over three months, while additional hours were given in the evening to manipulative procedures. He was, moreover, a rapid speaker. From these facts may be estimated the extent of his preparations, and the amount of instruction he imparted. The attributes which characterized Dr. Smith during life were perseverance, thoroughness, womanly gentleness, and unswerving loyalty. Into what he undertook he threw his whole soul, and to give up unaccomplished anything he had attempted, seldom occurred to him; while there was little that he undertook that he failed ultimately to accomplish. In illustration, it may be mentioned that during the height of his professional career he made up his mind to master the German language, and, by arranging for lessons at very early morning hours, and seizing upon every opportunity, he succeeded in his object and became a good German scholar. In discussing his cherished questions, truth and precision characterized his speech, and, although at times stung in debate by bitter words from those whom he had regarded with strong affection, and had served with his utmost ability, no discourteous word in reply ever crossed his lips. His gentleness was constant and unvarying, and extended alike to all. No one ever took a more unselfish interest in his cases, or sacrificed more of personal comfort in their behalf, while no one ever was more beloved in turn. No one so much occupied retained more patients whose circumstances demanded gratuitous attendance. No one ever rendered larger or more willing service to professional confrères. Loyalty to friends and principles had in him a true exemplar, and favored was the man who possessed his friendship; fortunate the cause which he espoused. The former was assured of at least one unflinching friend, the latter as certain of one staunch defender. X MEMOIR OF WILLIAM PEPPER, 2ND, M.D.1 From a life so crowded with events and so fruitful of important and wide-reaching results as that of Dr. Pepper, it is difficult to decide what is suitable for a memoir intended for preservation in the archives of the "College," as well as to be read to its Fellows. For the former, fullness of detail can scarcely be excessive; for the latter, the axe of condensation must prune out much that would add to the interest of a memoir to be read in the closet. Abbreviation may, however, be excused when it is known that there will shortly be published by Professor Francis N. Thorpe an extended biography which will deal exhaustively with Dr. Pepper's life. Dr. Pepper's ancestors on his father's side were German. His great-grandfather, Henry Pepper, emigrated from Strassburg to this country as lately as 1739, and settled in Schaefferstown, in what is now Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, removing to Philadelphia in 1774. His father, Dr. William Pepper, was the leading physician and consultant in Philadelphia at the time of his death at the comparatively early age of fifty-four. He was four years Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, resigning in consequence of ill health. He was especially skilled in diagnosis based on exhaustive and accurate investigation of each case. Dr. Pepper's mother, Sarah Platt, represented the fifth generation in descent from Thomas Platt, whose exact place and date of birth are unknown, though he was 1 Read before the College of Physicians, April 3, 1901. born somewhere between 1685 and 1690. His son, Thomas Platt, was born in Burlington County, N. J., in 1715. Dr. Pepper's great-grandfather, John Platt, was born in the same county in 1749, but moved to the vicinity of Wilmington, Del., about 1795. He served as a captain in the Delaware Regiment of Foot throughout the Revolutionary War. His son William, Dr. Pepper's grandfather, was also born in Burlington County, but was taken to Delaware when very young. Later he resided in Camden, N. J., and still later in Philadelphia, where his children, including Sarah Platt, were born. Provost Pepper was born at 1304 Walnut street, Philadelphia, August 21, 1843. His youth was spent in Philadelphia and at his father's country-seat at Chestnut Hill. He was educated altogether in Philadelphia, first at St. Mark's School attached to the parish of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church, the head-master of which was Rev. Ormes B. Keith, who still lives in New York City; and later at the wellknown Classical Academy of the late Rev. John W. Faries, where he was prepared for the College Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He entered the University in September, 1858, and was graduated Bachelor of Arts, July 3, 1862, receiving the degree of A. M. in Course in 1865. His career in college was suggestive of the brilliancy of his later life. He was president of his class, was always an honor man, being Valedictorian, or second honor man, at graduation, Charles C. Harrison, the present Provost of the Univeristy, being the first honor man and Salutatorian. He was awarded the Senior English Prize, and equally with the late Professor John G. R. McElroy, the "Philosophy Prize." He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the members of which, it is well known, are selected |