the floor--showing the effect of personal strength when under
the influence of excitement or alarm. Many years ago his father's
house in Hallowell, and nearly opposite the Academy too, was
set on fire by a free negress, a servant in the family, and
though living at a considerable distance, he was enabled to
reach it in time to give his assistance, and aid in preserving
it from the flames.
Dr. Page devoted himself almost exclusively to his profession,
and unambitious of elevated distinction, he enjoyed with complacency
the unrivaled success which he early attained. His advantages
of professional education were not equal to those of the present
day, but the benefit he derived from a free access to the
best private medical library in New England, that of the late
Benj. Vaughan, Esq., LL.D., and an intimate personal intercourse
with him, who constantly possessed the improvements in the
science of medicine, more than counterbalanced the defects
of early advantages. Possessing naturally a strong mind, whose
powers were happily adjusted, he was able to make all sources
of knowledge and means of improvement which lay in his path
subservient to this use. The distinguishing trait of his mind
was judgment, which conduces more than any other to distinction
in the medical profession. Of a manly and ingenuous disposition,
he disdained to practise any of the arts of quackery. He never
made any efforts to acquire the talent to display his knowledge
for the purpose of obtaining the reputation of a learned man,
but was content to evince, on all occasions, an ability equal
to the exigency of his situation. His resources were shown
by what he could or did do, rather than what could or did
say. Hence his professional distinction was not so extensively
known or so generally acknowledged as it otherwise have been.
He was a happy exemplification of the Latin motto, "esse
quam videri malim." I should wish to be, rather
than to seem.
It is no slight evidence in favor of his character as a
physician, that he was able to sustain his reputation in competition
with junior members of the profession, who had been enriched
by all the improvements and helps of the discoveries and advantages
of medical science within the last fifty years. In no other
science have equal improvements been made within the same
period. The character of his practice was cautious and considerate,
in opposition to adventurous and precipitate, the ripened
fruits of much reading, large experience, deep thinking, and
uncommon accuracy of judgment. Hence most of those who employed
him as a physician had profound confidence in his medical
skill. His patients generally thought that under his care
they were sure of receiving all the aid which a physician
could administer. His deportment in the sick chamber was bland,
tender, soothing, sympathetic, delicate and winning. When
he conquered the disease, he usually gained the heart. He
sacredly observed the principle of concealing in his own bosom
whatever he might witness in his patients, or the family where
they were, that could by communication to others possibly
prove injurious to them. This is an indispensable and invaluable
quality in a physician ; too little appreciated--too often
wanting. It was the bright jewel of his character--the crowning
virtue of his life.