasant visit, in 
 company with Dr. Gorham. The third time, I ascended 
 the mountain without a guide, and got lost. That time, we 
 ascended from Lancaster. Mrs. Warren and two of my 
 daughters were with me : N and we took at Lancaster Miss 
 Ann Clay, who was residing there ; but she was unable to 
 ascend the mountain, from an organic affection of the heart. 
 On descending, we got our dinner of brown bread and but 
 ter at a house wildly situated on the brow of the mountain. 
 
 20 
 
154 JOURNEY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. [VEl. 42. 
 
 To return to our mountain journey to Monadnock. On 
 our way home, we were involved in a very violent thunder- 
 shower, during which we were much exposed on the moun 
 tain road of the Concord turnpike, but arrived safely home 
 that day, without any great accidents ; quite happy to be 
 protected from the snow and thunder storms. 
 
1820.] RELIGION. 155 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 EARLY IMPRESSIONS. RELIGION. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 
 
 PRAYERS. 
 
 IN November, 1820, Dr. Warren joined the religious 
 society at St. Paul's Church, which had recently been 
 erected in Boston. 
 
 His father had been strictly educated in the doc 
 trines and principles of the Puritans, or Calvinists. 
 His mother was by education a Quaker, who, by mar 
 rying out of her church, became separated from that 
 body. 
 
 In the religious instruction of their children, they 
 both enforced the simple doctrine, that the Bible was 
 the word of God, and that all who strictly obeyed its 
 precepts would be accepted by him. It was the con 
 stant desire of Dr. John Warren to lead his children 
 not only to revere, but to love, the Scriptures. Until 
 after the return of his son from Europe in 1802, 
 Brattle-street Church, which he and his family at 
 tended, was strictly Calvinistic in doctrine. 
 
 A gradual change took place under Mr. Buckmin- 
 ster : but the language of the hymn-books used, con 
 tinued Trinitarian ; and these naturally serve to bias 
 the mind of a child, or of a young person who has 
 not given the subject much thought. 
 
156 RELIGION. [JET. 42. 
 
 Mr. Buckminster's opinions were in a progressive 
 state. He seldom, if ever, preached doctrinal ser 
 mons. The principal change was, in fact, one which 
 had been going on imperceptibly in this and the 
 other congregations in and around Boston. It was 
 a change, not of doctrines, but of feelings. It had 
 become more the custom to attempt to lead men, by 
 dwelling upon the love of God, and good-will to all 
 men, than to drive them by a display of the terrors of 
 future punishment. 
 
 The change, therefore, in Brattle-street Church, as 
 in the other* churches, consisted in an increasing 
 liberality of sentiment, and in a gradual omission of 
 Calvinistic forms of expression in the prayers and 
 sermons, without any universal or avowed change of 
 doctrine. It was left for every one to form his own 
 theological views. The younger portion of the soci 
 ety were never instructed in sectarian tenets, and 
 many of the older members never altered their 
 doctrinal opinions. 
 
 It was not until about the time that Dr. Warren 
 left this church, that Unitarian views began to be 
 explained and enforced. He therefore entered upon 
 religious inquiries with his mind nearly unbiased as 
 to sectarian tenets, except as far as regards early im 
 pressions from the doxologies, and forms of benedic 
 tion, which were Trinitarian. He has given a full 
 account of his search after truth, and of the reasons 
 which led him to the step he had now taken. 
 
1820.] DR. THATCHER. 157 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 My father was brought up in the Orthodox Church in 
 Roxbuoy. The Rev. Dr. Porter was placed in that church. 
 My father, as soon as he settled in Boston, fixed himself in 
 the Brattle-street Church, the pastor being the eloquent 
 and patriotic Dr. Cooper ; and occupied the same pew 
 which had belonged to, and been occupied by, his brother, 
 General Warren. In that pew I sat for the first twenty 
 
 years, under the ministration of the Rev. Dr. . This 
 
 gentleman was a man of handsome abilities, elegant per 
 son, with a delightful voice ; very impressive in prayer : 
 but, being much courted and feasted by the many rich men 
 of his congregation, his industry became relaxed, and, con 
 sequently, his sermons less effective. When little more than 
 fifty years old, he lost his health, and his powerful con 
 stitution began to totter. His sermons were rather orthodox 
 than otherwise, but had no distinct point. They, of course, 
 made very little impression ; and whether I got much good 
 there myself, or not, I cannot tell ; but suppose that the 
 regular habit of going to church, acquired at that period of 
 life, was a great advantage. There was no particular reli 
 gious instruction, however ; no Sunday school, no conversa 
 tion, and nothing but a mere routine of going to church 
 every Sunday. I suppose that the Revolution, which had 
 just terminated, bringing in new habits and customs, as, 
 for example, laboring on the sabbath the same as on any 
 other day ; the universal employment of ardent spirits in the 
 army, and thence diffusing itself in the rest of the commu 
 nity, broke in upon the religious habits and opinions 
 which had characterized this part of the country. There 
 was, however, no disrespect of religion in my father's house. 
 
158 RELIGION. [-ET; 42. 
 
 On the contrary, he was, whenever he was able, in the habit 
 of reading a sermon to his family on Sunday. My religious 
 notions were therefore laid in the right train, but were yet 
 not very well settled ; so that at college, except a general 
 respect for religion and its services, I had very little thought 
 on the subject, and, as far as I remember, never, in going 
 to prayers, had the least feeling of their object. We were to 
 go into the chapel, get through the prayers as quick as we 
 could, and then get out. We never had any religious ad 
 dress in the College Chapel ; and, although we were obliged 
 to go to church on Sunday, considered the sermons of the 
 reverend clergyman as a task to be gone through, although 
 we had great respect for the character of the preacher. 
 
 With religious feelings setting very lightly on my mind, 
 I went to Europe in the year 1799, being then about twenty 
 years old. From that time to the period of my return, I 
 never went to church, except in Edinburgh, where the Rev. 
 Dr. Kemp used to ask me to dine on Sunday, and carried 
 me to his church in the afternoon. His good wine, and a 
 little glass of brandy and sugar after dinner, in taking 
 which, Lady Kemp always set the example, very much 
 blighted our attention in the afternoon. In London, Sunday 
 was a day of relief from study, of dining out, and doing 
 any thing but going to church. In France, there was no 
 regular religion at the time I was there. Sunday was 
 blotted out. Once in ten days, we had a vacation-day from 
 study ; and, on that day, the Theophilanthropists, as they 
 called themselves, sometimes held festivals in some of the 
 churches. There they had a rhetorical address, an altar 
 covered with flowers, and an orator (not a priest) robed in 
 white silk, ornamented with every variety of colored rib 
 bons. About that time, however, Bonaparte, having 
 reached the summit of his consular power, came to a 
 
1820.] THE FIRST CHURCH. 159 
 
 conclusion that religion was necessary to good govern 
 ment. He determined, therefore, to bring back the Catho 
 lic religion ; and in April, 1800, went with great pomp, 
 and an army of twenty thousand men, to the Church 
 of Notre Dame, in Paris, to restore religion. After that 
 time, the churches were re-opened ; and the priests, with 
 a timorous and doubtful step, re-entered their places of 
 worship. 
 
 Returning to Boston in the latter part of 1802, I was 
 married in November, 1803, and looked round for a church 
 to settle in. It so happened, that in the Anthology Club, 
 and in the Society for the Study of Natural Philosophy, I 
 had become very much acquainted with the Rev. Dr. William 
 Emerson. The societies even often met in his house, and 
 our apparatus was lodged there. These circumstances led 
 to a great intimacy ; and, he being a lively, intelligent 
 person, an attractive preacher, and very desirous I should 
 join his church, we concluded to go to the " Old Brick," as 
 it was called, or First Church. This, a very respectable 
 building of peculiar architecture, was situated near the 
 head of State Street, where Joy's Building now stands. Dr. 
 Emerson died, no long time after, from an organic affection 
 of the stomach. The old church was pulled down, and a 
 very ordinary one erected in Chauncy Place. This pro 
 ceeding being very unpleasant, and the Rev. Mr. Buck- 
 minster being placed in our original church in Brattle 
 Street, I determined to go to his church, and bought a pew 
 there ; my father being then alive, and attending the same 
 church. 
 
 Mr. Buckminster was a remarkably able, eloquent, and 
 agreeable person ; perhaps one of the most able writers 01 
 the country in his time. I was intimately acquainted with 
 him. I never went to church in the morning, and missed 
 
160 RELIGION. 
 
 often in the afternoon, but still was a member of the Parish 
 Committee. Mr. Buckminster, unfortunately, died of epi 
 lepsy ; and we then had Mr. Edward Everett, who, though 
 very young (being about twenty-one), had entered the pul 
 pit. Mr. Everett was very much liked by everybody, and 
 particularly by myself. But, after a short time, he left 
 the church ; being chosen Professor of Greek Literature in 
 Harvard College. 
 
 About this time, a friend of mine, in whom I felt much 
 interest, had committed some indiscretions which were inju- 
 rkms to his character. This led to pretty serious conversa 
 tion between us ; and I agreed, for more exactness, to put 
 my thoughts in writing. In doing this, I was naturally 
 led, as a preventive to future mistakes, to point out the 
 importance of religious faith and practice. This brought 
 on a number of conversations on the subject, from which I 
 was led to take up the matter in a way I had not yet done ; 
 having, like most men, deferred its examination to a more 
 convenient time. The circumstances above mentioned, 
 however, set me to work immediately and systematically. 
 I read the Greek Testament through, once or twice, from a 
 copy which I purchased in Paris in the year 1801, and 
 which I procured in that great city with much difficulty ; 
 there being none for sale at the bookshops, and that which 
 I procured was found in a stall. This copy I lately gave 
 to my son Sullivan. Afterwards I read a good deal of 
 the Greek Septuagint, and the whole of the Latin Vul 
 gate, wishing to come as near as possible to the fountain- 
 head. Some of the commentaries I also read, particularly 
 Macknight ; then Wilberforce, Leland, and Butler's " Ana 
 logy," from which I never obtained the satisfaction that led 
 Governor Bowdoin to recommend it; also works on the 
 prophecies, miracles, &c. I was particularly pleased with 
 
1820.] ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 161 
 
 the philosophical spirit of a small work by the celebrated 
 writer on natural philosophy, Bonnet of Geneva, which 
 I read two or three times. What gave me particular satis 
 faction was the reading of the books which immediately 
 followed, or were said to have followed, the publication of 
 the Gospels, Irenaeus, Polycarp, St. Jerome, and others. 
 
 After going through all these and many other works, I 
 determined to adopt the Orthodox or Trinitarian form of 
 worship ; and there happened to be about this time a new 
 Episcopal Church (St. Paul's) set up by some of the mem 
 bers of Trinity Church, and many gentlemen of the town 
 not Churchmen, among whom were Hon. Mr. Webster, 
 George Sullivan, H. G. Otis, David Sears, and a large divi 
 sion of Mr. Mason's family, some of whom afterwards 
 became members of the church, and others not. About 
 half a dozen families left Brattle Street, not by concert, but 
 by a simultaneous movement. This excited a great many 
 remarks, much discussion, and a great deal of abuse, in 
 newspapers and pamphlets ; in consequence of which, some 
 of the subscribers to the new church retired, while others 
 became more settled and firm. The church was well at 
 tended ; but, the pews not being disposed of to an extent to 
 relieve its debt, a good deal of uneasiness was excited. The 
 debt was much relieved by permission to build tombs under 
 the church, the whole of which were soon sold ; and by the 
 judicious management of Mr. William Appleton, Mr. Ste 
 phen Codman, and others, was soon reduced to a manage- 
 able state. 
 
 In the mean while, a disatisfaction arose from the con 
 stant demands of the rector for money ; he being disposed to 
 anticipate his income. He became also unpopular, in other 
 respects, by his bigotry. The members began to fall off; and 
 finally an expression of discontent was found to be pretty 
 
 21 
 
162 RELIGION. C-ffiT. 42. 
 
 general. This led to the demand, on the part of the 
 church, for a separation from the rector. This movement 
 was strenuously opposed by him, and was at length settled 
 by an appeal to a convention. They recommended that the 
 rector should have permission to retire, in consideration of 
 the sum of five thousand dollars paid to him by the church ; 
 which they gladly agreed to, at the end of about five years 
 after his settlement. A considerable number of the parish 
 followed this gentleman, who preached for some time at 
 Christ Church. 
 
 St. Paul's Church was now in a deserted state, and it was 
 thought would soon be sold for a Unitarian church, as Uni- 
 tarianism was then making rapid advances. In concert with 
 Mr. William Appleton, I agreed to undertake the manage 
 ment of the church concerns, and was chosen senior warden. 
 For about two years, I supplied the pulpit with such ministers 
 as I could find ; and sometimes we were obliged to resort 
 to laymen to read the service. I superintended the Sunday 
 School, the Missionary Society, and the church music. 
 But the great object in view was to get a rector of real piety 
 and decided talent. For a long time, this was impracticable ; 
 but at last, through the Rev. Dr. Wayland, who was then a 
 Baptist minister in this town, I was informed of Rev. Mr. 
 Potter, who had lately been chosen President of the new 
 Episcopal College in Geneva, N.Y. It was a hard matter 
 to prevail on Mr. Potter to come here ; but still harder to 
 obtain the consent of the Bishop of New York, who con 
 sidered Mr. Potter's continuance in the college to be very 
 important. By letter, I introduced myself to the Bishop of 
 New York, and, by a protracted correspondence, convinced 
 him, that, if St. Paul's Church fell through, it would have 
 a bad effect on Episcopalianism in this State, and perhaps 
 in New England. Finally, the consent of all parties was 
 
1820.] NEW PRAYER BOOK. 163 
 
 obtained ; and Mr. Potter was inducted into office on the 
 twenty-ninth day of August, 1826. This was the opening 
 of a new era for St. Paul's, and the Episcopal Church 
 generally in this part of the country. 
 
 Mr. Potter (now Bishop Potter) was a person of great 
 natural abilities, industry, and perseverance ; fine manners, 
 commanding appearance, and benevolent disposition. While 
 he was what is called a sound Churchman, his views of reli 
 gious worship were such as appeared to me to belong to a 
 pious and sensible man. Under his ministration, the church 
 grew rapidly, and soon filled with persons who thought seri 
 ously on religious subjects, gathered from a variety of other 
 congregations, Episcopal, Orthodox, and Unitarian. The 
 accessory means of religious improvement were cultivated 
 by lectures, social meetings, missionary societies, and other 
 means of improvement. During the interregnum, a num 
 ber of us formed a private association for the purpose of 
 religious improvement. We met weekly, on Sunday even 
 ings, first at the vestry, and afterwards at our houses in 
 rotation. The gentlemen composing this society (besides 
 myself) were Drs. Jeffries, Reynolds, Hale ; Edward Tuck- 
 erman, James C. Merrill, and James C. Dunn, Esqs. We 
 continued these meetings to much advantage for several 
 years, without its existence being known to any but our 
 families. Finally, some of the gentlemen began to fall off; 
 and it was discontinued, contrary to my wish. We gave 
 an impulse to the Church Missionary Society, instituted for 
 the purpose of helping poor churches. In doing this, we 
 had the aid of some gentlemen of Trinity Church, particu 
 larly S. D. Parker, Esq. 
 
 It was in this society that the plan of publishing a new 
 Prayer Book was originated and accomplished. We had 
 felt the want of a good Prayer Book, a-ncl succeeded in get- 
 
164 RELIGION. [jET. 42. 
 
 ting out one in an octavo form, well printed, with a new set 
 of directions for those who were unacquainted with church 
 forms, at the price of one dollar a copy. The edition has 
 long since been exhausted. Rev. Mr. Doane, of Trinity, 
 was added to the Standing Committee by the Convention ; 
 and, by his great activity, ultimately took the management 
 out of our hands. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Potter continued at St. Paul's about five 
 years, I think; when, on account of ill health, he, to the 
 consternation of the parish, requested a dismissal. 
 
 St. Paul's Church received its character from Bishop 
 Potter. Dr. Jarvis was a High Churchman, and full in the 
 belief that the Book of Common Prayer should be adhered 
 to under all circumstances, and for all religious purposes. 
 The congregation, constituted as it was principally of per 
 sons educated in the Congregational form, could never 
 swallow this doctrine. Bishop Potter adhered to the Book 
 of Common Prayer, as a collection venerable for its age, and 
 convenient for devotional exercises ; but he did not think it 
 necessary to employ it exclusively. Bishops Hopkins, 
 Doane, and others, believed the Common Prayer Book was 
 competent, not only for the usual services of the altar, but 
 for all other occasions, as temperance celebrations, mis 
 sionary meetings, &c. Bishop Hopkins maintained, even, 
 that temperance societies, and other similar associations, 
 were useless ; as all matters necessary to life and doctrine 
 were to be found in the Common Prayer Book. Both these 
 gentlemen lived long enough to see that the public opinion 
 was against them ; but whether they ever altered their 
 notions, I have not heard. 
 
 The church, although it had lost many of its High 
 Church members, was, on the departure of Bishop Potter 
 (1831), very flourishing in its state of religious feeling ; and 
 
1820.] ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 165 
 
 a great number of religious societies existed in the congre 
 gation, and were supported very liberally in all good works. 
 
 The weekly evening lectures of Mr. Potter contributed to 
 the maintenance of a right feeling in the church, as well as 
 to attract new members from abroad. 
 
 The interregnum which followed was an anxious one to 
 those who felt much interest in its concerns ; for the con 
 gregation, attracted by the excellence of Mr. Potter, imme 
 diately began to fall off on his departure. Every effort was 
 made on my part to obtain temporary aid from able clergy 
 men ; but, although the facilities were increased very much 
 from those of the previous interregnum, they were not such 
 as to enable us to keep up a deep interest. After an inter 
 val of between one and two years, we invited the Rev. Mr. 
 Mcllvaine, of Brooklyn, N.Y., a pious man, and of great 
 eloquence. He made a preliminary visit to Boston, and 
 staid with me ; was pleased with the prospect ; and would 
 have, no doubt, accepted the call, but was at that time 
 made Bishop of Ohio. We had then to look out again ; 
 and at length we heard of the Rev. Mr. Stone, who was 
 settled in New Haven. We sent a committee to hear 
 him, consisting of Mr. Manlius Sargent, Mr. Tuckerman, 
 and Mr. Reynolds ; and, they making a favorable report, we 
 gave him a call. This was accepted, and he was soon after 
 settled. The people soon became sensible, that, in Mr. 
 Stone, they had a treasure which they could not find else 
 where, and the church filled rapidly. 
 
 After nine years of faithful labor, the rector was invited 
 (1841) to Brooklyn, N.Y. ; and he accepted the call. Thus 
 we lost three rectors in about twenty years. 
 
 I was obliged to go to work again, and ultimately prevailed 
 on Mr. Vinton, of Providence, R.I., to come to Boston.* 
 
 * Instituted sit St. Paul's Church, May 11, 1842. 
 
166 RELIGION. [.Ex. 42. 
 
 He has, by his moral and physical qualities, placed the 
 church on a better footing than before. The pews are sold 
 at as high a rate there as at any church in town, and it is 
 rare that one is to be obtained. Dr. Vinton, exercising as 
 he does great mental power to awaken the congregation to 
 a lively religious feeling, considers his success as not propor 
 tionate to his efforts ; and there is, in fact, no religious 
 excitement in the parish. But there seems to be, as far as I 
 can judge, a steady sentiment pervading the people ; and a 
 full attendance on all occasions, excepting at midsummer. 
 
 Finding some inconveniences from being compelled to 
 attend to the duties of warden, I resigned that office, after 
 holding it seventeen years ; but have continued a member 
 of the vestry to this time (December, 1849). 
 
 There is a good library belonging to the church, which 
 has been founded by David Sears, Esq., containing about a 
 thousand volumes. 
 
 Thirty years have elapsed since I became interested in 
 St. Paul's Church. On looking back, through this period, 
 to the various labors, duties, and expenses which it has in 
 volved, I feel, on the whole, satisfied with the review. Bred 
 up in the Congregational church, I gave the preference to 
 the Episcopal form, partly on account of its antiquity, but 
 principally on account of its solemnity. A large part of 
 mankind require, for the excitement of religious feelings, 
 some impression on the imagination ; and this acts more 
 efficiently and more beneficially on this class than a very 
 simple form would do. I have thought that a more im 
 pressive form of worship might -be arranged than any of 
 those that now exist, so far as I know. But it would be 
 rather difficult to find any form which would suit all classes 
 better than the Episcopalian. 
 
1820.] PRAYERS. 167 
 
 The following prayers, selected from private manu 
 scripts, as showing the more secret devotional feelings 
 of the writer, may properly be introduced in this 
 chapter. The one in behalf of a sick person is 
 written with an intense degree of earnestness. Some 
 of them are composed in Latin. Dr. Warren's fond 
 ness for the language led him daily to read a short 
 passage from one of the Latin authors. 
 
 ETERNAL, all-powerful Lord God, most holy, omnipre 
 sent Spirit ! we, thy humble offspring, fall down before thee ; 
 we prostrate ourselves in the dust, overpowered by the con 
 templation of thy greatness, and by the weight of our own 
 unworthiness and misery. 
 
 In approaching thee, we desire to humble ourselves before 
 thee ; to acknowledge and bewail our manifest sins, and the 
 wretchedness of our condition. We are corrupt ; we have 
 strayed from the way of life and happiness ; we have done 
 those things we ought not to have done, and omitted those 
 we ought to have done. Our consciences accuse us, and 
 our hearts condemn us. Overpowered by the burden of our 
 sins, how shall we be able, or be so daring as, to look up to 
 thy purity and holiness ? 
 
 But, God ! we repent; we repent in sorrow and in tears. 
 We are grieved ; we accuse and condemn ourselves, and 
 confess that our multiplied offences render us unworthy of 
 thy mercy. We have sinned against thee ; we have sinned 
 against our fellow-mortals ; we have sinned against our own 
 light and conviction ; and where shall we look for pardon 
 and for hope ? 
 
 To whom, merciful Father! can we turn, but to thee, 
 who hast promised forgiveness to those who repent truly of 
 
168 RELIGION. |>ET. 42. 
 
 their sins ? We repent in dust and ashes. We pray for thy 
 divine forgiveness and pity. In the name of Him, whom 
 with infinite mercy thou hast sent to make atonement for 
 us, and to wash out with his blood our deepest offences, 
 in his name, and with his blood, we hope and desire to 
 be cleansed and purified, and made white as snow. We 
 ask not in our own strength, but in the strength of our 
 Redeemer. We ask not for ourselves only ; but, through 
 the tender love of our Mediator, we ask thy commiseration, 
 thy pardon, and thy paternal care, for those who are dear to 
 us, for our friends, our relations, and for the whole 
 human race. 
 
 gracious God ! grant that our future lives may be 
 pure, holy, and acceptable to thee. Grant us the powerful 
 aid of thy Holy Spirit to inspire our minds with good 
 thoughts, and to support our hearts in the execution of 
 good deeds. May we be led to thee at every moment and 
 every act of our lives, that we may always think what is 
 good in thy eyes, and perform what is most for thy service. 
 Thus may we be filled with piety towards thee, with humi 
 lity for ourselves, and with love for our fellow-men ; so that, 
 by the cultivation of sincere religion and disinterested bene 
 volence, our souls may be gradually purified and elevated 
 as associates for the spirits of the just and the angels on 
 high. 
 
 With submission and self-distrust, we ask thy temporal 
 mercies in this state of trial and difficulty. For our friends 
 we would ask health, life, prosperity, and virtue ; for our 
 selves we ask whatever it may please thee to bestow on us, 
 unworthy as we are of any blessing. Thou knowest our 
 wants and our wishes. Grant, we beseech thee, whatever is 
 good ; and withhold what is hurtful. But grant us, above 
 all things, to be always in the way that leads to everlasting 
 
1820.] PRAYERS. 169 
 
 life and to thy glorious presence, and. to the ever-blessed 
 company of sages, saints, and pious men, who have lived 
 since the foundation of the world. 
 
 While we pray for thy favor, we would not forget to 
 acknowledge and thank thee for the innumerable and un 
 merited blessings we enjoy. We thank thee for our being, 
 our reason, and all the mercies, spiritual and temporal, thou 
 hast been pleased to bestow on us. We thank thee, above 
 all, for thy inconceivable love in sending into the world thy 
 Son to redeem us from sin and eternal death ; and espe 
 cially we thank thee that thou hast declared the glad tidings 
 of divine truth and salvation to us, and that thou hast 
 opened our ears to hear and our hearts to feel them. We 
 thank thee also for what thou hast denied, as for that thou 
 hast given. Thou knowest best, Lord ! and to thee we 
 would wholly commit ourselves, and those dear friends thou 
 hast given us. 
 
 And now, God ! we would venture to lift our eyes, and 
 to praise and magnify thee. 
 
 Thou alone existest from eternity, and fillest all space ; 
 thou alone art all-wise, all-powerful, and all-good ; thou 
 alone art wholly inconceivable to our minds. The thought 
 of thee dazzles and overpowers us, and strikes us down to 
 our primitive dust. Great and glorious Creator of thou 
 sands of worlds and myriads of animated natures, pity our 
 weakness, and accept our homage. And because we cannot 
 approach thee, even in thought, we would address all our 
 supplication through our blessed Mediator and Saviour, and 
 the blessed Spirit thou hast sent to comfort us. 
 
 And now to the infinite majesty of God the Father, and 
 God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, we would render 
 praise and glory inexpressible and eternal. Amen. 
 
 22 
 
170 RELIGION. ^ET. 42. 
 
 We at this time would devoutly elevate our thanks and 
 praises to Thee that it has pleased thee to inspire our bishops 
 and clergy with sentiments favorable to the growth of evan 
 gelical and vital religion. Touch the heart, we humbly 
 beseech thee, of those who view with coldness the zeal and 
 fervor now breaking forth in this church. Inspire them, 
 Father and God of all nations ! with a disposition to promote 
 the knowledge of the divine word among these hapless and 
 wretched people, who sit in the darkness of ignorance and 
 uncertainty ; and, when they are again called to consult for 
 the spiritual interests of their people, may they be prepared 
 to lend their aid to awaken the sleeping sinner at home, 
 and to carry the light of the gospel to those that in darkness 
 brood. We would also express our profound gratitude for 
 the blessings poured on this particular church, of which it 
 has pleased thee to make us members. We thank thee, 
 gracious God ! for all the means and opportunities which 
 thou art affording and increasing to iis of improvement in 
 the knowledge of those concerns that conduct us on the road 
 of eternal life. We thank thee for this humble Association ; 
 bless it, and prosper it, and make it a means of grace to 
 ourselves and to others. We thank thee, most beneficent 
 Parent, that it hath pleased thee to put it into the hearts of 
 any of us to instruct the young of our church in the great 
 doctrines of our holy religion. Prosper and aid all those 
 who are engaged in this most interesting labor ; expand the 
 hearts of those in their charge, that they may readily receive 
 the seeds of virtue, and bring forth fruits of immortal life 
 and salvation. 
 
1820.] PRAYERS. 171 
 
 And now, Lord Jesus Christ ! in full faith and trust of 
 thy life-giving passion, salutary cross, death, burial, and 
 resurrection from the dead on the third day ; thy ascension 
 into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of the Father ; and 
 looking for thy second glorious and terrible advent, when 
 thou shalt come again with glory to judge the quick and the 
 dead, and shalt render to every one according to his works ; 
 we wretched and miserable sinners do beseech thee, that 
 thou wouldst not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us 
 after our iniquities, but according to thy clemency and in 
 effable love to mankind, overlooking and blotting out the 
 handwriting that is against us thy servants, wouldst grant 
 us thy heavenly and eternal good things ; for we, thy people 
 and thine humble offspring, make our supplications unto 
 thee. Have mercy upon us, Lord God, Almighty Father ! 
 have mercy upon us, according to thy merciful disposition ; 
 and send down thy Holy Spirit on us all, through the ap 
 pointed means and channels of grace in thy church, for the 
 sanctification of soul and body, for bringing forth the fruit 
 of good works, the remission of sins, and the life ever 
 lasting. 
 
 EVER-PRESENT GOD ! we raise our voices to thee 
 with songs of praise and thanksgiving. We thank thee that 
 thou hast disposed the hearts of thy creatures, both here and 
 in other parts of the Christian world, to send the good news 
 of salvation to the ignorant and idolatrous heathen. We 
 magnify thee, that the star once manifested to the Gentiles 
 is travelling over dark and obscure regions, and everywhere 
 shedding abroad the light of life and salvation. We thank 
 thee for the rising aspects of the gospel in the abolition of 
 idolatry, superstition, and corruption, and the substitution 
 of knowledge, morality, and holiness. 
 
172 RELIGION. 
 
 Adored be thine infinite mercy, which brought the joyful 
 sound to the land of our nativity, and poured out to us a 
 full measure of the glad tidings of great joy ; that our 
 hearts have sometimes been warmed to good dispositions, 
 though too often relapsing into a languid indifference. 
 Remove our coldness, and increase our faith, that we neg 
 lect not so great salvation. 
 
 We acknowledge with hearts full of gratitude that thou 
 hast taken compassion on the congregation which has given 
 birth to this meeting. . . . More especially we offer up our 
 thanks, that thou hast granted us a pastor of thy appoint 
 ment, to gather the wandering flock, and feed them with the 
 reviving and renovating fruits of thy most excellent and 
 soul-refreshing word. Support and animate and guide him 
 in the way that shall lead him and us to everlasting life. 
 And we most humbly beseech thee, Lord ! to comfort and 
 succor those among us who in this transitory life are in 
 trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. 
 And, gracious God ! we thank thee that thou hast pre 
 served us present to see the beginning of another year ; 
 and, by continuing the blessings of life, hast invited us anew 
 to repentance. Grant that this mercy may not be in vain, 
 and that our years may not be multiplied to multiply the 
 account of our guilt. 
 
 i$j . . . - v '-: . LORD, 
 Father and King, eternal, infinite, and omnipresent Fountain 
 of life and immortality, Treasure of bliss inexhaustible and 
 everlasting ! the heaven, and heaven of heavens, and all the 
 powers therein, render praise ; and we poor mortals, sinful 
 dust and ashes, vile and unworthy though we be, do yet 
 desire to join in concert with that heavenly host, and say, 
 " Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts : the heavens and 
 earth are full of the majesty of thy glory." . . . 
 
1820.] PRAYERS. 173 
 
 FATHER of the human race, Author and Preserver of 
 health ! we supplicate thee to look on thy servant, whom 
 thou hast been pleased to afflict with many and long-con 
 tinued sufferings. 
 
 God ! we acknowledge the justness of all thy visitations 
 on our feeble race. We know and confess that thou hast a 
 right to visit us with pain and sorrow, both as our Father 
 and our offended Judge. We complain not, God ! of any 
 of the sufferings thou art pleased to inflict on us. We 
 know that it is for our benefit and improvement ; and we 
 feel grateful for the benign expression of thy care, and ten 
 derness for our weakness, and thy peculiar love for those 
 whom thou hast selected as subjects for severe trials. We 
 bow our heads in submission to thy righteous will, and 
 breathe not a murmur at the dispositions of thy divine 
 power. 
 
 While we submit ourselves entirely to thy unerring pro 
 vidence, we supplicate thy tender mercy on thy servant, for 
 whom we venture to address thy divine majesty. In judg 
 ment show mercy, God ! God our Saviour ! show mercy 
 to thy servant. 
 
 Heal, Lord God ! the wounds it has pleased thee to 
 inflict. . . . Speak the word, blessed Lord ! and thy ser 
 vant shall be healed. 
 
 Lord God ! turn not away from our petition, and listen 
 to our prayer and supplication. We have no merit to 
 plead ; but we plead only for mercy, we plead in His name 
 whom thou art always pleased to hear, we plead earnestly 
 and ardently and with agony, God ! for thy compassion 
 on thy servant, for relief from suffering, and restoration to 
 health. 
 
 
174 RELIGION. [JErr. 42. 
 
 Animate that heart with a sense of the fulness of thy 
 presence and of thy goodness. Raise it from all the objects 
 of earth to thee, the only Being worthy of unmingled love 
 and gratitude. 
 
 We would present our humble, fervent prayer, Father ! 
 in the name of Him who came into the world to redeem and 
 save us. In his name alone, and through his intercession, 
 we offer all our supplication, and renew all our petition. 
 Through his blessed mediation, hear us, Lord God ! Lis 
 ten to our prayers, and grant our request, and 
 
 All the glory and honor be to the Father, the Son, and 
 the Holy Ghost, through the ages of eternity. Amen. 
 
 ALMIGHTY GOD! who hast built thy universal 
 church on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, 
 Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone ; grant 
 that, by the operations of the Holy Spirit, the Christians of 
 this thy church may be so joined together in unity of spirit 
 as to be a holy temple, acceptable to thee. Supply, 
 heavenly Father ! at this time, their spiritual wants with a 
 pastor and a guide inspired with the knowledge from above, 
 the knowledge of thy will, through the gospel of thy 
 beloved Son, and that he may direct his wandering flock 
 through the blessed path which leads to the springs of eter 
 nal life, and of which he that drinketh shall never thirst. 
 This we ask in the name of our blessed Mediator, Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
1820.] PRAYERS. 175 
 
 BLESSED LORD GOD ! at whose mighty word the cor 
 ners of the earth tremble, and the mountains shake from 
 their foundations ; who ridest on the whirlwind, and who di- 
 rectest the storm ; oh ! let thy wrath cease, and let not the 
 fulness of thine indignation be poured upon guilty man., 
 Thine only-begotten Son did leave the realms of bliss to 
 be born, as at this period we commemorate, of flesh and 
 blood, to drink deeply of the bitter cup of human misery 
 and death. Rejected of men, whom he came down to 
 save, he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with 
 grief; he was persecuted for our transgressions, and 
 bruised for our iniquities ; a stranger on the earth, which 
 was fashioned by his hands, and an outcast among the people 
 whom his Father had created. When, therefore, we behold 
 HIM stretched upon the cross in the agonies of death, how 
 can we expect to escape the heavy and wrathful displeasure 
 of the Almighty ? Who shall redeem us from the burden of 
 our sins ? who shall blot out our iniquities ? who shall open 
 the gate of heaven, and bid us to come in ? Thou, Lord, 
 whom we have persecuted ; thou, Saviour of the world, 
 whom we have so often smitten. Thou hast made thyself a 
 propitiation for the wickedness of man, and hast offered up 
 thine own immaculate body as a free-will offering and sacri 
 fice for his transgression. Thou wilt gather the repentant 
 from the ends of the universe, and thy mercy will grant what 
 thy judgment would withhold. Oh ! may these our hopes 
 be confirmed at thy mercy-seat. Impress on us for ever 
 these awful recollections ; and, in the hour of temptation, 
 may the voice of conscience breathe in our hearts, that the 
 mighty Saviour died to preserve us from infinite misery. 
 
176 RELIGION. 
 
 FATHER ! have compassion on the different members 
 of our family who are scattered over the face of the earth. 
 Guard them, we pray thee, from accidents, from sickness, 
 and from all troubles. But especially, God ! guard them 
 from sin, the sickness of the soul, and from eternal death. 
 May they have a constant sense of thy existence and pre 
 sence. May they endeavor to serve thee constantly and 
 faithfully. May they be useful in their day and generation. 
 And at last, Father ! admit them to thy blessed kingdom, 
 through the merits and blood of our atoning Redeemer. 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 177 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 You ask me, my dear friend, what Mr. E. means by faith. 
 How can I answer this question to a mind more acute and 
 better instructed on this subject than my own ? I have no 
 doubt, you comprehend the object he had in view better 
 than myself; but perhaps we may view his opinions in a 
 different light. Like all who have dwelt much on one sub 
 ject, he sees it in many relations which would not present 
 themselves to others ; and it is by the attempt to display all 
 their relations we are confused, and get no distinct impres 
 sion from that which is principal and pre-eminent. What 
 does he wish us to believe but this ? that faith is not a new 
 nor an abstract principle ; that, of itself, it is nothing but a 
 barren speculation ; that, to make it fruitful, we must cul 
 tivate, not only the understanding, but the heart, and bring 
 into its service, not the reasoning power alone, but the affec 
 tions. We must feel as well as believe. We must feel the 
 mighty power and goodness of our Creator ; and we must 
 realize his infinite love for us miserable beings in sending 
 us a revelation of his character and his will by his blessed 
 Son, and his accepting that Son as an offering for our frail 
 ties and transgressions, and listening to him as a Mediator 
 for our prostrated and penitent souls. When the love of 
 our infinitely beneficent Parent is brought into our view, we 
 are not to satisfy our consciences with bowing our heads 
 in respect and adoration, but we must bring our whole souls 
 
 23 
 
178 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^ET. 42. 
 
 to realize his transcendent benevolence. With such a 
 temper of mind cultivated into a permanent habit, all our 
 thoughts would partake of love for that Creator who has 
 done so much for us ; and this love would banish all meaner 
 thoughts, all the trifles of time and space, to their proper 
 region. This blessed spirit of love would influence all our 
 social actions ; and, beginning in the narrow sphere which 
 encircles ourselves, would extend to all men, and all the 
 animated works of our common Father, and at length 
 return and rise again to Him, the Source of love and hap 
 piness. 
 
 On such a topic it would be easy to dilate. I will only 
 ask this question, Why did our Creator explain his will to 
 us by his divine revelation ? Was it that we should believe 
 only ? or was it that we should believe and act ? 
 
 The idea of a salvation by faith alone is as strictly con 
 tradicted, then, by reason, as it is by positive assertions of 
 revelation. 
 
 Let us not, then, dare to trust on our faith alone. If our 
 kind Father has bestowed on us his Holy Spirit to soften 
 our hard hearts, let us be humbly grateful for the gift ; but 
 we must be careful oh, how careful ! not to glory in 
 it. That pride were the most dangerous and deadly error, 
 which would undermine all our goodness, and, when we 
 thought ourselves most strong, would leave us prostrate in 
 the power of mortal sin. Our faith, if we have it, we must 
 be most grateful, most humbly grateful, for. Our hearts 
 should melt in thankfulness at the recollection of the divine 
 favor. We must nourish and cultivate it with all tender 
 ness and affection, and produce from it the fruits of a, good 
 life, a life held in the performance of the will of the Author 
 of our being ; a gradual and regular elevation of character ; 
 so that every thought and every act should bring us 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 179 
 
 nearer to Him, with whom we humbly hope to live through 
 eternity. 
 
 That this may be your lot and mine, let us pray with 
 out ceasing. In this hope, all my aspirations to our hea 
 venly Father are breathed from day to day. For this 
 blessing I pray, might I not say, above all others ? that 
 we should be holier, wiser, and better, and at length ascend 
 from this scene of trial and suffering to that assembly of 
 blessed spirits, where every thought shall be free, and as 
 holy as free. 
 
 BOSTON, Feb. 9, 1832. 
 
 When I have been out in the night, and return 
 
 home at one or two in the morning, the town buried in 
 the deepest repose, I reflect that sixty thousand people 
 are immersed in forgetfulness, and are unconscious of the 
 bright moon and the still, breathless atmosphere ; and not 
 a sound meets my ear but the distant heavy roar of the 
 beaches at Nahant and Lynn ; my spirit, unencumbered, 
 rises to Him from whom it emanated, and pours out its 
 gratitude for its existence, its blessings, and its hopes. 
 
 I saw to-day a book on Enthusiasm, which, from the 
 account of it given me, must be good ; and I will send it to 
 you. The religious condition of this community seems 
 to me in a sort of quietude, which presages some con 
 siderable movement. Little appears to be doing ; but there 
 are many good books published and read, the Sunday 
 schools are active, and a multitude of associations are 
 occupied in diffusing religion and morality. The change 
 in the matter of spirituous drinks seems to me little less 
 than miraculous, and fills me with pleasure and expecta 
 tion. The winter of Boston has been mild, till within the 
 
180 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^Ex. 42. 
 
 last three weeks. We have the thermometer frequently at 
 zero, and the surface of the earth covered with a magni 
 ficent bed of snow, which bids fair to remain through the 
 winter. The European winter set in two months earlier than 
 ours, which was unfortunate for our friends in France. 
 
 My winter has been a happy and a prosperous one ; far 
 more than I could expect, or did deserve. With good 
 health, and reasonable time to attend to my lectures, the 
 losses I experienced in the manufactory business repairing, 
 although I received, as usual, some violent shocks, I daily 
 raised my thoughts in thankfulness to the Most High for 
 the multitude of blessings showered on so unworthy a head. 
 My designs have been prospered, my labors accomplished 
 and settled, my whole concerns arranged ; so that, if it 
 pleased the Author of my being to remove me from this 
 earth to-night, I should have nothing to say, no account 
 to settle but one ; and for that one I confess myself inade 
 quate and incompetent. This last and most dreadful reck 
 oning I feel myself unable to pay ; and how wretched would 
 the thought make me feel, were it not for my faith and 
 hope in Him who has with his own blood washed out the 
 heavy, the incalculable debt ! Lost in the contemplation of 
 never-ending deficiencies, I turn to Him, and bow my soul 
 at the foot of his 'atoning cross, in humblest penitence and 
 regret. How much of my life was spent in thoughtlessness 
 and folly, before the light began to shine on my dark and 
 devious road ! and, even since, how often have my thoughts 
 strayed far from Him who is alone the way, the truth, and 
 the life ! . . . Now never do I pass the General Thanksgiv 
 ing of our church, without including my thanks for the 
 " means of grace and the hope of glory." 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 181 
 
 BOSTON, Aug. 16, 1832. 
 
 I should have written to you sooner, but waited in the 
 hope of Mr. Crocker fulfilling his promise of procuring me 
 Combe's book ; which, I presume, he found it impossible to 
 do. I send you, in lieu of it, " Saturday Evening," thinking 
 you possibly may not have procured it ; or that, if you have, 
 you will have a copy to give to your friends. Boston con 
 tinues perfectly healthy, and without precursory symptoms 
 of the epidemic. This has been the case in other places. 
 The occurrences at the State Prison, which you have seen 
 in the papers, appear to me to have arisen from some ar 
 ticle of bad food, affecting persons in a confined atmosphere, 
 who were predisposed by the season, and by some unusual 
 atmospheric influence, to have the disease ; for the affec 
 tion occurred at the Charlestown Almshouse, and at the 
 House of Industry in South Boston, No person has died, 
 nor is expected to die, in any of these places. The epi 
 demic is extending itself into Virginia. The last report 
 from Norfolk is thirty-four new cases ; Philadelphia, about 
 a hundred and forty ; New York, diminishing. I have a 
 letter from the last city, of August 10, which firmly 
 asserts the fact, that no deaths have occurred in temperate 
 and cleanly persons, unless by some imprudent exposure. 
 
 My health and that of my family are good. We continue 
 to follow Dr. Hopkins, who is doing great good. The last 
 lecture was crowded to a degree; large numbers being 
 obliged to stand in the aisles. Every lecture, even when 
 the weather has not been favorable, has been fully attended. 
 
 The weather, the last three days, has been magnificent, 
 and has spread a lustre over the beautiful surface of nature, 
 which swells the feelings with gratitude to the God of the 
 universe. How inexpressibly fine must be the mountain 
 scenery now ! Oh ! I assure you, I am there in spirit to sym- 
 
182 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^ET. 42. 
 
 pathize in the greatness and the beauty of that wild place. 
 Farewell, my dear friend : neither the mountain air, nor the 
 fine scenery, nor a delightful retirement, will give you 
 health, without constant attention to yourself, and a serene 
 mind, which you know when to find, and where only it is 
 to be found. Write to me of your ascent ; and believe me, 
 
 as ever, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 JOHN C. WAEREN. 
 
 BOSTON, Sept. 1, 1832. 
 
 I have been trying, for some days, to get an opportunity 
 of thanking you for your very delightful letter, and inform 
 ing you how we get on. There have been now four cases 
 of cholera : the last occurred yesterday in a poor drinking 
 woman of bad character. I examined the body of the first 
 who died, and was over it from one to two hours, on one of 
 our hottest afternoons, and without the least inconvenience. 
 The appearances were very striking and interesting, and 
 characteristic of the complaint. It gratified me to have an 
 opportunity of showing my profession and the public, that 
 these examinations could be made without danger of con 
 tagion. The public mind is evidently more tranquil than 
 before the disease appeared here. How it will be when the 
 complaint is more extended, is not perfectly certain. The 
 premonitory affection has been pretty general for some time 
 back. This with other considerations lead to the expecta 
 tion of more cases. My afternoons must now be employed 
 in visiting patients, instead of riding into the country. 
 
 I am sorry you think of leaving P., because the air is so 
 pure, and the place so retired. There are bounds to the 
 pleasures of solitude, and perhaps you have reached them. 
 I heard of your case of Miss , and remarked to my 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 183 
 
 informant how fortunate it was she had the aid of a mind 
 disciplined to do good, without dread of consequences. If 
 I rightly understand the matter, your house is so far 
 cleansed that you can admit new comers. I do not expect 
 to be there myself: the amount of sickness is too great. 
 
 Do not cease to give me your prayers. I cannot describe 
 the satisfaction I have in the assurance, that I have one 
 who intercedes with Him, who is ready to intercede for 
 all ; and the affairs of life make me so negligent, that I 
 greatly feel the want of such aid. 
 
 BOSTON, Dec. 10, 1832. 
 
 How dependent we are on others for happiness, instead 
 of looking to the supreme Source of good alone for all 
 our comforts ! I was delighted with the extracts from Miss 
 G.'s letters, and have made use of them to give consolation 
 where it was much required. 
 
 This extraordinary cholera has disappeared from Boston 
 long since ; but, about three weeks ago, it broke out in the 
 House of Industry, and has carried off thirty to forty poor 
 people. The School of Anatomy has reaped benefit from 
 this visitation ; for these subjects do not decompose like 
 others, being drained of fluids, and, of course, dry arid 
 wholesome. Otherwise, we are admirably healthy here. 
 We have had snow ; but now the weather is mild and 
 moist. 
 
 Our minister gains on public opinion. Last week were 
 sold seven pews in the church ; giving us seven new propri 
 etors. The Tuesday-evening lectures have begun, and have 
 exceeded our expectations. Bishop Hopkins has gone with 
 
 all his family to Vermont. Mrs. died fourteen days 
 
 since. She suffered much before death; and, the day pre- 
 
184 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [Ml. 42. 
 
 vious, said to me, " When will this terminate ? " I told 
 her these sufferings were the visitation of Supreme Good 
 ness, and ought not to be met with impatience, but a full 
 confidence in his goodness, and resignation to his decrees. 
 To this she appeared fully to assent. That night she suf 
 fered quietly. The next was peaceful, but heavy. At six, 
 P.M., she lost her consciousness, and died at nine. I was 
 present, which she much desired, at the time. I received 
 her last sigh, closed her eyes, and composed her limbs. 
 She died sitting up in a chair. I found, as I had informed 
 both her and her friends, the left side of the chest full 
 of water. She left precise directions as to her funeral, 
 and distributed mementoes to her friends. It is a subject 
 of deep regret to me that I had not opportunity to converse 
 more fully on the affairs of another state of being. But it 
 was impracticable. Her friends were always present. It 
 was only at momentary intervals of their absence, that she 
 seemed willing to approach the subject of religion. She is 
 in the hands of a gracious God. May he pardon and accept 
 her! 
 
 Mrs. continues very ill, though not absolutely fail 
 ing. Her mind is devoted principally to preparations for 
 the great change. 
 
 How do you get on ? How are your brother and the 
 little girl ? Remember me to my patient, the old black 
 woman. I hope the climate of Georgia suits her better 
 than ours. 
 
 BOSTON, Aug. 26, 1833. 
 
 It is quite a gratification to me to learn that Princeton 
 and Wachusett continue to be interesting to you. I formed 
 an affection for the mountain long before I approached it. 
 Whether this sentiment was inspired by the mystery which 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 185 
 
 seems to hang over the summit, and the dark recesses of a 
 lofty mountain ; or its grandeur, as part of a fine piece of 
 scenery ; or whether its sublimity raises our thoughts more 
 near to the great Author than other objects, I know not. 
 I leave the question to your mind. The description of the 
 scenery of the thunder-shower, and the golden vapors 
 which followed it, were, to me, inexpressibly grand and 
 elevating. . . . 
 
 . . . When we ascend such an elevation, filled as we 
 always are with the human world which is about us, and 
 find, that, of the multitude of living beings we have left 
 below, not one individual is visible, then, indeed, we can 
 realize the insignificance of man, and the greatness of his 
 Creator. 
 
 The hints respecting the direction of the thoughts of 
 young people, I prize ; and shall, I hope, be able to make use 
 of them in practice. 
 
 We have letters to-day from M . Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 are in Paris. She looks remarkably well. Mr. is 
 
 under the hands of Dupuytren ; laid on his back, but with 
 out the apprehension of any serious result. Dr. B has 
 
 arrived home, our nephew G , and my son. The town 
 
 continues perfectly healthy, and is quite filled with strangers, 
 among whom I have discovered some interesting persons. 
 The convocation of teachers, too, is in session ; and to-day 
 there was a discussion on phrenology. I was asked to 
 attend ; but I think my thoughts and reflections, such as 
 they are, may be directed to more profitable subjects. For 
 the last two or three weeks, I have been employed in the 
 daily study of the fifteenth chapter of Corinthians, with the 
 hope of being enabled to associate my thoughts more closely 
 with a view of the immense and eternal unseen ; and I 
 have run over, in connection with it, the evidences of Bon- 
 
 24 
 
186 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^T. 42. 
 
 net, with great satisfaction. Wilberforce is dead. What 
 recollections does this name revive ! 
 
 BOSTON, Aug. 24, 1834. 
 
 Not a word have I heard from you, my dear friend, since I 
 left Boston. It is now too old a matter to ask about ; but 
 I should have been glad to know how you got on with my 
 
 friend Mrs. , as I did not see her after her return. I 
 
 cast my eyes towards the high mountain, as it were, to get 
 some news of you ; but the mountain, and the clouds which 
 cover it, speak only of their great Author. Do you recollect 
 the lines in Montgomery's poem on the Deity ? I do not 
 know any thing of poetry that comes nearer to my heart. 
 
 " There is a voiceless eloquence on earth, 
 Telling of Him who gave her wonders birth; 
 And long may I remain the adoring child 
 Of Nature's majesty, sublime or wild. 
 Hill, flood, and forest, mountain, rock, and sea, 
 All take their terrors and their charms from thee, 
 From thee, whose hidden but supreme control 
 Moves through the world, a universal soul." 
 
 You may recollect I have mentioned to you, there is a 
 spot at South Boston, where, from the road, you get a fine 
 view of the summit of Wachusett. I never pass without 
 straining my eyes to get a glimpse of it. Some of my ear 
 liest and most pleasant associations are connected with it ; 
 and this interest is strengthened by its having been the 
 scene of the last journey I took with my departed friend 
 Dr. Gorham. 
 
 We have letters from Mr. S , our minister, who in 
 forms us he shall return in October. In the mean time, St. 
 Paul's is closed on account of its repairs. Dr. B is 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 187 
 
 here, and has been thundering against the Catholics ; rather 
 unfortunately, as the burning of the convent took place the 
 
 day after his sermon. Mr. , of Salem Street, preached 
 
 at Nahant last Sunday ; and, having a chance at a fair shot 
 at the Unitarian congregation which resort there, he dis 
 charged on them the full doctrine of original sin ; whereas, 
 had he have given them a mild sermon with the surprising 
 talent in which he is so rich, they would have said, " These 
 Calvinists are not quite so bad as we thought." 
 
 Boston is filled with strangers, and among them a num 
 ber of Georgians. 
 
 BOSTON, Jan. 25, 1835. 
 
 Your letter, my dear friend, I received in proper time. 
 Before its reception, I had already written and forwarded 
 one to you. The hand of Providence has been conspicuous 
 in sparing your people from the ravages of the epidemic ; 
 and I have no doubt you have employed the remarkable 
 preservation to place in strong light the divine goodness as 
 well as power. The miracles of nature and of grace are 
 too familiar to awaken our sensibilities ; but a personal pre 
 servation rouses all our love and gratitude. Since I wrote 
 you, our Mr. Stone has been most industriously employed 
 in endeavoring to bring his people to more distinct and 
 decided feelings on religious subjects. His sermons have 
 been excellent, and delivered with that expression of inte 
 rest and zeal that convinced them how much he himself felt 
 for their welfare. He had a meeting of three successive 
 days in St. Paul's, at which were assembled the most evan 
 gelical part of the Episcopal clergy. The intensity of the 
 cold at the time prevented much attendance on the part of the 
 
188 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^ET. 42. 
 
 people : besides, they really did not understand its object. 
 After tbe meetings, he assembled the ladies of the parish 
 at his house, and made them better acquainted with his 
 views. A large society was immediately formed to aid him ; 
 and this will be probably followed by a similar one of the 
 other sex. His Bible-class is re-opened, and fully attended. 
 The church is small in numbers ; and I cannot but hope 
 there will arise a spirit of a healthy and permanent nature. 
 
 I came in contact with your 
 
 sister, a short time since, at a poor lady's (Mrs. Baldwin's), 
 who had lost her two remaining children, where she was 
 employed in administering the only consolation and relief 
 which applies itself to such a distressing case. Mrs. Bald 
 win told me she had received the fullest satisfaction and 
 
 comfort from the visits of Mrs. G ; that she was entirely 
 
 satisfied of the wisdom and goodness of the decree which 
 had deprived her of all her children. She is now herself 
 affected with the fever which proved fatal to her sons ; and 
 will probably soon rejoin them, where disease shall be known 
 no more. By the brig " William," Ira Smith, master, I send 
 you " Combe," u McLellan," and some pamphlets. I wish 
 I could find you something else. Is there any thing I can 
 send for your people ? Remember me to your family, and 
 to Daphne, who, I am pleased to hear, thought of me. 
 After a tremendous turn of cold weather, the last three 
 weeks have been spring-like. Pray take good care of your 
 health, and let me know how you are. 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 189 
 
 BOSTON, March 6, 1836. 
 
 Your interesting letter I received in proper time. The 
 death of Dr. Charlton was rather unusual in its form ; but 
 I feel satisfied that no physician and no human aid could 
 have varied the course of this disease. Our beneficent Pa 
 rent has bestowed the knowledge of many wonderful virtues 
 in plants and minerals, and we must be grateful for it ; 
 while, on the other part, every day and every hour present 
 instances of the utter helplessness of human art. The trials 
 you have gone through are the refiners of the heart, the 
 purifiers of the spirit from its earthly dross. The more you 
 are tried, the more perfect your renovation. You have had 
 much to suffer, and much to enjoy. What an influence it 
 has pleased the great Disposer of events to give you over the 
 minds of others ! Be thankful for it, and be humble. 
 
 I have not seen your sister's family lately ; but I appre 
 hend their temporalities are much improved by the happy 
 termination of the French negotiation. And I most sin 
 cerely rejoice in it ; believing, as I do, that adversity has so 
 deeply planted in their hearts the seeds of pious thoughts, 
 that no luxuriance of prosperity can root them out. . . . 
 
 Our winter has been a fine one. The first snow fell on 
 the 28d of November ; and, from that day, there has been an 
 intermisson of sleighing of two or three days only. At pre 
 sent, the snow lies about two or three feet deep in most parts 
 of the country. On the sixth day of March, the snow 
 banks, or rather ice-banks, are so high, that, in the cross- 
 ways in Washington Street, steps are cut from the side 
 ways (two or three in number) to enable us to traverse 
 the street. Still, it has been a fine, healthy season ; and the 
 whole country is in a most favorable condition for vege 
 tation. 
 
190 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [JET. 42. 
 
 Your suggestions of the expediency of making a change 
 in my professional pursuits have sunk deep into my heart ; 
 and I feel more than ever a deep sense of my omissions, and 
 a desire for retirement from the world to repair them. 
 There is a thought which stands in my way. I ask myself, 
 what were the purposes of the Creator in placing me here, 
 giving me experience, and the power of administering relief 
 to my fellow-mortals ? Which will be most agreeable in his 
 eyes, a life of pious thought, or of useful action ? Is not 
 the daily recognition of his power and providence, when in 
 termixed with all the acts of life, a more acceptable offering 
 than retirement and contemplation ? Cannot I accomplish 
 more by pouring into the ear, which sickness has opened, a 
 seasonable word on righteousness, temperance, and judg 
 ment to come, than a reputed religionist could do ? A 
 friend of mine, to whom I was expressing my painful sense 
 of the omission of some occasional religious duties, told me, 
 " Many people consider you a fanatic ! " I must stop, and 
 leave these matters for a personal discussion, if it should 
 be the will of God that we meet again on earth. 
 
 What led to the conversation alluded to, was the discovery 
 that some members of our church were thought to be mak 
 ing movements for getting up a revival. A real springing- 
 up of religious feeling among us I ardently wish for. A 
 revival brought on by certain machinery, I fear, can do us 
 no real good. Yet I would not stand in its way. 
 
 Have you ever seen Noah Webster's translation of the 
 Bible ? It has been much satirized ; but I have rather a 
 favorable feeling towards it. 
 
 Present my kind regards to your friends, not forgetting 
 my former colored patient ; and accept the sincere saluta 
 tions of J. C. WARREN. 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 191 
 
 BOSTON, May 1, 1836. 
 
 I wish you could have disclosed to me the sources of your 
 anxiety when you last wrote. . . . When you are troubled 
 by things here below, look upwards, and you will see a light 
 that will dispel these transient clouds. There is nothing 
 that is great enough here to be a cause of two days' excite 
 ment. I use the physiological or naturo-pathological term ; 
 knowing you have had the good fortune to take lessons in 
 these sciences i. e., physiology and pathology from 
 an elevated source, and that etiology has not escaped your 
 attention. 
 
 The snows have dissolved, and we have now a fine spring 
 temperature ; but I have witnessed this day a solid cake of 
 ice, twelve or fourteen feet long and a foot thick. I wish 
 you had given me an account of your winter ; for I am curi 
 ous on that point, and like much to know what is going on 
 in different parts of the globe at the same moment. 
 
 Our Mr. S is quite in spirits. His convocation was 
 
 fully attended ; his lectures have been more resorted to, 
 and the appearance of religious feeling more sensible in his 
 
 church. Dr. W has been threatening to go to New 
 
 York ; and, having abandoned this idea, is now going on a 
 voyage to England. . . . 
 
 Your views of my position are very correct and very use 
 ful. It is difficult for any one to see himself, take what 
 pains he may, unless he has a friend to hold the mirror. 
 My estimation of the things of this world is very moderate. 
 My heart is with my God and Saviour, I know. I desire to 
 live only in his sight, and to promote his will. Yet weak 
 ness, and want of judgment, and the defect of early feeling 
 and habit, lead me to omit the things I ought to do. One 
 thing I do not omit, a frequent contemplation of the 
 final, irrevocable, arid speedy change ; and, trusting humbly 
 
192 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [>T. 42. 
 
 in the atoning blood of my Redeemer, I hope my omissions 
 and transgressions may be washed away, and my aspirations 
 for the Supreme Good wafted to the Eternal Presence. 
 
 BOSTON, 27th of November, 1836. 
 
 What a world of new ideas have yon opened to me, by 
 recommending the " Physical Theory of Another Life " ! 
 Certainly it is one of the most ingenious theories and 
 closely argued works in our language. It carries us into 
 the invisible world by steps so gradual, that we can scarcely 
 believe we are soaring above the atmosphere of our good old 
 mother earth. However, we are still inhabitants of this 
 sublunary planet ; and so I will proceed to tell you a little 
 of what has been going on here. Our good rector has had 
 
 * 
 
 a call to a newly formed parish in Brooklyn, N.Y. 
 
 Mr. Clark is settled at Grace Church. If he holds out 
 as he has begun, he will be an extraordinary person. Mr. 
 has gone, though reluctantly. H. was so much trou 
 bled about it as to be perfectly deranged in health, and is 
 now under my care for a hepatic complaint, but not con 
 fined at home by it. ... His domestic establishment I found 
 entirely revolutionized, not a person that I knew. Whitee 
 came to see me before her departure, and took an affection 
 ate leave. We have had a melancholy event in the death 
 of my niece, this in her first confinement. She died in 
 the possession of full consciousness of her state, and took an 
 affectionate leave of all about her. I congratulate you on 
 being out of our cold region. In the last three days, we 
 have had a most wintry clime, below freezing through 
 the day, which is rare in winter. 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 193 
 
 I have thought much of your advice in regard to a 
 voyage. 
 
 May the Almighty protect you, and receive you into 
 everlasting mansions of bliss ! 
 
 J. C. W. 
 
 PAKIS, Dec. 10, 1837. 
 
 MY DEAR FKIEND, When we heard of the loss of the 
 steamboat, there was some doubt whether it was a Charles 
 ton or Savannah boat ; so that you may well think I had no 
 little anxiety till the facts were known. As such accidents 
 produce additional care for a season, your voyage will be 
 more secure than usual. Your sufferings, physical and 
 mental, in regard to your trouble, I have thought a good 
 deal of. As you have got relieved, and I trust effectually, it 
 is perhaps better that you slumld have been under the care 
 of one who had not exactly the tremulous interest of a near 
 relation. Pray let me know, when next you write, whether 
 you are quite well. After I wrote you, we had a long 
 and pleasant expedition in England, Scotland, Ireland, and 
 Wales. Among the places which most deeply interested 
 me was York. We were there of a beautiful, bright Sun 
 day. In the morning, I left my hotel alone, and walked to 
 see the Cathedral. I had heard very much of it ; but when 
 this tremendous structure, with its dark walls and towers 
 and pinnacles, burst suddenly upon me, the sublime spec 
 tacle, though I am not given to the melting mood, almost 
 brought tears. Near it are the very ancient, extensive, and 
 beautiful views of the Abbey of St. Mary. Towards sunset, 
 I started through the crumbling, Gothic vaults, among 
 scattered columns and richly wrought capitals ; thought of 
 the long-past hymns which their ruins had echoed ; thought 
 of distant friends and a futurity, how distant, I know not. 
 
 25 
 
194 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [JET. 42. 
 
 As, however, my object is to see men rather than things, 
 I have, as much as possible, passed my time in the great 
 cities. In Edinburgh I found extraordinary kindness and 
 hospitality, and made some valuable acquaintances ; among 
 others, that of a lady, who, accidentally hearing that we 
 were there, called on us because we were Americans, asked 
 us to her house, and continued her attentions and hospitali 
 ties all the time of our visit. I was anxious to see Mr. Ers- 
 kine, our old friend, who has given us so many topics for 
 conversation. But he is now placed quietly forty miles from 
 Edinburgh ; has relinquished Tongues and Irvingism ; and is 
 deeply engaged in writing a commentary on Romans. I 
 sought the Church of Tongues ; and, as nobody could give me 
 any distinct information, found it with difficulty ; entered as 
 service was about to begin. Instead of finding every thing 
 to gratify curiosity, I found only a small congregation of 
 decent people, very devotional, and with some peculiarities 
 in forms not very remarkable. Dr. Chalmers did not preach 
 while I was there, and among the Scotch preachers, I met 
 nothing extraordinary. The Scotch Presbyterians are as 
 exclusive as the English Episcopalians ; and, odd as it may 
 seem, they do not allow other churches (even Episcopal) the 
 title of churches : they are called chapels, and are not 
 allowed to have bells to call the people together. From 
 Edinburgh we went to the Highlands ; thence, by Glasgow, 
 to Liverpool, where I had an interesting week with the 
 British Association ; thence, through Wales, to Anglesea 
 and Ireland. In the beautiful Yalley Llangollen, in the 
 heart of Wales (the place where resided the two maiden 
 ladies described by Puckler Muskau, and where now is 
 seen their monument), I met, at a grocery, a temperance 
 man, and had a very interesting conversation with him, 
 and stimulated him to proceed in the good way. They 
 don't know much about temperance in this country, 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 195 
 
 i.e., in England and France. Ireland we found peculiarly 
 interesting. Crossed from Waterford to Bristol, and passed 
 some days in Bath. In this delightful place we expected 
 to have heard the Rev. Mr. Jay, but were disappointed. 
 On the following day, however, Mrs. Warren found him 
 out while I was in the hospital, had a fine talk with 
 him, and received his sermons as a keepsake. We had a 
 very agreeable, unexpected meeting with old friends, the 
 Misses Ross. On returning to London, we spent a day or 
 two at Lord Bexley's, and had an opportunity of seeing a 
 British nobleman and politician, a friend of religion and 
 science, and of kneeling with him in domestic devotion, in 
 which himself officiated. This leads me to think of Lady 
 Byron, to whom we also made a visit. She has a strong 
 cast of melancholy ; but came out on the subject of physi 
 cal and religious education, in which she is deeply engaged. 
 She has a large school for the poor, which she in a great 
 measure supports. 
 
 We have now been in Paris a month, and shall remain 
 here, as we expect, about two weeks more ; then for Italy. 
 I can only say, at present, we have excellent Christian 
 meetings here, in English and French, according to our 
 form and others. Paris is amazingly interesting to me on 
 the score of hospitals, scientific meetings, and private soci 
 ety. They treat me most hospitably, with more distinction 
 than I deserve. As to other matters, I can only say, that 
 your good sense and your reading will keep you from 
 homoeopathy, phrenology, and animal magnetism. If Mr. 
 B. comes in your way, neither seek nor avoid him. May 
 you be continued in health arid usefulness, and finally 
 receive the Christian's crown, is the prayer of 
 Your friend, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
196 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [JET. 42. 
 
 PARIS, April 21, 1838. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, When I last wrote to you, we were 
 on the point of leaving Paris for Italy. We accordingly 
 went off, on the 29th of December, in a carriage containing 
 our party and courier, who is an indispensable companion 
 in these continental expeditions. We hired a coach for 
 the whole route, and changed horses every six or eight 
 miles. Our journey through France was not particu 
 larly interesting till we descended the Rhone, when the 
 old Roman, Gothic, and Saracenic castles, towering over 
 the craggy precipices on the river, some of them placed 
 where it would be difficult to climb, these ruins, the rapid 
 river, the remains of Roman monuments and villas, make 
 this a delightful passage. At Avignon we saw the ancient 
 palace of the Popes, and many curious old monuments. 
 Embarking at Marseilles, we touched at Genoa, Leghorn, 
 Civita Yecchia ; and reached Naples in safety, after a dan 
 gerous passage. Here, in the middle of January, every 
 thing had the aspect of May, peaches and almonds in blos 
 som ; trees loaded with oranges and lemons; plenty of 
 fresh vegetables. It was, indeed, very luxurious. Then 
 the classical objects in its neighborhood above all, Pom 
 peii, where you make a visit to old Rome, and revive the 
 manners of two thousand years since make this, perhaps, 
 the most interesting place in Europe. From Naples we 
 went to Rome, mighty in her ruins. I cannot write any 
 thing which will convey to you my internal agitations on en 
 tering this place. But you can imagine it, as your imagina 
 tion has never lost its wings, rude as the storms which have 
 assailed it may have been. Imagine, then, yourself enter 
 ing under the ancient wall and ruinous gateway ; and as 
 soon as you have passed the towering remains of aque- 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 197 
 
 ducts and temples, in a few minutes, the gigantic Colos 
 seum appearing, you can conceive what would be your 
 emotions. Rome was fine indeed, but altogether different 
 from what I expected. We passed near a month there ; 
 saw his Holiness, and talked with him ; then went to 
 Florence, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Yerona; crossed the 
 snow-covered Alps to Innspruck, Munich, Augsburg, Ulm, 
 Heidelburg, Frankfort. Cologne. We paid our respects to 
 " Farina " down the castle-bearing Rhine. From the Rhine 
 to Aix la Chapelle ; over Waterloo to Brussels ; thence to 
 Paris ; passing a hundred battle-fields, through fortified 
 towns, in the midst of robbers, avalanches, inundations; 
 sometimes annoyed by the police ; often hungry ; lying in 
 beds without blankets, with sheets generally presented to us 
 wet, and usually long enough to cover all but the feet. 
 What a delightful thing it is to make the grand tour, pro 
 vided you have no friends, no comforts, and no business, 
 at home ! If you have these various contingencies, stay at 
 home, and mind your business ; and, if you have so little wit 
 as to quit your comforts, the greatest pleasure I can promise 
 you is, that, if you do return safe from such a journey, you 
 will feel most happy and grateful that you have not been 
 robbed, murdered, imprisoned, drowned ; that your legs arid 
 arms are not fractured, and your head remains on the top 
 of the vertebral column. 
 
 When I was at Paris before, we had the Rev. Mr. Baird 
 and Rev. Mr. Kirk, of New York ; we had a weekly meet 
 ing on Saturday evening (at Mr. Baird's) for devotional 
 purposes, and various services on Sunday. At present, we 
 rely on Colonel Thorn's chapel, where there are regular 
 services and an excellent preacher, an Englishman, quite 
 evangelical. 
 
 We expect to leave Paris in May, and take passage in 
 
198 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [^T. 42. 
 
 July ; so that I shall hope to see you before you leave the 
 North for the winter. . . . 
 
 I have very much to do here and in London, and very 
 little time to accomplish my labors. My work, though less 
 regular, is more trying, more anxious, than at home. The 
 variety, however, and the diminution of responsibility, will, 
 I hope, prevent its wearing away much of my vitality. 
 
 Accept the prayers and kind wishes of your friend, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 BOSTON, Nov. 25, 1838. 
 
 My life has been a busy one since you left us. The intro 
 duction of improvements, giving lectures, attending the 
 Hospital, and devising and performing difficult operations, 
 have given me as much work as my shoulders would bear. 
 I now keep a regular journal, which I did not before. 
 Whether it will be worth any thing, is quite uncertain. I 
 want eyes and strength to digest my foreign journal, and 
 bring it out ; but fear I shall never have force to accomplish 
 it. I feel much trouble as to my religious progress ; for I 
 find that the regular cultivation of devotional feeling is im 
 practicable in the way I could wisli : yet I cannot perceive 
 any diminution of the sentiment which leads me to acknow 
 ledge my entire unworthiness, my sole confidence on the 
 merits of a redeeming Saviour, nor of the near approach 
 of the time when I must give an account of my talents. 
 I often imagine myself ill, dying and dead, and attempt 
 to take a view of my subsequent condition ; and all this 
 with reference to my present conduct. May the Almighty 
 protect you from evil apprehension, is the prayer of your 
 friend J. C. WARREN. 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 199 
 
 BOSTON, 16th February, 1839. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, My eyes have been so entirely worn 
 by my necessary labors, that I have been utterly unable to 
 gratify myself with writing a line I could omit, without 
 neglect of imperious professional duties ; otherwise you 
 would not have had an opportunity of reproaching me with 
 the want of good faith, which opportunity you have been so 
 kind as not to use. I was delighted with your letter. The 
 picture you give of your occupations affords me an admira 
 ble view of your situation ; and I doubt whether you could 
 be more useful in any other sphere. You have enjoyed a 
 great influence on society, and you have employed it wor 
 thily. Perhaps the period has arrived when your talents 
 may be employed in a more extensive sphere. You have 
 more ability for producing a valuable book than the greater 
 number of those who write. Why not begin ? 
 
 My winter has been a busy one. I found my lectures 
 were to be attended by a respectable body of our established 
 physicians. This increased my responsibility, and my de 
 sire to give every thing of new discovery. My practice, 
 less in amount, has been of a nature to require thought ; 
 so that I am well worn. By the goodness of Providence, 
 I have had no illness since I left London. I have written 
 nothing, not even answers to foreign correspondents. 
 
 Our lecture-room, or vestry, or chapel, is open ; and Mr. 
 Stone seems to enjoy it highly. His sermons this winter 
 have been strong and searching. The great topic the win 
 ter has been temperance ; and every thing out of the range 
 of the Boston groceries appears favorable to it. The 
 subject is still before a Committee of the Legislature, and 
 the public hearings attract a great attendance. Mr. F. 
 Gray has gained high reputation by his lectures. The 
 lecture-room of the Temple is crowded to excess. Dr. F. 
 
200 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [>ET. 42. 
 
 is taking an active part at the Warren-street Chapel. Our 
 winter is quite mild ; no sleighing. I hear about you fre 
 quently, and how much you are thought of. Pray, do you 
 think of the White Mountains for next summer? 
 Faithfully your friend, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 BOSTON, May 14, 1839. 
 
 Your very pleasant letter, bringing, as it did, assurance 
 of your and your family's health, was a lasting pleasure to 
 me. To be sure you were, and I suppose always will be, 
 very much occupied ; but you are all the better for that, my 
 dear friend, because you are less likely to be disturbed with 
 those troublesome thoughts which your enlarged imagina 
 tion is apt to involve. The hospitalities of your country 
 are inconceivable to us Yankees. I must come and see you 
 for myself. 
 
 By the blessing of Providence, my family and kin are 
 well, and in as good a state of feeling as we deserve to be. 
 At this time, all things here seem prosperous. The license- 
 law stood all the shocks to which it was exposed. The 
 dram-shops have disappeared ; and, although there is mucli 
 secret drinking, the consumption is greatly diminished. 
 An organization is now formed in each of the wards to 
 see the law enforced. A missionary effort is making in 
 our church, which cannot fail to produce a large contribu 
 tion. A new chapel is on foot at the same time. In 
 fact, we are full of new chapels, though not all of the 
 best kind. Will you have the kindness to ask your brother 
 to have procured for me a small alligator, about two feet 
 long ; to have it tucked into a little keg of spirits, and sent 
 to his correspondent here, with a note of the expenditure ? 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 201 
 
 My wish is to get the skeleton only. He need not be sent 
 alive, a mistake which once happened to me through 
 the agency of a black friend in Africa, who caused an 
 orang-outang to be caught alive for me; though happily 
 the poor animal did not abide long : but I had to pay for 
 
 his bones. To think of Miss having discharged my 
 
 friend at the last moment, after the wedding- 
 cake was baked ! When will ladies learn to know their own 
 minds ? 
 
 Farewell, says your friend 
 
 JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 BROOKLINE, 6th June, 1840. 
 
 It was quite a relief to me to get a letter from you ; for I 
 knew your eyes were bad, . . . and I was seriously appre 
 hensive you could not employ them in any literary opera 
 tions. I have been prodigiously consoled and relieved by 
 the use of a reader, through whose interposition a new 
 world of science has been opened to me this winter. There 
 has been a considerable religious movement this season. I 
 wish it would reach our church, and am not without hopes 
 it may ; but we are asleep at present. I was glad you spoke 
 of Mr. W.'s death ; for I had thought a deal about it, and 
 was quite at a loss to understand the principles on which he 
 had acted. We shall hope to have an opportunity of specu 
 lating on his history. 
 
 It will be delightful to me to get the alligators, as well 
 for the associated recollections as for the interest I have in 
 regard to the order. I have made great advances in the 
 study of comparative anatomy this winter. There was a 
 gap to be filled by this pleasing animal, which your bro- 
 
 26 
 
202 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [J3T. 42. 
 
 ther's kindness lias supplied. The further I have pursued 
 this subject, the more wonderful have I found the work of 
 the great Creator. The contemplation of the universe is 
 too vast for a human mind ; but the variation of the same 
 organs from the highest animal to the lowest vegetable, the 
 use of the most simple elements to compose and accommo 
 date the most complete structures, strikes me now and then 
 like a flash of light. We are now in the country, which 
 is most beautiful. My kindest regards to Mr. and Mrs. 
 K., and believe me 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 BOSTON, 21st March, 1841. 
 
 Your letter, my dear friend, was most seasonable, as I 
 had heard nothing about you since your departure in Octo 
 ber: and most gratifying, as it told me of yourself and 
 friends, subjects in which my interest is deepened. I 
 should have long since written a few lines ; but my eyes, 
 exercised too much in dissections, have not allowed me to 
 read or write any thing of consequence, and I have been 
 obliged to rely on others. My eyes, however, by the good 
 will of Providence, see well for a short time. 
 
 Dr. Stevens, of whom you speak, is a highly distinguished 
 person, and his notions of the blood very generally adopted, 
 owing partly to his excellent work, of which he had the 
 goodness to send me a copy. You do not tell me how you 
 met with him. 
 
 This winter has been rendered interesting by the labors 
 of Mr. Kirk, which have been very successful among peo 
 ple not often touched with religious warmth. The fruits 
 he has produced will, I hope, grow to a rich maturity 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDE> 7 CE. 203 
 
 Dr. Stone's congregation is decidedly enlarged by the 
 converts made by Mr. Kirk. 
 
 Our temperance matters have taken a new impulse, and 
 look delightfully. I have been pained by hearing the death 
 of my old friend Sir A. Cooper. It is also just now the 
 season of the year, and I at the precise point of life at which 
 my father died. 
 
 BOSTON, April 17, 1842. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, With the greatest pleasure, I heard 
 of your safe arrival ; though I should have been glad to 
 hear more about you. 
 
 Our church is quite awakened. We have had morning 
 service for near a month, and attendance of excellent per 
 sons not Episcopalians. ... My own health is good, but 
 eyes very bad. 
 
 Remember, I pray you, my advices. Mrs. S. C. Gray, 
 your neighbor, is severely afflicted in the lungs. Her death 
 will be a great loss. Our season is quite forward, and my 
 visits to Brookline have begun. 
 
 I remain your faithful friend, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 Rev. Justin Edwards to Dr. Warren. 
 
 No. 3, BEACON STREET, BOSTON, Dec. 6, 1842. 
 
 (Extract.) " Your opinion as a medical man added 
 much to the value of the temperance documents ; and 
 those opinions are now operating on the millions who read 
 them. I am desirous of your written opinion with regard 
 to the Sabbath." 
 
204 RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [jET. 42. 
 
 Dr. Warren to Dr. Edwards. 
 
 BOSTON, Dec. 21, 1842. 
 
 DEAR SIR, By your communication of the 6th of De 
 cember, I was gratified to learn that you had undertaken to 
 enlighten the public mind in regard to the importance of a 
 due observance of the Sabbath. Your very successful efforts 
 in the cause of temperance have extended their influence to 
 the most remote parts of the earth ; and it is, therefore, 
 highly gratifying to the friends of religion and good order 
 that you have taken in hand this important subject. 
 
 Agreeably to your request, I have examined the English 
 documents in the publication you sent me relating to this 
 subject. I concur entirely in the opinion expressed by Dr. 
 Farre, whom I personally know as a physician of the high 
 est respectability. The utility of observing the Sabbath as 
 a day of rest, considered in a secular view, rests upon one 
 of the most general of the laws of nature, the law of 
 periodicity. The light of day alternates with the obscurity 
 of night : the bustle and activity of the former is followed 
 by a state of repose and sleep during the latter. The rapid 
 movement of the vegetable world in summer is succeeded 
 by a state of torpor through the winter. The life of the 
 whole vegetable and animal creation consists in a succession 
 of movement and tranquillity ; and, without this succes 
 sion, their movement would soon flag, and their vitality be 
 ultimately extinguished. 
 
 The facts you have collected, and will be able to collect, 
 in support of the observance of the Sabbath, are so nume 
 rous, and so easily obtained, that it would be useless for me 
 to attempt to add to them. I will only remark, that, so far 
 as my observation has extended, those persons who are in 
 the habit of avoiding worldly cares upon the Sabbath, are 
 
1820.] RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 205 
 
 those most remarkable for perfect performance of their 
 duties during the week. The influence of a change of 
 thought on the Sabbath, upon the minds of such persons, 
 resembles that of a change of food upon the body. It seems 
 to give a fresh spring to the mental operations, as the latter 
 does to the physical. I have a firm belief, that such persons 
 are able to do more work, and do it better, in six days, than 
 if they worked the whole seven. 
 
 The breathing the pure and sublime atmosphere of a 
 religious Sabbath refreshes and invigorates the mind, and 
 forms the best preparation for the labors of the following 
 week. 
 
 With best wishes for the success of your undertaking, 
 
 I remain very truly yours, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
206 OPENING OF THE HOSPITAL. [^Er. 42. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 HOSPITAL. MUMMY. BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. VISIT TO 
 CONCORD. VISIT TO OLD HOUSES. PRACTICE. LETTER 
 TO JUDGE PARKER. 
 
 IN the year 1820, the Massachusetts General Hospital 
 was opened. It differed from other institutions of this 
 nature, in the comparative elegance of its structure 
 and accommodations. There were not, at the time, 
 great numbers that required its advantages. The 
 native population were generally well off, and had 
 comfortable homes. However poor, they preferred 
 to be taken care of at their own residences, and felt 
 a strong prejudice against entering a hospital. The 
 foreign population was then small. It is to be recol 
 lected that peace with England was declared in 1815 ; 
 and as a British subject has no power to renounce 
 his allegiance, in whatever part of the world he may 
 live, but must remain a British subject for life, the 
 immigrants from England, Scotland, or Ireland, were 
 comparatively few. The Boston Dispensary supplied 
 the deserving destitute with medicine and medical 
 attendance at their houses. It was long before the 
 superior advantages of a hospital were understood. 
 The accommodations, therefore, were intended to 
 give to a few, in a superior style, every thing which 
 
1820.] EGYPTIAN MUMMY. 207 
 
 their comfort or well-doing demanded. The poor 
 patient was sure of receiving all the care and atten 
 tion, and of having every thing which would promote 
 his cure, equally with the rich. The man of property 
 might find all the accommodations of his own house, 
 in addition to those remedial measures, such as baths, 
 apparatus, and nurses of superior order, which he 
 could not obtain at home. There was nothing left 
 undone which care, medical skill, cleanliness, pure 
 air, perfect ventilation, and strict discipline, could 
 accomplish. Nothing was wanting that could contri 
 bute to the ultimate success of an operation or the 
 cure of a disease. The origin, arrangement, and, in a 
 great degree, control, of this institution, in its earlier 
 years, belonged to Drs. Jackson and Warren. The 
 trustees acted by their advice, as the persons most 
 interested in its welfare, and best qualified by their 
 profession to superintend it. 
 
 Dr. Warren was chosen surgeon three years pre 
 vious to the opening of the hospital ; that is to say, 
 on the 6th of April, 1817 : and, at the same time, Dr. 
 James Jackson was chosen physician of the insti 
 tution. 
 
 The first patient was received on Sept. 3, 1821. 
 On Sept. 4, Dr. Warren was appointed by the trus 
 tees to draught an address to the public. 
 
 In the year 1823 (May 4), Mr. Van Lennep sent 
 here, from Thebes in Egypt, a first-rate Egyptian 
 mummy, through the agency of Mr. Bryant P. 
 Tilden. 
 
208 EGYPTIAN MUMMY. [l&r. 45. 
 
 This mummy was given to the hospital; and, it 
 being thought that some money might be made for 
 the hospital by the public exhibition of it, Dr. War 
 ren was desired to write a description for the " Bos 
 ton Journal of Philosophy and the Arts." In writing 
 this paper, he was led to study Egyptian antiquities, 
 and especially to consult Diodorus and Herodotus. 
 It was probably at the time the most complete descrip 
 tion of a mummy ; for no good one had as yet been 
 carried to Europe. 
 
 The exhibition was very successful, and brought in 
 between two and three thousand dollars. The mum 
 my remains in the hospital, unaltered, since the time 
 it was opened. 
 
 In connection with this account of the mummy, 
 and of the mode of preservation of dead bodies, Dr. 
 Warren alludes to the singular preservation of a gen 
 tleman's body near Boston, which had lain in the 
 ground many years, and was still so entire that the 
 features were at once recognized by those who knew 
 him when living. The skin he found quite firm and 
 strong, the flesh of the arms solid : the cellular mem 
 brane resembled the grain of the under surface of 
 leather. Mr. William B. Shedd, who has recently 
 written notes upon the history of Maiden, supposes 
 this to have been the body of Mr. Timothy Sprague, 
 of that town, who died from the bite of a snake in 
 1765, and whose body existed in that condition in 
 1817, more than fifty years after death. 
 
1823.] BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. 209 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 In 1823, on the suggestion of W. Tudor, Esq., I pur 
 chased three acres of land across the top of Bunker Hill, 
 where the action of June 17, 1775, was fought. 
 
 I applied to General Sullivan, Messrs. Webster, Ticknor, 
 Prescott, Mr. Benjamin Russell, printer, and others. They 
 held various meetings on the subject ; and in 1824, General 
 Lafayette being on a visit to Boston, I met him at the 
 monument of General Warren on Bunker Hill, on the 17th 
 of June, and invited him to attend at the same place on 
 that day a year, to lay the corner-stone of a monument to 
 be erected. In the mean time, a great subscription was got 
 up, and the corner-stone was actually laid by Lafayette, and 
 a fine oration pronounced by Mr. Webster, in presence of a 
 hundred thousand persons. 
 
 The monument went on under the architectural superin 
 tendence of Mr. Solomon Willard, who published a history, 
 and gave a view of the form and size of each separate stone 
 of which the monument was built. After this, I was, for a 
 number of years, chosen Chairman of the Building Com 
 mittee of the monument. The business was to regulate the 
 expenditures, provide money, and superintend the construc 
 tion. A great deal of time and labor were necessarily 
 expended in this work. 
 
 Finding that the work was going behindhand, the Com 
 mittee, consisting of Colonel Perkins, William Sullivan, 
 Amos Lawrence, and myself, borrowed money on our pri 
 vate responsibility, to the amount of thirty-two thousand 
 dollars, or eight thousand dollars apiece. This debt hung 
 over us for a number of years ; but it was ultimately settled 
 by taking and dividing the extra land of Bunker Hill, 
 
 27 
 
210 BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. [^El\ 45. 
 
 which, after holding a number of years, we sold, and were 
 in part re-imbursed. The negotiation by which we were 
 extricated from this dilemma was accomplished by the 
 talent and zeal of William Appleton, Esq., whose name, 
 if I should mention all the good he has done for the 
 public within my knowledge, and all the acts of friend 
 ship he has shown to my family, would appear in every 
 page. Mr. Appleton is a merchant, the son of a cler 
 gyman, who, with but little aid from friends, and with 
 ill health almost uninterrupted for the space of thirty years, 
 acquired a very large fortune. This he has employed with 
 great liberality in aiding public works, particularly religious 
 and benevolent purposes. But the quality for which he is 
 most remarkable is his disposition and ability to aid friends 
 who have fallen into a state of embarrassment from any 
 cause. . . . 
 
 Soon after the time mentioned above, a revolution was 
 accomplished in the government of the Bunker-Hill Monu 
 ment Association, by a party called Antimasons, who were 
 anxious to take down the monument to the foundation, and 
 remove the deposit, because the ceremony of laying the 
 corner-stone was performed by the Freemasons. By con 
 cealing their designs, this party succeeded in removing such 
 officers as they thought proper, and substituting themselves. 
 They allowed some of us to remain ; of whom I had the 
 honor to be one, being re-elected a Vice-President. The 
 party did not accomplish any thing important, although 
 many efforts were made to do so. In the course of the year, 
 we contrived to arouse the people, particularly the mecha 
 nics ; called the anniversary meeting of the succeeding year 
 in Faneuil Hall, where some hundred members attended, 
 and threw out the Antimasons without any ceremony. 
 
 The mechanics were, for the most part, substituted. By 
 
1823.] BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. 211 
 
 new contributions, fairs, &c., the monument was at length 
 completed ; and, in the year 1843, a magnificent oration 
 was pronounced by Mr. Webster, who had also delivered 
 the opening address in 1825. The ceremony, like the first, 
 was of the most imposing character. When the monument 
 was completed, it was expected to have been resigned to the 
 charge of the State Government ; but, the government not 
 assuming it, the association continued to hold it. 
 
 In the year 1849, at my suggestion, I was authorized to 
 deposit three blocks of granite, two indicating the posi 
 tion of the original breastwork, and one showing the place 
 where General Warren fell. The relics of the original 
 breastwork I had more than once preserved from destruc 
 tion ; for, notwithstanding my annual remonstrance, the 
 breastwork was attacked, and the shovel was in operation 
 to destroy its last remains, when I arrested the hand of the 
 workman, and thus retained a portion of the original fortifi 
 cation thrown up on the 17th of June, 1755. 
 
 In September, 1825, Dr. Warren applied to the Go 
 vernor and Council for the " Hancock " and " Adams " 
 six-pounders, two of the four pieces of artillery 
 belonging to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 previous to the breaking-out of the Revolution. 
 One of them he found was already burst. These 
 he took care of, and kept till the monument was 
 finished, and then sent them to be deposited in the 
 chamber near its summit, where they now are. 
 
 He wrote the following letter in regard to them: 
 
212 BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. [>T. 45. 
 
 To THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS OF THE BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT ASSO 
 CIATION : 
 
 GENTLEMEN, When I had the honor of being Chairman 
 of the Building Committee of the Bunker-Hill Monument 
 Association, I applied to the Governor of this Common 
 wealth for the revolutionary field-pieces, called the " Han 
 cock " and the " Adams," with the view of connecting them 
 with the Bunker-Hill Monument, and thus securing the 
 preservation of these interesting relics of the Revolution. 
 
 The history of these field-pieces is probably known to the 
 Directors. They are the only remains of the artillery 
 belonging to the British-American Colonies at the beginning 
 of the Revolutionary war. There were originally four of 
 them. They were deposited in the Arsenal, or Laboratory 
 as it was then called, at the corner of West Street. The 
 town being in possession of a British army, it was daily 
 expected they would be seized ; and how they might be 
 used, was a subject of anxious consideration among the 
 patriotic spirits of that day. A plan for their rescue was 
 boldly conceived and successfully executed. I was so fortu 
 nate as to receive the account of it from one of the actors in 
 the scene. 
 
 At the time of changing the evening guard, the British 
 sentinel was taken off for a short time to the Common, 
 where the guard paraded. The moment was seized by our 
 townsmen to enter the Laboratory, remove the four field- 
 pieces to the adjoining schoolhouse of Master Colburn, 
 where they were deposited under his writing-desk all the 
 day following, and escaped the search which was made for 
 them by the British officers. At evening, they were placed 
 in a manure-cart going into the country, and were soon 
 after brought into active service. Two of the four pieces 
 were sent to Canada, and fell into the power of the British. 
 
1823.] BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. 213 
 
 Two of them have been happily preserved, and are conse 
 crated by the names of our great patriots, Hancock and 
 Adams. Your honorable Board are now to decide whether 
 these valuable relics shall be in any way connected with the 
 Bunker-Hill Monument. If they are not to be so connected, 
 they are to be returned to the State, whose property they 
 are. 
 
 I have the honor to be, respectfully, &c. 
 
 BOSTON, July, 1842. 
 
 Inscription on the " Hancock " and " Adams" 
 " ADAMS." 
 
 " SACRED TO LIBERTY This is one of four cannon which con 
 stituted the whole train of field-artillery possessed by the British 
 Colonies of North America at the commencement of the war, on 
 the llth of April, 1775. This cannon and its fellow belonged to a 
 number of citizens of Boston ; was used in many engagements 
 during the war. 
 
 " The other two, the property of the government of Massachu 
 setts, were taken by the enemy. 
 
 " By order of the United States, in Congress assembled, May 
 19, 1788." 
 * 
 
 Mr. Willard states that the estimated cost of the 
 monument was one hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 In order to take advantage of the presence of La 
 fayette in this country, and also to commence this 
 important structure upon the fiftieth anniversary of 
 the battle, it was begun when the available funds 
 amounted only to thirty-three thousand five hundred 
 and seventy-six dollars, or only one-third of the 
 amount required for its completion in the cheapest 
 manner proposed. 
 
214 BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT. [^ET. 45. 
 
 - In the course of five years, these funds were con 
 sumed ; and the work was discontinued from January, 
 1829, until the 17th of June, 1834; when it was 
 again recommenced, and proceeded until November, 
 1835 ; when it was again discontinued, for the same 
 reason as before. 
 
 Various causes, such as those already stated, and 
 partly political, partly financial, had produced a feel 
 ing of indifference, and perhaps even some hostility, 
 towards the monument ; and no more funds could be 
 obtained in the ordinary way. 
 
 It was now that the ladies of New England formed 
 the design of showing their public spirit, and coming 
 gloriously forth to the rescue. The Ladies' Fair was 
 projected, and the enterprise was carried forward with 
 the utmost zeal and enthusiasm. In September, 1840, 
 the hall over Quincy Market was obtained for this 
 purpose, and arrangements made with great skill and 
 taste for the exhibition of the various articles pre 
 pared for the occasion by the ladies themselves, who 
 also presided at the tables. 
 
 The season chosen was fortunate. The election of 
 Harrison, for President of the United States, was then 
 pending ; and a mass-meeting in Boston filled the city 
 to overflowing with an immense and enthusiastic 
 multitude. Very large sums were received at the 
 Fair; the public was once more interested in the 
 undertaking, and what was wanted for its completion 
 was soon obtained. 
 
1823.] VISIT TO CONCORD. 215 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 The feelings inspired by the meetings for the erection of 
 the Bunker-Hill Monument led some of us to make a visit 
 to the scene of the battle of Lexington. I had myself de 
 termined to give some account of this action, and particu 
 larly of its connection with the battle of Bunker Hill, in the 
 fact of their both terminating at the same spot, though 
 begun at a distance from each other ; and also of the life of 
 my relative, General Warren. For this purpose, I had a 
 map engraved of the country from Boston to Concord inclu 
 sively, showing the locality of the different actions. In 
 accomplishing this plan, I thought of visiting the points 
 concerned ; and Mr. Webster, George Blake, William Sulli 
 van, and Isaac P. Davis, concurring in the plan, we, one day 
 in the spring of 1824, set out together on this expedition. 
 We went along Milk Row, in Cambridge, the place where 
 the British landed from Boston Common, and along which 
 they marched in the night of April 18, 1775. We then 
 noticed the house in West Cambridge, about half way be 
 tween Cambridge Common and West-Cambridge Meeting 
 house, on the right, where were lodged John Hancock and 
 Samuel Adams, the two patriots proscribed by the British, 
 and whom it was their special office to capture. These 
 gentlemen would, no doubt, have been taken, and have lost 
 their lives, but for a timely warning sent to them by General 
 Warren. He, having been watchful of the movements of 
 the British troops in Boston, had ascertained that they were 
 embarking on the 18th of April, and had consequently 
 despatched Colonel Revere to rouse the country, and to give 
 timely notice to Hancock and Adams. When Colonel Re 
 vere reached West Cambridge, then called Menotomy, 
 
216 VISIT TO CONCORD. [^Ex. 45. 
 
 they were in bed. He awakened them. They dressed has 
 tily ; and, as they would no doubt have been taken if they 
 had attempted to escape by the road, they fled across the 
 fields to a house at some distance, where they remained 
 during the night. 
 
 We next passed on to Lexington Common, where the first 
 blood was spilt of that Revolution whose influences have 
 extended through the civilized part of the globe. Here we 
 saw the small lawn on which was drawn up a company of 
 militia, some of whom were the first victims to be sacrificed 
 on the altar of their country's good. We saw marks of 
 the musket-balls which had been fired by the British sol 
 diers ; the church in which the bodies of the slain had been 
 deposited ; and we conversed with some elderly persons who 
 had been there at the time of the action. 
 
 Among the older residents was the venerable Dr. Fiske, 
 who favored us with many details of the action, and pre 
 sented one of the cannon-balls fired by the British artillery, 
 which I have in my possession. After many interesting con 
 versations, and after examining the burying-ground where 
 were the remains of those who were interred, we went to 
 Concord. Having deposited our carriage at the tavern, and 
 ordered our dinner, we sent to invite two or three gentlemen 
 of the place to meet us ; and we then paid a visit to the 
 Rev. Dr. Ripley, who lived on the spot where the first con 
 test took place between the British and Americans. At the 
 bottom of his garden was' a bridge formerly, which led to 
 the object of the British expedition, a storehouse contain 
 ing provisions, and munition of war. Dr. Ripley showed us 
 the place where, when the military approached, our people 
 attempted to break up the bridge, fired upon the British, and 
 tried to prevent their accomplishing the passage of the 
 river. 
 
1823.] VISIT TO CONCORD. 217 
 
 After a very interesting examination of this spot, we 
 carried Dr. Ripley to dinner, in order to enjoy more of his 
 conversation. Having obtained from him and other gentle 
 men present many interesting facts, and suggested the idea 
 of erecting a monument at Concord, we returned to Bos 
 ton, and reached it at about the same hour as did the Bri 
 tish after the battle of Lexington. The corner-stone of the 
 monument at Concord was laid on the following 19th of 
 April, 1825. 
 
 The plan for the map, which I had destined should 
 accompany the account of the battle of Lexington, was left 
 in the hands of the engravers, Annin and Smith, and lost^ 
 or forgotten ; so that, when I applied for it, Mr. Smith, the 
 surviving partner, had no recollection on the subject. I 
 have a note of his, however, which shows that he had 
 engraved such a map, and was on the point of finishing it. 
 
 The papers relating to these matters I put into the hands 
 of Mr. Bancroft, the American historian ; for I found I 
 could be more useful in my day and generation by devoting 
 my labor to the healing of the sick, the promotion of good 
 institutions, and the advancement of science, than I could 
 be by any literary production of an historical character. 
 Besides, I found, that while the papers and letters of 
 General Warren, left by him on the eve preceding the 
 battle of Lexington, were dissipated or destroyed, so that 
 not a single letter remained, on the other hand, Mr. Ban 
 croft, I knew, had at least six interesting letters. Mr. 
 Bancroft has the means and the power of placing the cha 
 racter of General Warren on much higher ground than it 
 has hitherto been placed, as a person of ability, of high 
 patriotic spirit, and of indomitable resolution. 
 
 In the contests of family feeling and party prejudice 
 which took place about the period of laying the corner-stone 
 
 28 
 
218 VISIT TO OLD HOUSES. [^ET. 45. 
 
 of the Bunker-Hill Monument, many attempts were made 
 to lessen the fair fame of some of the earliest and best 
 patriots of the Revolution. At about that period, I was 
 dining at the Honorable Judge Prescott's, son of Colonel 
 Prescott, when a conversation took place on the Bunker- 
 Hill battle ; and, some remarks having been made as to the 
 spot where General Warren was killed, a gentleman sitting 
 next to me, of about my age, born and bred in Boston, said 
 to me, " I thought it had been established that General 
 Warren was not present at the battle of Bunker Hill." 
 
 On the 19th of April, 1824, the movements of the Bun 
 ker-Hill Monument Association having stimulated others, 
 an oration was delivered at Concord by Edward Everett, 
 which I attended ; and, at about that period, Mr. Webster, 
 George Blake, Isaac P. Davis, Honorable Judge Story, and 
 others, made a party of exploration of Lexington Fight. 
 We then visited Lexington, and other places concerned in 
 this action, and gathered considerable information. Nearly 
 the same party, at about the same time, made an explora 
 tion in the antiquities of the northern part of this town. 
 We dined at Mr. Webster's, in Summer Street ; and I then 
 conducted the gentlemen to the stone house in Cross Street, 
 where Sir Edmond Andros was imprisoned by the people 
 in 1689, 1 think ; thence to a house in North Square, built 
 by Sir Harry Frankland about one hundred years since. It 
 was ornamented by painted panels, surmounted with armo 
 rial bearings ; was very large and handsome. Then to 
 Governor Hutchinson's, which was the next house ; after 
 wards to the house in Salem Street and Charter Street 
 built by Sir William Phipps in 1680, I think; then to 
 the Green-Dragon Tavern, in Union, near Hanover Street ; 
 arid, finally, to the house in Tremont Street occupied by 
 the Rev. Mr. Cotton. Soon after our visit, these houses 
 
1823.] VISIT TO OLD HOUSES. 219 
 
 began to disappear ; and at this time (1849) there is none 
 remaining, except the first in Cross Street. The house in 
 Cross Street was formerly a stone house, but is now covered 
 by wood, so as not to be easily recognizable. When we 
 made our visit, we could not discover it at first: but I 
 invited the gentlemen to visit Dr. Ephraim Eliot, apo 
 thecary, who lived near, and was then an invalid in his 
 chamber ; and, by his direction, we found the stone house, 
 enclosed on two sides with a wooden boxing. We were 
 highly gratified by our visit, and the more so by its recol 
 lection, when, a few years after, we found nearly all these 
 interesting objects were removed. 
 
 The Green-Dragon Tavern was formerly situated in a 
 court, continuous with Union Street. This was the place 
 of meeting of the Whig caucuses before the Revolution. 
 General Warren, particularly, was in the habit of attending 
 these meetings. There they met Paul Revere, and the bold 
 mechanic Whigs of the North End, to arrange such execu 
 tive movements as might be required from time to time. 
 On our visit, we found the house inhabited by poor people, 
 the rooms cut up into small apartments, and in some 
 of the poorest rooms were seen the remains of gilded cor 
 nices, which had probably been set up by the Masonic 
 fraternity for their celebrations. 
 
 Dr. Warren has stated in his Notes that he conti 
 nued the practice of midwifery for some years after it 
 was given up by Dr. Jackson. 
 
 As it has always been the wish in this neighbor 
 hood to employ the family physician, who is looked 
 upon as an old friend in cases of the nature alluded 
 
220 EXTENT OF PRACTICE. [l&r. 47. 
 
 to, and great aversion is generally felt to employing a 
 stranger, this branch of business could not be aban 
 doned without retiring somewhat from general practice. 
 
 Many years ago, we find a plan in discussion by 
 Drs. Jackson, Warren, and others, for the instruction 
 of females in midwifery. This was abandoned for 
 weighty reasons. Mrs. Alexander was subsequently 
 introduced by them; but the plan of employing 
 females did not, nor has it yet, come into favor. 
 
 Dr. Warren had occasionally used the forceps : he 
 did so for the last time, May 10, 1818. Dr. Jackson, 
 by taking a summer residence in Waltham in 1825, 
 of course abandoned night-practice ; thus mainly 
 avoiding this branch, and retiring in some degree 
 from active practice. 
 
 This partial retirement of Dr. Jackson added consi 
 derably to the already very extensive general practice 
 of Dr. Warren among the most wealthy and fashion 
 able, as well as other, classes of society. 
 
 In looking over the list of members of the Boston 
 Medical Association, we find that all the older mem 
 bers of the profession, with one or two exceptions, 
 had died off. Of those that remained, all were either 
 enfeebled by age, or pursuing a quiet, lucrative prac 
 tice. Some younger men were, indeed, toiling their 
 way up to the eminence which they have since 
 reached; one or two others were eminent in their 
 own branches : but, for a time, Dr. Jackson and Dr. 
 Warren stood alone in eminence, as family physi 
 cians or general practitioners. 
 
1825.] EXTENT OF PRACTICE. 221 
 
 Dr. Warren, having done ample duty in early life 
 in practising among the poorer classes, had felt him 
 self at liberty, as his practice increased, and he be 
 came unable to attend to all who applied, to leave 
 promiscuous practice to younger men, who were both 
 competent for the work, and desirous to obtain it. 
 He retained, however, such old patients as wished his 
 attendance, especially those formerly his father's ; 
 practised gratuitously where it was necessary; and 
 often supplied their wants, in addition to giving them 
 his time. After his return from Europe in 1838, 
 when he began to retire from excessive practice, he 
 made it more of a duty to practise among the poor. 
 
 Within a few years after Dr. Jackson's partial 
 retirement, Dr. Warren declined obstetric practice, 
 and refused to visit in the night, except in particular 
 cases. This, however, made little difference in the 
 extent of his general practice ; which was not dimi 
 nished until his departure for Europe in 1837, and 
 his taking a country residence for the summer, after 
 his return. 
 
 One of the most remarkable publications by Dr. 
 Warren, upon surgical subjects, was his letter to 
 Judge Parker, printed in 1826. 
 
 It contains a very clear and minute description of 
 the different forms of dislocation of the hip-joint, 
 intended to explain, in terms intelligible to non-medi 
 cal men, the injuries of this joint, which are often 
 the most complicated and difficult to recognize of any 
 that occur in the human body. With a great deal of 
 
222 LETTER TO JUDGE PARKER. [;ET. 17. 
 
 research and close reasoning, he proves the possibility 
 of a species of dislocation whose existence had been 
 denied by Sir Astley Cooper, though recognized by 
 some of the most distinguished Continental surgeons. 
 The occasional occurrence of this form of dislocation 
 has since been proved by a specimen in St. Bartholo 
 mew's Hospital, and by cases published in the Ame 
 rican edition of Sir Astley Cooper's work on disloca 
 tions. 
 
 About this time, an earnest attempt was made to 
 introduce gymnastic exercises in this country. An 
 institution was established in Boston ; and, very soon 
 after, followed by one in Cambridge, under the direc 
 tion of Dr. Webster and of Dr. Follen, who was 
 afterwards lost in the steamboat " Lexington." The 
 latter was well qualified, by his German education 
 and habits, to give the necessary instruction. While 
 the novelty lasted, the institution flourished in Cam 
 bridge; but it wanted the infusion of the patient 
 German character to make it permanently successful. 
 Exercises for the sake of exercise cannot readily 
 flourish here. Our countrymen demand more excite 
 ment, either hearty play or useful labor, a game of 
 football, or wood to saw and split. 
 
 Dr. Warren's opinion of the high importance of 
 this institution, and the part he took in it, will be 
 seen in the next chapter. 
 
1825.] GYMNASIUM. 232 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 GYMNASIUM. TEMPERANCE. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 ABOUT the year 1825, the idea of establishing a public 
 gymnasium was agitated in Boston. In my lectures annu 
 ally delivered at Cambridge, I had explained the great 
 importance of physical exercise in developing the organic 
 structure of the body, as well as its necessity for maintain 
 ing it in that degree of vigor which by nature it was 
 destined to possess. The obvious failure of health in a 
 great number of individuals in the University, gave weight 
 to these considerations, and led the Government of the 
 University to make some arrangements for gymnastic exer 
 cises in the grounds assigned for the sports of students. 
 The young gentlemen entered into the plan with great 
 ardor ; and the apparatus was kept in repair and activity 
 for a number of years, but is now, I believe, entirely re 
 moved. 
 
 In Boston, some gentlemen of the first character, im 
 pressed with the great importance of exercise, united 
 readily and earnestly in the plan for establishing a public 
 gymnasium. Among them were William Sullivan, George 
 Ticknor, Judge Prescott, Josiali Quincy, Daniel Webster, 
 Peter 0. Thacher, John A. Lowell, and others. A letter 
 from one of these gentlemen displays very forcibly the 
 necessity of combining physical and mental exercise : 
 
224 GYMNASIUM. [ 
 
 Letter from Mr. Webster. 
 
 Nov. 17, 1825. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I am highly pleased with the idea of a 
 gymnasium. It is a subject which has often occupied my 
 thoughts, and in relation to which it has appeared to me 
 that the fashion of the times needs to be changed. Those 
 who have the charge of education seem sometimes to forget, 
 that the body is a part of the man. The number of young 
 men who leave our colleges, emulous indeed and learned, 
 but with pale faces and narrow chests, is truly alarming. 
 The common rustic amusements hung about our literary 
 institutions for a long time : but they, at length, seem to 
 have been entirely abandoned ; and nothing, at least no 
 thing useful, has succeeded them. If it be desirable that 
 there should be cultivated intellect, it is equally so, as far 
 as this world is concerned, that there should be also a 
 sound body to hold it in. 
 
 I shall most gladly assist in your endeavors, thinking 
 that I do some service when I aid any measure calculated 
 to enforce on the rising generation a sense of the invaluable 
 advantages of temperance and exercise. 
 I am, dear sir, most truly yours, 
 
 DANL. WEBSTER. 
 
 For Dr. WARREN. 
 
 A society for establishing a gymnasium was, accordingly, 
 formed ; and, having been appointed president, I addressed 
 a letter to the distinguished philosopher and gymnasiarch, 
 Professor Jahn, through my friend William Amory, Esq., 
 who was at that time residing in Germany. Mr. Jahn was 
 so situated that we could not, without obtaining more 
 means than were at our disposition, lead him to abandon 
 his own country, and establish himself for life in ours. The 
 
1826.] GYMNASIUM. 225 
 
 idea of obtaining his aid was therefore relinquished ; and I 
 afterwards addressed Dr. Lieber, the author of the " Ameri 
 can Encyclopaedia," a gentleman of education, and in other 
 respects well fitted to take the superintendence of a public 
 gymnasium. The contributions towards this establishment 
 were very liberal. It was therefore opened on a large scale 
 in the Washington Gardens, corner of West and Tremont 
 Street. A great number of gentlemen of the different 
 professions attended, and entered into the exercises with 
 great spirit. They soon experienced its benefits in the 
 increase of muscular strength, the improvement of appetite, 
 and the acquisition of a florid and healthy aspect. The 
 establishment of the gymnasium, as is apt to be the case 
 in this country in regard to novelties, acted contagiously on 
 the city and country. Small gymnasiums were established, 
 in connection with most of the schools, academies, and 
 colleges, male and female ; and although, now and then, 
 the accidental fall of a young lady excited alarm among the 
 matrons of the country, there was a universal expression 
 of a sentiment of satisfaction, that our literary men, who 
 had been perishing in groups for want of air and exercise, 
 could, as in Germany and in England, be able to maintain 
 their health, without interfering with their mental occupa 
 tions. But, unhappily, while the intellectual cultivation of 
 a whole community is considered the glory of the country, 
 the spirit of physical cultivation has gradually become fee 
 ble, and, as a general and useful influence extended over 
 the country, it is of no estimation. There are, indeed, 
 some remains of gymnastic arrangements, and the educated 
 part of the community have become perfectly well informed 
 of the importance of developing the physical as well as 
 the moral and intellectual qualities of their sons and 
 
 daughters. 
 
 29 
 
226 TEMPERANCE. [-<ET. 49. 
 
 Twenty-five years have now elapsed since the establish 
 ment of a gymnasium in Boston ; and we may venture to 
 express the hope, that the importance of gymnastic exer 
 cises, as a regular part of school and college education, will 
 manifest itself to those who direct public instruction, and 
 lead them to see that the intellectual part of the commu 
 nity is in a state of deterioration in qualities indispensable 
 to the activity, usefulness, and enjoyment of life. 
 
 Let me add here, that, of the gentlemen who originally 
 joined in our gymnastic exercises, four or five continued to 
 follow them for a considerable number of years ; and per 
 haps those who survive may still continue to do so. 
 
 In 1827, I joined the Temperance Society. My father, 
 Dr. John Warren, was Yice-President in 1813. 
 
 In the same year, I brought forward temperance resolu 
 tions in the Massachusetts Medical Society ; which, after a 
 violent opposition, particularly from Dr. T , were car 
 ried in a large meeting, with very few dissensions. The 
 Rev. Drs. Channing, Gannett, <fec., were the most active 
 men at that time in the temperance cause. 
 
 From that period, I have followed up the temperance 
 reformation. Mr. Alden Bradford, Mr. Pierpont, Mr. Wil 
 liam Sullivan, then gave in their aid. Soon after, the 
 Orthodox or Calvinist clergy took up the matter ; and, by 
 a slow and regular movement, the country was more or less 
 brought under the influence of temperance principles. 
 
 In 1837, 1 went to England, and conferred with the mem 
 bers of the British and Foreign Temperance Society (who 
 were very cordial), and acted as Chairman of a temperan.ce 
 meeting in the heart of the city of London. 
 
 In the same year, I had a conference with some members 
 of the administration of King Louis Philippe in France, 
 
1827.] TEMPERANCE. 227 
 
 and laid before them statements showing the importance 
 and the progressive advance of the temperance reform. 
 
 About the year 1840, in consequence of the formation of 
 the Washingtonian Societies, the Massachusetts Temperance 
 Society the oldest association suspended its proceed 
 ings ; resuming their labors occasionally at such opportuni 
 ties as occurred for making themselves useful. 
 
 In 1848, we made a publication of the documents of the 
 Massachusetts Temperance Society, recording the princi 
 pal facts in its history. At this time (February, 1849), no 
 licenses to retail are allowed by law in Boston and the 
 greater part of the State of Massachusetts. The same is 
 true also of several other States. 
 
 In the summer and autumn of 1849, 1 received letters 
 from various parts of the country, requesting my opinion 
 of the necessity of alcohol in materia medica. After some 
 months' reflection, I wrote a short article for general dis 
 tribution, showing that, in many cases, alcohol was not 
 necessary ; that it might be dispensed with in the pre 
 servation of infusions ; that, in many cases of tinctures, 
 a substitute might be found in a wine produced by the 
 fermentation of a vegetable infusion with sugar. This 
 preparation I had made, and tested its effect, first, by 
 taking it myself; second, by giving it to others. The 
 preparation turned out to be mild, agreeable, and efficient 
 in its operation. This article was published and distri 
 buted by the Massachusetts State Temperance Society. 
 In the course of the past summer (1849), the famous 
 Apostle of Temperance, Father Mathew, visited Boston, 
 partly on the invitation of the Massachusetts Temperance 
 Society, on my application. I met him at the Roxbury 
 boundary, and saluted him in a short speech ; to which he 
 replied. On the next day, he drank tea at my house with 
 
228 TEMPERANCE. [^E'r. 49. 
 
 Bishop Fitzpatrick, Mr. William Appleton, and others. 
 Father Mathew employed some months in travelling about 
 this State to give the pledge to many thousand individuals, 
 and afterwards visited the Southern cities. 
 
 The present year, the temperance societies have been 
 less active than usual ; and, among a certain class, intem 
 perance has increased. Still, however, the reform may be 
 said to have made progress ; as, in all public places and 
 public entertainments, the disposition to employ alcoholic 
 drinks is diminished. For the last seven or eight years, I 
 have ceased to give wine at the dinners of the Agricultural 
 Society, and at other dinners ; also at evening parties of 
 scientific persons and others. In the early part of my esta 
 blishment, it was thought necessary for every young house 
 keeper to lay in a stock of wine, which might grow old, and 
 ripen ; and, at that time, I used two or three glasses of 
 strong wine daily, and, at some periods, brandy and water, 
 though not strong. When I began to take an interest in 
 the temperance cause, in the year 1827, I gradually gave 
 up the strong wines, and take the weak French wines. On 
 going to Europe in the year 1837, 1 was led, while in Eng 
 land, to resume them, though not with good effect. Two or 
 three years after returning from Europe, I gave up the use 
 of it entirely, except as an article of the materia medica ; 
 and always found myself better without it, except in case of 
 unusual debility, when, used as a medicine, it has some 
 times appeared beneficial. 
 
 On the whole, I can with confidence say, that, if I had 
 never tasted wine, my life would have been more healthy, 
 and longer, and more comfortable. The efforts which I 
 have been called to make in the temperance reformation, 
 operating, as they have done, more extensively on the pros 
 perity and happiness of the community, are a source of more 
 
1827.] TEMPERANCE. 229 
 
 satisfaction than any other labors. Probably my other 
 occupations might have been as well or better performed 
 by some one else ; but perhaps it would have been difficult 
 to find another person who would have been willing to 
 undergo the opposition, ridicule, labor, and expense in the 
 cause of temperance. 
 
 The early efforts of the society do not appear to 
 have been attended with much success. It is to be 
 recollected that the use of alcohol was in those days 
 considered a necessary of life. 
 
 It was not supposed possible for mechanics, farm 
 ers, or operatives of any kind, to work without their 
 regular supply of spirit. The same feeling prevailed 
 here with regard to rum that exists now in England 
 with regard to beer, or in France and Italy in regard 
 to wine. 
 
 About three years since, there was an account 
 published in the English papers, of a trial, under a 
 new law, on a complaint against an individual for 
 opening a beer-house on Sunday night to supply the 
 operatives of a printing establishment. The counsel 
 for the defence stated, of course, the necessity for the 
 supply, and argued eloquently upon the suffering 
 which must have ensued from the men being de 
 prived of their usual drink while working in the 
 night. The singularity was that the opposing counsel 
 admitted the necessity; and the judge not only al 
 lowed it, but lamented the great hardship of the 
 particular case. But the law, he said, was absolute, 
 
230 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 and did not allow any justification to be set up. The 
 employers ought to have provided a sufficient supply 
 for their workmen. 
 
 In Italy, in like manner, wine is regarded among 
 the poor as much of a necessity as is meat with our 
 lower classes. Forty years ago, nay, thirty years ago, 
 the same feelings and opinions were held here with 
 regard to spirit. The customs which prevailed 
 among the middle and higher classes are frequently 
 alluded to and described in the progress of this 
 Memoir. Not only wine, but alcohol in some form, 
 was daily used ; and the smoking punch-bowl in 
 winter, or the iced pitcher in summer, was no un 
 common addition to the sideboard, which was gene 
 rally well supplied with every variety of spirit that 
 the taste of each visitor could demand. 
 
 Some progress had probably been made by quiet 
 and imperceptible degrees between 1813 and 1827. 
 The silver stood empty upon the sideboard, the square 
 case-bottles had disappeared, and spirits were much 
 less freely used in the higher circles. Among the 
 lower classes there was no change. There were 
 shops for retailing liquor in every street, and these 
 were the constant resort of operatives; while there 
 were many shops of a somewhat higher character, 
 where young men, engaged in trade, or mercantile 
 employments, could get their glass at luncheon-time, 
 say a glass of brandy and water, and a biscuit. 
 It is well known that the multitude of taverns, both 
 in Boston and dispersed over the country, owed their 
 
1827.] TEMPERANCE. 231 
 
 existence and main profits to the sale of ardent 
 spirits. 
 
 Dr. Warren commenced his labors with great ear 
 nestness, and with an interest which never abated 
 through life. He prepared a series of resolutions, 
 which were heartily adopted, and produced great 
 effect upon the community. These resolutions de 
 clared that the use of ardent spirits is unhealthy, and 
 inconsistent with a vigorous action of the bodily and 
 mental powers ; also that the habitual use of wine 
 is neither necessary nor salutary. A paper to this 
 effect was soon after signed by most of the physicians 
 in Boston, published, and generally circulated. Its 
 influence was very great. He next headed a petition 
 to the City Government for the prohibition of the sale 
 of liquors upon the Common on public days, which 
 were then days of riot, gambling, and drunkenness. 
 Election Day, in particular, when the Legislature met, 
 the votes for Governor were declared, and he took his 
 oaths of office, the Mall was lined with tables, upon 
 which stood tempting glasses of egg-pop; and the 
 Common was sprinkled over with tents, where stimu 
 lating refreshments were abundantly provided. The 
 day generally closed with the mobbing and burning- 
 up of gambling-tables. Often the amusements of 
 the afternoon at least, at the period while Boston 
 was a town were diversified by the arrest of a pick 
 pocket, who was followed to the justice's office by a 
 crowd of hundreds of men and boys, all anxious in 
 the cause of justice. There can be no doubt that 
 
232 TEMPERANCE. [^ET. 49. 
 
 " Election Day " was supereminently a day of disorder 
 and disgrace. In earlier times, it had been one of 
 solemnity. The sermon at the church was then suf 
 ficient attraction and stimulus to the Puritans, in 
 addition to the meeting of the Legislature and the 
 investiture of the Chief Magistrate. 
 
 The next step was to place greater restrictions 
 upon the retailing of liquors, especially upon the 
 sale of liquors to be drank upon the premises. By 
 proceeding in a similar manner as above, the number 
 of drinking-houses was diminished, and a greater re 
 straint placed upon the retailing of spirits. In the 
 formation of branch-societies, and in appointing tem 
 perance agents, Dr. Warren was also an earnest mover 
 and actor; yet he never advised extreme measures. 
 His efforts were directed, at first, against the most 
 prominent abuses, and against the habitual use of 
 distilled liquors. The compounding of medicines 
 had always received a large share of his attention. 
 He now devoted himself to the substitution of other 
 forms of medicine for the tinctures : these had 
 always been freely used by both sexes. Many 
 ladies thought they required their daily dose of 
 Huxham's tincture of bark; and men, who were 
 ashamed to resort to brandy or rum, habitually took 
 Stoughton's elixir. The constant use of either of 
 these preparations occasioned an imaginary necessity 
 for their continuance; and often, by an easy transition, 
 led to the free use of ardent spirits. His exertions 
 so far succeeded, that the eminent and conscientious 
 
1827.] TEMPERANCE. 233 
 
 apothecary,* who for many years dispensed his pre 
 scriptions, and himself entered earnestly into the 
 temperance cause, has declared, that, whereas the 
 large bottles of tinctures ranged upon an upper shelf 
 used to be taken down and filled daily, they now were 
 filled only once a month. 
 
 The effect of these exertions was gradual. In 
 the early part of the temperance reform, the society's 
 exertions were directed against the use of distilled 
 liquors. Farmers, mechanics, and operatives met all 
 remonstrances with the reply, "You preach to us, 
 while your own cellars are filled with wine: if we 
 could afford to buy wine, we would not drink rum." 
 It was necessary, therefore, for the members to give 
 up wine ; and they did so. 
 
 The effect is great and decided. The habitual use 
 of spirit is abandoned. It is found and acknowledged, 
 that men can work better without stimulants than 
 with them. Odium is attached to the supplying ope 
 ratives with spirit, and to them for using it. If 
 young men resort to drinking-places for a forenoon 
 dram, it is done secretly, and others are not led into 
 temptation. Whatever may be the amount of spirit 
 now used, there is a great and obvious gain in the 
 removal of temptation to neophytes, in its constant and 
 open use as matter not only of pleasure, but necessity. 
 
 A notice of the publication referred to, by Dr. 
 Warren, on the " Effects of Alcohol," will come in 
 
 Mr. Charles White. 
 30 
 
234 TEMPERANCE. [JET. 49. 
 
 here most appropriately. It is a small, neat volume, 
 suitable for wide distribution ; containing, in the first 
 place, the records and documents of the Massachu 
 setts Temperance Society, from its foundation in 1813 
 to the date of publication (January, 1848). It con 
 tains an account of the progress of the society, that 
 may be read with great interest. 
 
 Added to this is a republication of Dr. Forbes's 
 valuable " Essay on the Physiological Effects of Alco 
 holic Drinks," "a most able and scientific investi 
 gation of the effect of stimulating liquors on the 
 animal economy." 
 
 In 1851, he bestowed great pains in preparing for 
 publication an edition of the excellent Prize Essay of 
 Dr. Carpenter, on the use and abuse of alcoholic 
 liquors ; adapted to general use by being accompanied 
 with an explanation of the medical and technical 
 terms. 
 
 Dr. Warren's labors in the temperance cause con 
 tinued unremitted from their commencement to the 
 time of his death. He was always ready to give his 
 assistance in speaking, writing, and by liberal con 
 tribution. At one period, from his connection with 
 St. Paul's Church, and having the warm sympathy of 
 the rector, he was enabled to interest a class of the 
 community not generally brought under the influence 
 of temperance teachings. Meetings were held at the 
 church, under the sanction of the rector, Mr. Potter, 
 and afterwards of Dr. Stone, and anniversary dis 
 courses given there. 
 
1827.] TEMPERANCE. 235 
 
 He was a strong advocate of the Maine Law, and 
 one of the earliest contributors to the Million Fund. 
 During the last days of his life, he was occupied in 
 preparing a sketch of the temperance movements 
 during the last half-century. This has since been 
 completed, and embodied in a very neat and useful 
 volume issued by the Massachusetts Temperance So 
 ciety, in which the records are carried up to the death 
 of their President, Dr. Warren ; and in which are, of 
 course, displayed his labors, and the continued inte 
 rest which he took in the objects of the society. 
 We find the last record as follows : 
 
 JAN. 27, 1857. 
 
 "The Council met at No. 2, Park Street, Hon. Ste 
 phen Fairbanks in the chair. 
 
 " The Treasurer announced the receipt of two thousand 
 dollars from the administrators of the late Dr. John C. 
 Warren ; ' the same to be safely invested, and the income 
 thereof devoted to the dissemination of temperance publica 
 tions.' " 
 
236 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. [JET. 50. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. DR. GORHAM. LABORS AND 
 ARRANGEMENT OF TIME. PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 
 
 IN 1828, the "Boston Medical and Surgical Jour 
 nal " was commenced. The " New-England Journal 
 of Medicine and Surgery" had sustained its charac 
 ter from its foundation. But the professors, whose aid 
 had rendered it valuable, had now become fully en 
 gaged in private practice, and were unable to contri 
 bute freely to a work of this character. The last 
 paper contributed by Dr. Warren was in 1823. It 
 was thought that a work of somewhat lighter cha 
 racter, published oftener, and transmitting medical 
 news more rapidly, a work somewhat in the style 
 of the "London Lancet," would be more accept 
 able. 
 
 The demand for a weekly publication had already 
 given rise, in 1823, to the " Medical Intelligencer," 
 conducted by Dr. J. V. C. Smith, and afterwards by 
 Dr. Coffin, who was proprietor and editor from 1825 
 until 1828. The editors of the " New-England Medi 
 cal Journal " consisting, at that time, of Drs. Chan- 
 ning and Ware only purchased the work of Dr. 
 Coffin for six hundred dollars (Di\ Warren taking 
 
1828.] MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 237 
 
 two-thirds), and united the two journals, both of 
 which had large lists of subscribers. Dr. Warren 
 commenced the editorship. He threw himself into 
 this new labor with his usual energy, and exerted 
 himself, heart and soul, to raise the work to the 
 highest point of excellence. He caused the Surgical 
 Re cords of the Hospital to be kept with more exact 
 ness than before, by appointing a person for this spe 
 cial purpose ; and his selections from these form a 
 most valuable part of the new journal. 
 
 The first volume opens with " Cases of Neuralgia," 
 by John C. Warren ; giving an account of a number 
 of cases, in some of which he removed a portion of 
 the nerve with perfect success. One case of remark 
 able cure is mentioned, in which the applicant, being 
 advised to have the nerve divided, took immediate 
 flight. Some time after, he called upon the doctor 
 to assure him that he was perfectly well, and dated 
 his recovery from the proposal of the operation. 
 
 The Hospital Reports in Surgery, which were not 
 entirely written by Dr. Warren, were carefully ex 
 amined and corrected by him ; and he wrote all the 
 accounts of operations. The extracts from foreign 
 journals were selected, and so carefully revised and 
 corrected by him, that the whole labor of preparing 
 them must justly be considered as his. 
 
 Among many articles written by him, " Observa 
 tions upon Ulceration of the Kidneys, with Cases," 
 are of great interest. These cases occurred partly in 
 private practice, partly at the hospital. Case fifth 
 
238 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. [^T. 50. 
 
 is given with great particularity, and was one of a 
 good deal of importance. 
 
 Among the Hospital Reports may be noticed a case 
 of dislocation of the os humeri, with fracture of the 
 neck of the bone successfully reduced ; one (No. 4), 
 upon carotid aneurism, giving particular instructions 
 for the performance of the operation, with an account 
 of a successful though very difficult case ; another, of 
 removal of half of the lower jawbone for osteo- 
 sarcoma; double hare-lip, with fissure through the 
 hard and soft palate ; a successful operation for cata 
 ract, with a very particular account of the manner of 
 performing it, and remarks upon this disease. " By 
 the strict pursuance of the plan laid down," he con 
 cludes, " we have been so happy as to avoid the loss 
 of a single eye in this Institution." 
 
 Dr. Jackson's valuable paper upon the " Morbid 
 Effects of Dentition" was republished in this journal, 
 page 241. Dr. Channing furnished reports from the 
 medical department of the hospital, and many other 
 papers. Dr. Gorham prepared reports of the wea 
 ther, and diseases prevalent for the three months pre 
 vious. The dispensary physicians published their 
 periodical returns, with remarks ; and, among these, 
 we find the names of several whose early death cut 
 short their career of promise and usefulness. Drs. 
 Stevenson, McKean, Robbins, and Davis were among 
 these. 
 
 The second number of this journal contains a bio 
 graphical notice of Dr. Danforth, who died Nov. 16. 
 
1828.] MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 239 
 
 1827, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. This 
 sketch was prepared by Dr. Warren, at the request of 
 the family of Dr. Danforth. 
 
 In the commencement of the second volume, he 
 furnishes a paper upon the influence of decomposing 
 animal matter in producing fevers. " It is admitted 
 by the whole medical world," he says, " that miasmata 
 exist, and that they arise from the decomposition of 
 vegetable substance." Some persons have confounded 
 the effects of decomposing animal matter with those 
 arising from vegetables. " The object of these re 
 marks is to point out the error of this opinion ; to 
 show that the decomposition of dead animal matter 
 does not generate that peculiar principle which is the 
 special cause of fevers and kindred diseases ; and to 
 show this by facts, many of which are notorious, and 
 within the cognizance of the whole community." 
 
 Dr. Warren then goes into a strict examination of 
 the subject; and, first, as connected with those pecu 
 liarly exposed to these alleged causes of disease, 
 butchers, and such as live in the vicinity of slaughter 
 houses ; soap-boilers, tallow-chandlers, tanners, and 
 curriers; seamen in whaling-vessels; grave-diggers 
 and nightmen. Butchers, he shows, are more healthy 
 than other men : and, in Europe, he states that it is 
 common to send persons laboring with pulmonary 
 complaints to inhabit the neighborhood of slaughter 
 houses ; the good effects being supposed to arise from 
 the abundance of azotic gas which is generated by 
 decomposing animal substances. Tanners, curriers, 
 
240 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 
 
 and leather-dressers are as healthy as other men. 
 Nightmen are not subject to fevers or epidemics. 
 The seamen of whale-ships are more healthy than the 
 seamen of other vessels. Those engaged in the ma 
 nufacture of glue have never been observed to be less 
 healthy than other men. Dr. Rush and Dr. Clark 
 had stated that grave-diggers were exempted from 
 malignant fevers. 
 
 To all this he adds his own great experience in 
 dissecting-rooms. In the succeeding number of the 
 journal, he follows up his evidence by extracts from 
 distinguished authors, which, he says, "may be 
 thought more striking and conclusive than the facts 
 above advanced." 
 
 This paper is worthy of attention by those who in 
 terest themselves in this matter. It undoubtedly is 
 one of a good deal of importance, and affords grounds 
 for comfort and assurance to those necessarily sub 
 jected to the sources of animal putrefaction. The 
 question, probably, is one which cannot be definitively 
 settled ; because what is offensive to the senses will, 
 by the majority, be considered detrimental to health. 
 The neighborhood of a slaughter-house, for example, 
 or of a dead horse, will always be considered a nui 
 sance ; and, if the burying under churches produces 
 a gas perceptible to the congregation above, they will 
 not very readily be persuaded that it is healthy. 
 
 The subject of neuralgia, commenced in the open 
 ing of the first volume, is continued through this. 
 Numerous cases of neuralgia in different situations 
 
1829.] MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 241 
 
 are given, and the effect of particular remedies exem 
 plified. Among these are cases of neuralgia of the 
 lower extremities, neuralgia of the upper extremi 
 ties, of the trunk, of the uterus successfully treated, 
 of the solar plexus, of nerves of the abdomen, &c. 
 He concludes his series of papers with remarks 
 upon the different remedies employed. He speaks 
 very highly of the effect of blisters, as the most fre 
 quently useful of all remedies in this disease. The 
 affusion of hot water he considers a valuable remedy, 
 when the disease is seated near an extremity. The 
 carbonate, and especially the sulphate, of iron, are 
 recommended under certain circumstances ; and, 
 when all remedies fail, the division of the nerve. 
 He gives the following conclusions : 
 " 1. Neuralgia is a disease of the nerves. The 
 muscles are disordered in a secondary way only. 
 
 2. This affection is not confined to the head. All 
 the principal nerves of the body are liable to be 
 affected with it, but superficial nerves more than 
 others. 
 
 3. After being subdued on the first attack, it is apt 
 to return on the application of exciting causes, and to 
 become one of the most intractable of complaints. 
 
 4. There is no remedy which can be considered a 
 specific cure for it. There is no one remedy which 
 is often successful. It is to be combated by various 
 agents judiciously adapted to the peculiarities of the 
 case. 
 
 5. Of consequence, the carbonate of iron is not 
 
 31 
 
242 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. [&?. 51. 
 
 entitled to the praises which have been bestowed 
 upon it ; nor is hemlock, stramonium, or belladonna. 
 
 6. A surgical operation for excision of the affected 
 nerve is frequently successful in the early part of the 
 disease ; and often fails in a protracted case, even 
 when it gives temporary relief. 
 
 7. This operation, when successful, is not always 
 followed by immediate disappearance of the pa 
 roxysms. 
 
 8. The affusion of hot water is a valuable remedy 
 when the disease is seated in an extremity. 
 
 9. The physical and intellectual constitution of the 
 patient is to be studied carefully at first, and kept in 
 view during the whole course of the disease. 
 
 10. The patient is never to be abandoned to his 
 sufferings. When the more approved remedies have 
 been tried, the most extraordinary practice is justifi 
 able." 
 
 The reports of surgical cases and operations in 
 this volume were prepared by Mr. Willard Parker, 
 now Professor Parker, of New- York University, who 
 was then house-surgeon; observations and remarks 
 being added by Dr. Warren. Among these were 
 reports of tumors ; fractures, one of wound in the 
 hand, terminating fatally ; one of extirpation of 
 cancer uteri; two for artificial uretha, which were 
 successful ; and one of compound comminuted frac 
 ture, which required amputation. 
 
 The extirpation of cancer of the uterus was the 
 first that was practised here. The neck, with about 
 
1829.] MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 243 
 
 half of the body, of the organ was removed. This 
 operation, though not successful, Dr. Warren thinks 
 warrants a belief that it may succeed, if performed in 
 an early stage of the disease. The patient in this 
 case survived three days, and died, not of inflamma 
 tion or gangrene, or the union of the peritonium, 
 but probably from the effects of bleeding, and her 
 great exhaustion by pain, and the discharges previous 
 to the operation. 
 
 The third volume of this journal contains a letter 
 from Kev. Dr. Porter, of Andover, to Dr. Warren, 
 upon the climate of St. Augustine ; which appears to 
 be the only article furnished by him for this volume 
 or the several succeeding ones, until the fifteenth in 
 1836. 
 
 The editors conducted this work with great skill 
 and ability for one or two years : but it was soon found 
 that this way of publication did not answer ; for all 
 the loss fell upon the proprietors, and all the gain to 
 the publisher, as is probably the usual case. After 
 an expense of two or three hundred dollars, they 
 gave it up to the publisher. It was for a time con 
 ducted by Dr. C. Bobbins ; after which Dr. J. V. C. 
 Smith became editor, and held charge of it for many 
 years, until his election as Mayor of the city rendered 
 it necessary for him to resign the active duties of edi 
 torship. They were assumed by Drs. Morland and 
 Minot, who, the succeeding year, became sole editors, 
 and have since conducted it with great ability. 
 
 In the account given of this journal, the labors of 
 
244 LETTER FROM DR. WARE, [J&T. 51. 
 
 Dr. Warren have been principally alluded to as con 
 nected with his biography, and as coming within the 
 especial knowledge of the writer. It is by no means 
 intended to disparage the labors of the other early 
 editors, Drs. Channing and Ware. The following 
 letter from Dr. Ware is important to the history of 
 this publication : 
 
 Letter from Dr. Ware. 
 
 In 1824, the editorship of the " New-England Journal " 
 passed into the hands of Dr. Channing and myself. The 
 subscription was small, and the work hardly paid its way. 
 We thought of giving it up in 1827 ; but the plan was then 
 suggested of uniting its list with the " Medical Intelli 
 gencer," then conducted by Dr. John Gr. Coffin. Dr. John 
 C. Warren united with us in purchasing that journal ; and 
 the " Boston Medical and Surgical Journal " was begun 
 under our joint charge. I forget how long we continued it ; 
 but we found it not only a laborious but a losing concern, 
 and we disposed of the whole to Mr. Cotton. I could not 
 at the time assume any pecuniary risk, and Dr. Warren 
 accordingly took two-thirds of it : and, as an offset, I per 
 formed the quarter part of his labor in getting up the num 
 ber ; i.e., of the mechanical part, which it fell to his share 
 to edit. As the editors were responsible for the expenses, 
 the publisher was quite slack in getting subscriptions, and 
 collecting moneys due. It was, therefore, some years after 
 we gave it up before our purchase-money was re-imbursed. 
 I believe that the outlay was chiefly repaid : probably some 
 thing was lost. We gave six hundred dollars to Dr. Coffin 
 for his interest in the work. The course of the work since 
 then is given correctly in the " Journal." 
 
1829.] DEATH OF DR. GORHAM. 245 
 
 Dr. Warren's chronological records notice the 
 death of Dr. John Gorham, who died March 27, 
 1829. Dr. Gorham had received the advantage of 
 two years' residence in Europe, after completing his 
 medical studies under the direction of Dr. John War 
 ren; and, upon his return home, had married the 
 daughter of his preceptor. He was soon after asso 
 ciated with his friend Dr. Dexter in the professorship 
 of chemistry and mineralogy; and, in 1816, became 
 sole professor, his colleague having retired. Dr. 
 Gorham and Dr. Warren were, therefore, not only 
 united by family ties, but by their association in the 
 Medical School, where a close union, friendly inter 
 course, and concert of action, were preserved, such as 
 has rarely been surpassed. Dr. Gorham was in the 
 vigor of life; and his business had accumulated so 
 much, that, two years previous to his death, he had 
 resigned his professorship. Nevertheless, he fell a 
 victim to the great exertions which his increased prac 
 tice required, especially during the prevalence of the 
 yellow fever in Boston. During his short illness, he 
 was visited constantly by Drs. Jackson and Warren. 
 
 In the early difficulties of the Medical School, in 
 the controversy relative to a College of Physicians, 
 &c., he had stood side by side with them. In all the 
 medical enterprises, in the establishment of medical 
 journals, in the formation of a code of medical laws, 
 in the compilation of the " New-England Pharmaco 
 poeia," and in all the concerns relating to the lectures, 
 they had, for more than fifteen years, acted in concert. 
 
246 LABORS AT THIS PERIOD. [yET. 51. 
 
 The loss of Dr. Gorham must have made a breach in 
 the circle of medical professors which could not be 
 easily filled up. Though he had retired from the 
 labors of the lectures as Emeritus Professor, he was 
 still closely connected with them, and united by 
 bonds of interest and sympathy. 
 
 In 1828, when the "Boston Medical Journal" was 
 commenced, Dr. Warren was in the zenith of his 
 medical career. He had an extensive private prac 
 tice, medical as well as surgical ; he was the leading 
 operator in New England ; his labors in the tempe 
 rance cause had recently commenced ; the aifairs of 
 St. Paul's Church had a large share of his attention, 
 and he was interested in various societies ; and all 
 these cares in addition to those of his professorship. 
 It was about this time that the difficulty of procuring 
 subjects for dissection was at its height. He has 
 given so full an account of these matters, as will 
 appear hereafter, that nothing more need here be 
 said ; but this was a serious addition to his toils. He 
 arranged his lecture the evening before ; but gene 
 rally spent an hour in his private dissecting-room, 
 previous to his lecture, in further preparation. In 
 every one of these labors, he exerted himself as if the 
 one in question, at the time, was the most important 
 concern in life. It could not be said of him, 
 
 " Whate'er he did was done with so much ease ! " 
 
 On the contrary, he thought nothing worth wasting 
 time upon that was not worth serious attention and 
 
1829.] HABITS. 247 
 
 severe labor ; and he doubtless experienced much 
 more pleasure in spending a spare hour in some deli 
 cate dissection, or preparing an anatomical specimen, 
 than in perusing even a French translation of the 
 Waverley novels, a labor or indulgence which he 
 did sometimes allow himself. 
 
 At this period, he rose in winter, and breakfasted, 
 by candle-light, and went directly out to visit his 
 patients until one ; except during the lectures, when 
 he passed usually two hours at the Medical College. 
 From one to two, he received patients at his house. 
 He devoted about twenty minutes to his dinner ; after 
 w r hich, he retired to his room for an hour. In the 
 latter part of the afternoon, he visited such patients as 
 required a second visit, and then took a cup of tea in 
 his study at seven ; after which, he wrote and worked 
 upon the subjects before mentioned, often, if not 
 generally, until two in the morning. The greater 
 part of this time he devoted to the " Medical Jour 
 nal," preparing the Hospital Records, selecting ex 
 tracts from foreign journals, and writing original 
 articles. The late hours which he kept at this period 
 doubtless did serious injury to his eyes. 
 
 He was now also in the midst of his labors in the 
 temperance cause. 
 
 In August, 1830, Dr. Warren gave, by request, a 
 lecture on physical education, before a convention of 
 teachers and friends of education. 
 
 It was listened to with great attention by a large 
 concourse of people; and seems to have been at- 
 
248 PHYSICAL EDUCATION. [-T. 52. 
 
 tended with important results, by calling the attention 
 of teachers and others to a subject of the highest 
 importance for the happiness and well-being of 
 society. 
 
 When the old routine of school education was 
 abandoned, and fifteen years of peace and increasing 
 prosperity had caused greater exertions to be made, 
 and new forms of instruction to be adopted, the dan 
 ger was, at first, not perceived of injuring the body 
 while the mind was cultivated and crammed, if the 
 expression may be allowed. 
 
 The lecturer commences by calling attention to 
 the importance of health to the regular exercise 
 of the mental faculties, which "is well understood 
 in theory," he says, " and very generally neglected in 
 practice. What is the value of brilliant genius, or 
 a highly cultivated mind, to a weak and laboring 
 frame 1 " The high importance of health to the 
 minister of religion, the interpreter of the law, the 
 professor of the healing art, is eloquently enforced. 
 
 On the more delicate sex, the effects of a debili 
 tated body are not less distressing. " A young female, 
 at the age of twelve or fourteen, presents a beautiful 
 figure, rosy cheeks, an airy step, and the fulness of life 
 and happiness in every movement. As she advances, 
 her vivacity naturally lessens ; but, as if it would not 
 be soon enough extinguished, it must be repressed 
 by art. The lively motions of the body must be 
 checked, the spirits must be restrained, and a sort of 
 unnatural hypocrisy made to conceal every ingenuous 
 
1830.] PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 249 
 
 movement. The activity of disposition is destroyed. 
 By confinement, she loses the inclination for exercise, 
 and passes from her school to a state of listlessness 
 at home, or to frivolous and useless amusements, or 
 perhaps to fresh tasks. By this regular repression of 
 the physical powers, their energy is at last broken ; 
 various organs lose their tone and their healthy action. 
 Even the most solid parts are gradually impaired; 
 and, being unable to support their ordinary burden, 
 they sink under its weight, and bring on unchange 
 able deformity." 
 
 Moral causes are next discussed, the influence 
 of too great occupation of the mind in study, and of 
 feelings and passions of a depressing nature. The 
 effects of competition and rivalry are often seen in 
 the loss of health from persevering application. 
 "When this becomes an all-absorbing passion, the 
 result is most unfriendly to the physical organization ; 
 and a multitude of fine constitutions are ruined by it 
 in both sexes." 
 
 The lecturer cannot decide whether any proper 
 substitute for competition in the male sex can be 
 found. So far as his experience goes, he thinks it can. 
 
 u The application of rivalry to the softer sex (I 
 speak with submission to greater experience) appears 
 to me to be fraught with mischief. It inflames the 
 imagination, festers the passions, and poisons the hap 
 piness of the brightest days of life. It seems as 
 unnecessary as it is pernicious." 
 
 If no substitute is at present known, Dr. Warren 
 
 32 
 
250 PHYSICAL EDUCATION. [JE.T. 52. 
 
 thinks that the ingenuity and intelligence of instruc 
 tors cannot be better employed than in devising one. 
 The reasoning process, he thinks, may be employed 
 with great advantage ; and children may be led to 
 understand that the path of duty is the easiest one. 
 
 This lecture was delivered over a quarter of a cen 
 tury ago. The mode of education has been greatly 
 improved, and much greater efforts are made than 
 formerly, to interest children in their studies. How 
 far these efforts have succeeded, the question may 
 still be asked, whether the true theory of education 
 is not to teach young people to learn for the sake 
 of knowledge, for the sake of what will be prac 
 tically useful to them. Do the fruits of instruction 
 ever become of advantage until the individual is 
 aware of their value] 
 
 The old methods of instruction were invaluable, in 
 the habits of discipline and of application which they 
 produced ; but the learning itself was of little practi 
 cal value. 
 
 Girting the chest in females is alluded to with 
 strong reprobation. 
 
 " In what notions of beauty this practice took its 
 origin, I am unable to discover. The angular projec 
 tions, formed by a tightly drawn cord, are in direct 
 opposition to the models of Grecian or Roman beauty. 
 In the flowing robes of the Juno, the Vesta, and Di 
 ana, every part is light and graceful. Nor have I 
 been able to discover in the representation of the 
 Muses or the Graces any habiliment which would 
 
1830.] PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 251 
 
 lead us to believe they wore stays or corsets. The 
 taste of the other sex is uniformly opposed to the 
 wasp-like waist and boarded chest." 
 
 This discourse was received with extreme attention, 
 and was attended with greater results than such pro 
 ductions generally effect. If it did not excite, it gave 
 impulse to, the general medical crusade against corsets, 
 the prominent fashionable enormity, in dress, of 
 the time. Corsets were abandoned ; but other abuses 
 of dress took their place, and gradually prepared the 
 way for their revival ; though it is to be hoped that 
 tight lacing is not, and will not be, revived. The 
 flowing robes of the Juno, the Vesta, and the Diana, 
 are, unfortunately, not suited to our climate ; but they 
 still may be held up as examples of a grand princi 
 ple, a desideratum which should always be aimed 
 at in reforms of dress, but which has never been 
 generally enforced. 
 
 This principle is the freedom from all ligatures, 
 which are now abundant in a female dress. It is 
 remarkable, that, while these have been entirely aban 
 doned in the male dress, they are still perseveringly 
 employed in the female. 
 
 Since 1830, much attention has been given, espe 
 cially in the normal schools, to physical education. 
 Whether the knowledge that is derived from the 
 superficial study of anatomy and physiology serves 
 any more than to mislead, or whether, in these 
 sciences, " a little knowledge is a dangerous thing," 
 must be shown by experience. 
 
252 PHYSICAL EDUCATION. [^Ex. 52. 
 
 This lecture was made the basis of a little volume 
 on the "Preservation of Health," in 1846, and pub 
 lished anew, with additions, in 1854; which last 
 edition was stereotyped. 
 
1830.] CONSULTING PHYSICIANS. 253 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 BOARD OF CONSULTING PHYSICIANS. CHOLERA. CASE OF 
 SUSPENDED ANIMATION. DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. MEDI 
 CAL CASES. RECREATIONS. 
 
 DR. WARREN was appointed Consulting Physician of 
 the city of Boston in June, 1824, together with Drs. 
 Aaron Dexter, James Jackson, Horace Bean, and 
 John Gorham, by virtue of an " ordinance establish 
 ing and regulating the quarantine of vessels." 
 
 Dr. Warren, as elsewhere stated, had the records 
 preserved and copied at his own expense. 
 
 The first reports relate to the small-pox. It had 
 been the custom to remove every patient aifected with 
 small-pox to Rainsford's Island, six miles from the 
 city, to the evident risk of their lives. In 1828, cases 
 occurred in Boston; and the consulting physicians 
 were called upon to consider the expediency of 
 removing them. They recommended the establish 
 ment of a small-pox hospital, and also that greater 
 precautions should be taken in visiting small-pox 
 patients. 
 
 The hospital, or place of reception, for this class of 
 patients, does not appear to have been ever provided. 
 A general revaccination, however, ensued ; and there 
 was much controversy in the medical journals with 
 
254 ASIATIC CHOLERA. [J&r. 54. 
 
 regard to the perfect and lasting efficacy of the cow- 
 pox. It seems to have become settled, that though 
 cow-pox is as perfect a protection as small-pox itself, 
 yet it is expedient to test the perfectness of the first 
 affection by revaccination. 
 
 About 1830, remote rumors were heard of a terrific 
 pestilence which had commenced in Asia as early as 
 1817 ; had spread on all sides, sweeping all before it; 
 and was now spreading into Europe, and pervading 
 Russia. Extending further west every year, it 
 reached Germany in 1831; and soon great alarm 
 prevailed in America. 
 
 In October, 1831, the Board were consulted by the 
 Quarantine Committee, " whether, in the existing state 
 of the cholera-morbus in the north of Europe, vessels 
 arriving from that quarter can receive all the benefits 
 which may result from the disinfecting process, with 
 out removing their cargoes." The Report, signed by 
 John C. Warren and the others, was against the 
 necessity of unloading. 
 
 June, 1832, the Board was again called together 
 to consider " whether any measures are proper to be 
 adopted in this city on account of the appearance of 
 the Asiatic cholera on this side of the Atlantic." 
 
 They reported, that from the measures which had 
 already been taken, and for other reasons, the cholera 
 would probably be limited in extent, if it should ap 
 pear. They advised the removal of all collections of 
 filth ; and that, for this purpose, committees should be 
 appointed in every ward to discover, and cause to 
 
1832.] ASIATIC CHOLERA. 255 
 
 be removed, all decomposing vegetable and animal 
 matter. Also that an organization should be formed 
 for the benefit of the sick poor, and proper places 
 selected for hospitals; that the Board prepare and 
 publish immediately, under the sanction of the city 
 authorities, all such advice and directions as may be 
 proper to prevent the occurrence of the disease in 
 individuals ; and also all the proper measures to be 
 employed, in case of attack, before medical advice 
 can be obtained. They conclude by advising every 
 man to fearlessly perform his duty, in full trust and 
 confidence in the Preserver of health, and the Author 
 of disease, that nothing evil can befall him while he 
 is so doing. 
 
 A Report was afterwards prepared, written, it is 
 believed, by Dr. Warren, the Chairman of the Board, 
 giving full directions to the public for the prevention 
 of cholera, and especially for the management and 
 relief of persons attacked, before medical advice could 
 be obtained. This Report was published in all the 
 papers of the day, and may be found at length in 
 the sixth volume of the " Boston Medical and Surgi 
 cal Journal," page 317. Subsequent experience in 
 the treatment of cholera has afforded no results to 
 invalidate the usefulness of the advice here given. 
 The general directions are as valuable for the conduct 
 and prevention of other epidemic diseases as of cho 
 lera. 
 
 In his own practice, Dr. Warren, when early called 
 to a case of threatened cholera, gave a full emetic of 
 
256 ASIATIC CHOLERA. [^ET. 54. 
 
 ipecac, which was afterwards followed by opiates. 
 Hot applications and rubefacients were, of course, 
 not neglected. His course was generally completely 
 successful. Physicians in practice in Boston at that 
 time will fully recollect that they had abundant busi 
 ness. There prevailed a very strong tendency to 
 bowel complaints ; and alarms proceeding from slight 
 attacks were very prevalent. Many of these yielded 
 to abstinence, sometimes aided by opiates ; but others 
 required more vigorous treatment. There was every 
 reason to suppose that attacks of great suddenness 
 and violence would have proceeded rapidly to the 
 stage of collapse, if they had not been checked in 
 the manner mentioned. 
 
 The ravages of the cholera in Boston that season 
 were very slight, and the value of the course which 
 had been pursued was put fully to the proof. Boston 
 never before went through such a thorough cleansing ; 
 and the inhabitants prepared with as good a will to 
 resist the cholera, as they did in 1814 to resist foreign 
 invasion. The effects have been permanent; and 
 the city is indebted to the cholera for much of its 
 present cleanliness and health, as well as the freedom 
 from epidemics, which formerly were not so rare as 
 at present. 
 
 The Medical Society was equally active. At a 
 meeting of the Councillors, in February, 1832, a com 
 mittee was appointed to investigate the history of 
 cholera, and especially the best mode of treating it ; 
 and to consider whether it was or was not contagious. 
 
1832.J ASIATIC CHOLERA. 257 
 
 For this purpose, a sum was appropriated to enable 
 them to purchase books, &c. ; and they were author 
 ized to publish the results at the expense of the 
 society. James Jackson, John C. Warren, and 
 George Hayward, were the first named upon this 
 committee. The Report was prepared with much 
 care, and was of great value at the time. It is of 
 equal value now, as a compendious treatise on the 
 subject, both in a historical and practical point of 
 view. Dr. Warren took a strong interest in its pre 
 paration, and neglected nothing on his part which 
 could add to its value. 
 
 The further labors of this Board will be spoken of 
 in the order of time, as circumstances called them 
 forth. 
 
 We may introduce here the following letter, com 
 municated to Dr. Warren from Hon. H. A. S. Dear 
 born, containing a very interesting case of apparent 
 death. It is directed to Henry G. R. Dearborn. 
 
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 1832. 
 
 MY DEAR H., As connected with your profession, I will 
 give you an account of a most remarkable instance of the 
 suspension of all muscular motion and apparent death, 
 which was related to me some few days since, in the House 
 of Representatives, by the Hon. 0. Doddridge, of Western 
 Virginia. He is a distinguished and influential member of 
 the House, about sixty years of age. Some years since, he 
 was returning home from a visit in Ohio, and rode, during 
 a cold day, against a violent wind and snow-storm, nearly 
 fifty miles, on horseback ; and, when he reached his house, 
 
 33 
 
258 SUSPENDED ANIMATION. [-&T. 54. 
 
 was nearly benumbed from his exposed and uncomfortable 
 journey. He desired his wife to have a fire made in his 
 bedroom, and such other methods taken as were best cal 
 culated to prevent deleterious consequences. The next 
 morning, his lungs were much inflamed ; and he sent for his 
 brother, who was a physician, and in whom he reposed the 
 utmost confidence. After feeling his pulse, he said that 
 blood must be taken away ; presuming, as he afterward 
 stated, that there was an inflammation of the stomach and 
 viscera. He was bled until he fell : and, to restore him, he 
 was put into bed, and laudanum was administered to the 
 amount of a hundred and fifty drops ; and, when he revived, 
 he was not only deranged, but so excited that he imme 
 diately got up, and began to make speeches on all kinds 
 of subjects, political and religious. Being replaced on 
 the bed, it was surrounded by men to prevent him from get 
 ting off. Thus hedged in, he walked backward and forward 
 on the bed, and was constantly declaiming. This continued 
 for twenty-nine hours ; and some young lawyers, who were 
 called in to assist in guarding him, propounded various 
 questions for him to discuss. At last, he fell apparently 
 dead. The doctor said he had expired ; and he was laid 
 out. His eyes being open, one of the young gentlemen pre 
 sent was requested to close them. He replied, that he could 
 not ; and the doctor did it, placing two half-dollars over 
 them to keep the lids down. His lower jaw having fallen, 
 a white handkerchief was tied about his head to support it. 
 All this time he had his senses perfectly, and heard all that 
 was said, his reason having been restored the moment he 
 fell ; but he was unable to make the least motion, except 
 in his left great toe, which, when they were straightening his 
 legs, he moved, to indicate he was not dead. But, as often 
 as it was done, the effort was made to stretch out his limbs ; 
 
1832.] SUSPENDED ANIMATION. 259 
 
 and, as the pain was most excruciating, he ceased to move 
 his toe. The closing of his lids occasioned the greatest 
 agony. His wife did not believe he was dead, and insisted 
 upon some warm brandy being put in his mouth, and fric 
 tion applied ; but the doctor told her it was useless, as he 
 was dead, and she must endeavor to bear it with fortitude. 
 She still insisted ; when the doctor urged her to leave the 
 room ; but she refused to go. Mr. Doddridge heard all 
 this ; and knowing his wife was a resolute woman, and his 
 brother a firm and decided man, he considered the only 
 chance of not being buried alive was the fortitude and 
 determined character of his wife. The doctor, finding 
 arguments and persuasion did not prevail, commanded her 
 to retire from the room, and she reluctantly obeyed ; but, in 
 about ten minutes, she rushed back, and commanded all the 
 men to leave the room, and said that she and the women 
 who were present would attempt to resuscitate her husband. 
 She was indulged. A teaspoonful of brandy was put into his 
 mouth, after removing the bandage from his jaw. He heard 
 her say it had passed down ; and, on repeating it, the women 
 said they could discover a slight effort to swallow. They 
 then began to use friction,^ and rubbed him from head to 
 foot. Mr. Doddridge observed, that, at this time, he had 
 lost all affection for his wife and family, and his whole mind 
 was engrossed with the fear of being buried alive ; but 
 while his favorite daughter, thirteen years old, was rub 
 bing his feet, he heard her say, " Mamma, dear father's 
 feet are becoming warm and moist ! " Then all a fond 
 father's feelings rushed into his soul, and all a husband's 
 love. In a few moments, he jumped upon his feet ; but 
 was as delirious again as before, and began to stride about 
 the room, declaiming in a violent manner, which he con 
 tinued for an hour, and then fell apparently dead, when 
 
260 SUSPENDED ANIMATION. [^ET. 54. 
 
 his reason, instantly returned ; but he was as incapable of 
 motion and speech as before. The doctor then told his wife 
 (which he heard) that he was now irrecoverably gone, arid 
 ordered her to leave the room ; which she peremptorily 
 refused to do, and commanded him and all the men to leave 
 her and her maid with him. In some hours, the doctor 
 called, and endeavored to induce her to believe he was 
 actually dead. She replied, " He is in a sweet sleep, and 
 will recover." After being in a slumber for eighteen 
 hours, at the expiration of which it was nearly evening, 
 a friend called to inquire about him ; and he heard, as in a 
 doze half asleep and awake, the conversation (during most 
 of the period of the doze, he heard all that was said) ; and-, a 
 few minutes after his friend went away, he awoke, and in 
 stantly asked if such a person had not been in the room, 
 related the conversation, and desired her to send one of 
 his sons after him, and desire him to come back, as he 
 wished to see him. When the friend returned, he was 
 astounded, for he went away with the full belief Mr. 
 Doddridge was dead, and asked him, "Do you know 
 me?" To which Mr. Doddridge replied, " Certainly." 
 " How do you feel ? " Mr. Doddridge replied, " As well as 
 I ever did in my life." After his friend went away, he told 
 his wife he was very hungry, and wished for something to 
 eat. She said she would make him some chicken broth. 
 He replied, " No : I want a hearty meal of fried bacon." It 
 was prepared. He ate a hearty supper ; had a good night's 
 rest ; and the next day he set out on horseback for Rich 
 mond, as well as he ever was. 
 
 He stated that his feelings during the period when his 
 brother pronounced him dead, laid him out, and ordered his 
 wife from the room, were horrible ; and, for months after 
 wards, he could not bear to hear the event named : and this 
 
1832.] SUSPENDED ANIMATION. 261 
 
 from his having taken up the " Black Dwarf " while on his 
 way to Richmond, which contained an account of a like 
 case in Scotland, I think, where the man was actually 
 buried, heard the earth rattle on his coffin as they filled up 
 the grave, and the mourners move away ; but fortunately 
 the resurrection-men came in the evening to take up his 
 body for dissection. He heard the first stroke of the pick 
 axe and spade in the work of disinterment, the opening of 
 the coffin, and all that was said as they carried him into the 
 room of dissection. His own physician was to lecture on 
 him, and, with a knife, made an incision in the breast. This 
 roused him ; and, to the astonishment of the audience, he 
 rose up and spoke. The reason of his wife's pertinacity 
 was, the recollection of the facts stated in an article he had 
 some months previous read to her, from an encyclopaedia, 
 on premature or hasty burials. To these two circumstances 
 he owed his restoration, or lie would have experienced the 
 horrible act of being buried alive. 
 
 The reason of this interesting case being related was this : 
 We were sitting with another Virginia member, and the 
 latter was speaking of an able speaker who was in the Vir 
 ginia Legislature with Mr. Doddridge some years since, 
 whom all feared from his powerful manner of putting down 
 all who opposed him. Mr. Doddridge said he had twice 
 triumphed over the terror of the member ; but, notwith 
 standing, this remarkable man had made an eloquent 
 funeral oration over him. At the time Mr. Doddridge was 
 laid out, a member, going down to Richmond, called at his 
 house (which is on the bank of the Ohio), and there was 
 informed that he was dead, and laid out. This he an 
 nounced to the House, when the eulogy was pronounced ; 
 but a few days after, to the utter astonishment of all, Mr. 
 Doddridge entered, and took his seat. 
 
262 PRACTICE. 
 
 This being such a well-authenticated case, I consider it 
 important that you should never forget it in practice, in the 
 event of sudden deaths. I wish you would name it to Dr. 
 Warren, or show him this letter, and make my best respects 
 to him. 
 
 (Signed) H. A. S. DEARBORN. 
 
 From the beginning of the year 1832, Dr. Warren's 
 attendance had been required almost daily by his 
 mother, who was now seventy-two years of age, and 
 suffering from severe and repeated attacks, in which 
 the digestive powers were gradually failing ; the elas 
 ticity of her constitution producing amendment and 
 partial recovery after each attack, each in succession 
 leaving her almost imperceptibly worse. It needs 
 scarce be said, that Dr. Warren held what he has 
 before alluded to as rather old-fashioned notions of 
 respect for seniors in general, and for parents in par 
 ticular. Mrs. Warren was one whose dignity and 
 reserve of manners, as well as her quick perception 
 of character, knowledge of the world, and acquired 
 information from books and persons, commanded 
 respect. This was always paid by her son. All that 
 he could do for her relief, he did. How much he 
 felt her loss, could only be suspected. 
 
 In this year (1832), Dr. Warren published in the 
 " American Journal of Medical Sciences " two impor 
 tant cases, in which the accidental admission of air 
 into the veins had taken place. 
 
 Dr. Warren alludes to the circumstance, that this 
 accident has been doubted by surgeons. 
 
1832.] PRACTICE. 263 
 
 He had recently met with two undoubted cases, 
 which he thinks were the first that had occurred 
 either in his own practice or that of his prede 
 cessor. 
 
 The first instance was in an operation for a can 
 cerous affection of the face and neck, in which it 
 was necessary first to secure the carotid trunk. " The 
 face of the sheath of the great vessels was a little 
 uncovered, when a small effusion of venous blood 
 appeared under the knife, and checked the operation. 
 At that instant, a very distinct sound was heard, like 
 the passage of air through water ; a few bubbles were 
 seen in the venous blood, the flow of which was 
 immediately arrested by applying the finger." The 
 symptoms were those of apoplexy. Dr. Warren 
 directly opened the temporal artery. He recovered, 
 and, the following morning, was as well as before the 
 operation was attempted. 
 
 Seven days after this, the operation was performed 
 without tying the carotid. On the 10th December, the 
 wound was nearly healed, and he returned home. 
 
 The second case occurred in the removal of a 
 tumor of the breast in a married woman. After 
 nearly separating the tumor, at the outer part of the 
 axilla a vein was divided, and a small quantity of 
 venous blood was discharged. On carrying the knife 
 to the other extremity of the tumor, she struggled, 
 became livid, and a bubbling or clucking noise was 
 heard. Directly, the axilla was compressed, and she 
 became insensible, with apoplectic breathing. 
 
264 PRACTICE. [^ET. 54. 
 
 The tumor was at once separated, her posture 
 changed. Brandy was poured down, and ammonia 
 introduced into the nostrils. Cloths with hot water 
 were thrown over the extremities ; strong frictions 
 applied to the chest and all parts of the body. As a 
 last effort, the larynx was opened, and inflation of 
 the lungs by a bellows put in operation. These 
 efforts were continued for a considerable length of 
 time, but with no effect. ' Life was extinct. 
 
 Dr. Warren remarks on the means to be pursued 
 in the occurrence of these accidents : " First, compress 
 the orifice of the bleeding vein with the utmost care ; 
 second, apply pressure on the veins between the 
 wound and the heart ; third, relax the part in which 
 the vein is seated ; fourth, the patient may be directed 
 to expire the air from his lungs." 
 
 The opening of the temporal artery gave great 
 relief in the first case. It was not resorted to in the 
 second, because the patient had already lost as much 
 blood as could be spared. The other means to be 
 pursued have been described above. 
 
 It may be remarked, that this last case afforded an 
 instance of what has been stated above in regard to 
 Dr. Warren's quickness in perceiving any change. 
 Although intently engaged in a delicate dissection, he 
 perceived the first change of color in his patients ; 
 and the means mentioned were resorted to almost 
 before the assistants were aware that any thing unto 
 ward had occurred. This was always the case. He 
 never allowed himself to be so much engrossed in 
 
1832.] PRACTICE. 265 
 
 any dissection, however difficult or intricate, as not to 
 be constantly alive to the condition of his patient. 
 
 Although the subject of this Memoir had long 
 ago given up night-practice, and consequently mid 
 wifery, he was still totally occupied in active practice 
 and operations, and seems to have had little time for 
 writing. His only publications for 1833 appear to 
 have been the following, in the thirteenth volume of 
 the " Journal of Medical Sciences," in which he has 
 given an account of the " Removal of the Clavicle in 
 a State of Osteo-Sarcoma." 
 
 The patient had received an injury, a year previous, 
 in attempting to roll over a heavy stick of timber. It 
 was supposed to be an irreducible dislocation. When 
 he entered the hospital, Nov. 1, 1832, he had a tumor 
 measuring seven inches from the sternal end of the 
 right clavicle to the scapular end; from its upper 
 bound, the clavicle, towards the nipple, five inches. 
 It was hard ; no fluctuation ; general health not mate 
 rially impaired, but constitution scrofulous and irri 
 table. 
 
 The tumor being found to enlarge after his en 
 trance into the hospital, the operation was performed 
 on the 10th. The outer extremity of the clavicle 
 was laid bare, the coraco-clavicular ligament divided, 
 and the clavicle sawed through with a chain-saw. 
 The tumor was then carefully dissected from its 
 attachments, and removed. Little blood was lost. 
 
 The patient's appearance after the operation was 
 good, and his symptoms were most favorable up to 
 
 34 
 
266 PRACTICE. [^Ex. 55. 
 
 the thirteenth day. He was able to sit up, had appe 
 tite, and had every promise of a favorable termination 
 of the case. The wound united to a considerable 
 extent by the first intention. 
 
 On the thirteenth day, he was affected with chills, 
 pain in the epigastric region, and his pulse rose from 
 eighty to a hundred and twelve. These symptoms 
 were followed by a nervous, agitated state, and 
 eventually by a slight delirium, with no other local 
 phenomena than those above mentioned. 
 
 His symptoms varied from this time to the 8th of 
 December ; when he died, in the fourth week from 
 the operation. 
 
 Dr. Warren notices, in conclusion, the bad habit of 
 body of the patient, who was naturally weak and 
 excitable ; and, secondly, the absence of any local 
 affection, sufficient to be a cause of death. 
 
 " Whence," he says, " it may be inferred, that the 
 unfavorable issue was the result of constitutional 
 irritation, produced by the impression of a severe 
 operation." 
 
 In this volume of the " Journal of the Medical 
 Sciences " is also contained an account of an opera 
 tion for the remedy of a natural obstruction or mal 
 formation, which was completely successful. 
 
 At this period, and for some years previous, it had 
 become the fashion, even for wealthy families, to pass 
 the whole year in the city. Horse-keeping had 
 become expensive from the increased value of land, 
 and the facility of locomotion was trifling. The only 
 
1833.] SUMMER EXCURSIONS. 267 
 
 public conveyances were coaches ; and the Roxbury 
 " hourlies," as they were called, though they ran only 
 two or three times a day, were a new thing. Jamaica 
 Plain which had formerly been a fashionable resi 
 dence in the time of Dr. Gordon, the American his 
 torian, and pastor of that parish was now almost 
 deserted. There were many vacant houses ; and land 
 sold only by forced sales, and for much less than it 
 had cost thirty years before. Dr. John Warren, as 
 has been said elsewhere, had purchased a farm in 
 Jamaica Plain, before his son went to Europe, and 
 rode out frequently in his chaise or carriage during 
 the summer afternoons. Not many years before his 
 death, he made one visit to Newport with his family. 
 They went, not in cars, steamboats, or even stages. 
 The journey was made in the large family coach em 
 blazoned with the family arms, and driven by the 
 family servant, Cuff, whose native place was Newport. 
 Cuff has already been mentioned. His brother and 
 predecessor, Quaco, a better servant, was bequeathed, 
 by the will of Governor Collins, to his daughter, Mrs. 
 Warren. While leading a pair of fine coach-horses 
 to bathe in the old Mill Pond (which was in that part 
 of the town where the National Theatre now stands, 
 but long since filled up and built over), he fell from 
 the horse he was riding, received a kick upon the 
 head, and was drowned. The horses were also lost. 
 
 This was probably the only pleasure excursion 
 which the senior Dr. Warren made for years. 
 
 Notwithstanding the healthiness of the city, it natu- 
 
268 SUMMER EXCURSIONS. [l&r. 57. 
 
 rally followed, that, as all the inhabitants remained 
 in Boston, there was much sickness during the sum 
 mer months ; and physicians who practised then, sel 
 dom thought of leaving Boston for a night, unless 
 compelled by professional duty. 
 
 The first journey which Dr. John C. Warren 
 mentions took place in 1820, as has been already 
 mentioned. In 1827, he made a visit to West Point, 
 Catskill, &c. ; the subsequent years, in turn to Niaga 
 ra, Newport, and the White Mountains in the spring 
 or summer of 1833. 
 
 In 1835, his son Dr. Mason Warren, having re 
 turned from Europe, and become a member of the 
 Boston Medical Association, was able to relieve him 
 from part of the burthen of practice, and commenced 
 his own successful career as surgeon and physician. 
 In July of this year, he was therefore enabled to 
 make a longer visit than usual to the South ; leaving 
 his son to take charge of his patients in his absence, 
 somewhat in the same manner as he had taken charge 
 of his father's business during the first summer after 
 his return. 
 
 In 1836, his only publication appears to have been 
 an account of an aneurism of the external iliac artery, 
 in the fifteenth volume of the " Boston Medical and 
 Surgical Journal," and in the "American Journal of 
 Medical Sciences," nineteenth volume. 
 
1835.] REPORT ON SMALL-POX. 269 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 CONSULTING PHYSICIANS. SMALL-POX. DR. JACKSON. 
 WORK ON TUMORS. 
 
 THE subject of sanitary provisions, to prevent the ex 
 tension of the small-pox, was frequently submitted to 
 the attention of the Consulting Physicians. 
 
 Early in 1837, a communication from the City 
 Council was received, and called forth the following 
 Report : 
 
 The Consulting Physicians of the City of Boston have 
 been called upon by a Committee of the City Council to 
 say, whether, in their opinion, it is necessary to provide a 
 place for the residence of those who are affected with the 
 small-pox and other contagious diseases in the winter 
 season. Having carefully considered the subject, they ask 
 leave to offer their opinion, as follows: 
 
 "That it is highly necessary to provide a place in or 
 near the city, to which those affected with small-pox and 
 other contagious diseases in the winter may be conveniently 
 and safely removed." 
 
 The reasons which have led them to this opinion are the 
 following : 
 
 I. They believe that cases of contagious disease may 
 occur, in which it would be dangerous to life to remove the 
 patient in a boat or vessel, as now practised. 
 
270 REPORT ON SMALL-POX. [.Ex. 59. 
 
 II. That obstructions in the harbor may prevent the 
 removal of infected patients so early after the appearance 
 of disease as to avoid their communicating it to others. 
 
 III. That an insular situation may sometimes prevent 
 the administration of those aids which severe diseases might 
 require. 
 
 IY. That an apprehension of being removed in the 
 manner done at present may operate as a temptation to 
 physicians and patients to conceal the existence of a 
 contagious disorder. 
 
 On the other part, there appears to be no serious objec 
 tion to establishing a place for persons affected with conta 
 gious disorders, in or near the city. 
 
 All such diseases emanate their contagious influences to 
 a very limited extent, generally not beyond the air imme 
 diately surrounding the affected person. 
 
 As a proof of this, may be advanced the fact of a 
 small-pox hospital having existed a considerable number of 
 years within two miles of Boston, without having commu 
 nicated, or having been suspected to communicate, the 
 contagion to the city. 
 
 As to the place proper for such an establishment, this 
 Board is of opinion, that any place in or near the city, which 
 can be as much insulated as the State Prison at Charles- 
 town, or the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, 
 would be perfectly safe, if precautions were taken to 
 disinfect those who had occasion to communicate with the 
 establishment. 
 
 By order of the Board of Consulting Physicians, 
 
 JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 BOSTON, Feb. 1, 1837. 
 
 On the 4th of February, the City Council again 
 requested the opinion of the Consulting Physicians 
 
1837.] REPORT ON SMALL-POX. 271 
 
 with regard to an entire change of policy in relation 
 to small-pox. 
 
 "The preceding advice for the re-establishment of a 
 small-pox hospital," they say, " seems to have been founded 
 upon the continuance of the present system of regulations. 
 They now ask an opinion as to the propriety and policy of 
 the system itself, whether the removal of those infected is 
 deemed necessary; and they request the Board to state 
 their views in full in regard to the prevention of the 
 spreading of the disease, the cure of those infected, and 
 the more thorough extension of vaccination." 
 
 " The Consulting Physicians, in reply, state their sense 
 of the great importance of the question to the city of Bos 
 ton, and that they have given the affair their earnest atten 
 tion. 
 
 They state, in the first place, " that the policy which had 
 so long prevailed in Boston, of removing and secluding 
 affected persons, however it originated, did not prevail out 
 of New England ; that many people were generally exposed 
 to the contagion before the infection could be discovered 
 and the affected person removed. 
 
 " It appears to them, that, if no measures were taken to 
 keep the small-pox out of the city, all the inhabitants and 
 all the visitants to the city, not vaccinated, would be careful 
 to undergo vaccination before exposing themselves. Vacci 
 nation would thus become more general, and the food which 
 now exists for supporting the disease would soon be 
 exhausted through the whole community. The terrors of 
 a general spreading of small-pox would thus be allayed, and 
 the disease would be regarded with no more alarm than 
 measles and other contagious and eruptive diseases. 
 
 " We conclude, then, from this view of the subject, that, 
 
272 REPORT OF SMALL-POX. [^ET. 59. 
 
 if the old practice of removal were abandoned, small-pox, 
 instead of being more likely to be extensively diffused, 
 would be less so, from want of materials to feed on." 
 
 They then direct their attention to the evils arising from 
 the present system, " the extreme hardship of removing 
 persons from their families to secluded situations, parents 
 from their children, husbands from their wives, and invalids 
 from those upon whom they have been accustomed to rely ; 
 the terrors of such a removal ; the exposure to severe 
 weather during some seasons of the year, which may, in 
 some cases, decide the balance between recovery and death. 
 Such a violation of the rights of humanity could only be 
 justified by the necessities of the public good ; but no 
 necessity exists, if the opinions expressed above are well 
 founded." 
 
 They notice other objections. First, That individuals 
 who have been vaccinated have no opportunity of testing 
 their susceptibility to small-pox. They go abroad, and, if 
 exposed, may suffer severely from a disease, which, in their 
 own homes, is of little importance. 
 
 Secondly, The alarm excited once or twice every year, 
 under the present system. A case of small-pox throws a 
 part of the city into confusion ; and the existence of 
 a number of cases disturbs the whole city and country. 
 
 Thirdly, The great and useless expense in which the 
 system then prevailing involved the whole city. 
 
 Further, that the small-pox is not, in ordinary seasons, 
 so contagious a disease as it is commonly believed to be. 
 
 That the practice of removing from the city persons 
 affected with small-pox should be discontinued after the 
 first day of March next. 
 
 In the mean time, they recommend a general vaccina 
 tion of all who have not been vaccinated, and that measures 
 
1837.] SMALL-POX. 273 
 
 should be taken for the free vaccination of all such as wish. 
 Also that all citizens, who have not full confidence in having 
 had genuine cow-pox, should be revaccinated. 
 
 Signed by JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF. 
 
 GEORGE HAYWARD. 
 
 JOHN RANDALL. 
 
 GEORGE C. SHATTUCK. 
 
 These recommendations were adopted; and the 
 lapse of twenty years has proved the wisdom and 
 humanity of the measure. A prominent feature, 
 which is well known to promote the extension of 
 contagious disease, fear, has been removed ; 
 and a case of small-pox now produces little alarm 
 in the city. Thus a person infected is less likely to 
 have his case made worse by neglect and terror ; and 
 proper caution may be adopted for the cure of the 
 patient, and for rational measures for preventing the 
 extension of the disease. Formerly, if not now, in 
 some country towns, an individual infected with 
 small-pox was sometimes deserted, and left to perish, 
 from neglect, in an empty tenement ; while those who 
 were forcibly removed, between the agitation and 
 other circumstances combined, lost their chance of 
 recovery. 
 
 Many persons, who would have shuddered at the 
 story of persons affected with hydrophobia being 
 smothered between two beds, as was practised in 
 some remote parts of Great Britain, and perhaps is 
 still, approved of the forcible removal of small-pox 
 
 35 
 
214: SMALL-POX. [^Ex. 59. 
 
 patients. Use or custom sanctions every abuse ; and 
 we look with calmness upon those which are sup 
 posed necessary, merely because they have long ex 
 isted. 
 
 It requires much hardihood and moral courage to 
 attack such abuses ; but they who do it are deserving 
 of the highest praise. The abolition of an oppres 
 sive law, founded in ignorance or superstition, never 
 ceases to operate for the comfort and happiness of 
 thousands. The panic produced by contagious dis 
 eases the plague, the cholera, and here, in an 
 especial degree, the small-pox gives rise to general 
 feelings of inhumanity and selfishness ; and, as the 
 disease may become aggravated by neglect, its extent 
 is promoted by the very means taken to avoid it. 
 
 On the 14th of May, 1837, Dr. Warren communi 
 cated to the trustees of the hospital his intention of 
 making a visit to Europe. About the same time, Dr. 
 Jackson retired from his office of Hospital Physician. 
 From the foundation of the institution up to this time, 
 he had been constant in his attendance during his 
 annual term of office, even after his partial retirement 
 from business in 1825, when he went to Waltham, 
 and for several years made that his summer residence. 
 During this period, his hospital duties were regularly 
 discharged ; and he continued the practice of his pro 
 fession, as far as his residence in the country permit 
 ted. After a few years, he gave up his summer 
 residence in Waltham, and resumed active practice in 
 the city, which he has since continued. 
 
1837.] DR. JACKSON. 275 
 
 Although the friendship that commenced at an 
 early period of life, and the close professional inter 
 course that ensued, did not terminate until the death of 
 Dr. Warren, who was attended by Dr. Jackson in his 
 last illness, as he had been in all preceding ones, 
 that portion of the Biographical Notes which re 
 lates to the latter may come in appropriately here, at 
 the end of their long connection as physician and 
 surgeon in the Massachusetts Hospital. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 Dr. Jackson I became acquainted with at college from 
 the year 1793-6, inclusive. He was a year in advance of 
 me ; but we fell into the same circle of acquaintance, and 
 were more associated together than members of the different 
 classes usually are at college. 
 
 After I was settled in London, in the year 1799, he came 
 there to prosecute his studies for the winter, and associated 
 with Senter and myself; so that we worked together that 
 winter. In the following summer, having made a matrimo 
 nial engagement, and having at the same time the expecta 
 tion of being the first to carry the vaccine fluid to America, 
 he left us ; came home, got his degree, and, by the aid of a 
 large circle of friends, launched immediately into practice. 
 His abilities, industry, and agreeable manners, helped to 
 establish him wherever the impulse of his friends could 
 carry him ; and for a number of years, until he declined 
 practice, he had as much as he could do, and became the 
 head and leader of the profession in that department. This 
 station he continued to maintain after he had partially 
 retired from professional business ; and was well entitled to 
 it, not only by the extent of his experience, and the constant 
 
276 DR. JACKSON. [JT. 59. 
 
 cultivation of medicine as a science, but by his remarka 
 bly good judgment, and steady pursuit of general profes 
 sional improvement. He originated many and was engaged 
 in all the schemes of amelioration and advancement in the 
 medical art, and in many other departments of science ; 
 and distinguished himself always by an enlargement of his 
 views in regard to the new arrangements which the state of 
 the profession were continually requiring. He was particu 
 larly active in the foundation of the Medical School in 
 Boston, of the Hospital, the Society for the Study of Natu 
 ral Philosophy, the Athenaeum, the u New-England Journal 
 of Medicine and Science," the new organization of the 
 Massachusetts Medical Society, and many other similar 
 institutions. Although he voluntarily transferred his medi 
 cal business at the middle period of life, he is still resorted 
 to as a consulting physician ; and has continued to hold the 
 public esteem, as well as that of his patients, without dimi 
 nution. His frankness of character, as well as clearness of 
 judgment, acquired the confidence of his professional bre 
 thren to an almost unexampled extent. With a bad state of 
 health at one period, which called him partially to relin 
 quish medical practice and engage in agricultural pursuits, 
 he has prolonged his life and intellectual powers beyond the 
 usual period ; and this prolongation is attributable not only 
 to a well-directed system of living, but to the means he has 
 employed for preserving mental equanimity in the various 
 trying events he has been called to experience. 
 
 Before his departure for Europe, Dr. Warren 
 published his work on tumors, one of the largest 
 surgical books which he ever found time to compile. 
 
1837.] WORK ON TUMORS. 277 
 
 There can be no doubt that it was his original 
 intention to prepare a more elaborate treatise on this, 
 and probably upon other subjects. The care with 
 which he had preserved the records of his hospital 
 practice (forming six large folio volumes), in addition 
 to the records of private practice, seems to indicate 
 such a design. They afforded an immense mass of 
 facts and observations, and ample materials for trea 
 tises upon all subjects of operative surgery. 
 
 But he found, as he states in his preface, " practical 
 men, called as they are to every kind of medical duty, 
 possessing no time they can devote to study but what 
 is robbed from hours which the wearied faculties 
 require for repose, can estimate the obstacles to any 
 literary labor among us. Compelled to accomplish 
 this publication under an unusual pressure of affairs, 
 or to defer it to an uncertain period, I thought 
 it right to relinquish the attempt at an elaborate 
 and finished production, to clothe the facts in the 
 best dress that circumstances permitted me to give 
 them, and to content myself with the expectation 
 that the errors which may have escaped me now 
 will be readily discovered hereafter, both by myself 
 and others." 
 
 An impartial account of this work is given in the 
 " British and Foreign Medical Review," the high 
 standing of whose editor Dr. Forbes is well 
 known to the profession in this country as well as in 
 his own. The reviewer says, 
 
278 WORK ON TUMORS. [JET. 59. 
 
 " Nothing is more apt to produce a favorable impression 
 of any literary production than to find that the author has 
 justly appreciated his own labors, and has offered them to 
 the public under an appropriate title, and without immode 
 rate pretensions. A prepossession is thus created in favor 
 of his good sense, and the reader is prepared to listen with 
 attention to one who is able to decide fairly in a matter in 
 which the natural bias of self-approbation is frequently too 
 strong for sober judgment. In the work before us, these 
 first favorable impressions do not lead to disappointment. 
 ' It is not,' we are told, ' to be considered as a treatise 
 comprehending all that is known on the subject, but rather 
 as a collection of cases intended to illustrate the distinctions 
 between different tumors.' ' 
 
 The reviewer goes on to speak of the two different me 
 thods of reporting medical cases. One, formed on the 
 model of the French school, carried to the highest degree of 
 perfection by Professor Louis, consisting of the most minute 
 particulars, whether connected or unconnected with the 
 principal disorder ; the other, which seems particularly to 
 flourish in English soil, characterized by a selection of the 
 more prominent features which distinguish the disease, and 
 which appear to afford some direct clew to the means of 
 palliation or of cure. 
 
 " To this class belong the cases contained in the present 
 volume. Clear, simple, and graphic, they bear the unaf 
 fected impress of truth ; and report with manifest candor 
 and honesty, as medical writings ought, the opinions that 
 influenced the treatment, and the motives that guided the 
 surgeon in performing or abstaining from operations. In 
 fact, throughout his work, the author proves himself to be a 
 worthy disciple of the school in which he received his early 
 instructions ; and which, connected as it is with the names 
 
1837.] WORK ON TUMORS. 279 
 
 and celebrity of Cooper, Bright, and others of hardly less 
 eminence, he seems proud to acknowledge as his alma 
 mater. And surely that school need be no less proud to 
 claim him as a pupil. And we believe there are few mem 
 bers of our profession who are more entitled to the consi 
 deration of his brethren than Dr. Warren. Distinguished 
 as a zealous and successful teacher for the last thirty years, 
 foremost in every undertaking calculated to improve medi 
 cal literature and science, and never weary in the cause 
 of benevolence, he has long earned for himself in his native 
 country a reputation of the most enviable kind, and to 
 which mere literary distinction, more especially in foreign 
 countries, can add but little of value." 
 
280 EUROPE IN 1837. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1837. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 MY visit to Europe in 1837-8 was undertaken for the 
 gratification of my family. My son, Dr. Mason Warren, 
 was able to take my place. One of my daughters was also 
 happily settled ; two others were just grown up ; and my 
 son Sullivan had gone through four years' attendance in 
 a counting-room. Mrs. Warren had passed thirty years 
 of servitude in bringing up a family of six children. Her 
 father and mother were no longer living, nor were mine. 
 My property had attained a sufficient growth to justify me 
 in a measure of the kind. My business was rather oppres 
 sive, and required to be diminished. Further, the work on 
 tumors, which I had had in hand for two or three years, 
 was so nearly completed, that I could hope to finish it before 
 my departure ; and I accordingly did finish it, though not in 
 a way I could have wished. Its principal merit was its being 
 the only monograph on tumors ; and to this might be added 
 the simplicity and practicalness of its arrangement, begin 
 ning with the tumors which present themselves on the 
 outside of the body, and tracing them to the internal tex 
 tures. Mr. Bureaud Riofrey told me in 1849, that he saw 
 the book when published in 1837, being in England at that 
 time, and was agreeably struck with the plan of basing its 
 arrangement on the textures of Bichat. 
 
1837.] VISIT TO EUROPE. 281 
 
 I had the satisfaction to find it was favorably noticed by 
 the principal medical journals in Great Britain and Ame 
 rica ; though I attributed this to their partiality, rather than 
 to the merits of the book. I have since made a very large 
 collection of cases of tumors, which would constitute, per 
 haps, one or two volumes. They are corrected, and, to a 
 certain extent, arranged. I have always intended, with the 
 aid of these notes, to make another edition, with woodcuts, 
 or something of that style. But other labors have thus far 
 interfered with the execution of this plan. 
 
 My decision in favor of going to Europe was not made 
 without much hesitation. I had not at that time made up 
 my mind that it would be expedient to give up lectures. If 
 I had done so, I should have remained longer in Europe, 
 felt more at my ease, and have accomplished more work 
 calculated for permanent utility. But I thought, on the 
 contrary, at that time, that my duty was, as I had already 
 for more than thirty years acted on the plan of introducing 
 foreign improvements into this country, to pursue the same 
 system, and use this contemplated voyage principally in 
 procuring information which would be useful at home, and 
 particularly in the business of instruction. For this pur 
 pose, I, in every city and town where I remained even but a 
 few hours, visited, sometimes with great labor, the hospitals 
 and other public institutions; and always succeeded in 
 gathering something that could be made available in the 
 prosecution of my plan. 
 
 We sailed from New York in the beginning of June 
 (12th), 1837, in the ship George Washington," for Li 
 verpool. The passengers were in number about thirty. 
 Among them were Mr. Wallack, the actor; Mr. Tyrone 
 Power, comic actor, since lost in the " President ; " Louis 
 Napoleon Bonaparte, now President of the French Republic ; 
 
 36 
 
282 ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL. [^Ex. 59. 
 
 Lieutenant Gage, son of Lord, and grandson of General 
 Gage, who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill ; and Mr. 
 Becket, of Philadelphia. With Napoleon I conversed in 
 French, although he spoke English very well. This was 
 after his first attempt to excite a revolution in France, from 
 which he had come to America, and was thence returning 
 to his mother, who was quite ill at Geneva. He conversed 
 very pleasantly on any subject proposed. He was well 
 versed in classical literature, and fond of it ; quite a pro 
 ficient in mathematics ; and showed me a thick octavo 
 volume he had composed on the science of artillery and 
 engineering. He was versed in the small accomplishments 
 which make a part of French education, comic acting, 
 tricks at cards, &c., some of which were very remarkable. 
 All these things he did with imperturbable gravity ; never 
 laughing as if he enjoyed them, but did them for the amuse 
 ment of others. He never talked politics. We always 
 used the title of Prince, and gave him a place next the 
 captain. He made himself very agreeable to the ladies, and 
 gave them small presents occasionally. He landed at Liver 
 pool with us, made his way to Geneva, and reached his 
 mother two or three days before she expired. 
 
 Our ship arrived at Liverpool about the middle of July, 
 after a thirty days' passage. I saw there Mr. Gair, banker, 
 connected with the Barings, a native of Boston; my old 
 acquaintance, Dr. Yose, pupil of Sir Astley Cooper ; and Dr. 
 Reynolds, a chemist and physician, who invited me to the 
 meeting of the British Association, in Liverpool, the Sep 
 tember following. 
 
 From Liverpool we went to London ; remained there a few 
 weeks, as noted in my journal, kept from that time till I 
 arrived home again, and after a few days resumed, and 
 continued with slight intermissions to the present time. 
 
1837.] LIVERPOOL. 283 
 
 Journal of a Voyage to Europe. 
 
 June 5, 1837. Left Boston on Artillery-Election Day, 
 with some trouble of mind on account of M.'s solitary and 
 responsible situation. 
 
 On reaching New York, I called on my old friend Dr. 
 Perkins, with whom I passed some pleasant hours. Dr. Ste 
 vens took me to see a number of his patients, and interested 
 me much by his conversation and scientific views. 
 
 June 12. After being detained in New York a week 
 by unfavorable winds, on this day, in the afternoon, we 
 were summoned on board ship, and went down in a steam 
 boat. 
 
 During the voyage, nothing happened of much interest. 
 I avoided reading and writing as much as possible. We 
 had a voyage of thirty-one days, and landed at Liverpool 
 about sunrise on the 13th of July. Our entrance to the 
 town was cold and uncomfortable at this hour ; but when 
 we were safely lodged at the Adelphi Hotel, and got a good 
 breakfast, we were much revived. One of our passengers, 
 a young lady, at the moment of landing, fell, and broke the 
 fibula, which 1 adjusted for her. 
 
 The first view of the streets of Liverpool, through the 
 dense coal-smoke, was not agreeable ; but when the sun 
 shone out, and the streets began to fill with people whose 
 faces seemed as familiar to me as those of Boston, I was bet 
 ter pleased. Leaving Sullivan to take care of my custom 
 house entries, where we were fleeced, the first busi 
 ness was to find out the agent of the Barings, Mr. Gair, who 
 received me kindly, said he had formerly known me, and 
 took charge of my gold, about one thousand sovereigns ; 
 for the bad state of credit at home and abroad compelled 
 me to take specie at seventeen per cent advance. 
 
284 LIVERPOOL. [JET. 59. 
 
 This being accomplished, I rode to Mr. Rathbone's, two 
 or three miles out. The green hedges, the verdure of the 
 fields, and the pretty taste of Mr. Rathbone's house, struck 
 me agreeably. After dinner, I paid a visit to Dr. Reynolds 
 for the purpose of seeing Miss Dix. Dr. Reynolds asked 
 me to stay to tea. At nine, P.M., we had strong coffee, with 
 plenty of rich cream, and a very agreeable conversation. 
 I was quite gratified with the quiet ease of Dr. and Mrs. 
 Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds lives in Bedford Street. 
 
 July 14. I went by appointment to see a surgeon called 
 Mr. Bickerstaff. I was punctual, but was kept waiting 
 some time while he was seeing patients ; and, when he 
 came, he did not offer to visit the person I had referred to 
 him with me. 
 
 Saw Dr. Reynolds, who politely carried me to the Anato 
 mical Collection and Museum, which is incipient. I visited 
 a hospital in the lower part of the town ; and, in the after 
 noon, the Infirmary. There was nothing very interesting in 
 the practice of either. I visited also the Zoological Garden, 
 which, though small, is very beautiful, and contains many 
 valuable animals. 
 
 Dr. Reynolds gave me an invitation to the meeting of the 
 British Association, and to pass the week at his house. 
 
 July 15. Met at the Adelphi my old friend Mr. Titus 
 Welles, who embarked on that day for America. At twelve, 
 in company with one of our fellow-passengers, we took the 
 railroad to Birmingham, about one hundred miles, and 
 arrived there in four hours by an admirable conveyance. 
 The country passed through on the route was very interest 
 ing. An old castle or two, beautiful hedges, and fine culti 
 vation, struck us very delightfully. As we approached 
 Wolverhampton and Birmingham, the smoking furnaces 
 and lofty chimneys announced to us the vast labors which 
 
1837.] WARWICK. 285 
 
 were going on. At Birmingham, leaving the railroad, we 
 took an omnibus to town. I had a short survey of the 
 market-place, one or two churches, and some antiquities, 
 while dinner was arranging. We had difficulty in pro 
 curing a carriage which would take five persons post to 
 Warwick ; but, at about six, left Birmingham, and had a 
 delightful ride to Warwick, the ancient gate and wall of 
 which we entered about ten on Saturday night, and had a 
 nice supper at a most comfortable, old-fashioned English inn. 
 
 July 16. Rose early of a beautiful summer morning, 
 and rode about four miles through the purlieus of ancient 
 Warwick to Kenilworth. The romantic views of the old 
 castle far exceeded in their appearance any notions I had 
 formed ; which is not saying little. The ancient gate and 
 tower, the court, the ruinous chapel and halls, the beautiful 
 view, the desertion of the place, the rooks being the 
 only inhabitants, the recollections of its ancient splendor, 
 quite struck us mute ; and we passed an hour or two in 
 wandering about, musing on the gay scenes, the vices, the 
 gallantry, which the old walls had witnessed. As we re 
 turned, we saw the spot where Piers Gaveston was beheaded ; 
 and, having breakfasted, we inquired if we could see War 
 wick Castle. This was said to be difficult on that day ; but 
 for money it could be done. In the mean time, I 'took a 
 survey of the ancient gates, walls, and churches. This city 
 has, next to Chester, the greatest appearance of antiquity 
 of any city in England. We afterwards visited the castle 
 with great satisfaction, and then went on to Stratford upon 
 Avon. Shakspeare's house we visited, of course, and the 
 chamber where he was born, scratched over with the names 
 of visitors. 
 
 Towards evening, we reached Blenheim, and arrived at 
 Oxford about dark. 
 
286 LONDON. [JEn. 59. 
 
 July 17. On the following day, we pressed on to Lon 
 don, taking a stage-coach, and reached the great city about 
 three. As we came within the ten miles, and witnessed the 
 bustling of carriages, the continuous line of houses, and 
 saw the black smoke rising at a distance, although I had 
 been formerly a resident, I was in some measure oppressed 
 by the idea of entering this world with my family. As we 
 rode by Kensington, we perceived people running, and the 
 Horse Guards parading; and learned that the Queen was 
 returning from the prorogation of Parliament, which we 
 had hoped to witness. We drove through Piccadilly (which 
 was afterwards our residence) without much noticing things, 
 as we were now anxious to arrange about lodgings, &c. 
 Our coach stopped at the Spread Eagle, in Regent Circus, 
 a place made since I was in London, and, of course, con 
 fusing my ideas of the locality. Finding our trunks had 
 arrived safely, we took a hackney-coach, and drove to Dr. 
 Boott's to inquire for the lodgings we had engaged. He 
 referred us to the Brunswick Hotel, in Hanover Square ; 
 where we were civilly received, and got our dinner soon 
 after. 
 
 Mr. N. Appleton and family arrived ; and we agreed to 
 give them our rooms on the following day, and obtained 
 private apartments, which I preferred, at 176, Regent 
 Street. Parliament being dissolved, lodgings were at a low 
 rate. In the evening, Dr. Boott had the kindness to take 
 me to the American minister's, Mr. Stevenson, and to Mr. 
 Bates's. It was near midnight before we reached our hotel. 
 July 18. Passed the day in establishing ourselves in 
 our new apartments. They are very pleasantly situated, 
 and give us a fine view of what is going on ; but we pay for 
 this by being kept awake by the continual roar of carriages 
 through the streets. 
 
1837.] WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 287 
 
 The show in Regent Street is always fine ; the shops 
 opposite magnificent, and brilliantly lighted. We rise at 
 seven, breakfast at nine, and dine at five. Our landlord's 
 servants bring what we wish, and we pay daily. Passed 
 this day in moving, and arranging letters ; this being the 
 most important and responsible business to be done. Dr. 
 Boott had the kindness to accompany and introduce me to 
 many of the medical gentlemen. 
 
 July 19. * Called on Dr. Boott and Mr. Aikin, Secre 
 tary of the Geological Society, who asked me to dine. 
 Then I called on Dr. Clark, and found Mrs. Clark very 
 polite and agreeable. Called on Sir Astley Cooper; and, 
 after waiting some time among his patients, saw him, and 
 presented my book to him. He received me very kindly, 
 and said many pleasant things. To-day I visited also Mr. 
 Stanley, who received me heartily ; Mr. Clift, and many 
 other gentlemen: among them, I ought not to omit Dr. 
 Bostock, the author of the " Physiology." Dr. Bostock 
 also introduced me to the Royal Zoological Society, Leices 
 ter Square, where John Hunter resided, and where there 
 is a collection of objects of natural history. 
 
 July 20. Made my first visit to Westminster Abbey, of 
 which I had so often thought and dreamed since I was there 
 thirty-five years ago. My impressions at the first moment 
 were less vivid than I had expected, but gradually rose as I 
 contemplated this mighty monument. No person could 
 
 * MY DEAR SIR, My old friend Dr. Warren carries in his 
 excellent head all the knowledge of the Old and New World. 
 I shall be delighted to see him. 
 
 Yours always, 
 
 ASTLEY COOPER. 
 
 Dr. BOOTT, Gower Street. 
 
288 GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. [JET. 59. 
 
 inform me, neither could the books, whether any part of the 
 original abbey remained, and whether the buildings we now 
 see are more than two or three hundred years old. Visited 
 the Royal Academy, where there is a large collection of 
 modern paintings. Also made my first visit to the Royal 
 Society. This is open to the public now every other day. 
 The objects it contains seem infinite. At this first visit, I 
 principally noticed the Guadaloupe skeleton, embedded in 
 rock. The head is in a museum in Charleston, S.C. This 
 rock is a stone, I think, about six feet high, and two feet 
 wide. The bones stand out in a slight relief. The petrifac 
 tion is now considered as comparatively modern, and owing 
 to the induration of the sea-sands. Mr. Aikin took me to 
 visit the Geological Museum, in the Royal Society, at 
 Somerset House, where apartments are provided by Parlia 
 ment for different scientific institutions. This collection 
 contains a regular series of mineralogical specimens, some 
 noble skeletons and casts of skeletons of Ichthyosauri and 
 other fossil Saurians. They are mostly found at Lynne 
 Regis. Mr. Aikin told me that the Cave of Kirkdale, dis 
 covered by Professor Buckland, was now dug away and 
 destroyed by excavations in its neighborhood. The objects 
 found there are many of them in the museum at York. 
 
 Dined with Mr. Aikin, an excellent gentleman. Met his 
 sister, the authoress, who was very pleasant. We had a 
 good deal of conversation on the probable politics of the 
 new Parliament. The Aikins are all strong reformers. 
 Miss Aikin told me the legend of St. Swithen. He was a 
 Saxon saint, living at Winchester, and was buried in the 
 churchyard. The people determined to give him interment 
 in another church ; but it rained every day for forty days, so 
 they allowed him to remain. Now, if it rains on St. Swi- 
 then's Day, they say it will rain forty days in succession. 
 
1837.] ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. 289 
 
 In speaking of the tithes, they informed me that they were 
 equal to one-tenth of the annual income of the individual. 
 
 July 21. Went to the Royal College of Surgeons, a 
 collection originally made by John Hunter, purchased by 
 Parliament, and now greatly enlarged and beautified. I 
 carried over a number of articles of natural history for 
 them, for which they gave me their valuable catalogue. 
 Mr. Clift informed me that preparations were arranged in 
 six classes, four of which were completed : the rest they 
 were at work upon. He went into the account of Sir E. 
 Home destroying the manuscripts of John Hunter. This 
 is contained in the " Parliamentary Annals," which I pur 
 chased. 
 
 In the college, I met Mr. Kienann, and became ac 
 quainted with him by speaking on the possibility of inject 
 ing a coagulum of blood. 
 
 July 22. Breakfast with Dr. Holland, at eight o'clock, 
 in Upper Brooke Street. He has a good practice among the 
 upper classes ; is in the prime of life, and agreeably situ 
 ated. His family were in the country. He said the practice 
 among the higher classes was not so difficult as might be 
 thought. They were polite, did not detain him unneces 
 sarily, and paid handsomely. Physicians were obliged to 
 administer more medicine than they could wish, from the 
 habit of supporting the apothecaries. Dr. Clark I did not 
 see till I had been some days in London, he was so much 
 engaged ; but, when I did see him, I was highly gratified 
 with his very kind, plain, and faithful manner. He spoke 
 favorably of my book. Mrs. Clark is a highly agreeable 
 and excellent person. Dined with Mr. Stanley to-day, and 
 had a great deal of pleasant conversation. Among other 
 subjects, temperance was introduced. They approved of the 
 means for the suppression of intemperance, but thought they 
 
 37 
 
290 WIMBLEDON. HAMPSTEAD. [JE'r. 59. 
 
 had been unskilfully managed in England. Dr. Arnold 
 remarked, that, if you wished to have a fair view of London, 
 you must rise early, and you will find its atmosphere as 
 clear as that of other cities. He stated that cholera princi 
 pally appeared in the dirty parts of London ; that, generally, 
 the system of drainage was so perfect as to carry away all 
 putrefying fluids, but that there were exceptions. 
 
 July 29. Dine at Mr. Bates's, ten miles out, at Wim 
 bledon. Mr. Bates thinks that the Americans produce less, 
 in proportion to the population, than any other people. 
 This is partly from the number of children, partly from 
 their speculative turn of mind. Many years will be 
 required to pay the English debt ; and, until this matter is 
 accomplished, the pecuniary concerns of the country will be 
 in confusion. England never suffers from drought. The 
 slightest variation in the production may involve the death 
 of thousands. Corn-laws are still varying, according to the 
 internal price of corn ; falling when it rises, and rising 
 when it falls. 
 
 July 30. Dine at Hampstead with Miss Aikin. Good, 
 simple dinner ; very little wine. Three brothers and two 
 nephews. Conversation on temperance. They object to one 
 man's making a sacrifice to check the vices of others by 
 example ; see no harm in taking a little brandy. Discus 
 sion of Miss Martin eau's statements in regard to American 
 ladies. Attended morning service at the Temple Church. 
 Saw the statues of eight knight-templars, placed horizon 
 tally. Architecture fine. Conversed with the Aikins upon 
 the state of parties in England. They spoke of the ten 
 dency of the House of Lords to strengthen the fetters of 
 the people ; the power of the Court to confirm itself. The 
 Lord-Lieutenancy is in the gift of the Queen. This and 
 the control of the work-yards and other employees give the 
 
1837.] LONDON. 291 
 
 government power over the lords. The late king was fluc 
 tuating in his opinions : at first he was patriotic, after 
 wards he became alarmed. 
 
 Walk through Hampstead. By-paths are numerous in 
 England, and cannot be closed : they are very ancient. 
 There are some encroachments upon Hampstead Heath. 
 The lord of the manor wishes to fence in the Common ; but 
 the people object. The lord of the manor has a right to 
 what is not owned by individuals, and he has a fee upon 
 every alienation of property. 
 
 In English elections, bribery is general. There are many 
 modes of evading the laws against it ; as, for instance, pur 
 chasing a flower at ten times its value. 
 
 Birds. The thrush is the most various in its notes, which 
 are very fine : it sings on the wing. Nightingales sing in 
 the spring only. 
 
 Aug. 2. Met Mr. J. S. Buckingham, M.P. He gave 
 me his views of the temperance cause. Spoke of the suc 
 cessful result of the comprehensive pledge. 
 
 Visited the British Museum. I noticed particularly the 
 Egyptian antiquities ; the Rosetta Stone ; heads of Memnon, 
 of great size, Grecian and Roman ; statue of Theseus. I 
 went next to Long Acre. Saw a large number of carriages, 
 but great want of variety. 
 
 Attended a meeting of the Temperance Society, at Aldine 
 Chambers. The number of the committee, twelve to four 
 teen. Heard an account of the differences between them 
 and the total party. Bad feeling; publications against 
 each other. There was a discussion on the propriety of 
 giving sermons. Some present did not approve of it, on 
 account of the difference of sects. Mention was made of a 
 newspaper, and of " leading articles " in such paper. Vari 
 ous gentlemen promised their aid. 
 
292 MANUAL-LABOR SCHOOL. [^T. 59. 
 
 Aug. 3. Visited Lady Byron's manual-labor school. 
 There are eighty-six boys. Half the time is spent in 
 study, half in labor. They come from the neighborhood. 
 They employ seven acres of land ; possess and sell the pro 
 duce. The cost of the land is sixty pounds per annum. 
 There are three such schools in England. A spirit of oppo 
 sition is excited on account of its being a " reform." Lady 
 Byron is a phrenologist. 
 
1837.] CHURCHES. 293 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1837. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 Aug. 6, Sunday. Visited Westminster Abbey. The 
 service was chanted, except the lessons, a few prayers, and 
 the sermon. The effect of the chants in the high and long 
 aisles was sublime. The music was by boys, with some 
 men. Communion. Sermon on the imitation of Christ's 
 example. 
 
 In the afternoon, went to St. Paul's. Seats were readily 
 obtained in the high stalls. The service was chanted in the 
 music of Handel ; rather long. The church was cold ; and 
 the noise of people walking in the great rotunda inter 
 feres with the service. The sermon was on the miracle of 
 Peter healing the man lame from birth. The effect of the 
 music, and especially the organ, was grand in the vast 
 aisles. 
 
 In the evening, went to Archbishop T n's chapel, in 
 
 Regent Street. The service is much like ours. Two 
 metrical psalms. The music simple and interesting. Ser 
 mon on the difference of worldly and godly sorrow. 
 
 The churches of London are well filled on Sunday. The 
 streets, some crowded with poor people amusing themselves, 
 and others empty and quiet. The cathedrals and churches 
 are very imposing on this day. 
 
 Aug. 8. Went to Twickenham, twelve miles from Lon 
 don, Pope's residence and burial-place. 
 
294 LONDON. [JEn. 59. 
 
 Visited Hampton Court, the residence of Henry VIII., 
 built by Wolsey. The cartoons of Raphael are there still. 
 There are a multitude of pictures and rooms. The gardens 
 and water-pieces are splendid. 
 
 Aug. 9. Visited St. Bartholomew's with Mr. Law 
 rence. Remarks on the modes of living of medical men in 
 London. The dinner hour is uncertain. There are no 
 visits or professional engagements in the evenings, but 
 numerous societies. The laborious part of the profession is 
 carried on by general practitioners. The others visit every 
 few days in consultation. 
 
 Visited the College of Surgeons. Curator's meeting. 
 There are two libraries ; one relating to the Museum. Saw 
 the picture of Henry VIII. granting a charter to surgeons, 
 independent of barbers. The barbers continued to hold the 
 hall. 
 
 More patients are treated at home than abroad by London 
 practitioners. 
 
 Dined at Dr. Clark's. The conversation was on the habits 
 of medical men and their education in this country. Phy 
 sicians are generally of respectable origin. The expense of 
 education prevents there being too many. The standing 
 of the profession in this country is not as high as law. Mr. 
 Key complained of their being unable to attain the highest 
 honors. Lawyers have precedence. Medicine is a domestic 
 profession. Dr. Bright's work was discontinued on account 
 of the expense. Dr. Clark gave me a letter for Scotland. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I enclose a note of introduction to Sir 
 Charles Bell ; which you may retain, if you think it will be 
 useful to you : but I apprehend you will have no difficulty 
 in making your way wherever you desire. Of course, you 
 know the medical people in Edinburgh whom it is desirable 
 
1837.] LETTER FROM DR. CLARK. 295 
 
 that you should see and know, Dr. John Thomson, and 
 his sons also, Dr. William and Dr. Allan Thomson, Dr. 
 Alison, Dr. Abercrombie. There is also a physician, less 
 generally known perhaps, but not less deserving, than many 
 who have a higher name. I allude to Dr. Andrew Combe, 
 author of several popular works, more especially the " Prin 
 ciples of Physiology applied to the Preservation of Health," 
 &c., and the " Physiology of Digestion." Dr. Combe is a very 
 amiable and most intelligent man ; and I think you should, 
 by all means, see him. He is the brother of Mr. Combe 
 the phrenologist. I will enclose a note to him. He and 
 Sir Charles Bell, and Sir George Bellinghall, whom you met 
 here, I think, will put you in the way of seeing all that 
 deserves being seen in Edinburgh. You will also find the 
 young Thomsons very intelligent ; and the old doctor will 
 introduce you to Professor Jeffrey, Professor of Anatomy in 
 Glasgow ; and you may have any notes from Edinburgh you 
 please. Dr. William Hunter's museum, at Glasgow, you 
 will of course see. If at any loss in Dublin, use my name 
 to Dr. Maule and Dr. Graves. At Manchester, see its hos 
 pital ; and see Dr. Bardsley also, by my desire. You will 
 meet Dr. Paget, I doubt not, and Dr. Arnold, at Liverpool ; 
 and they will do the needful for you there. But your own 
 name will be a passport for you everywhere. I hope you 
 saw Dr. Haviland at Cambridge. I am now sorry that I 
 did not ask you to explain more fully to me your route, as 
 I might have given you some hints. But I doubt not you 
 will make out very well ; and we can go, over the ground 
 again when I have the pleasure of seeing you on your 
 return. 
 
 I beg my best regards to the ladies and your son ; and 
 am, doctor, very truly yours, 
 
 JAS. CLARK. 
 
 LONDON, Aug. 18, 1837. 
 
296 EDINBURGH. [J&T. 59. 
 
 Aug. 13. Eide to Mr. Lawrence's country-seat ; the 
 weather beautiful, sun clear and bright, and the air 
 refreshing. No dust, and thermometer at seventy-five 
 degrees. 
 
 Aug. 16. Leave London at half-past nine, A.M. The 
 country was beautiful, and ride altogether delightful. A 
 strong impression made by the beauty of the grounds, and 
 the interest of the buildings in Cambridge. 
 
 Aug. 24. Torsonce to Edinburgh, twenty-five miles. 
 The road is very pleasant, and country fertile. There are 
 many handsome seats. At ten miles from Edinburgh is the 
 first appearance of Arthur's Seat. The entrance to the town 
 is much improved. The new town is greatly enlarged. 
 The effect on a stranger of the wide streets and elegant 
 public buildings is striking, Prince Street and the Castle, 
 St. Andrew's Square, and gardens north of Queen Street. 
 "We took lodgings at Simpson's, in Queen Street. Visited 
 Sir George Ballinghall, and dined with him. Discussed the 
 character of Dr. Gregory. He was learned and talented. 
 His influence was commanding. He died at about sixty- 
 five. He wrote the " Conspectus," but nothing after. 
 Mentioned his military propensity. Spoke of Drs. Duncan, 
 both remarkable for industry. The father lived to more 
 than eighty. On the 1st of May, he went to the top of 
 Arthur's Seat, and had a dinner-party. On the last anni 
 versary, was prevented : he was taken sick, and died soon 
 after. The son was naturally unhealthy, subject to fe 
 ver, &c. : he died comparatively young ; say, at fifty-five. 
 They wrote medical commentaries, annals of medicine ; 
 finally edited the " Edinburgh Medical Review," which was 
 profitable. This is now carried on by Dr. Craigie. Dr. 
 Hamilton has lately published, and is continuing, his pub 
 lication on midwifery. It excites some controversy. A 
 gentleman in Dublin disputes the priority of his claims to 
 
1837.] EDINBURGH. 297 
 
 some remarks considered original by Dr. Hamilton. Dr. 
 Hamilton objects to the use of ergot and of bleeding. 
 
 Dr. Barclay, the writer on anatomy, is highly esteemed. 
 Sir George B. sent him the skeleton of an elephant from 
 India. Afterwards a caricature was got up, representing 
 Dr. Barclay riding into the college-gate on the skeleton of 
 an elephant. Dr. Hope, with a rope fastened to a piece 
 of strontium which he discovered, was trying to prevent 
 his entrance. Gregory was slapping the elephant's back, 
 and encouraging him to proceed. Barclay, hearing of the 
 
 caricature, went to see , who was at work on it, with 
 
 Sir G. B., Barclay intending to remain unknown. The 
 workman readily introduced and showed him to another 
 room, where a gentleman was sitting who knew Dr. Bar 
 clay: he immediately called him by name, to the great 
 surprise of the artist. Dr. Barclay, however, told him to 
 proceed with his work, and he would sit for his likeness if 
 desired. This put them all in good humor. 
 
 Dr. Barclay used to say, in speaking of relative position 
 in the body, that the points of compass would not apply to 
 a man : the north-west corner of a man's neck would be 
 rather indefinite. Remark on making a book. A prac 
 titioner in full practice, being asked why he did not make a 
 book, replied, he did not wish the world to know what a fool 
 he was. 
 
 Sept. 4. Steamer on the Forth. Splendid views, seats, 
 castles, country-seats, Stirling Castle. Evening, ascended 
 to Stirling Castle, Douglas Tower, &c. ; and Bannockburn. 
 
 Sept. 6. Beautiful ride to Callander. Ride to Tro- 
 sachs, Loch Katrine. 
 
 Sept. 7. From Trosachs to Callander ; from Callander 
 to Glasgow ; beautiful and sublime prospects. Late arrival 
 at Glasgow. 
 
 38 
 
298 CHESTER. [JET. 59. 
 
 Sept. 8. University of Glasgow ; cathedral ; John 
 Knox's Monument. Fever Hospital, one hundred patients ; 
 average duration, three weeks ; head affected, treatment 
 mild, no bleeding ; contagious ; thirty nurses affected last 
 year. Eye Infirmary. 
 
 Embarkation in " Unicorn." Sailed down the Clyde. 
 
 Sept. 8. Voyage in Irish Channel. Arrived at Liver 
 pool. City appears clean, and nice coaches. Adelphi ; 
 Miss Eaton's, 7, Perry Street. 
 
 Sept. 21. Leave Liverpool. Cross the Mersey to 
 Woodside in a steamboat. We had a pleasant ride, with 
 fine sunshine, to Chester. Ancient gates, walls, and St. 
 Mary's Church. We walked round the walls, and remarked 
 the postern gate and tower, the piazzas, with shops two 
 stories : queer way, this construction. The pavement is 
 bad. There are some manufactures. The castle was 
 founded by William I. There is a fine view from the 
 Parade Ground. The cathedral is very fine and ancient. 
 The Abbey of St. Werburgh is connected with it. The 
 cloisters of the abbey are very perfect, and form three sides 
 of a quadrangle. There are also many other remains of 
 interest. When the cathedral was attacked, the nuns 
 retreated to St. Mary's Church by a subterraneous passage, 
 which still exists, though dilapidated. 
 
 Sept. 22. Chester. Old bridge, with five arches, each 
 of different form. St. John's Church, founded by Ethel- 
 red : its records are twelve hundred years old. The 
 tower is very large, and somewhat ruined ; partly discon 
 nected from church, which is crumbling in the outer sur 
 face. Behind it is an extensive and beautiful ruin, with 
 splendid Gothic windows in a ruinous state. The architect 
 ure is Saxo-Gothic, rounded pillars and Roman arches ; 
 two ranges of Gothic galleries in the walls ; the whole most 
 
1837.] LLANGOLLE^. 299 
 
 picturesque. The Roman bath consists of a room eight 
 feet by twelve, with a reservoir five feet deep. Connected 
 with it is a sudatorium, two feet ten inches high, with ten 
 or twelve short columns ; room six or eight feet square. A 
 passage leads from it subterraneously to the cathedral. 
 
 There are various ancient houses, with carved work and 
 inscriptions. The piazzas are quite curious. The walls 
 entirely surround the town, and have a foot-walk, which is 
 agreeable, and much resorted to. On the wall stands a 
 tower, stated as the place from which Charles I. saw his 
 army in Rowton Moor defeated. The town is most ancient 
 and interesting. 
 
 Two miles from Chester, we entered the grounds of Eaton 
 Hall, belonging to the Marquis of Westminster, and rode 
 through them, seven miles. The palace is a fine modern 
 Gothic. Wrexham Church has a fine tower. Rode four or 
 five miles through the grounds of Sir W. W. Wynne. 
 Crossed by the ancient Welsh fortification, Wattsney, or 
 Wynnestney. Near this is a valley full of iron-works ; coal 
 and iron both being found. Here is the famous viaduct, 
 the highest in the world, being three hundred feet high. It 
 carries a canal over the Dee, and presents a wonderful 
 monument of art. Also a fine view of the rapid Dee. 
 
 A ride of thirty miles from Chester brought us to the 
 celebrated Llangollen, in a romantic valley on the Dee. 
 Visited the Abbey of Valle Crucis by a walk of a mile and 
 a half. It is beautifully placed near the Dee, with a splen 
 did artificial waterfall and fountain pouring into it from the 
 mountain. The abbey is ancient, and quite ruinous. Near 
 it is the famous pillar erected by Concenn to his ancestor 
 Elliseg, killed in 607 whilst fighting against the Saxons. 
 The monument is a stone column, with an ancient Welsh 
 inscription. It is peculiar and imposing. In view of our 
 
300 CONWAY. [,ET. 59. 
 
 hotel was Dinas Bran, an ancient Welsh castle, formerly 
 very strong. It was given by Edward I. to John, Earl 
 Warren. 
 
 Sept. 23. Attempted to ascend Dinas Bran; but, af 
 ter going up alone two-thirds of the way, the severity and 
 coldness of the wind compelled me to return. A noble 
 prospect of Llangollen could be seen in the distance. 
 
 Left L. at half-past nine, A.M. Romantic scenery along 
 the vale to Corwen Church at Corwen, with a perpendicu^ 
 lar column in the yard, called the Sword of Owen Glen- 
 dower. His cross is on it. We saw a private. door by 
 which he entered, and passed a grove in which stood his 
 palace. There is a splendid road, called the " Parliament 
 ary," extending from London to Holyhead ; smooth as a 
 floor, walled, and generally a footway. Welsh postilions 
 are not so rapid as English. We pay one shilling and six 
 pence per mile, and threepence per mile to postilions, 
 beside numerous tolls. Beautiful cascades and waterfalls 
 were seen all along the road. Noticed the poverty of the 
 Welsh. Many beggars along the road. The cottages were 
 mostly poor, and the people ill dressed. The country was 
 beautiful, and presented a mountainous appearance, with 
 Snowdon in the distance ; although our road was scarcely 
 hilly. There is an ancient church at Llanverdgst, contain 
 ing the coffin of Prince Llewellyn ; also stone effigies of an 
 ancient knight. The churchyard was in a romantic situa 
 tion, and planted with yew-trees. Reach Conway at half- 
 past five, and visit the castle, which is one of the finest 
 ruins we have seen, it having eight towers and three courts. 
 The town is walled, with towers and gates. There are fine 
 views all around. 
 
 Sept. 24. Morning walk among the towers and walls 
 of Conway. All was stillness and repose ; no noise but 
 
1837.] DUBLIN. 301 
 
 the singing of birds, and the cawing of the rooks upon the 
 high towers of the castle. This place is said to have given 
 rise to the romance of the " Castle Spectre." Here is also 
 an ancient church and churchyard, and an old palace, now 
 opposite the hotel, with rude figures, &Q. Leave Conway, 
 and ride under Penmaen Mawr. The road is excavated from 
 the cliffs along the edge of a perpendicular, frightful preci 
 pice. There is a romantic road along the seacoast to 
 Penrhyn Castle, and a grand hotel. At Bangor, a cathedral 
 and a magnificent iron suspension bridge. Passed through 
 Anglesea and Mona. There is great uniformity in the 
 scenery of the latter place. Reach Holy head and Bay 
 Mountain. Embarked at eleven, P.M., and passed a horrid 
 night in the steamboat. Only eight passengers, and no 
 sheets. Reach Dublin at five, A.M., and Morrison's at half- 
 past six. 
 
 Sept. 25. Sally out to find Dr. Breen. He looks 
 well, and retains his early appearance. Saw Dr. Carmi- 
 chael, Mr. Colles, Dr. Marsh, Dr. Graves, and Dr. Snead. 
 Visit the Zoological Garden. Noticed ladies riding in Irish, 
 jaunting-cars, sitting with their backs to the driver. A 
 pyramid in honor of Wellington is erected in their fine 
 Park. The streets are handsome, and the barracks quarter 
 large bodies of troops. The Roman-Catholic churches are 
 not prominent. There are plenty of ragged and dirty 
 children and beggars. 
 
 Sept. 27. Surgeon Brophy. Candid and hospitable 
 reception. Seventy patients in one day sometimes. Mode of 
 making artificial set of teeth, first, cast ; second, block of 
 metal like cast ; third, plate of gold rolled out with frequent 
 rollings ; fourth, beaten on metal mould to its shape. In 
 terested in America. . . . 
 
 Dr. Graves examines the patients carefully ; announces 
 
302 DUBLIN. [J&r. 59. 
 
 his opinion as to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, in 
 a loud voice, so that all hear ; discusses various points 
 with students ; controverts, and is controverted. He con 
 ducts the " Dublin Medical Journal," has taken a principal 
 part in the Dublin-Hospital Eeports, and his lectures are 
 published in the " London Medical Gazette." He has 
 considerable private business. I was introduced to a 
 surgeon in the same hospital (Meath), and visited some 
 patients with him, but could get no information, in con 
 sequence of the low tone in which he spoke ; and, being 
 much fatigued with these long visits before breakfast, I 
 went home, and breakfasted at half-past ten. At twelve, 
 I met Mr. Dillon at Surgeons' Hall. This is a fine edifice, 
 built by government for the Royal College of Surgeons, in St. 
 Stephen's Green. The curator is Dr. Houston. Mr. Dillon 
 showed me the college. There are two porters, a large 
 library and reading-room, a very large hall for the meetings 
 of the college, a collection of anatomy belonging to the 
 College of Morbid Anatomy, and one or two smaller col 
 lections for the use of the lecturers. There are a num 
 ber of small lecture-rooms, and a very large dissecting-room, 
 which has sometimes two hundred dissectors. Subjects are 
 plentiful. The preparations are arranged in galleries. 
 One room is too dark ; in another, the shelves are too high. 
 They are ornamented with heads of distinguished men and 
 benefactors. The preparations are well put up, and very 
 interesting. 
 
 Yisit Cathedral of Christ Church, and Monument of 
 Strongbow, Earl of Strigul, first Governor of Ireland. 
 Hear evening cathedral service. Dine at Dr. Breen's at 
 half-past six. Conversed upon his practice, religion, views 
 of his friends with regard to the United States, &c. 
 
 Visited Trinity College, and Hall of Examination. Saw 
 
1837.] DUBLIN. 303 
 
 the organ taken by Queen Elizabeth from the Spanish 
 Armada ; also Trinity Chapel, kitchen, library, and mu 
 seum. Dr. Macartney's collection has been sold to Cam 
 bridge. Some preparations remain, Clark's ossified ske 
 leton ; Irish giant, eight to nine feet. There is a fine 
 dissecting-room. Dr. Graves remarks, that a region in the 
 west of Ireland Joice, in Galway produces the largest 
 race of men. Those around are small. A mixture of 
 Saxon and Celtic blood produces the best breed here. A 
 mixture of Norman and Saxon constitutes the excellence of 
 the English breed. 
 
 Trinity College is a university ; has fifteen hundred 
 students, in four classes. Medical candidates take the de 
 gree of M.B. ; and, after - years, that of M.D. Of course, 
 many go to Edinburgh. There is a regular series of lec 
 tures on medicine, which those must attend who wish to 
 graduate. A larger part go to the College of Surgeons ; 
 which is the best school, but cannot confer degrees. 
 
 Sept. 29. I visited the Dublin Society. Saw some 
 curious drawings of the arts, manufactures, amusements, 
 and arms of the ancient Egyptians ; showing a great simila 
 rity to those of the*present day. Birds, beasts, &c., bearing 
 a similarity to those of the present day, but of different 
 colors. 
 
 The Dublin Society's institution is on the plan of the 
 British Museum, but, of course, smaller. There is a good 
 fossil Irish elk, a good collection of minerals, some casts, 
 and some fine relics from Pompeii and Herculaneum. It is 
 open to everybody on Tuesday and Friday, and resorted to 
 by every class in numbers. Saw an Irish mummy, found in 
 the bog. Heard Dr. Schoolbeg's account of the mode of 
 flattening the skull by the North-American Indians. 
 
 Dr. stated that Dupuytren falsified his hospital re- 
 
304 DUBLIN. 
 
 ports, so as to give an idea of more success than he actually 
 met with ; and that this explained the difference in the 
 results of his and Roux's operations. The former, Dupuy- 
 tren, sometimes discharged patients from the hospital in a 
 dying state, and reported them cured. Dupuytren always 
 treated English surgeons with great rudeness. Dr. - 
 mentioned this in connection with another fact, that the 
 French reports are incorrect, yet attract more attention 
 than those from Dublin. Dr. Jacob, he said, had published 
 many things of merit, which had attracted but little atten 
 tion. 
 
 Passed the evening at Mr. Surgeon Brophy's. Met with 
 Sir James Murray and Dr, Lummis. Dr. Lummis has 
 quitted medicine, and devotes his time to natural and 
 experimental philosophy. He lectures to teachers and scho 
 lars. They say that medical men here are not acquainted 
 with this science. Some of them do not understand the 
 principle of the cupping-glass. The schools are endow 
 ments ; but the private or voluntary schools are acquiring a 
 superiority over the others. 
 
 Sir James gave an account of his application for the air- 
 pump and other purposes, to prevent the necessity of grind 
 ing surfaces to the greatest possible smoothness. It consists 
 of about three parts of molasses, with one of glue, boiled 
 together. This produces a composition, which, being poured 
 at an elevated temperature in a groove, will receive a glass, 
 without soiling it, in such a manner as to exclude air. Dr. 
 Lummis thought it a great improvement, and proposed to 
 apply it to an air-pump composed of a single barrel. Dr. 
 Lummis gave an account of the first steam-engine, four 
 hundred years before Christ, a perpendicular tube con 
 nected with four horizontal tubes, each having a hollow 
 sphere, with an aperture at the extremity. Steam, passed 
 
1837.] DUBLIN. 305 
 
 through this, caused powerful revolutions. Mr. A very, of 
 the United States, is applying this to modern apparatus. 
 
 Oct. 1, Sunday. I was invited to breakfast with Dr. 
 Marsh, in the country ; but declined, from apprehension of 
 its interference with church. 
 
 I have now been nearly a week in Dublin, and received 
 great kindness, though families are mostly in the country. 
 The Dublin medical men are certainly more frank than 
 any, though I cannot say I have experienced more hospi 
 tality here than in Edinburgh. The institutions of a 
 hospital kind are more numerous than at Edinburgh. In 
 the latter, I saw only the Infirmary as a school of practice. 
 In Dublin there are the Richmond, Meath, Stevens's, Dunn's 
 Lying-in. In three of these I found large numbers of pu 
 pils, who were particularly civil. At the Richmond there is 
 a good collection of anatomy ; the only one of any conse 
 quence I have seen, except that at the College of Surgeons. 
 The hospitals here are not elegant, spacious, nor showy ; 
 but are, substantially, good practical schools. The town is 
 handsome, full of bustle, clean, and has the advantage of 
 the quays on the river, which add much to its beauty. The 
 streets are filled with poor, ragged people, many of whom 
 beg ; but the principal part do not. As far as I can judge, 
 articles of clothing and food are cheaper here than in Eng 
 land, fruit especially. I have not found such a dispo 
 sition to wine-drinking as I expected. The poor drink 
 whiskey, and suffer dreadfully from it. 
 
 Oct. 2, Sunday. Visited the Catholic Metropolitan 
 Church with Dr. Breen's family. The service was, on the 
 whole, impressive ; though I could not understand it all. 
 The sermon was delivered memoriter, with uncommon ges 
 ticulation and considerable eloquence. It was upon Faith, 
 which he considered a necessary abandonment of reason to 
 
 39 
 
306 LONDON. E^ET. 59. 
 
 the decrees of the Most High. The church was handsome 
 and full. There are no special seats : you sit and kneel on 
 boards. 
 
 In the afternoon, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Very ancient, 
 containing some monuments of many hundred years old. 
 The effigy of St. Patrick is there. The service was cathe 
 dral ; music, fine. A sermon, by the Rev. Mr. Marks, on 
 Prayer. 
 
 In the evening, service in Dawson Street, like ours. 
 
 Sunday is less quiet in Dublin than in the English towns. 
 Fruits are sold in the streets, and cried. Provisions are 
 exposed for sale, and there is much noise from talking and 
 shouting. 
 
 Left Dublin upon the 4th of October for Waterford. 
 
 Oct. 7. At eight, A.M., took the steamboat from Water- 
 ford to Bristol. About ten, the following morning, we 
 entered the Avon, and had a beautiful sail up this river, 
 by Clifton Hot Wells, where we disembarked, and drove to 
 the " White Lion," at Bristol, about a mile. 
 
 Oct. 13. We once more entered the great metropolis, 
 at about two o'clock, after an absence of two months short 
 of a day or two. 
 
 Oct. 16. Walked in the evening to Dr. Boott's (a mile), 
 and back again. Dr Boott is a delightful person, from his 
 great knowledge and enthusiasm. He wishes me to stay 
 long enough in London to know the immense treasures of 
 science which are locked up there. " The door," he says, 
 " is open to you. You have advantages for going every 
 where, possessed by no native." And he mentioned some 
 facts. I talked to him of France and Germany ; but we 
 agreed that England was the place for learning every thing. 
 
 Oct. 22. At four, P.M., rode in a stage-coach to visit 
 Dr. Roots, at Kingston. Was received most cordially, and 
 
1837.] PARIS. 307 
 
 dined with him at six, P.M. Passed the evening most 
 pleasantly in recollecting my old friends. Wallace, who 
 lived in the house with me, is in or near Epsom. Scuda- 
 more, our brother-dresser, is Sir Charles. He was brought 
 into notice by the Duke of Bedford, whom he accidentally 
 relieved ; was afterwards called to him in Ireland, and 
 knighted by him, besides receiving a thousand guineas. Dr. 
 Roots has a snug house and garden on the banks of the 
 Thames. 
 
 Oct. 23. At eleven o'clock, took leave of my kind en 
 tertainer, and reached Devonshire Street at one. 
 
 Oct. 27. This evening, visited Mrs. Clark. Found 
 Dr. Clark out of town, taking a week's holiday. He rises at 
 half-past seven, breakfasts before nine, receives patients till 
 one. Sometimes eats in the interval, and sometimes not 
 until seven, the dinner-hour. Takes tea at ten, and sits 
 reading or writing till one. 
 
 Left London at nine, A.M., in a stage-coach for Dover. 
 Tremendous storm : were very near being upset beyond 
 Canterbury, from the violence of the wind. The horses 
 refused to proceed ; but, after some time, thought better of 
 it : and we reached Dover in safety at six, P.M. Got into 
 comfortable quarters at the Ship Hotel, and had a nice tea. 
 
 Nov. 2. Passed the day at Dover. 
 
 Nov. 3. Roused at seven for boat for Calais. Arrived 
 at twelve. At three, took a hired carriage, for which we 
 paid six napoleons, to Paris. 
 
 Nov. 5. Passed St. Denis in darkness and rain, and 
 reached Paris at seven in the evening. Went to Meurice's. 
 Received our letters. No particularly bad news. 
 
 Nov. 8. At eleven, A.M., went out for the Faubourg St. 
 Germain. In going, saw a collection of people at the Tuile- 
 ries; and, waiting a while, had an opportunity of seeing 
 
308 PARIS. OET. 59. 
 
 the king drive out in his coach and six. He is a fine- 
 looking man ; resembles William Harrison, of Philadelphia. 
 He bowed gracefully to the people, who took their hats 
 off. He was carefully guarded. 
 
 At twelve, reached the Faubourg ; and, with Dr. Shattuck, 
 went first to see the collection of anatomy in the Ecole de 
 Medecine. It is mostly of wax, and not very interesting : 
 does not seem very much improved since I was here. The 
 wet preparations are badly put up. 
 
 Next saw the collection called Dupuytren's Museum. 
 The room containing it was the Chapel of the Convent of 
 Cordeliers. Very handsomely it is fitted up within, retain 
 ing the exterior of an ancient church. The preparations are 
 mostly in wax, and, compared with others, not very good. 
 
 Then we visited the dissecting-rooms near this last 
 museum. They are large rooms, with stone floors ; very 
 light, but not warmed. Many of the subjects were ne 
 glected by the students, and decaying; which is the case 
 everywhere. 
 
 We called at Charrier's, the instrument-maker's ; and at 
 Guy's, the bone-preparer's. There were some fine skulls 
 and many wax preparations. 
 
 After a visit to the Hotel Cluny, the palace of Francis I., 
 and looking at the Sorbonne (now used for lectures), and 
 the College of Louis le Grand, we went to the Hotel Dieu, 
 which is greatly enlarged, and is now a very fine hospital. 
 The surgeons and physicians, six in number, have eacli a 
 separate ward, of great size. 
 
 Looked at the superb Church of Notre Dame, and the 
 place where stood the palace of the archbishop, levelled by 
 the people some years since. 
 
 Made a visit to the Hospital of the School of Medicine, 
 and found the building to be the same as formerly, the old 
 
1837.] PARIS. 309 
 
 Convent of Cordeliers. I was recognized by Pierre Geraud 
 as a former student of Dubois, though he had not seen me 
 for thirty-five years. This hospital is much improved. 
 
 Nov. 9. Reached the Hospice de 1'Ecole, or, as it is 
 called, Practical School, at ten. Found M. Jules Cloquet 
 giving a clinical lecture in the old amphitheatre of Dubois, 
 and sitting and talking much in the same manner. Waited 
 till his lecture was over, and then gave him a letter of intro 
 duction ; and, after some chat, he politely asked me to visit 
 with him the next day. Afterwards went to hear Breschet 
 lecture in the Amphitheatre de 1'Ecole de Me'decine. Bres 
 chet is a very fat man ; sits at a table twelve to fifteen feet 
 long, covered with preparations ; occasionally rising to show 
 his preparations in a very cursory way. He spoke fluently, 
 but in a low, monotonous tone, without pauses or modula 
 tion. 
 
 He was followed by Richerand, introductory to surgery. 
 Richerand is an old man ; speaks very low, in a mumbling 
 way, so that I could understand but little of what he said. 
 He dwelt on the qualities of an operating surgeon, espe 
 cially of experience and habit. He described the feelings 
 of a surgeon on undertaking an important operation, the 
 internal tremor, the confusion of vision, and the fears which 
 agitated him before beginning. His audience was small. 
 
 Nov. 12. Rose at seven. Rode to the H6tel Dieu, and 
 was introduced to M. Louis, who seemed to have known of 
 my being here. He was very kind and attentive. He is a 
 tall man, with an excellent profile, large forehead and nose ; 
 has an air of sagacity and reflection ; and, on the whole, is 
 an imposing person. He went rapidly through the wards ; 
 always giving the patients the necessary attention, and al 
 ways being possessed of their cases, and recollecting them 
 for a long time back. 
 
310 ITALY. [^T.60. 
 
 Dec. 30. Left Paris for Italy. 
 
 Jan. 8. Arrived at Marseilles. 
 
 Jan. 10. Left Marseilles, by steamboat, for Naples. 
 Arrived, Jan. 16, at Naples. 
 
 Jan. 19. We went to the catacombs. They are entered 
 through the courts of an ancient convent. There is a large 
 open cavern, into which you enter by aid of lights, and then 
 explore an immense extent of aisles and crossways, cut out 
 of the rock of lava. In the sides of the passages are cavi 
 ties for dead bodies, one above another, seeming to have 
 been cut out as they were required for individuals. The 
 passages run up and down. In some places there were two 
 stories, and a communication by subterranean vaults with 
 other parts of the city. Regular temples or tombs were 
 seen, with their walls painted in fresco, with Roman deities. 
 We were told that a Roman street ran through the cemetery 
 towards Mola, which had been lately closed. The whole is 
 cut out of a volcanic rock, and volcanic pillars support the 
 roof. Our research was conducted by aid of a flambeau, 
 and lasted an hour. In an adjoining vault are some dried 
 bodies ; but we could not readily get at them. 
 
 Jan. 27. Peach-trees in full bloom. In the evening, 
 went to see Dr. O'Reilly, who has been here this twenty 
 years. He says there are no regular endemics, no yellow- 
 fever. The measles and scarlet-fever are mild.. Small-pox-is 
 not fatal ; vaccination general. He described the cholera. 
 About thirty-five thousand died in the two attacks. Opinion 
 about contagion still divided : the current runs against it. 
 Living is cheap. A horse is worth one hundred and fifty 
 dollars. Dr. O'Reilly thinks the plague contagious. He 
 does not believe in the contagion of consumption. Told a 
 good story of the cholera, presenting himself to the magis 
 trates of Genoa with fear under his cloak. 
 
1838.] ROME. 311 
 
 Feb. 1. Left Naples, by Vettura, for Rome. Arrived 
 there Feb. 5. 
 
 Feb. 13. Professor Capello called this morning, after a 
 week's time, and was very polite and intelligent. He says 
 the intermittent fever, or what he calls " fievre tierce ma- 
 ligne," is a prevalent fever in Rome during summer and 
 autumn, and fatal unless treated by quinine. The other 
 fevers here are the typhoid occasionally ; and, at this season, 
 there are pulmonary inflammations. On the whole, Septem 
 ber is the most unwholesome month. Phthisis is common, 
 and much dreaded. However, the cases of this disease in 
 San Spirito are few. They are, as usual, in a room by 
 themselves. 
 
 The museum is very handsomely put up, as usual in 
 Italy, in immense mahogany cases, so contrived, that, unless 
 opened, many of the preparations are concealed. The pieces 
 are not numerous, but well kept. &*>& '* 
 
312 ROME. [jET. 60. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 EUROPE IN 1838. 
 
 ROME, Feb. 15. Dr. Warren witnessed the cere 
 monial of inducting new-made cardinals into office. 
 Latin addresses were made ; and the cardinals, kneel 
 ing, received their hats with much the same forms as 
 those of graduation at Cambridge. 
 
 Subsequently he joined a party of about twenty 
 Americans to visit the old church under St. Peter's, 
 founded by Constantine, where the bones of St. Peter 
 and St. Paul are said to be interred. 
 
 The University, or Sapienza, naturally attracted his 
 attention. He found here a good collection of mine 
 ralogy ; another, of physical instruments, all, except 
 the air-pump, made in Italy. He notices also in his 
 journal the natural-history department, containing a 
 collection of butterflies, and birds of plumage, not so 
 beautiful as in America, the cabinet of comparative 
 anatomy and of human anatomy. 
 
 He visited the hospitals in company with Dr. Bucci, 
 who gave an account of the diseases and medical 
 practice of the place. At that time, there was little 
 homoeopathy in Rome : it has since become formida 
 ble to regular practitioners. Dr. Bucci did not seem 
 
1838.] ROME. 313 
 
 very decided as to the contagiousness of cholera and 
 consumption, but was inclined to the affirmative. It 
 may not be known to the general reader, that con 
 sumption was formerly considered contagious in 
 France and Italy. There are, doubtless, some who 
 still hold these views ; but Dr. Warren found, that 
 generally, in Paris and elsewhere, opinions were 
 growing towards the side of non-contagion. 
 
 Perhaps a new and more philosophical theory of 
 contagion may be based upon the present views with 
 regard to the blood. Dr. Warren came to the con 
 clusion, that erysipelas was induced by bad emana 
 tions, acting as poison, and producing an alteration in 
 the blood itself. If this is the case, why should not 
 consumption, cholera, typhoid-fever, act in a similar 
 manner, and produce a change favorable to the deve 
 lopment of epidemic influence, and also to any disor 
 der to which the individual was predisposed I Thus 
 we have not a specific contagion, but a miasm ; or, 
 if we prefer the expression, an unhealthy emanation, 
 predisposing those exposed to it to disease. 
 
 The carnival was in full tide during this month in 
 Rome. Dr. Warren pursued his daily investigations 
 until the 1st of March, when he left this city on his 
 way to the north. 
 
 March 1, 1838. Rose at four ; got away at six ; rainy 
 morning. Passed through the site of ancient Veii, through 
 Nepi, Civita Castellana, Narni ; and reach Terni at half-past 
 six, P.M. They say it is seventy miles. The ride into 
 
 40 
 
314 APENNINES, OET. 60. 
 
 the Apennines very picturesque. Too late to see the falls, 
 which are four miles distant. 
 
 March 2. Left Terni at half-past six. Rode ten or 
 fifteen miles, through a wild valley of the Apennines ; 
 ascended a very high mountain of the Apennines, where we 
 were threatened with oxen to our carriage, but fought them 
 off. Spoletto is in a beautiful situation ; is famous for its 
 resistance to Hannibal, and for the Clitumnus rising at 
 its gate. Passed through a beautiful, picturesque country ; 
 and arrived at five at Perugia, famous for its proximity to 
 Lake Thrasymene, for its height, for its great number of 
 churches and convents. Saw here an arch built by Augus 
 tus, a fine fountain, the cathedral, and churches. All this 
 day, a soft rain ; clear at night ; cold on the mountain. 
 Saw snow all day on the mountains here. Lodged at Hotel 
 de 1'Europe, an excellent though deserted hotel. 
 
 March 3. Rose at five ; left Perugia at half-past six ; 
 morning cold, and a cloud resting on the mountain. As we 
 descended, we got out of the cloud, and were favored with 
 a sight of the sun. About eight miles from Perugia is the 
 battle-field of Lake Thrasymene. It occurred on a narrow 
 slip of land between the mountain and the lake ; Hannibal 
 descending on the Romans, who were pent up between the 
 lake and mountain. There are relics of the Roman camp, 
 some inscriptions near, and other marks of the battle. 
 From here, passing on, we soon left the dominions of the 
 Pope. We have had much trouble, in travelling, from cheat 
 ing postmasters and postilions, poor horses, and a flood of 
 beggars. The air, since we crossed the Apennines, is colder ; 
 and we have seen more snow on the neighboring hills. The 
 appearance of the country, on entering Tuscany, is sensibly 
 improved. The people are better looking; though, it must 
 be said, the Pope's people are better than the Neapolitans. 
 
1838.] FLORENCE. 315 
 
 At four, P.M., reached Arezzo, from winch Hannibal marched 
 to Thrasymene. Here was born Petrarca. There is a 
 Gothic cathedral, a very fine public promenade, and some 
 Roman remains. 
 
 March 4. Left Arezzo at half-past six, the sun shining 
 pleasantly ; but few birds, and a cold blast from the moun 
 tains. The Apennines, covered with snow, accompanied us 
 all the way through the day's journey, appearing very near, 
 and quite brilliant. The country is handsome ; the fields 
 finely arranged for irrigation, and mostly covered with 
 vines. Trees are planted for the purpose of supporting 
 the vines, instead of hoops, as in France. There are a mul 
 titude of olives, which retain their leaves through the 
 winter, as do the laurels and myrtles, cypresses, pines, and 
 live-oaks. The common oaks, beside poplars, &c., are co 
 vered with the dry leaves of last season. A multitude of 
 canals cross the country, which are so arranged as to be let 
 into the furrows in the fields. 
 
 The Arno appeared to-day first at Arezzo, and accompa 
 nied us through our day's journey. We reached Florence 
 at about four, P.M. ; having, had only one or two showers. 
 
 The appearance of Florence is not prepossessing on enter 
 ing ; but it is a clean town, in the dark color of its public 
 buildings resembling Venice. After a walk on the banks of 
 the Arno, dined. We had poor table-wine, but got a bottle 
 of Monte Pulciano, which was cheap and good. The Tus 
 can wines have much reputation ; but we have not seen 
 much of them yet. 
 
 Evening at Mr. Greenough's, who received us very kindly, 
 and answered many questions important to me. 
 
 March 5. Boston Massacre. Rode with Mr. Greenough 
 to Fenhi, Banker's, who gave me a ticket for Segato's prepa 
 rations ; then to the Cabinet de Physique. We saw, first, 
 
316 FLORENCE. [^ET. 60. 
 
 the famous Cabinet of Anatomy, a skeleton, eight feet 
 high, of a Florentine boy, nineteen years old ; very beauti 
 ful preparations of muscles, very minutely and accurately 
 done ; the arteries, veins, nerves, organs of generation ; 
 and those of the head, chest, and abdomen. Many of them 
 were modern, all beautiful, and generally accurate. Most 
 of them were done more than a century since. Collections 
 in all the departments of natural history, quadrupeds, 
 birds, reptiles, insects, mollusca ; beautiful preparations of 
 sepia in wax ; insects and mummies ; bones mineralized ; 
 representation of the horrors of the plague. The collection 
 appears very complete, and is in fine order. 
 
 Florence Gallery. Here the Venus de Medicis stands 
 pre-eminent. She was dug up at Adrian's Village ; was in 
 fourteen pieces ; was put together, so that there is nothing 
 new but the hands. The figure is much more beautiful 
 than it appears in the copies, and is very captivating. The 
 number of statues here is great, and that of pictures innu 
 merable. 
 
 Evening at Mr. Greenough's. 
 
 March 6. Rose at six. Day clear, and no rain. This 
 is attributed here to uncovering an image of the Virgin, 
 and to processions in the streets of priests singing. This is 
 done in case of any calamity. 
 
 At three, Segato's Museum with Mr. Greenough. Fine 
 pieces of skin of breast. Various sections of liver, lungs, 
 and other organs ; table of different pieces, morbid and 
 healthy ; various animals, finely preserved ; two beautiful 
 skulls. 
 
 Mr. Greenough's friend thinks that Segato enclosed the 
 parts in plaster of Paris ; then poured in a desiccating liquid, 
 and varnished the plaster of Paris afterwards to retain this 
 liquid. He used no large vessels for immersion. He went 
 
1838.] FLORENCE. 317 
 
 to Egypt, it is thought, to obtain a knowledge of embalm 
 ing. The pieces are two or three hundred. There are two 
 or three blood-vessel arms, like our preparations. There is 
 nothing brilliant or practically useful, except the animals. 
 They would not sell any part. 
 
 In taking leave of Florence, I have thought that I have 
 much to thank the medical men for their politeness, par 
 ticularly all those named above. Many of them have excel 
 lent notions, though somewhat fettered by prescription. 
 They are unwilling to use powerful remedies ; leave na 
 ture to act. They generally speak French ; and Sig. Del 
 Greco, English. There are a number of English students of 
 painting, and some other foreigners. 
 
 The climate has been cold ; wind from the north-west, 
 from Apennines, but dry. 
 
 Among the Americans here are the families of Child, 
 Grand, Powers. 
 
 Florence, according to Dr. Harding, is free from intermit- 
 tents, and has much the diseases of England. The people 
 are very jealous of foreign physicians, on account of their 
 religion ; and he is obliged to proceed with caution in regard 
 to them. 
 
 At eleven, went to bed unwell and fatigued. 
 
 March 14. Arose at half-past three. Left Florence at 
 five. Fine view of the valley on ascending the Apennines. 
 About eleven, began to encounter snow in the road, and 
 passed through it for five or six hours ; that is, it lay on the 
 roadside, and on the mountains about us. The sun being 
 perfectly bright, the snow was dissolving, and running down 
 the roads, as it does with us in March. A pleasant associa 
 tion on the top of the Apennines was ice ; and, of course, 
 thermometer not much above freezing. It is the only bright 
 sun we have had through the day for some weeks ; as the 
 
BOLOGNA. [JET. 60. 
 
 weather, though unusually mild, has been rainy through 
 the winter. To-day the atmosphere was transparent. We 
 were nearly on a level with the clouds on the neighboring 
 mountains. The only clouds we saw were those formations 
 by the condensation of vapors from the cold of the snow- 
 covered mountains. The brighter vapors give a beautiful 
 blue tinge to the mountains which are less high. 
 
 The Apennines are generally sterile, though in some 
 parts wooded. The roads are good, but mountainous, 
 constantly ascending and descending ; of course, tedious : 
 so that we did not reach Bologna till half-past eight, fif 
 teen hours, notwithstanding extra pay to postilions. 
 
 Of course, we entered Bologna in darkness, and could 
 only discover the piazzas which line the streets of the 
 town. 
 
 We lodged at the San Marco ; and found, contrary to 
 expectation, very comfortable arrangements. 
 
 Dr. Warren passed much of his time in Florence 
 in practising operations upon the dead body, obtain 
 ing preparations, visiting the hospitals, &c., making 
 particular records of the same. 
 
 At Bologna he visited the hospital, which he 
 found very clean, and well arranged, containing six 
 hundred patients, and having a large wine-cellar, in 
 which were a vast number of immense wine-butts, the 
 supply for one year. He also visited the university, 
 and other objects of interest in the neighborhood. On 
 the 16th, proceeded on his way through Ferrara 
 to Padua, where he visited the famous universitv, at 
 
1838.] VENICE. 319 
 
 which eighteen thousand students were once taught; 
 and, on the 17th, arrived at Venice. Found the 
 water which is rain-water, filtered by passing 
 through sand better than anywhere else. Venice 
 had only two springs, both in the precinct of the 
 Ducal Palace. The hospital is capable of containing 
 a thousand patients, and has two or three squares of 
 gardens, very large and pleasant. Bima was the 
 principal surgeon. On the 20th, left Venice, and 
 proceeded through Vicenza and Verona, visiting the 
 remarkable things at those cities on his way to Paris, 
 through Munich and Frankfort, after passing ten 
 weeks in Italy. 
 
 A part of the journey to Munich he employed in 
 considering and noting down what improvements he 
 should undertake on his return home. His notes are 
 as follows : 
 
 A. In the Medical School, 1. Open a library for stu 
 
 dents. 2. Private conversation with students. 3. 
 Dissecting-room on an improved plan ; lights, and 
 dissection in the evening. 4. Bodies preserved by 
 arsenic. 
 
 B. In the hospital, 1. A more exact attendance. 2. 
 
 More chemical instruction. 
 
 C. In private practice, A more full investigation of 
 
 cases ; a more free and friendly intercourse with 
 patients, especially poor ones. 
 
 D. In the church, Enlarged accommodations for the 
 
 poor. Encouragement for private religious meet 
 ings. 
 
 E. Domestic devotion. 
 
320 GERMANY. [J5T. 60. 
 
 F. Public improvements, Bringing in water. Encou 
 
 ragement of political content. 
 
 G. Erection of a tomb or monument in form of a pyra 
 
 mid. 
 H. Construction of a small dissecting-room ; also a glass 
 
 room outside of my window. 
 I. Improvements in the country, Raising of grapes ; 
 
 foreign medicinal plants. 
 K. Above all, a more steady devotion, more thankfulness 
 
 for the blessings of life, and more preparation for 
 
 death. 
 
 At Munich he saw Professors Walter, the ocu 
 list ; and Wilhelm, a famous surgeon. With M. 
 Walter he visited the hospital, capable of containing 
 about five hundred patients. Here was a magnificent 
 collection of surgical instruments. The instruments 
 for lithotrity were really splendid. There were about 
 three hundred students in the university, one-third of 
 which attended the hospital. Passed through Ulm 
 and Stutgard to Heidelberg, where he called upon 
 Professor Tiedeman, whom he found at dinner, be 
 tween twelve and one, according to German habits. 
 Visited with him his large collections of anatomical 
 preparations, which he had been twenty-two years 
 collecting. From Heidelberg, passed on through 
 Mayence, Frankfort, Coblentz, Cologne, Aix la Cha- 
 pelle, to Brussels, examining and noting whatever 
 there was remarkable on the road. In this neighbor 
 hood he visited the village of Waterloo, and the 
 other spots now so famous in history. Brussels was 
 
1838.] PARIS. 3*21 
 
 entirely changed since 1801, so many new houses 
 and palaces have been built. 
 
 Found the Germans a civil, honest, intelligent 
 people; the towns handsome, and the country well 
 cultivated. The women work equally with the men. 
 The Belgian country, being more free than the 
 German, is better cultivated, and there are more 
 manufactories. " Every thing breathes the spirit of 
 freedom. You are no longer teased for your pass 
 ports. The Belgians are very happy, and have as 
 much freedom as the English, and less aristocracy." 
 
 Here he visited Seutin, the inventor of the bandage 
 amidonne, and went to the Hospital St. Pierre with 
 him. On the next day, called on Professor Ugten- 
 hausen, who took him over the Hospital St. Jean. 
 On the 10th of April, arrived in Paris about two 
 o'clock, and went directly to a meeting of the Aca 
 demy, where he heard a paper on Contagion read. 
 Only one person spoke in favor of the contagion of 
 cholera. In a subsequent conversation with Dr. 
 Louis, the latter said that the whole matter lay in 
 obscurity at present, but he is disposed to believe the 
 plague contagious; yellow-fever and typhus conta 
 gious under certain circumstances ; cholera not con 
 tagious. For catarrh, Louis gives one-quarter of a 
 grain of opium at night. 
 
 Dr. Warren was confined some days to the house 
 by catarrh after his arrival in Paris, and was visited 
 by M. Louis. After he got out, he was much in 
 terested in visiting the paper anatomy of Dr. Auzoux, 
 
 41 
 
322 PARIS. [^ET. GO. 
 
 which he found very beautiful ; in investigating the 
 mode of preserving bodies, by M. Ganal ; examining 
 bandages to be applied after division of the tendo 
 Achillis ; the apparatus for cure of distorted feet, 
 without operation; and similar objects of medical 
 interest. He attended the hospitals constantly, and 
 pretty soon found himself with a regular set of 
 patients requiring daily attendance, of course, 
 among the Americans. He dissected a good deal, 
 and practised operations with the French surgeons, 
 especially that of lithotrity with Civiale. 
 
 On all other days, except Sundays, his time was 
 spent, like that of the most diligent student, in passing 
 from hospital to hospital ; from thence to lecture ; 
 hence to the dissecting-room ; and, in the intervening 
 time, visiting instrument-makers; embalmers; M. Mar 
 tin, the orthopedist, and inventor of bandages and 
 apparatus for club-feet and distortions ; artists who 
 made wax preparations ; and others. The evenings, 
 till a late hour, were spent in cultivating the acquaint 
 ance of physicians and surgeons of the country. He 
 also constantly attended the meetings of the Academy 
 of Medicine. 
 
 Upon the 9th of May, he visited the magnificent 
 establishment of M. Guerin, at Passy, for the cure 
 of deformities, by exercises. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 May 22. At six in the morning, was called to see the 
 embalming of Talleyrand ; which consisted in taking out 
 
1838.] PARIS TO LONDON. 323 
 
 the viscera, and placing them for some time in a preserving 
 liquor, and then returning them. The brain was removed 
 by trephine, and the whole immersed in an alcoholic solu 
 tion of corrosive sublimate for ten hours. Incisions were 
 made in the muscles, and filled with essences and powders ; 
 and then the whole body, except the face, strapped with 
 diachylon plasters. 
 
 May 25. Rose early, and continued my labors for 
 departing. At two, left Paris in rail-cars for St. Germain. 
 Passed the night at Maisons, in the midst of delightful woods 
 and groves. Heard the music of the nightingales for the 
 first time. We had a very agreeable evening in company 
 with Mr. H. Cabot's family, and Mr. F. Gray, of Boston. 
 
 May 26. Left Maisons, and embarked on the steamboat 
 to go down the Seine. The passage through the river is 
 quite beautiful, and more varied than the scenery of most 
 rivers. The little towns on the banks appear very pretty and 
 interesting as you pass them; and there are old churches 
 and convents scattered along the banks. Among the pas 
 sengers were Professor and Mrs. Farrar, of Cambridge. 
 The boat was very slow ; so that we did not reach Rouen till 
 nine o'clock, and had some difficulty in procuring lodgings. 
 After securing a place of shelter, we walked through the 
 town, and saw the Cathedral, which is fine and imposing. 
 
 May 27. Rose at four, being told the steamboat was to 
 go at five. As it did not move till six, we had an hour 
 to walk about the town. Saw the inside of the Cathedral ; 
 some very old and fine churches ; the Monument of Joan 
 of Arc, who was burnt, a very poor work ; the ancient 
 Hall of Justice, a fine Gothic building. 
 
 The streets are narrow ; but the quays and boulevards 
 are fine, and give the city a pleasant air. 
 
 May 28. Very pleasant sail down the lower part of the 
 
324 LONDON. jyET. 60. 
 
 Seine. The ruins of the Abbey of Tremiege presented an 
 uncommonly picturesque appearance. The garden of M. 
 , with its regular alleys, is very handsome. 
 
 At one, we reached Havre, which had less appearance of 
 bustle than I expected. The harbor, for the short time we 
 were there, appeared contracted. But we were obliged to 
 go directly from one boat to another, so that we had little 
 opportunity of seeing the place. The town appeared more 
 pleasant than I supposed. 
 
 Honfleur and Harfleur, in its neighborhood, are both 
 beautifully situated. The harbor of Harfleur is no more. 
 As soon as we got out, the wind became violent ahead ; a high 
 sea ; and so we had a miserable sea-sick time, with no conve 
 niences till we reached London next day, Monday, May 28. 
 
 Landing near the town, we entered the Custom House, 
 and left our goods in the care of our domestic to enter, 
 while we rode on, and took up quarters at the Sackville 
 Hotel, in Sackville Street. 
 
 The transition from Paris to London, he says, gives 
 an impression unfavorable to the latter place, as far 
 as* appearances and things are concerned. With 
 regard to the people, the reverse is the case. 
 
 He attended the lectures of Mr. Owen, on the 
 structure of the teeth, and other subjects of compa 
 rative anatomy; and visited Bartholomew's Hospital 
 to witness the operations of Mr. Lawrence. Re 
 ceived much kindness and attention from Mr. Travers, 
 " one of the best men in London." Also met with 
 Guthrie, Sir H. Halford, Herbert Mayo, Mr. Lis 
 ter, and other distinguished men. 
 
1838.] LONDON. 3 '25 
 
 On the 28th of June, the coronation took place. 
 Subsequently, he obtained admission to the House 
 of Lords, where he had an opportunity of hearing 
 Brougham, Lord Wellington, and other distinguished 
 characters. He thought Lord Brougham the best 
 speaker. 
 
 The subject of typhus and typhoid fever excited 
 much of his attention. The fever he found prevail 
 ing with an eruption was said to have originated 
 within two or three years, and since the appearance 
 of the cholera. At the Middlesex Hospital he found 
 many cases, and they were generally received in an 
 incipient state. The treatment consisted in shaving 
 the head, and giving a little castor-oil : but they 
 relied principally upon beef-tea, porter, and wine, in 
 an early stage ; scarcely giving mercury, antimony, or 
 any drastic medicine ; nor do they bleed, although the 
 lungs are frequently affected. The patients here are 
 people of the lowest class. A travelled physician 
 whom he met at this hospital stoutly denied the 
 utility of the English practice of purging. His doc 
 trine was, wait till the disease is formed, and then 
 attack the symptoms. This, says Dr. Warren, is 
 nearly the doctrine of Louis. 
 
 Dr. Roupell contests the distinction between typhus 
 and typhoid. He maintains they are shades of the 
 same fever. 
 
 Dr. Warren and his family sailed from Portsmouth 
 on the 22d of July. He was fortunate in finding on 
 board a medical gentleman from Switzerland, with a 
 
326 VOYAGE HOME. [/fc/T. 60. 
 
 letter to him, with whom he had much interesting 
 conversation. 
 
 He passed his time on board ship in reviewing his 
 labors while in Europe, and arranging and studying 
 the various subjects of information and instruction he 
 had obtained under their different heads. Some of 
 his concluding reflections are as follows. They give 
 the interesting results of his researches and expe 
 rience in foreign travel, and of his reflections thereon; 
 and embody hints upon which he afterwards dili 
 gently acted, as circumstances admitted, through the 
 rest of his life. 
 
 The greatest benefit which we can notice of a tour in 
 Europe is the lifting us, as it were, from the ordinary 
 course of events, so that we obtain a more extended and 
 independent view of our profession and of the general 
 course of things. We have an opportunity of comparing 
 different modes of practice, and of noting advances made 
 in different places in the different departments. It gives us 
 a new start in professional views, and increases our interest 
 in many points, and particularly in the works of authors 
 with whom we have gained a personal acquaintance. We 
 learn, also, to judge of the estimation in which modern 
 works are held. 
 
 It is true, we might obtain much the same knowledge by 
 a careful comparison of foreign journals ; but it is difficult 
 to do this with sufficient interest to be profitable in the way 
 of comparison. 
 
 On returning home, it is necessary to avoid any apparent 
 assumption of superiority, and to be rather backward in 
 communicating opinions and discoveries, and in proposing 
 
1838.] REFLECTIONS. 327 
 
 changes. All this must be done, however, in a gradual 
 way ; always taking grounds that are sound, tenable, and 
 practical. In regard to the estimates of foreign and domes 
 tic comforts, health, climate, &c., these are generally favor 
 able to our country ; though there is room for improvement 
 in many particulars, the establishment of a general scien 
 tific association, of an institution for the arts, and the im 
 provement of private or pupilary education. 
 
 In regard to the latter, there must be a freer communica 
 tion with students, say, weekly; and, if each should be 
 desired to bring forward something new which he had read, 
 it would improve the whole. 
 
 The public lectures must be longer, and the means of 
 reading opened to the students. The hospital advantages 
 should be made more practical. The diffusion of prizes 
 among the students should be attended to. Dissections of 
 animals should be encouraged to a certain extent. The 
 knowledge of natural history and scientific cultivation 
 should be thought of. 
 
 The absurd prejudices in favor of public opinion, and 
 especially that of newspapers, should be avoided. The esta 
 blishment of a weekly meeting of men favorable to improve 
 ment should be effected. In getting up considerable works, 
 we must not be in too much haste. Begin well, and let 
 posterity finish. Above all, the interests of religion and 
 morals should claim a primary consideration, and a proper 
 share of time and attention. Our ancient feelings should be 
 put out of view. Ancient men, and relics of antiquity, 
 should be cultivated. 
 
 One thing also is essential ; that is, not to go beyond 
 one's strength. After working from thirty-five to forty 
 years, one should give up the idea of severe and profitable 
 labor, and work moderately. 
 
328 RETURN HOME. [VET. 60. 
 
 Among things important to be done is to better the con 
 dition of the poor in the alms-houses, especially of the sick 
 poor, the arrangements for whom are very deficient. The 
 ventilation of their rooms is especially bad. 
 
 On the day after his arrival in New York, Dr. 
 Warren received a visit from Chancellor Matthews, 
 who informed him he was chosen Professor of Ana 
 tomy, and Dean of the Faculty, in the University of 
 New York. The chancellor expressed his desire that 
 he would accept the appointment. He thought he 
 might wish to restrict his practice to particular cases, 
 and to pass some time in writing. He stated further, 
 that, if the doctor did not wish to reside in New 
 York, the delivery of a few lectures would be desira 
 ble, and that Dr. Post would assist. Various other 
 gentlemen called upon him to offer him inducements 
 to accept the election. 
 
 On the 30th of July, he arrived safely at his house 
 in Park Street. 
 
 While at Liverpool, in 1837, Dr. Warren read a 
 paper before the British Association, giving " Some 
 Remarks on the Crania of the Mound Indians of the 
 Interior of North America, as compared with the 
 Crania of the South- American Indians of Peru." 
 
 He gave an account of his accidentally coming into 
 possession of a singular skull many years ago, which 
 was traced as coming from a cavern on the top of an 
 almost inaccessible rock, on the banks of the Ohio 
 River. It was supposed to belong to a race whose 
 
1838.] AMERICAN CRANIA. 329 
 
 bones were found deposited in the mounds in the 
 interior of North America. These mounds were 
 found in nearly inaccessible forests, covered with 
 immense trees, denoting their extreme antiquity. 
 They were intended partly for the purpose of inter 
 ment, partly as places of worship ; and an excavation 
 on their summit probably was the spot where human 
 sacrifices were made. 
 
 Dr. Warren found a remarkable resemblance be 
 tween these skulls and those of the ancient Peruvians ; 
 showing that the two races, though a thousand to 
 fifteen hundred miles apart, with other nations inter 
 vening, were of one origin. The American Indians, 
 he thought, had emanated from two sources, one 
 from the south part of America, the other from the 
 North-west Coast. He intimated that there had been 
 observed some resemblance between the heads de 
 scribed and those of the Hindoo race. 
 
 The communication was received very favorably, 
 and a vote of thanks was unanimously passed. 
 
 A fuller account of this paper may be found in the 
 " Boston Medical and Surgical Journal " for Novem 
 ber, 1837. 
 
 In his able and concise Memoir of Dr. Warren, 
 read to the Society of Natural History in December, 
 1856, Dr. Wyman says, 
 
 " I believe some credit belongs to him, as being 
 among the first, if not the first, to point out on anato 
 mical grounds the probability of another and more 
 advanced race having existed in the Western country 
 
 42 
 
330 LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. [^Ex. 60. 
 
 previous to those who were found there at the time it 
 was discovered and explored by the Europeans." 
 
 It will be observed in the above paper, that Dr. 
 Warren set forth no claims before a British audience, 
 as he might have done, to a discovery. He simply 
 stated anatomical facts which had come under his 
 own observation, leaving it to others to form conclu 
 sions or build up theories upon the interesting sub 
 ject of the origin of the American races. 
 
 Dr. Roots to Dr. Warren. 
 
 MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, By a chain of accidental cir 
 cumstances, I have discovered that my much-valued old 
 friend and colleague, John Collins Warren, M.D., &c., &c., 
 but with a title still much stronger, namely, the original 
 friend of that old eccentric animal, William Roots, in his 
 earliest years, is, at this present moment, in the little dirty 
 mole-hill of a spot called Great Britain. Should this letter 
 by happy chance meet with you, and should you be induced 
 before you leave England to visit London, I hope and trust 
 you will let me know of your arrival ; as, I assure you, it 
 will give me the greatest pleasure to see at my cabin, on 
 the banks of the Thames, one that I valued so highly in my 
 younger years. 
 
 You will find me grown very old, gray, and bald-headed ; 
 but you will find me with a heart as young and as warm as 
 ever to meet the kind society of my earliest days. In short, 
 Warren, if you should come to London, arid should not let 
 me know of your arrival, never expect to meet me on 
 friendly terms in the third or other world. 
 
1838.] LETTER FROM LONDON. 331 
 
 With kindest feelings of recollections and regards, believe 
 me always 
 
 Your sincere and fast old friend, 
 
 Wm. Roots! 
 
 SUKBITON, KINGSTON UPON THAMES, Sept. 10, 1837. 
 
 Extract from a Letter from London. 
 
 AUGUST, 1837. 
 
 I wish it was in my power to give my friends at home some 
 notion of the advances our science has made in this country ; 
 but they run into every department of the profession, and 
 are, of course, so numerous that I cannot describe them. 
 To understand, you must see them. It is no discredit to 
 our country that we do not keep pace with Europe in the 
 improvement of physical science. The division of labor, 
 the high rewards of successful industry, but, above all, the 
 collision and comparison of opinions between the master 
 spirits of the day, give to Europe advantages which America 
 cannot expect to attain at present. We are, however, 
 advancing so rapidly, that we shall not be far behind them. 
 
 Among the most active and successful cultivators of 
 science is Dr. Arnott, the inventor of the water-bed. The 
 sofa on which we sat at his house was of the same descrip 
 tion ; and I would state for the information of any one who 
 may have occasion to use the water-beds, that the water in 
 this sofa had not been changed for a number of years, and 
 was perfectly sweet at the time I saw it. 
 
 Sir Astley Cooper continues to be one of the most zealous 
 and successful cultivators of anatomical and pathological 
 science. Having acquired an ample fortune, he has no 
 occasion to submit to the laborious and responsible duties 
 
332 LETTER FROM LONDON. [JET. 60. 
 
 of the profession ; but he is ready at stated hours to give 
 advice to those who apply, both at his own house and in the 
 town. He rises early, and employs two or three hours in 
 anatomical and surgical investigations before breakfast ; 
 afterwards he receives patients at his house till two ; then 
 visits till six or seven, the common hour of dinner. 
 And when he entertains, which he frequently does, the 
 evening is devoted to his friends ; and when not, he com 
 mits to writing what he has seen in the day. He does 
 not regularly attend any hospital ; though, as consulting 
 surgeon of Guy's, he is ready to visit when he can be 
 useful ; and his attendance is hailed with pleasure by the 
 surgeons, as a gratifying occurrence. You may ask, per 
 haps, what subjects he investigates. He told me he was 
 employed in studying the anatomy of the female breast, as 
 a preparation to his work on the malignant diseases of that 
 organ. When he intends to publish, he did not say ; proba 
 bly it may be some time first. The researches necessary to 
 elucidate this subject require frequent injections and dissec 
 tions. His injections are among the most beautiful and 
 fortunate which now exist. Those of the thymus gland 
 finely illustrate the. anatomy of this organ, and go far to 
 establish its physiology. As an example of his great indus 
 try and insuperable perseverance, I will state a fact. He 
 accidentally came in possession of the whole viscera of the 
 thorax and abdomen, exhibiting phenomena which are rare, 
 and of which there is no existing preparation. Sir Astley 
 determined to inject, and preserve this as a dried prepara 
 tion. The labor in securing the thousand small wounded 
 vessels did not deter him. He succeeded in injecting and 
 preserving all the organs, even the liver, in a dried state ; 
 and produced an invaluable preparation, which may last for 
 centuries. This distinguished person is now in Edinburgh, 
 
1838.] MEDICAL MEN. 333 
 
 the first time for fifty years, and has been received with 
 great cordiality by the profession ; and a public dinner is to 
 be given to him by the Royal College of Surgeons. 
 
 The number of distinguished men in London is so great, 
 that I am doubtful of the propriety of speaking of any indi 
 vidual ; aware, as I am, of the impossibility of doing justice 
 to the characters of such men in a few words. The editor of 
 the Works, and author of the Biography, of Dr. Armstrong, 
 is almost as well known in our country as in England. In 
 this he holds a high reputation, both as an author and as a 
 man of science. And, to show the standing that he occupies 
 here, it is sufficient to mention that he has lately been 
 selected as one of the governors of the new university. 
 
 The friend of Dr. Boott Dr. James Clark, since Sir 
 James Clark is also well known in our country. Dr. 
 Clark is the author of the best treatise on consumption 
 which we have in the language, a work which places the 
 prevention and treatment of this great enemy of our race 
 in a more distinct light and on a more rational plan than 
 any other. Every physician and every student should read 
 it ; and they will there find all they require to conduct them 
 in those practical pursuits, for which no reading can be a 
 substitute. Dr. Clark is a person whose character and 
 manners excite extraordinary interest in those who meet 
 him. Quiet and retiring in manner, yet whatever he says 
 shows thought and good judgment. He is now physician to 
 the Queen, and has reposed in him a high degree of con 
 fidence by distinguished persons 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
334: LETTER FROM PARIS. yE'r. GO. 
 
 Extract from a Letter from Paris. 
 
 PARIS, Dec. 30, 1837. 
 
 The hospitals of Paris are much improved of late years. 
 The Hdtel Dieu was formerly made to contain five or 
 six thousand patients : now, the number does not exceed 
 twelve hundred. The wards are very large, perfectly clean, 
 and as rarely present disagreeable effluvia as any rooms, 
 containing a large collection of human beings, could be 
 expected to do. But, although every thing appears fair, the 
 mortality in these wards, especially after surgical opera 
 tions, is much greater than in private houses. This is a 
 general fact in hospitals ; and the extent of its application, 
 other things being equal, is proportionate to the number of 
 persons placed in one enclosure. Small hospitals are, 
 therefore, more healthy than large ; and private houses more 
 so than hospitals. Among the physicians of the Hotel Dieu, 
 there is none so well known with us, and none so highly 
 esteemed, as M. Louis, the celebrated author of the appli 
 cation of the numerical method to observations on fevers, 
 with the view of ascertaining, with arithmetical precision, 
 the phenomena which belong to this important disease. I 
 was introduced to him at the Hfttel Dieu in the morning. 
 When I approached the bed where he was making his visit 
 with the aid of a dimly burning candle, towering in the 
 midst of the pupils, I saw a tall, upright man, with a coun 
 tenance rather pale, bearing the marks of sagacity and deep 
 reflection. He was intently occupied with his patient, and 
 seemed to be conscious of nothing but what related to him. 
 His inquiries were very minute ; and, when the patient 
 gave him doubtful answers (which he frequently did), he 
 repeated the questions until he received definite answers. 
 Although his questions were rapidly asked, the investiga- 
 
1838.] HOSPITALS. 335 
 
 tion was long before he became satisfied that he had 
 possession of all the important facts. He then gave to the 
 students a brief abstract of the history of the case, his 
 opinion as to its nature, and terminated with a prescription. 
 As he left the bed, and I was presented to him by my 
 friend, his countenance relaxed, and he received me with 
 the greatest politeness. As I walked round with him, he 
 made known the nature of all the interesting cases, and 
 encouraged me to question him, and to make such remarks 
 as occurred to me. Since then, I have frequently visited with 
 him, and always with gratification. The interest is most 
 deep when a new patient is presented, as then the character of 
 the disease is to be made out. As all the cases are carefully 
 recorded, such a mode of investigating the diseases must 
 afford a mass of knowledge. The difficulty in bringing out 
 useful results from such a multitude of observations lies in 
 the successive application of synthetical and analytical rea 
 soning to the cases. In private conversations I had with M. 
 Louis, he explained to me his mode of drawing his induc 
 tions ; which appeared to me to be a practical mode of exact 
 philosophizing. It is not in my power to give a correct 
 notion of it ; but, for the satisfaction of those who may wish 
 to have some idea of his method, I will state, that, 1. From 
 the journal of diseases, containing, for example, sixty 
 cases, he made a table, at the head of which were placed 
 all the principal symptoms of the disease ; in separate 
 columns, and on the left hand of the table, the list of 
 patients ; then in each column was placed the character of 
 each symptom in each patient. This table was of extraor 
 dinary extent. 2. From the first table another was then 
 made, in which were brought together the symptoms of 
 each of the columns, showing the number of cases in which 
 any particular symptom occurred. The labor necessary to 
 
336 LETTER FROM PARIS. [M'f. 60. 
 
 accomplish such a work is immense ; and I should have 
 found it difficult to conceive of it, had I not seen the tables 
 themselves. As, however, the whole of these tables and 
 inferences are based on correct observation, the first step 
 in the process is to observe with accuracy. The manner in 
 which this is to be done is stated with exactness in a paper 
 just published by M. Louis, in the first volume of " Memoirs 
 of the Medical Society of Observation." You wish to 
 know how I have been received here. In reply, it gives me 
 pleasure to say, that every facility has been aiforded me for 
 obtaining the information I wish, and all possible kindness 
 shown in public and in private. The surgeons, in going- 
 round the wards, call for me at every interesting case, often 
 request me to examine the patient, and ask my opinion. If 
 it does not accord with theirs, we have a discussion. At 
 the surgical operations, I am always placed near the table, 
 and sometimes assist the operator. At the lectures, the 
 professor always offers me a chair by his side. In the Royal 
 Academy of Medicine, they have more than once favored 
 me with an honorable notice. I mention these facts with 
 more pleasure, because I had been informed that the French 
 were very careless in regard to foreigners. But I must say, 
 that their professional attentions and private hospitalities 
 are such as must be most gratifying and satisfactory to a 
 stranger. 
 
 Accept the assurances of respect 
 
 From your friend and servant, &c., 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
1838.] CHERVIN. 337 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 Dr. M. Chervin visited the United States and the West 
 Indies for the purpose of investigating the facts relating to 
 the contagious quality of yellow-fever. He brought me 
 letters from Paris, and requested me to aid in the prosecu 
 tion of his inquiries here. Afterwards I procured for him 
 various papers relating to the yellow-fever, and wrote a 
 memorial on the subject myself. In consequence of this, 
 he nominated me to the Royal Academy of Medicine as a 
 corresponding member; which was the first instance of 
 a member being elected from this part of the country. 
 When I went to Paris in 1837, he was very useful to me. 
 He was excessively poor, scarcely having bread to eat ; but 
 some of his medical friends lent him money to prosecute his 
 researches on yellow-fever and other contagious diseases. 
 His labors effected a great revolution in France ultimately. 
 The French were all desperate contagionists ; but, owing 
 principally to his labors, a movement was begun, which did 
 not stop till it had wrought a general change of sentiment, 
 which has produced a great influence on the rest of Europe. 
 He died in 1847, and left a will, in which, commenting in a 
 touching manner on the neglect and poverty in which he 
 had lived and died, he decreed his debts to his country. 
 
338 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [>ET. 60. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF A DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 
 
 DR. WARREN reached home the last of August. 
 With a very slight pause, he immediately resumed 
 his labors ; and we find him full as busy in profes 
 sional pursuits as ever. He now, however, devoted 
 less time to the daily routine of professional visits, 
 but more to the scientific improvement of medicine, 
 and subjects connected with it. Sept. 1, he com 
 menced what he designates as a domestic journal ; 
 and this he continued, with very little intermission, 
 until within a few of the last days of his life. 
 
 Some extracts from this journal will serve to show 
 the subjects of his thoughts, and the various occupa 
 tions in which he was now engaged. A very large 
 portion of the whole journal consists of an account 
 of medical cases, operations performed, modes of 
 operating, &c., which are omitted here, as out of 
 place in the present work. 
 
 1838. Commenced a journal, Sept. 1. 
 
 Yesterday finished my European journal. Resolved to 
 try to keep a domestic one, without much hopes of suc 
 cess. 
 
1838.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 339 
 
 Having seen my family friends, called on Mr. and Mrs. 
 , and found them in a good state of health. Visited my 
 
 horses ; and, in the evening, attended a meeting of the Fa 
 culty. Had a long conversation on European matters, and 
 was appointed to deliver the Introductory to the courses. I 
 proposed to lengthen the courses to four months ; which was 
 favorably received, but could not be adopted at present. 
 
 Sept. 2, Sunday. After service, looked over my old 
 papers, and found my impressions, on comparison, not 
 changed. 
 
 Sept. 4. Visited the Hospital for the first time. It 
 looks remarkably neat and well. 
 
 Sept. 5. In the evening, had a conversation with Mr. 
 Abbott Lawrence on the subject of a Repository of Arts. 
 Must see him again in two or three days. 
 
 Sept. 6. Examined my instruments from Europe, and 
 found them in good order. 
 
 Sept. 8. Attended a meeting of Directors of the Bun 
 ker-Hill Monument Association, and made some remarks 
 with a view to prevent the building of houses on the battle 
 ground ; which were well received : but I fear there is little 
 hope of accomplishing this prevention. However, a com 
 mittee was chosen to see what sacrifices the landholders 
 were willing to make. 
 
 Dined at Governor Winthrop's, and attempted to show 
 the folly of animal magnetism. Judge Story and Governor 
 Everett concerned. 
 
 We also had an important conversation on the formation 
 of an American Association ; and are to meet on Friday, at 
 twelve, to discuss the subject. 
 
 Sept. 13. First meeting of Temperance Council. Great 
 change of affairs this last year. 
 
 Sept. 14. In consequence of orders from the Bunker- 
 
340 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [JE'f. GO. 
 
 Hill Monument Association, made an agreement with T. B. 
 Wales to suspend the work thereon. 
 
 Sept. 15. Met Judge Story and Governor Everett at 
 the Academy's room, to discuss the formation of an Ameri 
 can Association for the Promotion of Science. After many 
 plans for opening the business had been suggested, agreed 
 to request a gentleman in Philadelphia to sound the feelings 
 of American Philosophical Society. 
 
 Sept, 23. Wrote letters for M. to the South ; a 
 letter to Dr. Homer, on forming an American Institu 
 tion. 
 
 Oct. 1, P.M. Visited an old friend, and had a pretty 
 serious talk. Discussion of the advantages of aristocracy 
 and democracy ; on too much attention to public opinion, 
 instead of conscience ; and various other important topics. 
 
 Oct. 6. Last evening, had a second meeting of private 
 students at my house. Explained to them the anatomy of 
 the ear, and gave a clinical lecture on cases in the Hos 
 pital. 
 
 Oct. 12. Addressed a note to Governor Everett on the 
 British Association, proposing a meeting with him and 
 Judge Story. 
 
 Oct. 15. Met Governor Everett and Judge Story on 
 the subject of an American Association for Advancement of 
 Science. Decided to call a meeting of gentlemen on the 
 subject on Saturday, 20th. 
 
 Oct. 27. Meeting of Committee of Correspondence of 
 American Association. Decided to notify the American 
 Philosophical Society of our proceedings, and to invite 
 scientific gentlemen to co-operate. 
 
 Oct. 30. Wrote a circular on the subject of the British 
 Association, and sent it to the printer, ordering fifty copies. 
 
 Nov. 7. First day of the lectures. Rose early, and 
 
1838.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 341 
 
 read over my Introductory aloud. Every time I read it, I 
 find many corrections to be made, especially when it is read 
 aloud. Although finished a month ago, found many correc 
 tions and additions, which pressed me for time to the last 
 minute. Went to the College at half-past nine, passed an 
 hour and a half in preparing plates, <fcc., and then looked 
 over my lecture. 
 
 Nov. 8. At six, P.M., attended the dinner given by the 
 physicians to Dr. Jackson and myself. Dr. Bigelow presided 
 with great spirit and effect. 
 
 Dr. Jackson made an interesting speech, and referred to 
 our early acquaintance. I replied, and made another, half 
 an hour long. Dr. Reynolds made a fine speech. The 
 occasion was most interesting. We were kept till twelve, 
 midnight. 
 
 Completed one book of this journal, contrary to my 
 expectation when I began. 
 
 Dec. 3. Subscribed, by Dr. Morton's request, to his 
 work on Crania ; he offering to give me the copy, in conse 
 quence of the service rendered him in the prosecution of the 
 work. 
 
 Dec. 22. Had some conversation with the Rev. Dr. 
 Channing on the subject of a meeting for the promotion of 
 science. He is quite favorable to it, and wrote me a letter 
 on the subject directly after. 
 
 Dec. 23. To-day, came to a conclusion on two subjects : 
 1. To attempt the formation of a scientific meeting here ; 2. 
 To decline being churchwarden again. 
 
 1839, Jan. 1. Rose before seven; rather earlier than 
 usual, but not so early as my ancient habits prescribed. 
 
 Made various arrangements before breakfast, which was 
 exactly at eight. Read about an hour on the subject of my 
 lecture, the nerves. Made three visits ; went to the Medi- 
 
342 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [>ET. 61. 
 
 cal College ; afterwards one visit. Went out at four, and 
 visited till seven, partly on foot. It is now four months 
 since I got home. I have not, owing to the kindness of 
 Providence, experienced a single catarrh since my return ; 
 a very long period for me. This may be attributed, 1. To 
 change of climate ; 2. To constant foot-exercise ; 3. To dip 
 ping the feet in cold water, and much friction. 
 
 Made a number of visits, did a difficult dissection of the 
 nerves, and lectured. 
 
 Jan. 2. Studied the physiology of the nerves ; have 
 had hard work with this subject. Company at dinner, Rev. 
 Dr. Stone. Agreed to give the Hospital Reports to a new 
 medical journal. 
 
 Feb. 5. Last evening, attended the opening of the new 
 vestry-room, or chapel, of St. Paul's. Interesting services by 
 Dr. Stone. Afterwards walked down to Mr. C.'s. Weather 
 very cold and windy. Between nine and ten, came home 
 much fatigued. This proved my last visit to Mr. C., who 
 had been my father's and my patient more than forty years. 
 He died of organic disease of the heart, and too much 
 stimulus, at the age of sixty-seven. Has had an intermit 
 tent pulse fifteen years, and lately so indistinct as to be 
 scarcely perceptible. 
 
 Feb. 8. Mocking-bird began to sing three or four days 
 since. Is quite sprightly, and has a variety of notes. 
 
 Last evening, at half-past six, dined, by invitation, witli 
 Society for Medical Improvement. Gave an account of 
 Cloquet. 
 
 March 6. Attended a meeting of the Natural-History 
 Society with much pleasure. 
 
 In evening, Mr. Otis, translator of Botta, made me a visit. 
 Read the preface to a translation of the Tusculan Conversa 
 tions, which he is to publish. 
 
1839.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 343 
 
 March 15. Went out early to see Mr. Pickering on the 
 subject of appearing before a Committee of Legislature about 
 carrying water. 
 
 Evening, a meeting at my house, of forty gentlemen, on 
 the subject of promoting physical science. Read to them a 
 communication from the American Philosophical Society, 
 one from Professor Silliman, one from Rev. Dr. Charming, 
 &c. Showed the microscope and various skeletons. 
 
 May 26, 27. Bad eyes; can't write. 
 
 June 6. Inflammation of eyes by dissecting a putrid 
 subject, and using chlorine gas. Rupture of a vessel in left 
 eye ; better to-day. 
 
 June 17. Attended Bunker-Hill Monument Association. 
 
 j u ly 4. Went to Temperance Celebration at half-past 
 twelve. Procession ; dinner at half-past two ; broke up at 
 seven. Things went off well. Near fifteen hundred per 
 sons present. Got home soon after eight. 
 
 July 13. With Mr. Guild, went to the Agricultural 
 Society's meeting, at Mr. Phinney's, in Lexington. Mr. 
 Phinney showed us his peat-meadows converted into pas 
 ture ; fine fruit-trees, apples, pigs, and cattle, of the finest. 
 
 July 30. Last evening, the worthy magistrates of 
 Brookline proposed to wheel the old schoolhouse through 
 my land, cutting down trees, breaking walls, &c. 
 
 Called on Miss A. Had a conversation on the 
 
 affair, in which she advised me not to meddle in the matter. 
 Good advice, and such as few friends would have ventured 
 to give. 
 
 Aug. 5. Had a severe attack yesterday while riding 
 on horseback. Suffered great pain till I went to bed. 
 Took some hot drink, on the idea that the disorder was 
 in part caused by not drinking sufficiently. To-day, slightly 
 affected. Took a solution of gum arabic, with chloric 
 
344 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [Jvf. 61. 
 
 ether. Drank some Balston or Saratoga water to dilute. 
 Took a warm bath. The last attack as severe as this 
 was fourteen years ago, on the day of the anniversary 
 celebration of Lexington fight, at Concord, in 1825 ; during 
 which day I suffered much, and have occasionally at other 
 times. 
 
 Aug. 24. Reports of a case of malignant cholera in 
 Tremont Street. 
 
 Sept. 15. Captain Cook, operated upon for extirpation 
 of half the lower jaw, well, and has scarcely a scar. 
 
 Gave one hundred and fifty drops tr. opii, in addition to 
 ten grains of opium given an hour before the operation ; 
 did not make him sleepy. 
 
 Oct. 20. Keep myself warm in my room by burning 
 alcohol. After various experiments, find burning it in a 
 small pint or half-pint tin pot most convenient. 
 
 Oct. 22. Died Dr. ; a good man, with a bad 
 
 temper. 
 
 Nov. 5. At the request of a Committee of Trustees of 
 Massachusetts General Hospital, agreed to their having a 
 copy of the Surgical Records made, or that they should be 
 left to the hospital at my decease. 
 
 Nov. 16. A case of admission of air into the veins. 
 
 Nov. 27. Alarm of small-pox increases. Many re- 
 vaccinations. 
 
 Dec. 2. Subscribed two hundred dollars for Cambridge 
 Observatory. 
 
 Dec. 8. Received a visit from Mr. Audubon. 
 
 Dec. 21. Last evening, at Dr. E. W.'s. Party very 
 gay ; rather above my mark, as I suffer from a rheu 
 matic affection, consequent upon a strain produced by 
 lifting. 
 
1839.] INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 345 
 
 By this journal, we find that Dr. Warren engaged 
 at once in the pursuits to which he had determined to 
 devote himself, in addition to labors exclusively 
 professional. 
 
 He attended a meeting of the Faculty, and was 
 appointed to deliver the Introductory Lecture on the 
 opening of the course. On the 2d of September, he 
 visited the Hospital. On the 8th, he attended a meet 
 ing of the Bunker-Hill Monument Association, and 
 exerted himself very strongly in behalf of what had 
 always been his earnest wish, next to the comple 
 tion of the Monument, to preserve the battle 
 ground free from buildings. We find him also 
 discussing a project for the formation of an American 
 Scientific Association with Governor Everett, Judge 
 Story, and others. On the 13th, he resumed his 
 temperance labors by attending a meeting of the 
 Council of the Massachusetts Temperance Society. 
 
 On the 7th of November, he gave his Introductory 
 Lecture to the medical class. His journal shows, in 
 more than one place, the labor and anxiety which he 
 bestowed upon this matter. In this lecture, he gave 
 an account of the results he had obtained from his 
 visit to Europe ; comprising a view of science abroad, 
 and of the various improvements in physical and medi 
 cal science with which he had become acquainted. 
 
 About this time commenced a new era in medi 
 cine. - The distinction between typhus and typhoid 
 fever was then in embryo. The results promulgated 
 by Marshall Hall were new ; and there was much 
 
 44 
 
346 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. \.&T. 61. 
 
 other matter of novelty just started into existence, 
 part of which is now settled matter of science. 
 
 On the succeeding day, a dinner was given, by the 
 physicians of Boston, to Dr. Warren and Dr. Jack 
 son. It was very fully attended, and was described 
 universally, by those present, as an occasion of very 
 great interest and enjoyment. 
 
 It was a novelty in Boston. A dinner had never 
 before been given to a member of the Medical So 
 ciety, with the exception of Dr. Holyoke, of Salem, 
 on his centennial anniversary. A full account of this 
 dinner was given in the " Boston Medical Journal," 
 and will be found in volume xix., page 293, of that 
 work. 
 
 In reviewing Dr. Warren's labors from the time of 
 his return, there is one thing that strikes us forcibly, 
 and which is confirmed by every succeeding page of 
 this Memoir, as well as by what has gone before. 
 
 This is, his tenacity of purpose. In engaging in a 
 new object of interest, though entering upon it with 
 an apparently all-absorbing ardor, he never neglects 
 or loses sight of former objects. Thus, immediately 
 on his return from Europe in 1802, we find him 
 engaged in an analysis of the Boston water, and 
 showing the pernicious effects of it. We find him 
 continuing his exertions in after-years on this subject, 
 and never abandoning it until he finally witnessed the 
 introduction of the Cochituate water into the city of 
 Boston. In the same manner, he engaged, on his first 
 return from Europe in 1802, in a scientific society. 
 
1839.] TENACITY OF PURPOSE. 347 
 
 His constant medical occupations caused him neces 
 sarily to lay aside this and other similar objects of 
 interest for a number of years ; but, the moment his 
 retirement from the active daily routine of profes 
 sional life permitted, we find him laboring with 
 greater earnestness than ever to excite interest in 
 general science. So, also, his early love of the coun 
 try, though for years very rarely indulged, and 
 his interest in agriculture, never abandoned him. 
 The pleasure which he describes himself as enjoying, 
 when a schoolboy, from his semi-weekly visits to 
 Jamaica Plain, he evinced equally in 1825, 1830, 
 during his most busy career. 
 
 So in regard to the Temperance cause. From his 
 first connection with the society, almost to his last 
 breath, his ardor in the cause went on with still 
 increasing earnestness. His love for the military art, 
 and every thing connected with it, never declined. 
 We find him, within a year before his death, ordering 
 an elegant pair of improved revolvers from England. 
 Though strictly avoiding politics while pursuing his 
 professional course, we see him, in 1850, presiding 
 at a political meeting in Fanueil Hall, and speaking 
 with great warmth and earnestness in behalf of what 
 he considered the true welfare of his fellow-citizens 
 and his country. We find him at this period mixing 
 in a mob, with the same spirit as in England in 
 1800, and offering his services to the mayor in 
 support of order. 
 
 The remarkable feature of all this varied interest 
 
348 PHYSICIAN'S NOTE-BOOK. [>ET. ei. 
 
 is, that he never allowed other pursuits to distract his 
 attention from his profession, even from the time 
 when he began to devolve his labors upon his son. 
 Improvement of medical and surgical science and art 
 was always his first object, his main business through 
 life ; evinced, after death, in his final legacy to the 
 profession, by which he should still continue to afford 
 instruction in his physical form. It may truly be 
 said, that a subject, once earnestly taken up by him, 
 he never let slip from his grasp. 
 
 It is a matter of melancholy interest to find in the 
 journal, as we pass on, the record of the death of an 
 old patient, as on Feb. 5 ; one who had been a 
 patient of the father and son for over forty years, 
 and died at the age of sixty-seven. How much of a 
 man's history may be conveyed to the mind by a few 
 short lines in a physician's note-book! Miss Lee 
 founded her " Canterbury Tales " upon the brief 
 register of the arrival and departure of guests at a 
 watering-place boarding-house ; but how much more 
 is conveyed in a physician's record ! The stranger 
 may pass over the words unheeding, as we pass by the 
 record on a gravestone ; the poet may found a tale of 
 romance upon it : but, to the physician, the friend, or 
 acquaintance, what a long vista of human life is 
 opened at once ! As the individual in the " Spectator," 
 who lived through a long life during an instant's im 
 mersion of his head in a tub of water ; so do these few 
 brief words present a long picture of varying hopes 
 and fears ; the sufferings of the patient ; his alterna- 
 
1839.] PHYSICIAN'S NOTE-BOOK. 349 
 
 tions of relief; his struggles with injurious habits ; 
 the anxiety and hopes of the wife and daughters alter 
 nately depressed, alternately revived ; the narrow 
 circumstances, at the time of the physician's early 
 attendance, gradually giving way to comfort, and 
 finally to affluence and luxury, obtained by careful 
 industry ; luxury, and want of occupation, producing 
 disease, and, eventually, habits of excess ; sometimes 
 broken off by the remonstrances of the physician and 
 the experience of suffering, but soon resumed to a 
 greater degree than before. 
 
 We find him attending, by invitation, a dinner of 
 the Medical Improvement Society; next, a meeting 
 of the Society of Natural History ; after which, listen 
 ing to the reading of a translation by Mr. Otis, who 
 translated Botta's History ; the next day, visiting Mr. 
 
 P to consult about the introduction of pure 
 
 water ; and, in the evening, receiving a company of 
 forty gentlemen to discuss the promotion of physical 
 science. On the 17th of June came the annual 
 meeting of the Bunker-Hill Monument Society ; and, 
 on the Fourth of July, the celebration of the Tem 
 perance Society, nearly eighteen hundred persons 
 being present. On the 13th, a meeting of the Agri 
 cultural Society, at Lexington. 
 
 On the 26th came a meeting of the Consulting 
 Physicians of Boston to designate a candidate for 
 the South-Boston institutions, then first united under 
 a resident physician. 
 
 The other records of his journal (which are omit- 
 
350 VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS. [^T. 61. 
 
 ted) show him constantly occupied in surgical and 
 medical practice, visiting at the Hospital, and per 
 forming operations. During the year 1839, he seems 
 to have been too actively employed to allow him to 
 prepare any thing for publication. 
 
 During this year, he became an active member 
 of the Agricultural Society. Of his connection 
 with this society, he gives the following account. 
 
1839.] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 351 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 IN the year 1839, on purchasing my country place, I deter 
 mined not to lay out money upon it. But, in that year, I 
 was chosen one of the Trustees of the Agricultural Society. 
 This led me to give some attention to agricultural siibjects ; 
 and I read through a number of works on botany, vegetable 
 physiology, and practical agriculture. In the year 1840, 1 
 began to plant the Heath* land, principally one acre on the 
 south side of the hill, for a fruit-garden. Being then more 
 than sixty years old, I had little expectation of getting fruit ; 
 and, in order to hurry the matter, I bought a few large 
 trees in full bearing from Mr. S. G. Perkins. Three of 
 these trees cost thirty dollars apiece ; but they have borne 
 every year since they were planted, and in most years freely. 
 I bought of him a large number of beautiful plum-trees, 
 which have grown finely, but never produced any fruit of 
 consequence, owing to the blight of the curculio. We have 
 applied salt, have bricked around the trees, have knocked 
 off and destroyed the curculio, syringed the trees with 
 whale-oil soap, and, as a last resource, taken up the soil from 
 many of them, and substituted mud from the salt marshes. 
 The pear-trees have been carefully washed with alkali once 
 
 * So called from the former proprietor. 
 
352 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. [^ET. 61. 
 
 or twice a year, and the trunks surrounded with ashes to 
 prevent the attacks of the borer. The most convenient and 
 valuable crop which I have had consists of grapes, which I 
 have found very useful to dispense to sick persons who 
 could not get them. Both peaches and plums will probably 
 do better in groups than singly, like other fruit-trees. I 
 have gradually set out a great number of forest-trees, which, 
 as yet, do not make much show : but, if I had known what I 
 do now, I should have planted a much greater number at 
 first, say, thousands ; and more than half I should choose 
 to be of evergreens, on account of their beauty, and the 
 protection they afford in the winter. Among the ever 
 greens, the best, on the whole, is the Norway spruce. Our 
 native hemlock is harder to grow, but more beautiful, than 
 any other evergreen in common use ; and it has the quality 
 of shading, like the deciduous trees. The beach is a fine 
 tree, and not sufficiently attended to. 
 
 For two or three years, I devoted much attention to the 
 cultivation of corn, with a view to ascertain what species 
 produced the best food. So far as my observations went, 
 white corn was more easily digested than yellow ; and I 
 have always used the white meal, if any. The Tuscarora 
 variety I found to be productive, agreeable, and capable of 
 being used for sweet corn as well as other purposes. I dis 
 tributed it pretty extensively among farmers. Those vege 
 tables which are not much in use I have endeavored to 
 cultivate ; as the artichoke, large English beans, okra, the 
 egg-plant, and Brussels sprouts. The soil being thin, and 
 underlaid with rock for the most part, large quantities of 
 manure have been required. The first year I owned the 
 place, about two hundred loads were necessary. 
 
 The old trees, which looked very badly for want of 
 nourishment, have since then been revived, and look well, 
 
1839.] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 353 
 
 except where the soil is very thin, as on the south, near the 
 grape-houses. I have used the nitrate of potash as a 
 manure on about two acres of the Heath land, with good 
 effect. Other experiments with manure I have not been 
 been able to make, for want of an intelligent and attentive 
 gardener, most of them being infected with the vice of 
 drunkenness. 
 
 The Heath pasture, although excessively stony, has done 
 better than the other, producing one crop of potatoes with 
 out any manure ; and the vegetables in general there have 
 done well, the soil being new and well cultivated : so that I 
 have had the pleasure of making two blades of grass grow 
 where one grew before. I got the plans for building a 
 cottage there, but concluded it would not be profitable to 
 attempt to sell lots at present, but rather to wait till they 
 were in demand. It is rather singular, that, out of half a 
 dozen pieces of land, three have been invaded by public 
 works, and a fourth threatens to be so, the Hammond- 
 Pond wood-lot. 
 
 In the Agricultural Society, I have done considerable 
 labor. Some years ago, I first proposed that a premium 
 should be given for the best Essay on Manures. This 
 excited attention to the subject, and brought out the Essay 
 of Dr. Dana, on the manure formed by fermenting together 
 peat and wood ashes, which may be considered as the most 
 copious source of manure discovered in this State. The 
 practical improvements in manuring in this State, and par 
 ticularly in this vicinity, have been great. 
 
 About the year 1845, 1 proposed the establishment of a 
 model farm in this neighborhood. This, after much discus 
 sion, was not thought practicable at the present time. After 
 wards I proposed to the Trustees of the Agricultural Society 
 to pay some attention to the horse. Being authorized by 
 
 45 
 
354 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. (>ET. 61. 
 
 them, I wrote to Dr. Edward Brooks, jun., who was then 
 pursuing his medical studies in Europe, to inform him that 
 the society would be ready to pay six hundred dollars to 
 him, if he would prepare and deliver twelve lectures on the 
 anatomy and diseases of the horse. He accepted the propo 
 sition, and remained in Europe two additional years for the 
 purpose. He has returned home, and is expected to begin 
 his lectures in February, 1850. There having been a fine 
 model, showing the whole anatomy of the horse, prepared 
 by Auzoux, in Paris, I prevailed on the trustees to purchase 
 this at the price of six hundred dollars, and also to obtain 
 the skeleton of a horse and of a cow. In the winter of 
 1846, I gave a lecture, in the Chamber of the House of 
 ^Representatives, to the Legislative Agricultural Society and 
 others. In the autumn of 1849, 1 questioned whether the 
 trustees should any longer continue the experiment of 
 keeping and breeding a pure English stock of cattle, the 
 experiment having been continued for three years. I was 
 appointed chairman of a committee to investigate the mat 
 ter, and make report. This involved considerable labor, 
 and terminated in a report that the whole stock (about 
 thirty) should be sold as soon as convenient. 
 
 The practical attention I have been able to give to agri 
 culture has been a source of pleasure, and, I presume, of 
 health, especially where it was connected with the idea 
 of some public utility. The satisfaction has been somewhat 
 marred by the necessity of dining in company once a month, 
 and the consequent derangement of health from the irregu 
 larity this dinner involves. Wine at these dinners I have 
 not taken for some years, and have declined offering it at 
 the parties I gave. The example has not been followed by 
 any of the other trustees, except, in one instance, by Mr. 
 Quincy ; but it has shown that a pleasant dinner might take 
 
1839.] THE HORSE. 355 
 
 place without wine or any stimulating drink. When I 
 determined to adopt this plan, I resigned my office as a 
 trustee ; but the Board preferred to continue me in office, 
 and give up the wine once a year. 
 
 From an early period, I had an attachment for the horse. 
 This perhaps originated in the fact, that my grandfather, 
 whose name I bear, and who was formerly Governor of the 
 State of Rhode Island, made me a present of a small horse 
 when I was but eight years old. He did good service to 
 my father and myself for nearly twenty years. I used 
 to employ him to ride out on horseback to my father's place 
 in Roxbury. 
 
 As soon as I got into practice, I purchased a horse for 
 saddle and harness, and visited my patients in town on 
 horseback, as my father did the greater part of his life ; 
 and, two or three times a week, rode out to Jamaica Plain, 
 or elsewhere in the country, rarely in a vehicle, generally 
 on horseback. After a number of years of hard work with 
 one horse, I was obliged to get a second ; and ultimately, 
 when my family grew large, to increase the number to four, 
 and even five. 
 
 The first horse I owned, independently of my father, 
 was kept by an excellent, honest man in Bromfield Street, 
 by name Israel Trask. He dying from a too free use of 
 the hostler's poison, I for many years kept my horses with 
 a man by the name of Gurney, also in Bromfield Street, 
 who was a temperate man, exceeding honest, but remark 
 ably intractable. However, I got on with him ; and finally 
 he removed to the country. From him I went to Zeph. 
 Spurr, also in Bromfield Street. He was the most famous 
 
356 THE HORSE. [JEl. 61. 
 
 horse-keeper in his time, and not far from being the largest 
 man in town. From his youthful face, he was called the 
 Infant Spurr. He kept at the corner of Bromfield and 
 Province Streets, in a very fine, large, old brick stable, 
 which I suppose might have been the stable of Governor 
 Gushing, who lived opposite, and on the spot where the 
 Bromfield House now stands. Spurr also died rather 
 prematurely, and left his business to Galen Holmes, who 
 occupied the stable formerly belonging to Governor Bow- 
 doin, in Beacon Street. He finally gave up business, moved 
 into the country, and may be still living. 
 
 Finally, I determined to build a stable, and in concert 
 with my brother-in-law, Mr. David Sears, purchased a lot of 
 land in Byron Street, with which we connected two other 
 lots, each belonging to us ; and, by the agency of Mr. 
 Cotting, built a large and commodious stable, which, though 
 at some distance, has been a great accommodation. In all 
 this time, I have owned more horses than I can enumerate ; 
 and recollect only three as having died of disease in my 
 service. One of these, a fine brown horse, died at Spurr's 
 from apoplexy, produced by over-feeding when he was not 
 worked. The second was a horse which I bought of Colonel 
 Jacques for five hundred dollars. He died of pneumonia, 
 from an improper exposure while shoeing him. A third 
 horse, called Brownie, died from standing an hour in a rain 
 storm in Harrison Avenue, while I was engaged in an 
 operation for strangulated hernia. He had a canvas cover 
 ing on to protect him from the rain ; but, not being well 
 secured, it blew off. The rain and wind penetrated to his 
 back ; and, soon after I returned to him, he was seized with 
 a horrid shiver, and had an inflammation of the spinal 
 marrow. From this he recovered so that I could use him ; 
 but he was subject to returns of lameness, and finally became 
 
1839.] THE HORSE. 357 
 
 so far useless that I thought it best to have him killed. He 
 was a horse of great power and speed. 
 
 A still more valuable horse, which I bought of Mr. 
 Meacham for six hundred dollars, I let Mr. Lyman have. 
 He was the handsomest horse in Boston ; perfect in form ; 
 dark bay ; very fine in the saddle. He was called Archer. 
 After Mr. Lyman owned him about a dozen years, he, in 
 riding to Brookline, made a misstep on the rise of the hill 
 approaching my house, broke his ankle-joint, and, after a 
 few days of misery, was killed. I have now the skull of 
 a valuable bay mare called the Milkmaid. I owned her 
 twelve years, when she became stiff, and disposed to stum 
 ble ; so that finally I let her give up work, and live in the 
 stable at Brookline, where she died of old age. She was the 
 freest horse I ever owned ; always set out at full speed 
 the moment I was in the vehicle, and kept up the same 
 speed till she reached her goal. Her physiognomy was 
 remarkably fine, and her intellectual and' moral qualities 
 much superior to those of most horses. But she had one 
 defect, that of stopping occasionally when she did not choose 
 to go. But from her I learnt a valuable lesson of patience : 
 for, if I struck her when she stopped, she always remained 
 riveted to the spot ; whereas, if I waited quietly till she 
 pleased to go, the detention was not great. 
 
 Another peculiar horse, which I owned till he became too 
 old to work, I purchased of my friend Mr. Edward Dowse, 
 of Dedham. He was the most laborious horse I ever 
 owned ; having been driven in a vehicle, in one day, eighty 
 miles without injury. He unfortunately got a habit of 
 leaping upon boys when they pointed at him. On one occa 
 sion, having met my friend and relative Mr. Perkins in the 
 street, and mentioned to him this peculiarity, he, without 
 reflection, pointed at the horse ; on which the latter sprang 
 
358 THE HORSE. [jET. 61. 
 
 at him, and would have killed him, perhaps, but for the 
 intervention of a stone post. On another occasion, a boy 
 having pointed at him, he sprang, and, with one of his fore 
 feet, kicked the boy behind his fore-legs, and then allowed 
 him to crawl off. 
 
 A very noble horse, which I bought at the recommenda 
 tion of Mr. William Lee for three hundred and twenty 
 dollars, I afterwards sold to my friend Mr. H. G. Otis, at 
 his earnest request. He was a black horse, lofty and 
 spirited. Mr. Otis owned him a great many years, and did 
 me the honor to call him by my name. 
 
 I have always kept my horses with great care and atten 
 tion ; scarcely ever used a whip, or even carried one in my 
 hand, but have guided them satisfactorily by the rein and 
 the voice. I never allowed them to stand exposed to the 
 rain, nor even to severe cold, when it could be avoided, 
 especially when over-heated, at least without covering 
 them in case of any such exposure. I always regulated 
 their food as well as I could, and endeavored, when I did 
 not employ them at labor, to have them driven out to get 
 an airing and exercise ; which are essential to their health 
 and happiness. The check-rein I have disused for some 
 years back ; but the blinkers I have not been able to get rid 
 of, because the habit of using them had been too confirmed 
 before they came into my hands. 
 
 Having ridden so much, almost always used very spirited 
 horses, and kept them in full vigor, never worn down by 
 fatigue, I have encountered some accidents, but was never 
 run away with. The greatest accident I ever met with 
 was in the year 1804, when riding to Mr. Mason's at Brook- 
 line, through the back street, now called Warren Street. 
 I met the two Misses Higginson at a sudden turn in the road. 
 There not being room to pass, and seeing them much fright- 
 
1839.] THE HORSE. 359 
 
 ened, I drove aside upon a precipitous rock to make room 
 for them. They, unskilfully driving against me, frightened 
 my horse, who immediately leaped over the precipice, upset 
 me in the road, and then, running to Mr. Mason's, carried 
 the news of the accident to Mrs. Warren. In the mean 
 time, however, the Misses Higginson, being apprehensive 
 that some mischief had occurred, went home, and sent their 
 brother, Mr. Stephen Higginson, jun., with whom I had 
 been a voyage to Europe. He found me lying in the 
 middle of the road, recovering, but covered with blood and 
 dirt, unable to move. They carried me to Mr. Mason's, 
 where, from the wounds in my head and one knee, I was in 
 rather a bad state. My father being sent for from Boston, 
 and knowing I was hurt, came out directly, and thought it 
 best to bleed me. I objected very much to the bleeding, 
 thinking I should do better without ; but he persisted, and I 
 was always in the habit of doing what he said. Colonel Per 
 kins and Mr. Higginson were present at the time, and gave 
 me all care and attention. I was laid up there three or four 
 weeks : and it happened, providentially, that there was much 
 sickness in the family at that time ; and, the family being 
 large, I was pretty well employed in practice all the time I 
 lay on the bed. 
 
 Having joined the Agricultural Society in the year 1839, 
 I, at an early period, recommended their attention to the 
 horse. Objections were made, that we might encourage 
 horse-racing. I prevailed on the society, however, as 
 already mentioned, to send for an anatomical horse (at 
 the cost of six hundred dollars) ; and soon after gave a 
 lecture, exhibiting the muscles, heart and lungs, stomach 
 and intestines, and anatomy of the foot. The Governor, 
 and members of the Legislature, were present, and expressed 
 themselves much gratified as well as surprised at the 
 
360 THE HORSE. [-Ex. 61. 
 
 beauty of the structure. I added, as far as time would 
 permit, directions and cautions as to the treatment of 
 the animal, and showed them how highly he was esteemed 
 by the ancients ; who said, that, when the ancient gods and 
 goddesses were determined to make the two donations which 
 they considered the most valuable, Minerva gave the olive ; 
 and Neptune, the horse. The society were so much im 
 pressed by this lecture, that they authorized me to send to 
 Paris for the skeleton of a horse and cow. 
 
 The Trustees of the Agricultural Society having also 
 chosen me, with Mr. Gray the President, and others, to con 
 sider the expediency of disposing of their stock of cattle, 
 we reported that it ought to be done ; and, in consequence, 
 distributed a considerable portion of the stock among the 
 County Agricultural Societies. We sold a large part of 
 the Ayrshire cattle, at a good price, to Mr. George Lyman ; 
 leaving now in our possession about seven animals of the 
 Devon breed, which it is proposed to sell or give to the 
 Worcester District Society, our object having been attained 
 by the introduction and diffusion of two pure breeds. In 
 consequence of this change, a portion of the income of the 
 society will be disposable ; and I, at the last meeting of 
 the society, proposed, that, at the next meeting, a discussion 
 should take place on the disposition of this income. I sug 
 gested, particularly, as a matter of consideration in the 
 mean time, the propriety of devoting these funds to improv 
 ing the breed of horses. Dr. Brooks's first lecture was 
 given in the Representatives' Chamber of the State House, 
 by invitation of the Legislative Agricultural Association, on 
 Thursday evening, Feb. 21, 1850. The hall was well filled 
 at an early hour. The President of the Association took 
 the chair, and I then addressed him on the part of the 
 Trustees of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society. I 
 
1839.] THE HORSE. 361 
 
 explained to them the origin of these lectures, and their 
 object; introduced Dr. Brooks, who then gave a x lecture 
 about an hour long, which was heard with interest.* 
 
 * Dr. Brooks dying, the lectures were taken up by Dr. Daniel D. Slade, who 
 gave a very full and satisfactory course before the society, the Massachusetts 
 Legislature, and many gentlemen interested on the subject, who were invited to 
 attend. 
 
362 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [^T. C2, 3. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 JOURNAL. LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. OPERATIONS. 
 NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE. 
 
 JAN. 1, 1840. A pleasant New- Year's Day, but cold. 
 Received a kind note from Mr. W. A ; also a kind recol 
 lection from Mrs. J. C. D , and a new purse from my 
 
 daughter Mary. These are the flowers which are scattered 
 along the rough road we must travel to a better state of 
 being. For me they have lost none of their fragrance ; but 
 they are shaded by the yew and the cypress. 
 
 In the afternoon, went to a private meeting to consult 
 with the friends of temperance on the course to be adopted 
 at the present crisis. I spoke for some time, and, if not 
 well, at least, I think, with good effect. 
 
 Aug. 9. Yesterday, had a long conversation with 
 
 on the Transcendentalists, and the tendency of their doctrine 
 to produce utter infidelity. The true course is to see 
 nothing and believe nothing but the pure and simple doc 
 trine of Christ crucified for our sins, and to drive out of 
 our minds the unhappy doubts which lead to mysticism on 
 one side, and unbelief on the other. This is the only support 
 against the troubles of this world, and certainly the safest 
 preparation for another. 
 
 May 30, 1841. Mrs. Warren quite ill with spasm of the 
 intestines. 
 
 June 1. Mrs. Warren's illness continues. 
 
1841.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 363 
 
 June 3. Mrs. Warren has continued since the 1st 
 instant to be affected with severe abdominal pains. At 
 one, she was suddenly attacked with excruciating pains; 
 and continued, notwithstanding opiates, in this state till six, 
 P.M., when she expired in a chair. 
 
 June 5. The funeral solemnities of Mrs. Warren took 
 place in the same way as I should wish for myself. The 
 male friends of the family met at the house a little before 
 six, P.M., and, with the immediate family, followed the body 
 to St. Paul's Church, where it was received by the Rev. 
 Rector, Dr. Stone. During solemn music, he preceded the 
 body through the middle aisle, and then, ascending to 
 the desk, performed the first part of the burial-service ; 
 then a hymn was sung ; and, descending from the desk, he 
 repeated the latter part. The body, followed by the imme 
 diate family, was then conveyed to the vault during solemn 
 music. A considerable congregation was present. 
 
 An event of this nature, always affecting, is particularly 
 so in this instance. Her sensibility to the sufferings of 
 others, and her anxiety to relieve them, rendered her own 
 distress very dreadful to her family. The vacuity caused 
 by the rupture of associations of thirty-eight years is greater 
 than can be described. 
 
 Aug. 1. This day, I have lived sixty-three years ; a period 
 much longer than I could have reason to expect. My father 
 died about six months short of this time ; and Mrs. Warren, 
 with a constitution apparently much better, more than four 
 years earlier in age. These are solemn facts for me. 
 
 Communion Sunday. Dr. Dorr, of Philadelphia, offi 
 ciated. 
 
 The question occurs, whether, during the short period 
 remaining to me, I can lead a better life than I have done. 
 Of this there is no doubt ; and it must be my object to 
 
364 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [^Ex. 65. 
 
 discover in what respects I can improve, and endeavor 
 to make up for past deficiencies, numerous as they are. 
 
 Aug. 3. Mr. Lyell, geologist, arrived yesterday. Gave 
 him all the information I could about his objects. 
 
 On Friday, 28th of October, 1842, died my friend , for 
 
 thirty years my most intimate and confidential friend ; for 
 talents, piety, and steadiness of character, not surpassed by 
 any one it has been my lot to know. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1843. In the other affairs of life, incidents of a 
 most striking nature have occurred to show the utter uncer 
 tainty of human calculations, the vanity of our best-founded 
 hopes, and the necessity of looking to another existence for 
 happiness. 
 
 In the year past, I have, on the whole, abundant reason 
 to be grateful and contented. The health of my family, 
 my own, the reasonable success of what I have undertaken, 
 the happy settlement of my daughters, are subjects of high 
 gratitude. I am, indeed, a lonely being ; but the sense of 
 this leads me to look higher than earth. 
 
 June 18. Yesterday, the celebration of the completion 
 of the Bunker-Hill Monument took place. The day was 
 fine. The President of the United States took much inte 
 rest in it. The address of Mr. Webster was admirable ; the 
 concourse of people, beyond precedent. The dinner, without 
 wine, went off very handsomely. 
 
 June 25. Prevalence of the Tyler grip. 
 
 July 1. Influenza, or grip, very prevalent. Some are 
 attacked with common influenza ; others, with violent pains 
 in the limbs; whence its name. Some have died of con 
 gestion of the lungs. 
 
 July 10. Mr. John Prince (Dr. Warren's brother-in- 
 law) very ill of paralysis. 
 
1843.] LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. 365 
 
 Dec. 8. An anonymous letter from a student, complain 
 ing I did not speak loud or distinctly enough. To-day, 
 raised my voice considerably, with effect. 
 
 Dr. Roots to Dr. Warren. 
 
 KINGSTON UPON THAMES, Jan. 15, 1842. 
 
 MY DEAR WARREN, I think the last communication 
 between us was through our good friend Sullivan ; and, 
 though you delegated to him the trouble of letting me know 
 something of your transatlantic movements, yet, with all 
 due apologies to him, I shall go at once to the fountain- 
 head in my reply : and my young friend will know full 
 well, that, in showing superior respect to his father, it 
 is reflected double-fold on himself. I was truly glad 
 to find by his letter that you were enjoying tolerable 
 good health, and that your " Otium " was, in some degree, 
 established ; and I need not say I was assured that it was 
 accompanied " cum dignitate." You never, in your younger 
 days, was addicted to frivolous ENJOYMENTS ; and I think I 
 can safely answer for your latter period not being encum 
 bered with nonsense. But don't fancy me a rigid stoic ; for 
 I am convinced you will agree with me, that it is a part of 
 our duty, in this life, to make ourselves, by all fair and 
 honest means, as comfortable and happy as our few 
 remaining powers will permit. This desideratum not only 
 appertains to our own individual advantage, but is highly 
 demanded of us for the use, benefit, and happiness of those 
 most interested in our welfare, and who may have yet to 
 tread in the path so long trodden by ourselves. 
 
 You will perhaps wish to hear (and, I flatter myself, with 
 some interest) how the world wags with me at the present 
 
366 LETTER FROM DR. ROOTS. [JET. 65. 
 
 time, and " Voila Vhistoire" After the great loss we expe 
 rienced about two years ago, by the death of my only three 
 grandsons in the short space of five days, both Mrs. Roots's 
 as well as mine own health greatly suffered ; and, in the 
 early part of last summer, the first symptoms appeared 
 of paralysis in her extremities. The main sources of 
 nervous influence continued perfect ; but the hands and 
 feet lost all voluntary power. Every means that medical 
 aid could be thought of was brought to bear, but in vain ; 
 and, in October last, I made up my mind to try what the 
 warm sea-baths would do : though baths, electricity ', " et 
 id genus omne," which my best medical friends in London 
 all joined in promoting, had been brought in full battery 
 against this cursed scourge, over and over again, without 
 any good result. Nevertheless, I gave up every thing to the 
 trial. I went with her to Hastings, on the Sussex coast, 
 the most congenial of our seaside winter residences. I 
 staid there two months, most anxiously waiting the effect 
 of ample friction in the baths ; and I think I can safely say, 
 something like a check or stop has been put to the growing 
 evil. I came home at Christmas, waiting with anxiety for 
 the riddance of the ensuing bad season. But misfortunes 
 never come alone ; and, on New- Year's Day, I was thrown 
 from my open carriage by a wagon catching my wheel, which 
 threw me with violence to the ground. I was stunned, but 
 fortunately broke no bones ; yet the shock and bruises I 
 received still keep me to my room. There is good reason, 
 however, to believe that a little longer rest will bring me 
 round again. 
 
 Pray, my dear friend, write me a long account of your 
 self and all belonging to you. I wish you would publish 
 your recent tour in Europe ; no one is more capable for the 
 undertaking than yourself. In a short time, the life and 
 
1843.] OPERATIONS. 367 
 
 correspondence of our old friend Astley Cooper will be 
 published by my good friend Bransby Cooper, who has been 
 in frequent correspondence of late with me relative to the 
 early period of his uncle's life, and with which I happened 
 to be well acquainted. I think it will be an interesting 
 work, not only to our profession, but to the world at large. 
 Give my kind regards, I beg of you, not only to my friend 
 Sullivan, but to all your family. My son Ludlow is well, 
 and, since our recent calamity, has got tavo children, both 
 girls ; and thus the name of Roots is still in abeyance. 
 My brother, of London, has no children; and my nephews, 
 both barristers, not likely to marry. " Sic transit GLORIA 
 inundi." God bless you, my dear old friend ! You are never 
 
 thought of but with affection by 
 
 Wm. Roots! 
 
 In February, 1842, Dr. Warren published an ac 
 count of an important and successful operation for 
 removal of the upper jaw. This may be found 
 in the twenty-sixth volume of the " Boston Medical 
 and Surgical Journal," and also in the " Medical 
 Journal of the Medical Sciences." The operation 
 was long and difficult ; but the patient was a healthy 
 man of thirty-five years of age, and he recovered 
 perfectly. 
 
 In the same volume of the " Boston Journal " are 
 several reports of surgical cases treated by him, 
 an operation for deformity resulting from a burn ; 
 fractures of the thigh, humerus, and arm ; a case of 
 strangulated hernia, the operation performed by 
 division of the internal pillar of the external ring, 
 
368 SECOND MARRIAGE. [^Ex. 65. 
 
 without opening the sac ; a case of burn, terminating 
 in erysipelas, with pneumonia and pleurites, fatal. 
 Dr. Warren remarks, that, in old people attacked with 
 erysipelas, inflammation of the lungs and pleura is 
 very apt to occur, proving rapidly fatal, but without 
 any of the active symptoms characterizing such a 
 disease in a healthy individual. 
 
 In July of this year, a new medical journal was 
 commenced, edited by Dr. Samuel Parkman and Dr. 
 Charles E. Ware. It appears by Dr. Warren's jour 
 nal, that he had agreed to give the surgical reports to 
 this journal. None, however, were furnished by him ; 
 possibly owing to its brief existence. It was ably 
 sustained, and contains much valuable matter ; but, 
 after the experience of one year, it was found, like 
 several of its predecessors, to be attended with pecu 
 niary loss, and was therefore abandoned. 
 
 In October, 1843, his second marriage, to Miss 
 Anne Winthrop, the daughter of Lieutenant-Gover- 
 nor Thomas L. Winthrop, took place. 
 
 An affection of the eyes, produced at first by dis 
 secting a putrid subject about which chloride of lime 
 had been freely used, prevented his continuing his 
 journal from July, 1844, to August, 1845. Up to 
 that period, he had been his own amanuensis. He 
 now resumed it by the aid of Mrs. Warren. 
 
 Aug. 27, he notices a pleasant meeting of the 
 " Hasty-pudding Club," an old college society. 
 
 During the period of this hiatus in his journal, he 
 was as busily engaged as usual in the varied medical 
 
1843.] STRANGULATED HERNIA. 369 
 
 and scientific pursuits which have been detailed. 
 We find nothing especial to record, until the pub 
 lication of a " Peculiar Case of Gelatiniform Cancer," 
 which was read before the English Royal Medical 
 and Chirurgical Society, and published in the twenty- 
 seventh volume of their Transactions. 
 
 In the following year (1845), he communicated a 
 case of " Ligature of the Left Subclavian " to the 
 society above mentioned, of which he had now 
 become a member. It was read Nov. 25, and pub 
 lished in the twenty-ninth volume of their Transac 
 tions. 
 
 In January, 1845, he contributed for the " Journal 
 of Medical Sciences " an account of some cases of 
 strangulated hernia, with some remarks, principally 
 intended to show the necessity of an early resort to 
 the operation. 
 
 " Physicians," he says, " often repeat various other 
 measures, and continue them until the strength of the 
 patient appears to be failing ; and the operation must 
 be resorted to, as the only possible chance of saving 
 the patient." As has already been seen, he was the 
 first to perform the operation here (about the year 
 1803). At that time, physicians and patients were 
 strongly averse to the operation. Latterly, there 
 has been a change of opinion ; and, for the last six 
 years, there has been but one unsuccessful termina 
 tion: this was in the case of a man who was not 
 operated upon until three days after strangulation. 
 Dr. Warren gives a detailed account of seven cases, 
 
370 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [Mi. 68. 
 
 illustrating the propriety of an early operation, and 
 of the means of effecting a radical cure. The em 
 ployment of the warm bath, of cold to the part, 
 and of tobacco, he considers inferior in efficacy to 
 copious bleeding. These measures exhaust precious 
 time and the strength of the patient ; but in cases of 
 strangulation not attended with severe pain, or other 
 local or constitutional disturbance, the operation 
 should not be too hastily resorted to. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1846. This morning, had some conversation 
 with Mr. Appleton on the subject of erecting a new building 
 for the Medical College. The question is between enlarging 
 the old one, and taking a piece of land, offered by Dr. 
 George Park man, near the Hospital. 
 
 Feb. 7. Drew up a paper on the subject of a subscrip 
 tion for a new Medical College. Saw Dr. Hay ward and Mr. 
 William Appleton on the subject, and visited the spot where 
 Dr. Gr. Park man proposes to give a lot of land for the Col 
 lege, eighty by one hundred feet. 
 
 May 14. News of declaration of war by Congress 
 against Mexico. 
 
 May 29. Yesterday, had the mastodon set up. It was 
 visited by Mr. Lyell, who thought it very fine. 
 
 Aug. 20. After visiting patients, set off from the 
 "Worcester Station to visit Long Pond, to be known hence 
 forth by the name of Lake Cochituate, the old Indian name ; 
 meaning a copious and delightful portion of water. We 
 went to the south part of the lake first ; and then, taking the 
 Saxonville Railroad, landed within a mile of the place where 
 the lake was to be opened. In this way, we had an opportu- 
 
1846.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 371 
 
 nity of seeing the outlet of the lake, which seems to be a con 
 siderable river. We then proceeded to the north part of the 
 lake on foot, to where the opening is to be made. Ceremo 
 nies were performed by the Mayor and the Water Commis 
 sioners, aided by three hundred people from Boston, crowds 
 from the country, and a band of music. From thence we 
 returned to a hall erected for the purpose, and dined very 
 comfortably, aided by excellent water from the lake. No 
 wine or other liquor, and no spirit, though plenty of wit. 
 Altogether, very amusing. 
 
 Oct. 9. Passed an hour on the skeleton of the masto 
 don. The difficulties of the description seem rather to 
 increase than diminish : but, as there is no monograph, I 
 must proceed patiently till it is accomplished ; which cannot 
 be for some months. 
 
 Oct. 16. In the morning, went to the Medical College 
 to make some experiments on the renovation of decayed 
 bones with glue. White glue gives, in some cases, a beau 
 tiful appearance ; and the black gives great strength. 
 
 Did an interesting operation at the Hospital this morn 
 ing, while the patient was under the influence of Dr. Mor 
 ton's preparation to prevent pain. The substance employed 
 was sulphuric ether. 
 
 Oct. 26. Had a conference with Mr. Abbott Lawrence 
 on the formation of a weekly meeting of gentlemen for 
 social and scientific conversation. A number of names of 
 gentlemen were agreed on to be invited to meet at my house 
 to-morrow evening for the purpose of arrangement. 
 
 Oct. 27. In the evening, a meeting of gentlemen on 
 the new social arrangement for scientific conversation. 
 Present, Messrs. A. Lawrence, F. C. Gray, Theophilus 
 Parsons, Martin Brimmer, George Darracott, Dr. C. T. 
 Jackson, Dr. Augustus A. Gould. I am to invite Bishop 
 
372 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. [jET. 68. 
 
 Fitzpatrick, William Appleton, Rev. Dr. Yinton, and Dr. 
 Holmes. 
 
 Nov. 4. Went to the new College, and directed the 
 arrangement of bells. Attended the ceremonies at the 
 opening of the College, and heard an eloquent Address from 
 President Everett. Dr. Hayward then made an appropriate 
 Address. 
 
 Nov. 30. Received a note from Dr. Morton and Mr. 
 R. H. Eddy, requesting me to write a statement of my 
 operations under the influence of ethereal gas. 
 
 Feb. 15, 1847. This day, sent to President Everett my 
 resignation ; and addressed a note to the Medical Faculty, 
 informing them of it. 
 
 March 2. Visited the Hospital to-day. Went from there 
 to the Medical College to prepare for my last lecture, 
 which I accomplished with various interruptions. After 
 finishing the subject of the teeth, I gave my concluding 
 Address, an historical sketch of the College and Hospital, 
 comparison of the school with those of Europe, advice to 
 the students and young practitioners. After this followed 
 a repast, given by Dr. George Parkman ; during which he 
 and various other gentlemen paid me many handsome com 
 pliments. Received a letter from President Everett, stating 
 that the corporation had received my resignation. 
 
 March 12. Last evening, had a very successful meeting 
 of the club. Remarks by Mr. Teschmacher, on crystalli 
 zation by clay ; Dr. C. T. Jackson, on petrifaction by iron ; 
 Mr. George B. Emerson, on the beauty of trees ; Mr. Hays, 
 on decomposition of lead water-pipes. Concluded by show 
 ing my Zeuglodon. 
 
 May 6. Received a letter from Dr. Gould, informing 
 me that I am elected President of the Natural-History 
 Society ; quite unexpectedly to me. 
 
1846.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 373 
 
 June 11. Wrote a letter of condolence, and thanks 
 for their donation to the Natural-History Society, to the 
 Binney Family. v 
 
 Sent a note to Dr. M. Gay, recommending that Drs. Jack 
 son and Morton should settle their dispute in applying 
 jointly to the British Parliament ; and offered to aid them. 
 
 July 5. Went to town early this morning. For some 
 time, could not get access to my house, owing to the crowd. 
 Visited Mr. Thompson's collection of pictures ; many of 
 them very fine. Paid my respects to the Mayor. Professor 
 Gibbes, of Charleston, S.C., called to see the Zeuglodon ; 
 thinks it should be called by Harlan's name^ Basilosau- 
 rus ; says Professor Emmons has retained casts of all the 
 interesting parts. Professor Gibbes is about to publish on 
 the subject, and made some important alterations from my 
 specimens. Professor Mitchell, from Philadelphia, also 
 called. He says that Professor Henry will be appointed, 
 instead of Dr. Hare ; and, if he declines, Professor William 
 Ropes, who, he thinks, will answer best. Dined with the 
 Society of Cincinnati, and was admitted honorary member. 
 Got home at seven, with much fatigue. 
 
 Nov. 2. Arranged a memorial to Congress on the sub 
 ject of ether. 
 
 Made an arrangement with Mr. Ticknor for printing an 
 article on the subject of ether. 
 
 Nov. 11. Received a communication from the City 
 Government, requesting a Report on the best material to 
 bring water into houses. Saw the Mayor and the Water 
 Commissioners this morning, and sent out notes requesting 
 opinions of Drs. Hayes, Webster, C. T. Jackson, Messrs. 
 Teschmacher and G. M. Dexter. 
 
 Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day. In the morning, visited 
 patients. At eleven, attended at Brattle-street Church. At 
 one, went to Brooklirie. At three o'clock, family dinner, 
 
374 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. ^ET. 69. 
 
 eighteen at table ; afterwards six grandchildren, besides two 
 at the table ; making eight. In the evening, about twelve 
 more of the family, including Mr. Winthrop and Miss Tap- 
 pan. Broke up at ten and a half. Mr. and Mrs. S. W. staid 
 over night and the next day. 
 
 Nov. 27. Yesterday, P.M., went to see, at the Museum, 
 a Bushman-boy, said to be seventeen years old. He had 
 high cheek-bones, turned-up eyes, projecting chin, good 
 teeth, protuberant belly and nates, skin Mulatto-like, hair 
 crisped very close. 
 
 Dec. 14. Last evening, had the meeting of the church- 
 choir here ; nine in the whole. Music fine. Wrote a note 
 to Mr. Tuckerman, advising practice in the church. 
 
 Dec. 16. Last evening, Natural-History Society at my 
 house ; Bishop Potter with them. Had the singing mouse. 
 This morning, letter from Professor Webster on water-pipes. 
 Five operations this morning at the Infirmary ; among 
 others, anchylosis of the right arm, from fracture of the 
 external condyle ; removed under the influence of ether. 
 
 Dec. 17. Last evening, meeting of the club at Mr. 
 William Appleton's. Long discussion on water-pipes. This 
 morning, went to Cambridge early to see Dr. Webster. 
 Examined his collection of fossil specimens of Saurians, &c. 
 I agreed to purchase them of him, the specimens being, as 
 he says, about five hundred in number, together with the 
 geological transactions complete, for three hundred dollars. 
 Paid him this day. Wrote a letter to McGruigan regarding 
 the Elephant Pizarro. Sent the catalogue of anatomical 
 preparations at the Medical College to Dr. J. B. S. Jackson, 
 curator. Sent to President Everett two papers, one 
 containing my donation of the anatomical museum to 
 Harvard University, for the use of the Medical School ; 
 the other containing an historical sketch of the formation 
 of the collection. 
 
1847.] LETTERS. 375 
 
 Dr. Warren to Dr. Jackson. 
 
 BOSTON, Dec. 16, 1847. 
 
 DEAR SIR, I send you a catalogue of the anatomical 
 preparations I have placed in the museum of the Medical 
 College. There may be inserted in the catalogue some 
 which are not to he found, and others in the museum which 
 have not been inserted. 
 
 After the lectures are over, I propose to go over the col 
 lection, correct the list, and if many alterations are neces 
 sary, from change of arrangement or any other cause, to 
 have a new copy made. 
 
 "Very truly yours, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
 Dr. J. B. S. JACKSON. 
 
 Dr. Warren to President Everett. 
 
 BOSTON, Dec. 16, 1847. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I beg leave to send you two papers, 
 one containing a brief sketch of the history of the Anatomical 
 Museum ; the other, a gift of that collection, with five thou 
 sand dollars, to the University, on certain conditions. 
 
 If you should think it desirable to make any changes in 
 the latter, please to inform me before presenting it to the 
 corporation. 
 
 Tery respectfully 
 
 Your friend and servant, 
 
 J. C. WARREN. 
 
376 DOMESTIC JOURNAL. ^T. 69. 
 
 Dr. McGuigan to Dr. Warren. 
 
 MUSEUM BUILDING, PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 13, 1847. 
 
 DEAR SIR, I am glad to give you the information you 
 desire. 
 
 The Elephant Pizarro* was imported in 1833. He 
 backed off the wharf after landing from the vessel at this 
 city, and fractured his thigh-bone. He was unable to walk 
 for six months, and limped for several years afterwards. 
 He weighed nine thousand nine hundred and eighty pounds, 
 and is supposed to have been twenty years old. He has 
 wounded a large number of persons at different times, but 
 never killed any one. 
 
 I send you the snake I promised, by the package ex 
 press. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 WM. McGuiGAN. 
 
 To Dr. J. C. WARREN, Boston. 
 
 Dec. 20. This morning, wrote a letter of introduc 
 tion to Dr. Hosack for the Rev. Dr. Scoresby. Received 
 three hundred and fifty-four fossil specimens from Dr. 
 Webster, and volumes of the " Geological Transactions." 
 Gave to Mrs. M. W. Mrs. Hannah More's works, eight 
 volumes ; and to Mrs. D. the works of Bossuet (French), 
 sixteen volumes. 
 
 Dec. 22. Last evening, meeting of the choir at the 
 church. Arrangements made for a second choir, at the ex 
 pense of three hundred dollars per annum. 
 
 * The skeleton is now in the Warren Museum of Natural History, 91, Chestnut 
 Street. 
 
1847.] DOMESTIC JOURNAL. 377 
 
 Dec. 23. Sent to Moses Grant one hundred dollars for 
 the use of the temperance cause. Operation at the Hospi 
 tal on a tumor, under etherization. Read the full account 
 of Dr. Deane and Professor Hitchcock's controversy on 
 ornithicnites. 
 
 Dec. 29. Passed some hours in the morning in experi 
 menting with chloroform on various patients and some 
 medical gentlemen at the Hospital. Made some experi 
 ments on its physical and chemical properties, and prepared 
 an additional article to the paper on " Etherization." Put 
 up for England, in a box committed to Harnden, thirty-eight 
 copies of " Etherization," and four copies of Dr. Holmes's 
 Introductory Discourse. Wrote to Mr. Scurving, nursery- 
 gardener and seedsman, Liverpool. 
 
 Dec. 31. Sent twenty dollars to Mr. Rand, in New 
 York, formerly a painter in London, very poor. Received 
 Mr. Appleton's account ; found to be correct. Delivered a 
 certificate of fifty shares in the North-Adams Railroad, 
 worth five thousand dollars, to Mr. William Appleton, to 
 be delivered to Harvard University as a donation. Had 
 an interview with Colonel Magennis, of an hour's duration. 
 Last evening, at the club, inhaled chloroform, or perchloride 
 of formyle. It was administered on a linen handkerchief. 
 Dr. J. applied it so close to the nostrils, that no air could be 
 admitted with it. The consequence was a sense of heat pass 
 ing in the nostrils down into the lungs, like the inhalation 
 of flame. This lasted for some hours, with a constant incli 
 nation to expectorate. Insensibility came on slowly, and 
 was not complete, owing to the impossibility of free inhala 
 tion. Passed an hour this evening in settling annual bills 
 with Mr. Smith. Notes to President Everett and Mr. N. I. 
 Bowditch. Letter to Colonel Magennis. Letter to Mr. 
 Lacerte for a musk-ox. 
 
 48 
 
378 NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE. [^Ex. 68. 
 
 In February, 1846, as appears from the journal, 
 Dr. Warren consulted with Mr. William Appleton in 
 regard to the comparative expediency of erecting a 
 new Medical College on land in Grove Street, offered 
 by Dr. George Parkman; or of enlarging the old 
 College Building, which was now insufficient for the 
 wants of the Medical School. 
 
 The former plan was decided upon. It was agreed 
 to accept the liberal offer of Dr. Parkman ; and Dr. 
 Warren drew up a paper upon the subject of a sub 
 scription for this object. The donation above men 
 tioned, however, and the sale of the old College, 
 supplied the principal means. This sale was effected 
 with so great rapidity, and under such terms, that, as 
 the new building would not be ready for some time, 
 the professors, with their preparations and apparatus, 
 were nearly turned out into the street. Fortunately, 
 the Professor of Anatomy was able to make an 
 arrangement with the purchasers for the use of the 
 building, at one hundred dollars per month. 
 
 The new building went on with good speed, and 
 was ready for occupation at the time for commencing 
 the lectures in November. Nov. 4, it was opened 
 with appropriate ceremonies, and an Address from 
 Mr. Everett, then President of Harvard College. 
 This was followed by an Address from Dr. Hay- 
 ward. 
 
 May 26, 1846, a Medical Convention was held in 
 New York, from all parts of the United States ; 
 which resulted in the formation of an American 
 
1846.] MASTODON. 379 
 
 Medical Association, which have since held annual 
 meetings in the different cities of the Union, some 
 account of which will be given hereafter. 
 
 In June, Dr. Warren made a visit to the South. 
 At Philadelphia, he examined the mastodon in Peale's 
 Museum; which was quite an imperfect one, many 
 of the parts being supplied by wood. He visited also 
 the other public institutions, and attended a meeting 
 of the Society of Natural Sciences. At the Hall of 
 the Philosophical Society, he found a large collection 
 of fossil bones, sufficient to form a fine museum of 
 themselves. By Dr. Hosack's request, he operated 
 upon one of his patients. 
 
 1846 was an eventful year in the medical history 
 of Boston. The establishment of the new Medical 
 College, which was so soon to become of unfortunate 
 notoriety as connected with the fate of its benefactor, 
 has already been related. 
 
 On the 16th of October, Dr. Warren performed 
 an operation with a preparation which he received 
 from Dr. Morton, and which was soon ascertained 
 to be sulphuric ether. This was the first surgical , 
 operation under the influence of ether, though Dr. 
 Morton had previously used it in the extraction of 
 teeth. A full notice of this subject will be found in 
 the Biographical Notes. 
 
 The bones of the mastodon, discovered the preced 
 ing year, which he had purchased, were now a 
 subject of great interest and occupation ; the arrange 
 ment of the bones requiring much study and scientific 
 
380 WATER-PIPES. 
 
 knowledge. Oct. 20, he had them removed to his 
 house. In this month, the meetings of the club for 
 scientific conversation, in which he had taken so 
 much interest, commenced. The club was formed 
 under the name of the Warren Club, in honor of its 
 founder ; but the name was subsequently changed, at 
 his desire, to the Thursday-evening Club. 
 
 In answer to the City Government, requesting his 
 opinion with regard to the material to be used for 
 pipes for conveying the Cochituate water into houses, 
 a very full Eeport was prepared by the consulting 
 physicians, and sent in the month of April following, 
 after obtaining the opinion of the most distinguished 
 chemists and other scientific men. It entered very 
 fully into a discussion of the subject, and considera 
 tion of the various materials employed. It was 
 published by order of the City Government. The 
 conclusions arrived at were, that, 
 
 1. Pipes made of cast or wrought iron may be 
 safely used, as far as health is concerned. 
 
 2. That copper pipes, effectually tinned by reliable 
 workmen, are safe, so long as the inner coating keeps 
 in repair. 
 
 3. That though leaden pipes, under certain circum 
 stances, communicate a highly deleterious quality to 
 the water, yet, in open waters from which large cities 
 have been supplied, no practical evil of a general 
 nature is known to have resulted ; and, with proper 
 precautions, they may be safely used. 
 
1846.] INTRODUCTION OF ETHER. 381 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 PAPER ON THE INTRODUCTION OF ETHER. 
 
 IT has already been stated, that on the 16th of Octo 
 ber, 1846, Dr. Warren performed the first operation 
 in which ether was used. 
 
 By request, as he states, of R. H. Eddy, Esq., on 
 behalf of Dr. Morton, on the 3d of December, he 
 communicated an account of the operations which he 
 had witnessed or performed, wherein the new agent 
 was employed. This account was published in the 
 thirty-fifth volume of the " Boston Medical and Surgi 
 cal Journal." 
 
 The first operation, he says, was for a tumor upon 
 the neck, requiring a protracted dissection among 
 important nerves and blood-vessels. Although the 
 etherization was imperfect, the effect of the agent was 
 made perfectly distinct to his mind. On the following 
 day, an operation was performed by Dr. Hayward ; 
 the respiration of the gas was continued through the 
 whole operation ; and there was no exhibition of pain, 
 except a few groans during its last stage. 
 
 The success of the process being established, he 
 conceived it his duty to introduce it into the Hospital. 
 But here a difficulty arose. The surgeons had 
 
382 INTRODUCTION OF ETHER. [^T. 68. 
 
 used Dr. Morton's apparatus and his preparation, 
 the nature of which was kept secret ; and they were 
 informed that he intended to apply for a patent. In 
 this case, it was contrary to the rules of the profession 
 to employ it. After a conversation with Dr. Hay- 
 ward, however, Dr. Morton agreed to make known 
 the article. He was invited to continue his experi 
 ments at the Hospital ; and, on the 7th of November, 
 attended at a painful and protracted operation, per 
 formed by Dr. Warren, for excision of a portion of 
 the lower jaw, in which the pain was greatly miti 
 gated ; and also an amputation of the thigh, by Dr. 
 Hayward, in which the ether appeared to be entirely 
 successful in preventing pain. 
 
 On the 12th of November, an operation was per 
 formed, by Dr. J. Mason Warren, for the removal of a 
 tumor from the arm. The unconsciousness of pain 
 was so complete, Dr. Warren states, that he was not 
 aware the operation had begun until it was nearly 
 ended. 
 
 On the 21st of November, there was another opera 
 tion, by Dr. J. Mason Warren, for the removal of 
 a tumor, which covered nearly half the front of the 
 right thigh. The patient stated he felt no pain 
 during the operation, and he was unconscious that it 
 had taken place. 
 
 Dr. Warren concludes this paper by congratulating 
 his " professional brethren on the acquisition of a 
 mode of mitigating human suffering, which may 
 become a valuable agent in the hands of careful and 
 
1846.] INTRODUCTION OF ETHER. 383 
 
 well-instructed practitioners, even if it should not 
 prove of such general application as the imagination 
 of sanguine persons would lead them to anticipate." 
 
 This extract displays the habitual caution of Dr. 
 Warren. It is very probable this caution gave greater 
 weight to his opinions, which were soon communi 
 cated in letters to his friends in Europe. The sanc 
 tion given by one so well known, and possessed of so 
 many distinguished medical friends abroad, secured to 
 this discovery a prompt and earnest reception ; and it 
 was tried everywhere, without that distrust which, 
 in general, attends a new remedy. Its success is mat 
 ter of universal knowledge. 
 
 It may now be matter of some amusement to recol 
 lect not only the popular ideas of the time, but that 
 of grave journals. All agreed that a means had been 
 found of annihilating pain, without disturbing con 
 sciousness. This was an error. It was subsequently 
 found, that this agent, like every thing else, had its 
 imperfections. The time for miracles in surgery had 
 not yet come ; nor was mankind yet to be delivered 
 from its sore enemy, pain. It probably will now be 
 allowed, that insensibility to pain cannot be produced 
 without loss of consciousness and of memory ; and it 
 may well be questioned, whether the habitual use of 
 ether would not be attended with as ill or worse- 
 effects than that of opium or alcohol. Probably there 
 are few medical men, who, if now called upon to give 
 up one of the two, would not part with ether and 
 chloroform, rather than with opium. 
 
384: ETHER IN SURGICAL OPERATIONS. [JET. 68. 
 
 While opium, therefore, must still hold the first 
 rank as a permanent assuager of pain, an invaluable 
 blessing to mankind, ether and its companions or 
 substitutes have settled down in their place as regular 
 medical agents. General opinion has become adverse 
 to their use in slight cases : but, for important ope 
 rations, they must still be considered invaluable ; 
 and, used only in such cases, will seldom have any 
 permanent ill effect upon the brain or the general 
 system. 
 
 Dr. Warren's observations upon the history of ether 
 are here given in his Biographical Notes : 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 The introduction of ether into surgical operations was 
 done by my hands. Mr. W. T. G. Morton, a dentist, of 
 Boston, called on me to say he had found the means of pre 
 venting pain in surgical operations ; and he was so sanguine 
 in regard to his new application, that I agreed to employ it 
 on the first opportunity. 
 
 The prevention of pain in surgical operations had been a 
 subject I had discussed almost annually in my lectures. I 
 had tried many experiments myself, and had allowed mes- 
 merites and magnetizers to make their trials. 
 
 Nothing, however, had the desired effect, in any degree, 
 but opium ; and in cases which threatened to be very 
 painful, as in a case of lithotomy, if I saw no objection, I 
 was in the habit of giving to grown males eight or ten 
 grains, with some degree of effect in obtunding the pain. 
 
 The use of ether, after a few trials, became quite satis 
 factory ; and, from that time, few surgical operations were 
 
1846.] ETHER IN SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 385 
 
 performed in Boston without it. Many hundred operations 
 have been done by Dr. Mason Warren and myself with 
 ether ; and, considering the great power of this agent, it 
 is wonderful we are able to say, that no important ill conse 
 quence at any time has occurred. 
 
 A little more than a year after the introduction of ether, 
 Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, very unluckily introduced 
 chloroform as a substitute. Chloroform was already known 
 to chemists, and had been used as an anaesthetic by Mr. 
 Bell, of London, the previous summer. Soon after, a series 
 of deaths from this substance began to take place, and 
 continued, till, in about two years, twenty deaths had oc 
 curred. Having previously published " Ether, with Surgical 
 Remarks," containing an account of ether, and of a number 
 of surgical cases and new operations in which it had been 
 happily employed, I felt myself bound to show the dan 
 gerous effects of chloroform, and to warn surgeons against 
 the use of it. Moreover, I thought it best to recommend 
 ether in the place of it, or, what I particularly preferred, 
 " strong chloric ether," which I had directed to be pre 
 pared as a substitute. This is preferable to the other, 
 with the exception that it makes the face smart ; an incon 
 venience which can be avoided by rubbing the face with 
 ointment. 
 
 The first publication I ever made on ether was a news 
 paper article, soon after its introduction. I also wrote 
 letters to the South, recommending it ; and to the " British 
 and Foreign Medical Review," in London, and the " Paris 
 Medical Gazette." In the latter part of 1847, 1 published 
 " Etherization, with Surgical Remarks ; " and, in the year 
 after, objections to chloroform (effects of chloroform and 
 strong chloric ether as narcotic agents). I should also 
 mention, that, as much as forty years ago, I recommended 
 
 49 
 
386 DISCOVERY OF ETHER. [JET. 69. 
 
 and employed sulphuric ether in alleviating the last pains, 
 particularly from pulmonary diseases. In such a way, I 
 employed it for Thomas Davis, Esq., at that time Treasurer 
 of the State ; also for my sister, Mrs. Brown, to relieve 
 pain. 
 
 About two years before Morton made his application to 
 me, Dr. Wells, of Connecticut, applied for leave to intro 
 duce the nitrous oxide, or exhilarating gas, in the Massa 
 chusetts Medical College. I agreed to it ; and he made the 
 trial, but not with such success as to command attention. 
 I have seen it used, however, since, with a decided anaes 
 thetic effect. But it is not so convenient as ether, and not 
 so safe ; for it prevents the oxygenation of the blood to an 
 alarming degree. 
 
 It was not until some time after I had used ether, that, 
 in a conversation between Dr. Charles T. Jackson, Dr. 
 Gould, and myself, I learned that it was on the suggestion 
 of Dr. Jackson that Mr. Morton was first led to use ether 
 to prevent pain. A violent controversy subsequently took 
 place between Drs. Jackson and Morton, and I was fre 
 quently appealed to for evidence on the subject. The 
 amount of what I know may be comprised in few words. 
 Dr. Jackson suggested the use of ether to Morton, and Dr. 
 Morton first employed it to prevent pain in the extraction 
 of teeth ; and, at his request, I first used it in a surgical 
 operation. Dr. Jackson has also stated to me, that he 
 advised Mr. Morton to apply to me to use it in a surgical 
 operation. 
 
1847.] CHLOROFORM. 387 
 
 " Etherization " was published in the latter part of 
 1847 ; giving the results derived from a year's expe 
 rience of this agent, and from over two hundred 
 cases in which it was used, or its employment wit 
 nessed, by the writer. It forms a neat little volume 
 of one hundred pages, and gives an account of the 
 operations of importance in which it had been used. 
 At the Hospital and in private practice, it had con 
 tinued to be used with uniform success. 
 
 By request of a distinguished person in Canada, 
 Dr. Warren prepared an article for the "American 
 Journal of Medical Sciences" for April, 1849, in 
 which he goes into an examination of the effects of 
 chloroform as a narcotic agent. 
 
 " The introduction of chloroform," he says, " pro 
 duced an excitement scarcely less than that of the 
 discovery of the narcotic effect of ether. The beauty 
 of the article, and the rapidity of its influence, gave 
 it an immediate and general currency ; for not only 
 was it employed by physicians, but the community 
 took the narcotozing drug into their own hands, and, 
 from the highest to the lowest, indulged themselves 
 in the chloroform excitement. 
 
 " We were soon awakened from our dreams of the 
 delightful influence of the new agent by the occur 
 rence of unfortunate and painful consequences, which 
 had not followed in this country on the practice of 
 etherization." 
 
 The writer goes on to examine the different cases 
 which had been reported of the fatal results of chlo- 
 
388 CHLOROFORM. [JEn. 69. 
 
 roform, and of the appearances shown by post-mortem 
 examinations. 
 
 The conclusion which he forms is, " that chloro 
 form, containing the narcotic principle in a highly 
 concentrated state, like many other powerful agents 
 in the materia medica, although it may be employed 
 in this state in some instances, yet, in common prac 
 tice, should be used, if at all, in a diluted form." 
 
 On hearing of the fatal cases under the use of 
 chloroform, Dr. Warren was led to resume his expe 
 riments with chloric ether, prepared, by his order, 
 in a highly concentrated state. The result of these 
 experiments was favorable. He considered it as 
 irritating the lungs less, its inhalation as more agree 
 able ; and it never produced headache in the operator 
 or the bystanders, as was sometimes the case from 
 sulphuric ether. 
 
 He always retained his preference for chloric 
 ether. It does not seem, however, to have ever 
 become a general favorite. Those surgeons who had 
 become accustomed to the use of sulphuric ether 
 adhered to it ; while the effects of chloric ether were 
 not rapid enough for those who had become used to 
 chloroform, and who have believed, that, when pure, 
 its cautious use, in proper cases, is unattended with 
 danger. Professor Erichsen, in his treatise on the 
 "Science and Art of Surgery" (second edition, 1857), 
 after noticing the means proposed by Dr. Warren for 
 obviating one of the disadvantages of ether, that 
 of irritating the cutaneous surface by anointing the 
 
1847.] DEATHS FROM CHLOROFORM. 389 
 
 face with some protecting unguent, says, " The 
 fatal consequences which have attended the employ 
 ment of chloroform, has caused the American sur 
 geons almost entirely to trust to ether in preference. 
 Certainly ether is a safer agent than chloroform, no 
 death having, as yet, resulted from its administration ; 
 and the only argument in favor of the use of chloro 
 form over ether is, chloroform is the most convenient 
 agent, its effects being produced more quickly, and 
 no disagreeable smell being left behind, as is the case 
 with ether. In fact, we use chloroform in preference 
 to ether, on the same principle that induces us to 
 incur the increased risk of an express, rather than 
 submit to the slower but safer progression of a par 
 liamentary train." 
 
 At this time, also, he published the "Effects of 
 Chloroform and of strong Chloric Ether as Narcotic 
 Agents," a little work of sixty-six pages, in the 
 octavo form. 
 
 In February, 1850, he contributed for the " Boston 
 Medical and Surgical Journal " " More Deaths from 
 Chloroform." Another year had elapsed, and there 
 had now been eighteen deaths from the use of this 
 article. Perhaps, when it is considered how exten 
 sively this -article was used, not only by professional 
 men, but by the ignorant and the careless (often for the 
 mere purpose of amusement or the pleasurable feel 
 ings excited), it may be surprising that the number 
 was not greater. It was enough, however, to claim 
 the serious and earnest attention of a medical man 
 
390 ETHER. [JEn. 69. 
 
 in the position of Dr. Warren. In this paper, he 
 gives an account of four cases of death from chloro 
 form. It must be considered a valuable contribution 
 to the history of anaesthetic agents ; and doubtless, 
 both from the weight of his authority and the pub 
 licity given to the fatal cases, contributed greatly to 
 restrain its incautious use. The comparative slow 
 ness by which the effects of the ethers are produced, 
 and their unpleasantness, must always be a restraint 
 upon their employment. There can be no doubt, 
 moreover, that the disgrace which fell upon chloro 
 form has acted strongly upon ether, rendering the 
 public more cautious or averse to it. 
 
 In concluding the subject of ether, a more faithful 
 portrait of the operator cannot be given than in the 
 following extract from a work lately published, on the 
 " Discovery of Etherization," by N. P. Rice, M.D. : 
 
 " The anatomical lecture which followed, delivered by Dr. 
 John C. Warren, whose recent death has left a void which 
 can never be filled, and whose singular request, as regards 
 the disposition of his remains, shows the devotee of science 
 and the reasoning man, always secured a crowd of eager 
 students. The Venus de Medici and Belvidere Apollo (the 
 first in marble, the second in plaster) stood sentinels at each 
 side of the door which he entered. A long . table for the 
 reception of any specimens or preparations which he de 
 signed to exhibit, and before which he stood when lecturing, 
 a number of carefully prepared diagrams and models, were 
 all that disturbed the simple character of the room. 
 
 " The Professor, full of years and honors, was at this time 
 in the zenith of his fame, and in the full enjoyment of the 
 
1847.] ETHER. 391 
 
 confidence and esteem of his fellow-practitioners and the 
 public. . . . 
 
 " His appearance was remarkable, and such as to attract 
 the attention of every one who came in contact with him. 
 His almost painfully thin yet upright form ; his high fore 
 head, covered with scanty gray hair ; his shaggy eyebrows 
 shading his bright, piercing eye ; the deep lines in his 
 strongly marked face, all showed the man of iron will, 
 and cool, fearless determination. Nor was this in any way 
 disproved by the high, brusk, authoritative tones of his voice 
 when lecturing, or about to engage in some operation. 
 Here the wonderful steadiness of his hand, the unyielding, 
 unimpressionable character of his nervous system, when 
 interested in any detail of his profession, showed one reason 
 for his professional success, and the benefits which he had 
 been enabled to confer on so many of his fellow-men. It 
 has been said that he was cold, haughty, and even unfeel 
 ing ; that he looked upon and cared for nothing beyond his 
 own success and reputation ; that he regarded suffering 
 humanity but as a medium for the exhibition of his skill 
 and knowledge : but how well was this afterward disproved, 
 when he had given up the active exercise of his profession ! 
 To him, medicine, the world over, but especially in Massa 
 chusetts, owes much ; and his strenuous efforts and subse 
 quent success in the legalization of dissection, and many 
 dissertations and selected cases, will bear their fruits as long 
 as the ars curandi shall remain a praiseworthy pursuit for 
 man. Nor has science less cause to thank him for his exer 
 tions ; and his museum of comparative anatomy, and 
 carefully prepared collection of fossil remains, remain as 
 enduring monuments of his patience and industry. His 
 lectures, full of sound instruction for the student of sur 
 gery, and of simple, plainly stated facts for the novice in 
 
392 ETHER. [^ET. G9. 
 
 descriptive anatomy, were freely illustrated by cases from 
 his varied and extensive practice, together with such bits of 
 information as he knew would prove useful, and which 
 could not be acquired in any other way. Peace to his 
 ashes ! and may honor always cling to the memory of this 
 high-minded, humane man and bold surgeon, whose happy 
 lot it was to be the first to use publicly (regardless of 
 sneers and doubts) that soother of anguish, whose advent he 
 rejoiced in as much as the many whose sufferings it re 
 lieved ! " 
 
1847.] RESIGNATION OF PROFESSORSHIP. 393 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 RESIGNATION OF HIS PROFESSORSHIP. LECTURES. 
 
 IN November, 1846, Dr. Warren formed the reso 
 lution to resign his professorship in Harvard College, 
 and wrote a letter to that effect ; but, after a conver 
 sation with President Everett, he concluded to defer 
 it for that time. 
 
 On the 15th of February next, however, he sent in 
 his resignation. On the 2d of March, 1847, he gave 
 his last lecture to the medical class, it being the 
 termination of the course for the season. A very 
 large audience was present; consisting not only of 
 physicians and students, but of many gentlemen 
 from other professions. After a brief history of the 
 medical institution, the professor went on to give 
 some advice to the students as to their future career. 
 He advises them to cultivate in their leisure the 
 higher branches of the literature of their profession, 
 to cultivate a kind and cheerful spirit, and to evince a 
 sympathy for their patients. He dwells particularly 
 upon the conduct due from one medical man to 
 another, avoiding every thing that may be to the 
 prejudice of a rival practitioner. " Prosecutions for 
 mal-practice, which have become so frequent," he 
 says, " have almost always been traced to the private 
 
 50 
 
394 VALEDICTORY LECTURE. [>ET. 69. 
 
 hostility of a rival in the professional career. It may 
 be said, that, while they deeply wound the character 
 of the party assailed, their malignant influence almost 
 always extends to him from whom they had their 
 origin." He concluded by wishing for the students a 
 continued zeal in the prosecution of their studies, and 
 abundant opportunities of relieving the poor; an 
 adequate reward for their labors from the rich; and, 
 above all, a conscientious discharge of their duties 
 through life. 
 
 The proceedings of the Corporation, upon the 
 resignation of Dr. J. C. Warren, are given below : 
 
 At a stated meeting of the President and Fellows of the 
 University, in Boston, Feb. 27, 1847, the President laid 
 before the Corporation the following communication from 
 Dr. Warren, resigning his professorship. (Here follows in 
 the records a copy of Dr. Warren's letter.) 
 
 Whereupon, Voted, That, in accepting the resignation of 
 Dr. Warren as Hersey Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, 
 this Board is deeply sensible of the important services 
 rendered to the University by Dr. Warren, and holds in 
 grateful recollection the successful exertions made by him 
 for a period of more than forty years, and in continuance of 
 those of his honored father, to raise the character and pro 
 mote the interests of the Medical School. 
 
 Voted, That Dr. Warren be requested to continue in 
 the discharge of the duties of his office till the close of the 
 present academic year. 
 
 Voted, That the President be requested to communicate 
 to Dr. Warren a copy of the foregoing votes, with the assu 
 rance that this Board cordially reciprocates the friendly and 
 
1847.] RESIGNATION OF PROFESSORSHIP. 395 
 
 respectful sentiments expressed towards the Corporation 
 and the University in his letter of resignation. 
 
 On vote by ballot, Dr. John C. Warren was chosen 
 Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the Univer 
 sity, in consideration of his faithful and valuable services 
 as Hersey Professor of Anatomy and Surgery. 
 
 A true copy of record, 
 
 JAMES WALKER, Secretary. 
 
 This terminated the connection which he had held 
 for forty years with Harvard College as Professor of 
 Anatomy and Surgery. 
 
 Dr. Holmes, who succeeded Dr. Warren in the pro 
 fessorship of anatomy, gave the Introductory Lecture 
 to the course, upon the 13th of November, 1847. 
 
 After alluding to the advanced state of the science 
 of medicine in New England, he pays a warm tribute 
 to the memory of the first incumbent and virtual 
 founder of the professorship, whose eloquence was 
 such, " that the dryest bone of the human body became 
 in his hands the subject of animated and agreeable 
 description." Alluding to the many monuments of 
 his skill and industry which enrich the collection at 
 the Medical College, he goes on to say : 
 
 " His name would have been daily on our lips, had not a 
 still longer life, one still more crowded with scientific and 
 practical achievements, quenched, in the broad light of the 
 present, the decaying splendors of the past. 
 
 " I shall not anticipate the task of another, at some future, 
 and, as we trust, far-distant period, by enumerating all that 
 is memorable in the public and professional life of my imme- 
 
396 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. \_JEfl. 69. 
 
 diate predecessor in this office. But his long devotion to 
 its duties, and the almost unparalleled fidelity with which, 
 in the midst of countless distractions, he continued for year 
 after year to give his hours to the students of science, 
 hours which no importunity could win, and no gold could 
 purchase, these claims to our gratitude it cannot be inde 
 licate to mention. And at the close of this life-long series 
 of services, as he gave into younger hands the task which 
 no premature infirmity had made too laborious for his own, 
 the crowning act of liberality in bestowing his ample collec 
 tions, and the noble endowment with which they were 
 accompanied, cannot be passed over without one hearty and 
 unstudied outbreak of the feelings called forth by every 
 generous act from every heart capable of any honest emo 
 tion. The wanderer among the monuments of the dead 
 may read the following words upon the tombstone of the 
 elder Warren : 
 
 Medicus inter primes, 
 Chirurgus facile princeps, 
 
 NovangliEe 
 
 Primam medicina? scholam 
 
 Ipsius laboribus fundatam, 
 
 Per XXX annos 
 
 Doctrina sustulit, 
 
 Eloquentia illuminavit. 
 
 " There is another inscription which might be written 
 upon marble ; but no lapidary is needed to carve the legend 
 deeper than it will be engraved in its simple truth in the 
 memory of this and succeeding generations : 
 
 Filius patre dignus 
 
 Novangliee 
 
 Prrmam medicinse scholam 
 
 Per XL annos 
 
 Ingenio ornavit, 
 
 Celebritate illustravit ; 
 
 In omne aevum 
 Munificentia amplificavit." 
 
1847.] LECTURES. 397 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 My father being Professor of Anatomy, I was naturally 
 led, when I began to study medicine, to think of following 
 him in this course. This was, however, an occasional 
 thought only ; for I had not then, nor for many years after, 
 a sufficient degree of confidence to lead me to believe I 
 should ever be able to fill such a place with satisfaction to 
 myself or to others. But attending lectures of various 
 professors, and taking notes (which I always did), I became 
 gradually interested in the matter of lecturing. In Edin 
 burgh, I joined the Royal Physical Society. This society 
 met once a week, or once a fortnight, and occupied itself 
 in discussing medical questions previously given out. 
 There were two such societies, one called the Royal 
 Medical ; and the other, the Royal Physical. The former 
 was resorted to by the English and Scotch students ; the 
 latter, by the American and Irish. Every student paid 
 from three to five guineas on entrance. From the fund 
 thus raised, which was very large, a handsome stone build 
 ing was erected, and a large and valuable library was 
 formed. When a question was proposed, it required a good 
 deal of study to dilate on it in the presence of a large body 
 of sharp-witted students. The debates were conducted in 
 a very orderly way, and some bright thoughts were occa 
 sionally struck out in them. Cullen's nervous theory was 
 said to have been first developed in the Royal Medical 
 Society ; and, if I mistake not, the Brunonian theory of 
 stimulus and collapse was broached and defended in the 
 Royal Physical Society. When I found courage enough to 
 address this society, it occurred to me, I might, perhaps, be 
 able to lecture ; and the many societies in which I engaged 
 after I returned home gave me an opportunity of acquiring 
 
398 LECTURES. [^ET. 69. 
 
 some degree of habit and confidence. The latter quality, 
 however, I never possessed in a degree sufficient to make a 
 good speaker ; and the want of it, till lately, induced occa 
 sionally a nervous state, which interfered with a due degree 
 of self-possession. Perhaps I did not take sufficient pains 
 in elaborating my language previous to speaking. My plan 
 was to study the subject of the lecture, whatever it might 
 be, thoroughly, and then put on paper notes arranged 
 methodically into divisions and subdivisions, so that there 
 might be, in regard to the lungs, for example, five general 
 divisions, situation, form, volume, consistence, color. 
 Then, in another lecture, would come structure, with its 
 divisions and subdivisions. I made a point always to illus 
 trate each part by physiological and practical remarks, or 
 by some peculiar and striking display of the parts demon-" 
 strated ; but was always a little apt to hurry, from the 
 apprehension of being tedious. The only thing that carried 
 me along comfortably was a knowledge of the fact, that my 
 lectures were always attended at least as fully as any others ; 
 and at Cambridge, where the accommodation was not 
 great, the lecture-room was overflowed. In the Cambridge 
 course, I made it a constant object to direct the thoughts of 
 the students in such a way as to produce some practical 
 moral improvement. To manage this effectually, without 
 getting among tlie students the reputation of sermonizing, 
 which would have been apt to defeat my object, was not 
 always easy. But I have constantly had the satisfaction of 
 learning, from those who attended medical lectures, that 
 they had derived information which had been very impor 
 tant to them in the conduct of life. 
 
 The most difficult lectures to deliver, in my course, were 
 those on the surgical operations. The labor here was double : 
 first, of describing the anatomy, pathology, and practice of an 
 
1847.] LECTURES. 399 
 
 operation ; and, secondly, of doing the operation in a cor 
 rect and striking manner. This could be accomplished only 
 by great practice of all possible operations on the dead 
 body ; but, as there were never sufficient subjects at com 
 mand, it was necessary to do this at other times, when 
 subjects and time could be commanded. So I generally 
 spent some weeks, after the lectures concluded, in going 
 through all the operations which are known, and all that I 
 could devise ; and always, when time permitted, I went 
 through the manoeuvres of the operation before the lecture, 
 so far as was practicable. For example, fistula lachrymalis, 
 passing probangs, &c., always required previous operation 
 to ascertain that there was no insuperable obstacle to its 
 performance. Ultimately, I became able to do the opera 
 tions in a more satisfactory way, by being careful not to 
 attempt too much in one lecture. I was often obliged, 
 however, to do eight or ten amputations in a single lecture, 
 and do them all with precision and effect. When it is con 
 sidered that the lectures were given in the midst of a full 
 practice, and I was often delayed by inevitable occurrences 
 from being at the lecture-room seasonably to dissect and 
 prepare the subject, and as I always made a point of 
 beginning punctually, it will readily be seen that there was 
 much danger of imperfection in my anatomical demonstra 
 tions. I was necessarily compelled, before lecturing, to go 
 over every part which had been dissected, to remove its im 
 perfections and supply its deficiencies. The arrangements 
 preliminary to the presentation of each part to the student's 
 eye required a good deal of thought, time, and practical 
 tact. If I was to do the same work over again, I would not 
 attempt .to lecture and practise at the same time. It is 
 impossible to give a course of lectures on anatomy consist 
 ently with a full medical practice. My anatomical lectures 
 
400 LECTURES. [JET. 69. 
 
 were, for many years, six a week, besides hospital visits and 
 operations ; and for some time, besides the lectures on 
 anatomy and surgery, I gave an- additional lecture in the 
 evening, once or twice a week, on the principles of surgery. 
 How this was accomplished, I cannot now understand, 
 accomplished, I mean, without my being overpowered by 
 the pressure. But, in fact, although exhausted by the 
 effort of descriptive and demonstrative lectures, I never 
 felt any general failure of strength from this cause. So far 
 as depended on me, this arose from, first, method ; second, 
 careful living ; third, getting a little repose in the day. 
 
 First, as to plan. My arrangements for the day were 
 made on the evening before, by making a regular list of my 
 patients to be visited, and by arranging in my own mind 
 other affairs to be done. For the latter I trusted to 
 memory, and rarely made any note ; the reason of which 
 omission has been, that I did not feel the want of such 
 a memorandum. Such an omission, however, I should not 
 recommend to others ; unless, as happened to Sir John 
 Richardson, they were in the habit of neglecting to consult 
 their written memoranda. I made an arrangement one 
 evening with him to call for him with my carriage the next 
 morning at half-past eight. He took a note of the engage 
 ment. When I arrived on the following morning, he had 
 gone out. I thought, at first, it was from a misunderstand 
 ing of the time ; but he called on me a few hours after, and, 
 apologizing very handsomely, said he had trusted altogether 
 to his notes for the recollection, but had unluckily forgotten 
 to examine them. 
 
 In regard to the second head, that is, careful living, 
 my general plan has been to rise at half-past five, A.M., in 
 summer, and at half-past six in winter ; to breakfast, 
 taking about a gill or a gill and a half of liquid (usually 
 
1847.] LECTURES. 401 
 
 coffee), four or five ounces of bread, and a little meat of 
 some kind ; tea, the same, with rather an increase 
 of liquid; at dinner, about a gill of liquid, more in hot 
 weather, two or three ounces of animal food, and five or 
 six of vegetable. For the last twenty or thirty years, fric 
 tions morning and evening, with a large circular brush 
 which I introduced into Boston, and partial baths: but, 
 within the last ten years, I have employed the shower-bath, 
 with frictions before and after the bath, every morning ; 
 and frictions, without the bath, every evening. Another 
 practice I will mention is to walk in my room every even 
 ing. This plan I adopted a great number of years ago, as 
 a substitute for foot-exercise in the course of the day ; being 
 compelled, particularly in the winter during the lectures, to 
 ride altogether. 
 
 The disuse of wine as an article of luxury has been a great 
 advantage. The accidental taking of any considerable quan 
 tity of animal fat has always seemed to paralyze my stomach. 
 This leads me to remark on the general state of my health. 
 Indigestion never troubled me seriously till about the 
 age of thirty. I then attributed it to the frequent dining 
 with military companies ; the long-drawn dinners, and use of 
 much wine on those occasions. The same causes, I suppose, 
 brought on the habit of constipation, which has required 
 constant attention. 
 
 About the year 1825, 1 found out the use of bread made 
 of unbolted flour, and introduced it into Boston, though with 
 great difficulty and much ridicule. An improvement on 
 this I introduced in 1846, in a still coarser wheat, broken 
 up finer than common hominy, and taken simply in the 
 boiled state with some condiment. I consider these two to 
 be great and valuable improvements, and, for most people, 
 the best way of remedying the common trouble of constipa- 
 
 51 
 
402 LECTURES. [JET. 69. 
 
 tion. Riding on horseback, also, was very beneficial to the 
 action of the digestive organs. This I followed from the 
 age of ten years to that of sixty and over. I sometimes 
 took journeys on horseback. Although always subject to 
 colds from very slight causes, I do not recollect any indis 
 position of importance not dependent on indigestion. I 
 had a slight febrile attack in Paris in 1801, and in Boston 
 in 1820 ; but nothing serious in either case. Attacks of 
 colic, and cramp in the stomach, have sometimes been very 
 formidable. I had a very serious attack in Liverpool after 
 the meeting of the British Association in 1837. This 
 seemed to arise from too much bread and butter for tea, in 
 a state of exhaustion. But I always thought the decompo 
 sition of the sugar in three -cups of tea was the principal 
 agent in bringing on the cramp. Since that time, from 
 greater care, I have avoided any serious attacks. In 1848, 
 the season cholera began to prevail a second time in Europe, 
 there was a peculiar diarrhoea, which pervaded the whole 
 of this country, but no cholera, that year. In the month of 
 June, having, for the first time, taken off an under-waistcoat 
 in the morning, and it coming on to rain a little in the after 
 noon, a chill occurred, which was followed by fever and 
 diarrhoea. This diarrhoea, though often checked, continued 
 till the beginning of November in the same year ; cut me 
 off in a great measure from fruits that season, and confined 
 me to a regimen of white bread, meat, and rice ; this in 
 restricted quantities, with very little drink. At the end of 
 October, I got a violent catarrh ; and, having taken accident 
 ally some indigestible food at breakfast, the catarrh suddenly 
 ceasing, had chills, pain in my stomach, and vomiting, fol 
 lowed by fever and marks of gastric inflammation. When 
 this subsided, the diarrhoea had also vanished, and has never 
 returned ; but a more healthy state of the digestive organs 
 
1847.] LECTURES. 403 
 
 has existed to the present time (Dec. 29, 1849), which is 
 more than a year. 
 
 These facts of a personal and apparently insignificant 
 nature I put down with some hesitation ; but this has been 
 overcome by the reflection, that they may be useful to 
 others, and especially to my own family. 
 
 On the whole, the care I have taken about living seems 
 inadequate to counterbalance the numerous and important 
 causes of disease and decay ; and, although something may 
 be attributed to those efforts, my feeling on the subject is, 
 that a continuance of my life and faculties to the present 
 time must be attributed principally to Divine Providence, 
 and not to my own care. 
 
404 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. ^ET. 69. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. PREPARATIONS. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 No occurrences in the course of my life have given me more 
 trouble and anxiety than the procuring of subjects for dis 
 section in the medical lectures. My father began to dissect 
 early in the Revolutionary war. He obtained the office of 
 Army Surgeon when the Revolution broke out, and was 
 able to procure a multitude of subjects from having access 
 to the bodies of soldiers who had died without relations. 
 In consequence of these opportunities, he began to lecture 
 on anatomy in 1781 ; lectures at Cambridge, with dissec 
 tions, 1783. After the peace, there was great difficulty in 
 getting subjects. Bodies of executed criminals were occa 
 sionally procured ; and sometimes a pauper subject was 
 obtained, averaging not more than two a year. While in 
 college, I began the business of getting subjects in 1796. 
 Having understood that a man without relations was to be 
 buried in the North Burying-ground, I formed a party, of 
 which Dr. William Ingalls was one. He was a physician of 
 Boston at that time. We reached the spot at ten o'clock at 
 night. The night was rather light. We soon found the 
 grave ; but, after proceeding a while, were led to suspect a 
 mistake, and went to another place. Here we found our- 
 
1847.] ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. 405 
 
 selves wrong, and returned to the first ; and, having set 
 watches, we proceeded rapidly, uncovering the coffin by 
 breaking it open. We took out the body of a stout young 
 man, put it in a bag, and carried it to the burying-ground 
 wall. As we were going to lift it over and put it in the 
 chaise, we saw a man walking along the edge of the wall 
 outside, smoking. A part of us disappeared. One of the 
 company met him, stopped him from coming on, and entered 
 into conversation with him. This individual of our party 
 affected to be intoxicated, while he contrived to get into a 
 quarrel with the stranger. After he had succeeded in doing 
 this, another of the party, approaching, pretended to side with 
 the stranger, and ordered the other to go about his business. 
 Taking the stranger by the arm, he led him off in a different 
 direction to some distance ; then left him, and returned to 
 the burying-ground. The body was then quickly taken 
 up, and packed in the chaise between two of the parties, 
 who drove off to Cambridge with their booty. Two of us 
 staid to fill the grave : but my companion, being alarmed, 
 soon left the burying-ground ; and I, knowing the impor 
 tance of covering up the grave and effacing the vestiges 
 of our labor, remained, with no very agreeable sensations, 
 to finish the work. However, I got off without further 
 interruption ; drove, with the tools, to Cambridge ; and 
 arrived there just before daylight. When my father came 
 up in the morning to lecture, and found I had been 
 engaged in this scrape, he was very much alarmed ; but 
 when the body was uncovered, and he saw what a fine 
 healthy subject it was, he seemed to be as much pleased as I 
 ever saw him. This body lasted the course through. 
 
 Things went on in this way till the year 1806 ; when, with 
 the co-operation of my father, I opened a dissecting-room at 
 49, Marlborough Street. Here, by the aid of students, a 
 
406 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. [&T. 69. 
 
 large supply of bodies was obtained for some years, affording 
 abundant means of dissection to physicians and students. 
 In the mean time, however, schools began to be formed in 
 other parts of New England, and students were sent to 
 Boston to procure subjects. The exhumations were con 
 ducted in a careless way. Thus the suspicion of the police 
 was excited : they were directed to employ all the pre 
 ventive measures possible ; and watchers were set in the 
 burying-grounds. Thus the procuring of bodies was very 
 much diminished ; and we were obliged to resort to the most 
 dangerous expedients, and finally to the city of New York, 
 at a great expense of money, and great hazard of being 
 discovered. Two or three times, our agents were actually 
 seized by the police, and recognized to appear in court. 
 One or two were brought in guilty, and punished by fine ; 
 but the law officers, being more liberal in their views than 
 the city officers, made the penalty as small as possible. 
 Constant efforts were necessary to carry on this business, 
 and every species of danger was involved in its prosecu 
 tion. 
 
 Among the incidents which took place at that time, I 
 will mention the following. I had with me at that period 
 two medical students, who were remarkable for strength of 
 body and mind. I requested these two young men to pro 
 cure a subject for dissection.. They watched one going 
 from the Alms-house to the burial-ground on the Neck, which 
 was appropriated exclusively for the interment of paupers. 
 They marked the grave where this body was deposited by 
 placing a piece of stick in it ; and soon after twelve o'clock, 
 having carefully noted the visit and retirement of the watch, 
 they proceeded to open the grave and remove the body. 
 The grave being again filled, F. went into town to obtain a 
 wagon he had engaged ; T. remaining in the neighborhood, 
 
1847.] ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. 407 
 
 where he could observe the return of F. It would have 
 required less than five minutes to have removed the body 
 into the wagon : but no sooner had they halted at the 
 burial-ground, than a party of watchmen, who had concealed 
 themselves within the wall, sprang upon them, seized T., 
 and attempted to arrest F. ; but the latter sprang upon his 
 cart, laid the lash upon his horse, and went off at full speed, 
 dragging with him two or three watchmen some distance. 
 He soon got rid of them, and went off into the country. In 
 the mean time, T. was conducted by two watchmen through 
 Washington Street (or Orange Street, as it was then called), 
 towards the nearest watch-house. As he passed along the 
 western sidewalk of the Neck, with a watchman on each 
 arm, he perceived an opening in the fence towards the 
 marsh, now called Back Bay. Suddenly disengaging himself 
 from the watchmen, he passed through the opening of the 
 fence, leaped down the embankments by its side into the 
 great open space below, where from the darkness, and want 
 of paths, it was impossible to follow him. In the mean time, 
 the watchmen, defrauded of their prey, sprung their rattles, 
 filled the town with their cries, set all the bells a-ringing, to 
 the great enjoyment of T., who, plodding his way cau 
 tiously through marsh, water, and ditch, heard all this 
 riot, of which he was the object. Reaching the Western 
 Avenue, he ascended the wall, and then walked deliberately 
 to the toll-house, where, stopping to pay the toll, he found 
 a number of men there, of whom he asked the cause of 
 the disturbance which had been going on. One of the 
 men, surveying him closely, clapped his hand upon him, 
 and said, " You are the cause : you are my prisoner.'' It 
 seems that these men had preceded him through the streets, 
 and watched his approach to the Western Avenue. Once 
 more a brace of watchmen set out to conduct T. to a 
 
408 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. [JET. 69. 
 
 watch-house. When they reached the corner of Beacon 
 Street and Charles Street, he said to the men, " Why are 
 you treating me in this way ? I have done you no harm." 
 Thrown a little off their guard by this question, their atten 
 tion was relaxed ; and, with a violent effort, he extricated 
 himself from their arms, ran up an open space between 
 Chestnut Street and Mount -Vernon Street, and had gained a 
 considerable advance on his pursuers, when a third watch 
 man started out immediately upon him from Willow Street, 
 and seized him. By another great effort, T. tore himself 
 from the watchman, darted up Mount -Yernon Street as far 
 as Belknap Street ; then, turning into Belknap Street, he 
 passed into the yard of Mr. George Lyman's house, which 
 was then building, threw himself into a mass of shavings, 
 and, before his pursuers could ascertain which way he had 
 turned, was quite covered with fine shavings. The disap 
 pointed watchmen tramped over the shavings in every direc 
 tion without being able to discover his whereabout, and, 
 slowly winding their way down the hill, left him to enjoy a 
 short repose ; after which he arose, and made his way 
 homeward without farther interruption. F., in the mean 
 while, had a quiet time in the country, amused himself 
 with driving about till morning, and then returned unsus 
 pected to town. He is still living, in good health and 
 prosperity ; but has found a business more lucrative than 
 the medical profession, and pursues the latter only as a 
 matter of humanity. T. unhappily did not escape so well. 
 The violent efforts which he made in running, and extricat 
 ing himself from his pursuers, brought on hemorrhage from 
 the lungs. He afterwards, although quite a stout and well- 
 formed young man, had a return of his complaint, followed 
 by cough, which terminated in consumption, and carried 
 him to a premature grave. He was a real loss to society. 
 
1847.] ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. 409 
 
 His mental and bodily faculties were in due proportion to 
 each other, and both of them were of an elevated character. 
 When we consider that this fine young man fell a victim to 
 narrow-minded prejudices, we involuntarily ask whether 
 we had gone back to the times of superstition and witch 
 craft. 
 
 At that time, scarcely any exhumation occurred without 
 some similar accidents of the most disagreeable and some 
 times painful character. The record of them would make a 
 black-book, which, though the odium of it should belong to 
 few individuals, would do no credit to the enlightenment of 
 Boston in the nineteenth century, and convey an idea 
 of the state of feeling of a professor of anatomy on the 
 approach and during the course of his anatomical pur 
 suits. 
 
 Sometimes popular excitement was got up, and the 
 Medical College threatened. I had reason, at some periods, 
 even to apprehend attacks on my dwelling-house. When 
 ever the lectures approached, a state of incessant anxiety 
 came with them. At length the pressure was so great, that 
 it was resolved to make an effort on the Legislature, though 
 with very little hope of success. In the mean time, we 
 furnished our students with subjects at the same rate as at 
 present, obtaining them from New York at twenty-five 
 dollars, and distributing them among the students at five ; 
 and I usually contrived to save portions of subjects suffi 
 cient to occupy some hours every day from the conclusion 
 of the lectures in Boston in March to the beginning of the 
 course at Cambridge on the 1st of April. 
 
 At these times I made many preparations, besides super 
 intending and directing those of my students. Among those 
 who aided me most efficiently, I can recollect Drs. Gamage, 
 already mentioned ; Edward Warren, Wyman, George 
 
 52 
 
410 ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. [JEx. 69. 
 
 Parkman (afterwards murdered in the new Medical Col 
 lege, to the erection of which he had contributed) ; Drs. J. 
 M. Warren, Samuel Parkman, and Lewis. Preparations 
 were given me from time to time by Drs. James Jackson, 
 John Gorham, Spaulding of Portsmouth, Lewis, J. B. S. 
 Jackson, Alexander E. Hosack. 
 
 I always did a part of the dissection for the lectures, 
 completing what had been partly done before ; and I always 
 arranged the subject and parts to be demonstrated myself. 
 Of late years, great improvements have been made in the 
 latter process by coloring the subjects ; so that, by the aid 
 of this, I could make a splendid exhibition on a very poor 
 subject. Besides these and other practical anatomy opera 
 tions, I always dissected parts which I was about to operate 
 on. So, in case of an approaching operation for a very diffi 
 cult tumor, I dissected all the parts concerned, even to the 
 most minute nerve and blood-vessel ; even three or four times 
 in some instances. Yet, in these very difficult cases, I was 
 often baffled by the vast difference in the appearance of 
 parts changed by disease from those in a healthy state. 
 This diminished with time and habit ; and at length I suc 
 ceeded in doing most operations with a confidence of 
 success. 
 
 In the mean time (1827 and subsequently), the Medical 
 School was improving. About 1828, an application was 
 made by the Medical Society to the Legislature. In 1830, 
 the application was renewed ; and an extensive and valuable 
 Report was prepared by John B. Davis, Esq., and read before 
 the House of Representatives. 
 
 At the same time, I gave various lectures on anatomy 
 before the General Court, in the chamber of the House of 
 Representatives, showing them the absolute necessity 
 of human dissections to enable physicians to treat the 
 
1847.] ANATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. 411 
 
 diseases of the human body ; and ultimately succeeded 
 in obtaining a law giving up the bodies of unreclaimed 
 paupers. This law was improved in 1833, and again 
 improved about 1840. The Superintendent of the House of 
 Industry opposed great difficulties to the execution of this 
 law ; but, he dying in 1847, an ample supply was obtained 
 for the Medical School afterwards, particularly in conse 
 quence of the influx of Irish paupers, and the great morta 
 lity among them. 
 
 While we were in Mason Street, there was a pupil in the 
 Medical School who had a taste for procuring subjects. He 
 sometimes executed the business alone. On one occasion, 
 he was in the South Burial-ground the latter part of the 
 evening, looking for a subject which he had marked during 
 the day. While he was taking a survey, he was surprised 
 by a party of watchmen, who took him to the watch-house, 
 and afterwards released him on condition of his appearing 
 at the Justice's Court the following morning. He accord 
 ingly appeared, and met there his accusers, who charged 
 him with being in the burying-ground for the purpose of 
 digging up one or more bodies. After quietly listening to 
 the charge, he broke out in terms of the most indignant 
 character, accusing these people of a conspiracy to extort 
 money from him or to destroy his reputation, and threaten 
 ing them with an action. The men were taken by surprise ; 
 were astonished and meek. The justice, finding he had 
 committed no act of an illegal nature, discharged the 
 accusation ; and the watchmen were, glad to sneak off 
 without more words. This man obtained a medical de 
 gree, and settled in the city of Mexico, where he may be 
 still living. 
 
 An interesting case of a young woman who died in the 
 House of Industry occurred at the Medical College ten 
 
412 AMATOMICAL DISSECTIONS. [>ET. 69. 
 
 years ago. Under the law of 1830, the body of a young 
 woman, about twenty-five years of age, was delivered for 
 dissection. Two days after, her sister came to me, informed 
 me that the body of her relative had been removed without 
 her knowledge, and begged me to stay any further dissec 
 tions, and give up the body for interment. I immediately 
 agreed to her request ; and, the following day, the relations 
 met at the Medical College. The body was once more 
 placed in its narrow cell, the usual ceremonies were per 
 formed, and the relatives had the satisfaction of seeing the 
 remains again deposited in the ground, and well covered 
 with earth. 
 
 We had two or three preparations for the lectures at 
 Cambridge before I visited Europe in 1799. When I went 
 to London, and met Senter of Newport, he began directly 
 to talk about John Hunter's preparations. Sir Astley 
 Cooper, also, was at that time quite full of this subject. In 
 consequence, I soon became infected with the desire of 
 making them, and commenced in earnest the study of the 
 art of making both wet and dried preparations. 
 
 From that time to the period of my resignation of the 
 Professorship of Anatomy, I availed myself of all oppor- 
 tunies, summer and winter, from year to year, of accom 
 plishing this object ; so that it became a primary occupation 
 and a pleasure ; the most agreeable relaxation from pro 
 fessional pursuits ; and, in one sense, was my daily meat 
 and drink. The idea of nicely injecting a delicate piece of 
 anatomy, of macerating it to a snow-like whiteness, and 
 of enclosing it in an elegant glass vessel of perfectly trans 
 parent liquid, had more charms for me than games or 
 plays or parties. In London, I made some very nice blood 
 vessel injections, particularly one of the arteries of the arm ; 
 which, though not the most minute, is the best practical 
 
1847.] PREPARATI01SS. 413 
 
 exhibition of these vessels, taking into view their relations 
 to the muscles, which I know of. 
 
 Senter was ahead of me in this art, and had made a 
 collection, which, though small, contained many beautiful 
 pieces. These, after his unfortunate death, I purchased of 
 his executors. In Paris, Dubois did not encourage me to 
 pursue this subject. He recommended me to stick close 
 to the recent subject. I contrived, however, to work out a 
 number ; and whether I purchased any, I do not recollect ; 
 but I think not. 
 
 From my return home in 1802 to 1806, there being a 
 scarcity of subjects, little was done in the way of preser 
 vation. After opening a dissecting-room (No. 49, Marlbo- 
 rough Street), and obtaining a copious flow of good subjects, 
 preparations went on rapidly in osteology, in blood-vessel 
 injections, and in alcoholic wet preparations. But I did 
 not begin to purchase till we obtained the new Medical 
 College in Mason Street, and sufficient room for displaying 
 the collection. "We had a good dissecting-room, conve 
 niences of hot and cold water, means of disposing of the 
 relics ; and the collection went on rapidly till a room about 
 fifteen by twenty feet was filled. The school having en 
 larged, and the accommodations for dissecting-pupils being 
 too limited, I proposed to the corporation, with the consent 
 of my colleagues, that, if they would contribute about half 
 the expense for a new dissecting-room, and the conversion of 
 the old into a museum, I would pay the other half. This 
 proposal was agreed to ; and a dissecting-room was erected, 
 much superior to the present one in the Grove-street Col 
 lege. The old dissecting-room was made into a convenient 
 museum. I had now room to make macerations, hot and 
 cold dissections, regular and methodical arrangement of all 
 the articles used in making preparations, and comfortable 
 
414 PREPARATIONS. [JEi. 69. 
 
 quarters for any assistants independent of mine, I now 
 passed a great deal of time in my private dissecting-room : 
 in fact, every spare hour from business was devoted to this 
 object. The most delicate of the wet preparations I dis 
 sected, made, and put up myself; but in the dissection of 
 arterial preparations, and putting up the gross wet prepara 
 tions, I received great aid from my pupils, especially from 
 Dr. William Gamage, jun. With his aid, I made some 
 valuable absorbent preparations, one or two of which still 
 remain ; others, by frequent use, have lost their quicksilver. 
 I succeeded in getting a number of casts made here, and 
 also some very beautiful wax preparations, by an Italian, 
 who resided here for some time. As opportunity offered, I 
 availed myself of the death of foreign animals to make 
 preparations in comparative anatomy. But, notwithstanding 
 a strong taste for this department of science, I thought it 
 impossible to cultivate it without sacrificing surgery ; and 
 this I was determined not to do, having always, after the 
 death of my father, held up to myself as a primary duty 
 the perfect qualification for the safe and ready performance 
 of every known operation of surgery : so that much time, 
 which I could gladly and gratefully have employed on com 
 parative anatomy, was occupied with the more important 
 duty of perfecting myself in dissections of parts subject to 
 the most difficult and frequent operations. 
 
 The facilities for such dissections were much increased 
 by methods of preparation which I brought from Paris in 
 1838. While I was there, Ganal brought into use the 
 super-sulphate of alumine for embalming and otherwise 
 preserving dead bodies. The method of Ganal answered 
 perfectly for preservation ; but, when parts injected with it 
 were long exposed to the air, they became dry and dark 
 colored. Ganal's mode was to inject the blood-vessels with 
 
1847.] PREPARATIONS. 415 
 
 the super-sulphate. I did this, and then immersed the body 
 in rum, solutions of arsenic and of corrosive sublimate. 
 By this method, I have succeeded in preserving subjects for 
 months, and even years. The last winter, on opening a 
 cask to examine a subject which had remained in spirit 
 about eight years, as nearly as we could tell, it was found to 
 be in fine preservation. Two other subjects had been pre 
 served at least four years, one of which, when taken out and 
 dissected, remained on the dissecting-table eight weeks 
 without being inconveniently offensive. 
 
 Dr. Mason Warren, going to Europe to pursue his studies 
 in the year 1832, took the opportunity of selecting a con 
 siderable number of preparations, particularly a collection 
 of morbid bones, among which were many curious specimens. 
 These greatly augmented the collection ; and when in Eu 
 rope myself, a few years after him, I procured many 
 beautiful osseous pieces of Guerin and of Guy. Guy also 
 set out to make a series of representations of cutaneous 
 diseases in the Hospital St. Louis ; but, after making six or 
 eight, he stopped. Shortly after, I sent to Florence for a 
 collection of absorbent preparations ; but, instead of what I 
 wished, received the beautiful pieces in wax. This led me 
 to send a second time, and obtain the real absorbent vessels. 
 Besides these, I obtained from Dr. Lewis two very good 
 ones. Subsequently, Dr. Mason Warren, being compelled, 
 in pursuit of health, to visit Europe a second time, made a 
 considerable number of purchases, particularly in osteology 
 and comparative anatomy. Both of us obtained a number 
 of beautiful pieces from Auzoux in papier-mache*, some in 
 comparative anatomy, some in human anatomy and embry 
 ology. 
 
 In the mean time, the collection, dissection, and preserva 
 tion of morbid specimens went on from year to year. All 
 
416 PREPARATIONS. [^T. 69. 
 
 the morbid pieces removed in operations were carefully 
 macerated, and put in spirit. But after this came a neglect, 
 which was the source of many troubles. From excess of 
 business, I often neglected to mark the specimens. After a 
 short time, their identity could not be made out ; and they 
 were lost, or remained ever after in a state of uncertainty. 
 This, I am sorry to say, still occurs sometimes. When the 
 Hospital was first opened, I had all the operations ; and Dr. 
 Jackson gave me, at first, all the morbid pieces from his 
 subjects. This continued till the Museum of the Society of 
 Medical Improvement was formed ; after which, most of the 
 pathological pieces fell into their hands. 
 
 At length the new room in the Medical College in Mason 
 Street became crowded and overflowing ; and one day, 
 meeting Dr. George Parkman, he said, " I never pass the 
 Medical College without an apprehension of its being 
 burnt." " How can we remedy the evil ? " said I. " Oh ! " 
 said he, " you must get a new place." " Well," said I, 
 " where is the money to come from ? " " Oh ! you can 
 make a bargain so as to get on without paying any thing." 
 Two or three years after, the college becoming more crowded, 
 we began to think more seriously of Dr. Parkman's sug 
 gestion ; and finally a negotiation was entered into, which 
 terminated in his giving land enough in Grove Street to 
 build a college. He intended also to have cleared away 
 the buildings in front and on the east side, and was actually 
 engaged in arranging the matter when he was cut off. 
 
 The new college was built on his land in Grove Street, 
 with an ample museum. Though my collection was found 
 nearly sufficient to fill it, since then I have given additional 
 preparations, from time to time, as opportunity presented, 
 and particularly the collection of casts made by the Phreno 
 logical Society. I also put all my preparations in good 
 
1847.] PREPARATIONS. 417 
 
 order when they were presented ; as well as the Venus de 
 Medicis, given by President Everett, and the Apollo Belvi- 
 dere, which I purchased from Solomon Willard, given by 
 myself. Dr. J. B. S. Jackson has now arranged all these, 
 marked them with their proper names, and with those of 
 the donors. The Committee of Supervision appointed by 
 the corporation, of which Dr. James Jackson is chairman, 
 have, at my suggestion, arranged and proposed a set of rules 
 for regulating the use of the preparations by the professors, 
 and ascertaining when any were injured or lost. 
 
 Dr. Gamage assisted me a number of years, and made 
 many valuable preparations. He at last gained so much 
 information in anatomy and physiology as to aim at the 
 professorship in physiology. The state of the school not 
 admitting this, he gradually separated himself, and attended 
 to his practice, which was considerable. He took some odd 
 notions of practice ; for, having adopted the system of 
 inflammation as the cause of all diseases, he bled all his 
 patients. It was said he bled a woman, in an advanced stage 
 of dropsy, seventeen times. 
 
 He was ultimately attacked with symptoms of dyspepsia, 
 with some pulmonary embarrassment. For this he bled 
 himself, and was thought to have fallen a victim to his 
 theory. He was a man of very handsome natural abilities ; 
 of great industry and perseverance ; was becoming a learned 
 man at the time of his death ; and would, notwithstanding 
 his ultra theories, have probably made a figure in his pro 
 fession, had he lived. 
 
 The following instances will give some idea of the labor 
 and the risk of obtaining specimens for an anatomical col 
 lection. A patient in a public institution, which I attended 
 at the time, had two unreduced dislocations. He had also 
 two herniae ; one of which contained nearly all the intes- 
 
 53 
 
418 PREPARATIOSS. '.{JE'i\ 69. 
 
 tinal tract, from the duodenum to the upper part of the 
 rectum. It extended to the knees, and was supported 
 by a round towel, formed by uniting the two ends, called a 
 " roller," slung over his shoulder. This man having died of 
 premature old age, I dissected out the whole articulation of 
 the shoulder on each side, containing the scapula, clavicle, 
 and half of the os humeri, and tied them in a cloth. A 
 portion of round stick was then inserted in place of the 
 deficient ossa humeri, and the skin sewed over. Next 
 the skin was dissected from around the pelvis ; the anterior 
 spinous process of the ilium, with the connected muscles, 
 were sawn out. The whole digestive tube, from the stomach 
 to the rectum, was then dissected out, and removed, en 
 masse, in common with the muscles, and portions of bone ; 
 the abdomen filled with old woollen cloths, and neatly 
 sewed up. The parts were then treated in the following 
 manner : Portions were sawn out of another pelvis to cor 
 respond with the pieces on the removed intestines ; then 
 the vessels of the intestines were tied, by first injecting 
 water into them through the iliac artery, the labor of 
 securing all the small vessels in such an immense surface 
 being very great ; this, however, was happily accomplished ; 
 then a wax injection was thrown into the aorta, the whole 
 system of mesenteric arteries injected, and the two epigas- 
 trics, encircling the mouths of the two hernial sacs, were 
 beautifully injected and displayed ; the intestines were then 
 inflated and carefully tied ; they were then fitted into the 
 new pelvis, the spinous processes of the old being fastened 
 to the sawn excavations in the new. The piece was then 
 suspended, carefully dried, varnished, and is now in the 
 Medical College, in a state of perfect preservation. The 
 junction of the old and new pelvis would scarcely be 
 noticed. In fact, no person, I believe, has any suspicion 
 
1847.] PREPARATIONS. 419 
 
 that the pelvis and the viscera belong to two different per 
 sons. 
 
 A lady, more than a hundred years old, fell on the 
 trochanter, and broke the neck of the thigh-bone. She 
 appeared to be doing very well ; but, a month after the 
 accident, suddenly died. It was important to examine and 
 preserve the fractured part. Permission was given. The 
 pelvis was carefully dissected out with a quarter of the 
 shaft of the thigh-bone ; a piece of stick was placed in con 
 nection with the spine, and the skin sewn over ; and then 
 the body was placed in its coffin. This pelvis exhibits the 
 fracture of the neck of the thigh-bone with the union of 
 the fracture, without shortening of the .limb ; the fracture 
 being an enclavement. 
 
 A very remarkable individual, of the Indian race, was ill 
 in a public institution in this city. He had a softening of 
 all the large longitudinal bones from rickets, and one or 
 more new joints formed in them. The thigh-bone had, I 
 think, three of these false articulations. The lower limbs 
 were curved so as to form nearly a semicircle. The patient 
 never walked, but sat in a large wooden bowl, which he 
 gradually moved onwards with his hands by a lateral pro 
 gression. The man died, aged about twenty-one years. It 
 was very important to prevent the body from being buried 
 and decomposed. With the permission of the head of the 
 establishment, I took the body out of the coffin, placed 
 it in a bag, and substituted a log of wood. The log was 
 quietly interred ; the body taken in my chaise to the 
 Medical College. The undertakers, some time afterwards, 
 intimated that they should be glad to have a smaller log the 
 next time, and that it should be fixed in the coffin so as to 
 prevent its rolling from side to side. 
 
 Such instances as the above may appear improper to 
 
420 PREPARATIONS. 
 
 those who do not appreciate the importance of the objects. 
 But the surgeon and the teacher have a high moral duty to 
 perform to their patients and to the community; and, in the 
 eye of reason and religion, they will be less culpable for 
 preserving articles so very important and useful, than if, 
 through fear or neglect, they allowed them to be wasted in 
 the bottom of a grave. ** : * L 
 
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 The life of John 
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