IT is natural to expect, that they who are entrusted with the direction of seminaries of learning, must be solicitous for the reputable conduct of those upon whom the honours of such seminaries are bestowed. Hence the custom, which has always prevailed in this place, of tak­ing leave of our graduates, whether in medicine or in the arts, with a parting address, or charge, respecting their conduct in future life; the words of those whom we esteem being apt to make a deeper and more lasting impression when spoken at that time, than at any other.

On the present occasion, this duty, owing to the indisposition of our venerable provost, has devolved on me:—a circumstance which I re­gret;—because I have neither had sufficient lei­sure, [Page 10] nor (had that been afforded me) sufficient experience, to discharge it properly. It is some consolation, however, to reflect, that such is your own good sense, (which I have heard very high­ly spoken of;) and such the opportunities of in­formation which you have so long enjoyed in this place, under the most able instructors; as to ren­der the best things that could have been said at this time, in a great measure unnecessary.

That no man is born for himself only, is a maxim which can never be disputed. Every one, who is capable of the least reflection, must be con­vinced by daily experience, that, without the as­sistance which he derives from the labours of others, his life must be destitute of comfort, if not of support. And if so, can he reasonably sup­pose, that he alone is privileged to receive good, but without any obligation on his part to com­municate it; to partake in the general welfare, but to do nothing to promote it.

It follows, that it is every man's duty to avoid idleness, and to pursue some profession that is of use to society.

This, Gentlemen, is what you appear to have proposed to yourselves. And the profession you [Page 11] have chosen, is both honourable and useful. For if health be the first of earthly blessings, and it is generally allowed to be so, then they who instruct us how to preserve it, or restore it to us when lost, deserve to be held in very high estimation.

But, at the same time that we bestow on the profession of medicine this tribute of just praise, we do not hesitate to say, that as, on the one hand, we have much to hope from it, so, on the other, we have something to fear. In the hands of the ignorant and illiterate, of men of weak judg­ment, and of all, who, either from nature or habit, are averse to study and reflection, it is pro­ductive of the most fatal evils. To such practi­tioners it is owing, that, to this day, it continues to be a matter of debate, whether the profession have, on the whole, done more good or harm to society; and that, in almost all times, even great and highly estimable persons have made it a sub­ject of ridicule. Of this number, I need not in­form you, was Pliny, the naturalist; who repeats an ancient inscription upon a tomb, in which the deceased said, that he died of a multitude of phy­sicians, turba se medicorum periisse. And speak­ing of physic, and of those who practised it in his day, "They learn it, says he, at our hazard, and acquire experience at the price of our lives. [Page 12] No law punishes their ignorance, nor is there any example of their being chastised. Only a physi­cian can murder with absolute impunity." And, to come nearer to our own times, in this number was also Mr. Addison. "We may lay it down as a maxim, says this celebrated writer, that when a nation abounds in physicians, it grows thin of people. Sir William Temple," continues he, "is very much puzzled to find out a reason why the northern hive, as he calls it, does not send out such prodigious swarms, and overrun the world with Goths and Vandals, as it did former­ly; but had this excellent author observed, that there were no students in physick among the sub­jects of Thor and Woden, and that this science very much flourishes in the North at present, he might have found a better solution for this diffi­culty than any of those he has made use of."

These passages, which probably may have occurred to yourselves in the course of your read­ing, are not here cited from the same motives with which they appear to have been written, but to impress you more strongly with a sense of the arduousness of the undertaking in which you are about to engage; as well as with a convic­tion, that, without exerting your best endeavours to qualify yourselves to be useful, you may occa­sionally [Page 13] be in danger of producing the most seri­ous misfortunes.

Give me leave, therefore, to recommend to you, in the first place, a diligent improvement of your leisure hours, in extending your reading, and acquiring farther and still farther information.

They, who write on grandeur and sublimity, are wont to tell us, that, though real greatness al­ways raises admiration, yet littleness does not ex­cite the contrary passion of contempt; except when we are disappointed by it, and meet with it in a place where we had reason to expect some­thing better. The same remark, with but little variation, may be applied to the subject before us. Want of learning, in a peasant, or mechanick, ex­cites in us no sentiments of contempt. To their occupations learning is not essential; and the poverty in which they are frequently educated, and the necessity, at a more advanced period, of a constant application to manual labour, allow them no opportunity of acquiring it. But an il­literate physician can never fail to be contempti­ble; because his profession being a learned profes­sion, we expect to find in him a literary character, and are disappointed when it is otherwise.

[Page 14]As medicine, however the invention of it may be ascribed to the Egyptians, was first culti­vated as a science in Greece, and, in consequence of this, most of the terms that belong to it are of Greek derivation; as there are many valuable writings on the subject of medicine in that, and also in the Latin, language; and as a knowledge of these languages gives us a free access to all the learning of antiquity, and to the most finished models of eloquence in every species of composi­tion; it will be expected of a physician, in com­mon with other men of learning, to be in some measure acquainted with them. And as every physician should be a writer,—so far at least as to be capable, when an occasion requires it, of com­municating his sentiments, by writing, with perspi­cuity and correctness,—he should be well acqu [...]int­ed with the elements of criticism; or what [...]er is comprehended under the terms, grammar, rhe­torick, and the belles lettres. He should be no stranger to philosophy; especially to that branch of it which is called physicks, or natural philoso­phy. All the most approved authors who have written on the subject of his profession, he should read, and continue to read, till every sentiment contained in them be not only comprehended, but rendered familiar to him, and indelibly impressed on his memory. And, lastly, he should cultivate [Page 15] habits of strict attention, in whatever it may be in which he happens to be engaged; but more par­ticularly in every occurrence which relates to his practice; that he may be qualified to profit by his own experience.

In all these branches, you have, we doubt not, made already a considerable proficiency; but it will require no small degree of application to keep up this proficiency, and to supply what is wanting.

Secondly. We trust, that you will be no less diligent in the cultivation of every moral virtue.

And, under this head, we would particularly recommend to you to cherish Sympathy. No­thing is more odious in any man than that insen­sibility which wraps him up in himself, and pre­vents his being moved with either the joys or sor­rows of another. In a physician, it is not to be borne with. His abilities may indeed command our respect; but it is this participation in our joys and sorrows, by which only he can render him­self beloved. And the physician, who is beloved by his patients, will always have it in his power to do them the more good. His very presence will soothe their anguish, and his looks and accents impart consolation.

[Page 16]Disinterestedness is another of those virtues, which may be here specified; as being peculiarly becoming in the character of a physician. By disinterestedness, we do not mean, that, in gene­ral, you should have no expectation of being re­warded for your services, or that your reward should not be liberal; but that, on all proper oc­casions, you should be willing to assist and relieve your poorer brethren, in the way of your profes­sion as well as otherwise, hoping for no return; except that, which is indeed the greatest of all others, the approbation of that Being who con­siders every act of beneficence done to the mean­est of his creatures, as done to himself.

What is said by Hippocrates on this subject, is perhaps worthy of your attention: but, how far it is agreeable to the usage of physicians, or might be attended with inconveniencies in prac­tice, I am unable to determine. He is for having the physician to act, in respect to his fees, with ho­nour and humanity, and "regulate them by the patient's power to reward them more or less libe­rally." In the following sentiment, however, I am confident that you will agree with him. "There are even occasions," says he, "on which a physician ought neither to ask nor to expect re­ward; as in the cases of strangers, and the poor, whom all the world are obliged to assist."

[Page 17]I will mention but one more of these virtues; and it is Candour: which I mention the rather, as the want of it in a physician may, on certain occasions, produce incalculable evil.

Of this virtue, the author whom I have just cited, who was as excellent a man as he was an illustrious physician, may serve as an example. In his writings, he is not ashamed to own, at the expense in some measure of his glory, an error he had committed in dressing a wound on the head; "lest," as he observes, "others after him, and by his example, should fall into the same error." Does not this do him more honour, than even all his great learning and capacity? "Little minds," says Celsus, "and men of vulgar abili­ties do not act in this manner; but are much more careful of the small reputation they have; be­cause they can lose nothing without impoverish­ing themselves. Only great geniuses, conscious to themselves of the abundance which they otherwise possess are capable of such an acknow­ledgment, and of neglecting the little losses that diminish nothing of their riches and opulence."

But, thirdly and lastly, I should think my­self inexcusable, were I not to recommend to you [Page 18] a daily attention to the cultivation of pious af­fections.

HE DOES NOT DESERVE THE NAME OF A RA­TIONAL CREATURE, AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT GIVES TO HIS NATURE ITS HIGHEST DIGNITY, WHO NEGLECTS TO KEEP UP A CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE GREAT AUTHOR OF HIS BEING. And, indeed, what exercise can be, in itself, more delightful, than to contemplate the perfections of that Being, who existed from eternity, who created all things, and supplieth all things living with plenteousness; to express our gratitude to him for the benefits which we every moment receive from him; to lift up our hearts unto him who careth for the meanest of his creatures, and pitieth them as a father pitieth his children, to converse with him by prayer, to lay all our wants before him, and to unburthen, as it were, the fulness of our souls in his presence.

I am sensible, that this communication will add nothing to your professional skill; nor can I venture to assure you, that it will give any effica­cy to the medicines which you prescribe. But believing, as I do, that religious principle is essen­tial to the happiness of individuals, and to the [Page 19] very existence of society, I look upon persons, who are any way distinguished by the stations which they hold in society, to be more particular­ly bound to cherish it in themselves, and (as far, at least, as their example can go) to propagate it in others.

Finally, my brethren, the connection, which for some time past has subsisted between us, must henceforth cease. But the time, I trust, will ne­ver come, when you will cease, to reflect on that connection with pleasure. On the other hand, I may venture to assure you, that the good wishes of your former instructors will never fail to ac­company you. And in their name, as well as in my own, I bid you—FAREWELL.