toriety and display, that he often manifested a shrinking
and retiring modesty in society that was truly delicate and
feminine. His temper was uniformly serene, and his patience
christian-like and enduring. There was no duplicity--no double-dealing--no
faithlessness in his trust. Whatever he promised, he executed
in good faith. His character, in truth, was one of the brightest
emanations of a medical philosopher and a philanthropist.
He ever lived within his means, and never embarrassed himself
or his family with speculative wants. He was especially liberal
and provident to those dependent upon him, and nothing that
was wished for or demanded by them was ever withheld. He was
ever ready to make all sacrifices for the happiness of his
children, to whom he was so dear. He was the pride of their
affections, the long-cherished idol of their hearts. He was
unambitious of worldly riches, knowing that happiness did
not consist of accumulated wealth, but in temperance and contentment
of heart, and a cheerful reliance upon the providence of God.
He was extremely prompt and punctual in his professional visits,
and considerate in his charges and there are recorded upon
his books the names of many persons and families whom he regularly
attended, without the slightest compensation, for a period
of thirty or forty years. There were thousands to who he gave
both advice and medicine without charge. With the same amount
of practice and the customary fees, for the same period of
time in New York or Boston, he would have realized as great
an income as Sir Astley Cooper, and left to his family and
children a princely estate. But the poor he has always had
with him, and he never turned a deaf ear to their wants, or
sent them empty away.
As a citizen his character deserves high commendation. In
all things which related to government and religion he exhibited
always a tolerant and charitable spirit. The peace, harmony,
welfare, and happiness of the community were objects in his
judgment of great importance and constant pursuit. The rich
and the poor, the high and the low, equally received his regards
and his services. He was not only the sick man's doctor, but
the sick man's friend. He was equally distinguished by compassionate
feeling, and sedulous attention, and exhibited the same sympathy
and kindness, the same watchful solicitude by night and by
day, and where he had no expectation or hope of pecuniary
award. No wonder, then, that endearing phrase of "beloved
physician" should have been universally applied to him.
"I never," said a distinguished divine, in discoursing
upon his memory, "I never happened to hear that he had an
enemy. So far as I have known him, and that for fifty years,
he has been marked for correctness of morals, and regularity
of life: and I suppose I express the views of all who hear
me, when I say, his course was 'without rebuke.'"
With party politics he had nothing to do. In his principles
established, in his opinions persuaded, modest and tolerant,
you would always find him in the path of duty on the side
of order and rectitude. Ever ready to concede honest intentions
to others, he maintained his own opinions with firmness: while
he endeavored, both by precept and example, to allay party
feelings, and to teach his fellow citizens to regard them-