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EULOGY.

GENTLEMEN,

the BerkFor eight

THE opening of the annual lecture term of shire Medical Institution is again announced. successive years have students resorted to this Institution, for the purpose of instruction in the science of Medicine, and the average number has not been much less than one hundred. In the patronage enjoyed, and in the success which has attended, the friends of the Institution would recognize, with grateful hearts, the smiles of a superintending Providence. Neither the period which has elapsed, nor the prosperity which has followed, have in any degree abated the zeal of its patrons to render it worthy of the confidence and favor of the public.

Originally designed to increase the opportunity and advantages for Medical education, on the principle of a liberal policy, rather than a source of pecuniary emolument to the Professor, the same motives will continue to govern, and the same objects will be kept steadily and prominently in view.

In a retrospective glance of the events which have transpired within the period of the last eight short years, how much do we find to encourage the philanthropist, to animate the philosopher, and to interest all. I do not purpose to call your attention to the great moral and political changes, which have evolved in rapid succession, or the improvements which have been made in the arts and sciences, and their practical application to the useful concerns of life, contributing to our convenience, interest, and happiness-still less will it be expected that I should notice the improved systems

of education, or the various schemes of benevolence in suc-cessful operation for the melioration of the condition of

man.

More appropriate is this occasion to call your attention to those subjects which have an immediate relation to the science of Medicine-to its advancement, if it has advancedand to its changes, for no science experiences greater changes. I might advert to the theories which have been espoused, and the theories which have been abandoned-the practice which has been praised, and the practice which has been blamed the improvements in the collateral branches of the science of Medicine, and their application to the profession; these are subjects coming properly under consideration in a medical school, and deserving the attention of the medical student.

But to the consideration of one event, and one of a recent melancholy occurrence, our minds are called, in the performance of a painful duty, at this first interview-the lamented death of JOHN DOANE WELLS, late Professor in this Institution. This is an event of a most solemn and deeply affecting character. How mysterious are the Providences of God-what a lesson of humility does this event teach-how frail a thing is man-how uncertain is the tenure of his existence here. Youth, activity, friends, station, all avail nothing, when the dread messenger arrives; hard indeed it is to realize that he is no more, who so recently stood within these walls, full of life and activity-his countenance beaming with vivacity, illuminated by a mind strong and brilliant-he moves, he speaks, we listen to catch the melodious strains-but ah! all is silent as the grave! we may dream, we may imagine, for we shall neither see nor hear him any more forever.

If genius, if talents, if usefulness could stay the stroke of death, we should not now be called to mourn his untimely departure. For these he was eminently distinguished-for these he was deservedly exalted in the esteem and confidence

of the public-a blessing to the public, the public' mourn his loss.

He died too at an early age-at an age when few attain to great distinction-for him how much celebrity might have. been anticipated-how much greatness might he have achieved how great a blesssing might he have proved.

A very brief sketch of the life of Dr. WELLS, together with some notice of the striking features and prominent traits of character, which he exhibited in his rapid progress and elevation to distinguished eminence in his profession, may profitably occupy our attention at this time-animated by his example, and inspired by his success, may a zeal and emulation be enkindled in your breasts, which shall burn brighter and brighter till the lamp of life shall be extinguished.

For the pre-eminent distinction which Dr. WELLS attained, even before the meridian of life, he owes nothing to the influence of birth or fortune; though of highly respectable parentage, he claimed no alliance to the aristocracy of wealth or power, adventitiously bestowed. From his youth his mind was imbued with sound principles; early convinced of the value of time, he rightly estimated the importance of diligently improving the opportunities and advantages of education, with which he was favoured; accordingly we find him early distinguished by his habits of industry and close application to study, and by the purity of his moral conduct.

In his classical studies, holding a rank with the foremost, always respected and beloved by his associates; having finished his collegiate course, he graduated in 1817, and immediately commenced the study of medicine, pursuing it with the same zeal and perseverance, for which he was already distinguished. Anatomy was his favorite study; his interest in this fundamental branch of the profession amounted almost to enthusiasm. He promptly availed himself of all the means and advantages which opportunity presented for improvement; his labors in the dissecting room-his demonstrations to his fellow-students, and his entire devotedness to the study of his profession, exhibit an example honoura

ble to himself and worthy of your imitation. How well he succeeded in the acquisition of anatomical knowledge, and the consequent superiority he enjoyed, is distinctly told by the bright prospects which soon opened before him.

In the year 1820, he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Harvard University, and soon after the appointment of assistant to the distinguished Professor, Dr. Nathan Smith, then attached to the Medical School recently established in the State of Maine. So well qualified was he for the duties which were required, and with so much ability were they discharged, that soon after he was appointed Professor of Anatomy in the Brunswick School. Incited by a laudable ambition to excel, he visited Europe under the most favourable circumstances. He was Professor of Anatomy in a new and flourishing Institution he was already well grounded in the science he had begun lecturing he knew precisely what was wanting to qualify him for more extensive usefulness, and he possessed the zeal and interest requisite for the accomplishment of his purpose. In Paris, he spent most of his time while absent; for there he found the advantages superior to those of any other country. There he perfected his knowledge of Anatomy.— Properly appreciating his opportunities, he applied himself unremittingly to the study of his profession. There too, besides the acquisition of medical science, he obtained a style of lecturing not surpassed by any individual in any school in the United States. In manner graceful; in language pure; in eloquence unrivalled.

While in Europe, he purchased, for the Maine Medical School, a Library, and a Cabinet of Anatomy, which, with the addition since made under his direction, constitute one of the most valuable collections of books and preparations any where found in this country.

On his return, laden with the fruits of industry, he engages with untiring zeal in the discharge of his professional duties. To his Professorship of Anatomy is added that of Surgery. He enters upon the duties of his office. His

success is complete! The high expectations of his friends are more than realized. Principally by his labours and by his talents, the Brunswick School becomes deservedly popular, and stands conspicuous among the Medical Institutions of our country.

To

In 1826, Dr. WELLS is appointed Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Berkshire Medical Institution. many of you I need not say how weli he succeeded-all were satisfied-nay more-all were delighted. None could fail of being greatly benefited, who attended the clear and able demonstrations which he made-who listened to his eloquence, and followed the lucid argument and the consistent reasoning to their inevitable conclusions. His fame was now no longer bounded by Geographical limits-within the last year he received an appointment in the Maryland University. But with the increase of his fame, a decline in his health was too visible. He had tasked his constitution too severely and while the powers of his body were weakened, his spirits were unbroken, his zeal was unabated. He repaired to Baltimore, and gave his introductory lecture to an audience of more than fifteen hundred. It was received with the highest applause. He delivered his course of lectures to a large and attentive class-Trustees, Faculty and Students listened with astonishment and delight to the torrent of eloquence with which he accompanied his valuable instructions. But the spirit, which had sustained, and animated, and carried him triumphantly on, had exhausted the powers of the body, requiring greater sacrifices than his constitution could bear; his health failed; disease and death occasioned by too frequent and too great exhaustion, terminated the short but brilliant life of one whose memory will long be cherished, and whose character his friends will long delight to contemplate.

The zeal and interest which had urged him forward in his professional studies did not cease to influence him in his professional labours; but with the ability with which he was prepared for their discharge, he both deserved and command

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