1832.]

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON ANATOMY.

A very his most trifling actions. Mr. Hunter was so struck with bone, the brain, and some other structures. large model of the wrist which he had ordered to be the talents and devotion of Dr. Physick, that when the executed was suspended by his death, but since then it period of his study was coming to a close, he knew not has been finished at the expense of Dr. Physick, and how to part with him, and made offers, which, if they A very valuable collection had been accepted by Dr. Physick, would have given to London its first surgeon, and deprived our country for. deposited in the museum. ever of the just pride she has in calling him her own son, of diseased bones was also made by Dr. Wistar. That Dr. Physick The last year of Dr. Wistar's mortal career was was no ordinary student in Mr. Hunter's room, I am marked by an unusual concourse of students, and by a and in having fostered his talents. series of lectures, in which he even exceeded his for mer reputation. In his fifty-eighth year, animated by a satisfied; when I was in Londom, in 1821, Sir Everard new and improved lecture room, but in an impaired Home spoke to me in the most exalted terms of his state of health, his excessive fondness for the duties of merit; Sir Astley Cooper well recollected his appearthe chair, still stimulated him to advance in the noble ance and deportment while they were fellow students; career. In this zenith of popularity, and of public con- the Hunterian Museum still retained the specimens of fidence, in January, 1818, he was assailed with the ma- his success and neatness as a practical anatomist; the So conservator of the collection, Mr. Clift, bore testimony lady destined by Providence to close his labours. long as reason maintained her seat, an eye witness of to the magnitude of reputation which he had acquired. But the present value of his name I felt most his anguish, I heard him say, "Well, to-morrow I shall These, gentlemen, were the recollections of thirty certainly be able to meet my class," and even when years. dark delirium threw her inantle over his faculties, his advantageously, in the facility with which it opened to incoherent ravings were addressed to the same subject, me, the most distinguished professional circles of the and it was only by coercion that he was prevented one British metropolis. day, long after the usual hour of his lecture had expired, from repairing to the University. His death spread consternation and sorrow throughout this populous city.

The remaining part of this course went on heavily;
the death of Dr. Wistar was not to be readily forgotten,
or his place to be easily supplied. The distinguished
talents of Dr. Dorsey, his years, the labour he was able
to undergo, pointed him out as a fit person for this
Possessed of talents of unusual ver-
important trust.
satility and strength, he was qualified by nature for the
ingenious labor of the mechanician; for the sprightliness
and wit of mixed society; for the acuteness and oratory of
polemic discussions; for the research of the medical
profession; and for the depth of philosophical inquiry.
In the subsequent spring he was accordingly appointed
professor of anatomy. Amiable, engaging, and accom-
plished, the good destinies of our country seemed to
have reserved him as a compensation for the loss of
Wistar. At the opening of the course the next No-
vember, he gave an introductory, which, in the judgment
and brilliancy of its composition, and in the effect of its
delivery, realized fully the most sanguine expectations
Scarcely, however,
of the school, and of his friends.
had he delivered it, when the band of death fixed its un-
relenting grasp upon him, and hurried him out of ex-
istence. Most appropriately may we say of him in the
lines of the inspired bard-

Sed nox atra caput tristi circumvolat umbra.
*** Si qua fata aspera rumpas

Tu Marcellus eris. Manibus date lilia plenis
Purpureos spargam flores, animamque nepotis
His saltem accumulem donis, et fungar inani
Munere*

As characteristic of the manner in which Dr. P. pursued his studies, I may mention an anecdote. He enwho, devoted to the doctrine of Cullen, from having tered as a student in this city with the late Dr. Kuhn, been educated at Edinburgh, believed that the First This opinion Dr. Kuhn inculcated on Lines of Cullen contained all the essential principles of the healing art. his students, Dr. P. taking for granted that it was correct, thought that as a medical student he could not do better than commit these First Lines to memory. He immediately set to work and fully accomplished the task, so that he could submit to an examination from any part of the book and repeat pages of it by heart. Mr. John Hunter as a surgeon and a very close investigator into morbid anatomy, held many of Dr. Cullen's opinions very cheaply, so that when Dr. P. got to London, he had to unlearn many things which it had given him so much trouble to learn in this country but even now physicians who consult with him in difficult and obscure cases of sickness, find his memory teeming with definitions, from this ancient recollection of Cullen.

At the death of Dr. Wistar, his widow, by a noble act of munificence, at her own expense gave the anatomical collection of her husband to the University. With this foundation laid, and incentive to exertion, it has been my unceasing care to extend and to improve it, and this desire has been only strengthened and rendered still more active, by the fine accommodations of this A new and numerous building erected two years ago. class of wet preparations forming now the body of the Museum, has been made, and include a very large number of interesting specimens of morbid anatomy, and of minute structure. The variety of preparations illustrating almost every topic of a course of anatomy, is in fact so extensive, that it would be extremely difficult to introduce them all by demonstration; and it is confidently believed that in value and utility the Museum collectively yields to none of the same size in any part of the world, and that it is much superior in extent to any in this country.

In this succession of disaster after disaster, the only means of avoiding the evils which now began to hover around the chair of anatomy, and to threaten its existence as a distinguished and efficient department in I have now finished the subject, on which I proposed our school, was the appointment of Dr. Physick to fill up the gap, and to respond to the public hopes. Already advanced in life, and elevated to the pinnacle of to address you; if it has failed to interest, and to rereputation, possessing amply the means of resting qui- ward you for the time consumed in its discussion, I trust etly under the shade of his own laurels, it was only af- that you will consider it the fault of the speaker; under ter much hesitation that he consented to surrender his more able management it could not fail to be rich in the own convenience to the good of the institution, with best lessons of instruction for young men, who are His early studies had been about to engage in the profession of medicine. In which he was connected. such as to qualify him eminently for the task. A fa- whatever manner this topic may have been treated, the vourite pupil of the celebrated John Hunter, having reflections on it have afforded me no small pleasure. naturally very much the same character of mind, his Connected by strong ties of friendship and esteem to predilection for anatomy and surgery had been fasten- two of the gentlemen, who are now departed, connected on him, and ripened into enthusiasm, by living un-ed by still stronger to him who is left, and who, I sinder the same roof with that great man, and observing

• Virgil. Æneid. Lib. 7-882.

cerely, hope. may long continue to enjoy the fruits of a distinguished and useful life; I have traced their progress and their full blown character, as well for my own

James White, Mahlon Haines, Hartt Grandom; Ro- Adam Konigmacher,

72

From the Philadelphia Gazette.
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

Monday, July 23, 1832.

Mr. DUANE was called to the chair, in the absence of the president.

Mr. MASSEY called up for consideration, the ordinance relative to Water street, which was agreed to, and tue ordinance was passed by the Select Council, but was ordered to be printed by the Common Council, for the benefit of the Common Council.

Mr. JOHNSON offered a petition from the City Carters, which was referred to the Mayor, and City Commissioners, with power to act.

COMMON COUNCIL.-Mr. BAKER presented a petition, praying that Biddle's alley be pavea, which was referred to the paving committee.

The following communication from commissioners of the Kensington district was received, and was referred to the watering committee. KENSINGTON, July 18th, 1832. To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia.

Gentlemen,-The commissioners of the "Kensington District of the Northern Liberties," desirous of introducing the Schuylkill water into the District, some time since appointed Hugh Clark, W. F. Harrison, Michael Keenan, Henry Remmey, jr. and John Rambo, a com

Mr. NEFF offered the annexed preamble and resolu-mittee to communicate with committees to be appointed tion, which were agreed to.

Whereas frequent complaints have been made to members of the Sanitary Committee, of the bad state of an alley back of Relief Alley, Therefore,

Resolved, That the subject be referred to the paving committee, with power to order the same paved, should they deem it necessary.

Mr. GROVES, as chairman of the committee to procure plans of the rail-road along Broad street, made the annexed report, which was read and laid on the table.

The committee appointed to procure plans for the construction of the rail-road along Broad street, from Vine to Cedar street, report,

That they have procured three different plans of rails and sills, which accompany this report, and to which they beg leave to refer the members of Councils. The committee are of opinion, that the drawing marked No. 3, on the plan, is the one which is the most suitable for a street, so much travelled as Broad street, as it presents no impediment to the wheels of carriages, and will not be liable to get out of order. It will be necessary to make turn-outs at the intersections of the main streets, a plan of which has not yet been procured, but those on the road through Baltimore, it is supposed are best calculat ed for the purpose.

The committee are of opinion, that the rails should be contracted for, and the granite sills prepared, to be ready at the commencement of the next season; they therefore, submit the following resolution.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to contract for a sufficient quantity of iron rails, and also for granite stone to form the sills of the said rail-road, and to have the same prepared-and that they be authorized to employ a suitable person to superintend the work, whenever they may think the services of such a person neces

sary.

Mr. MASSEY offered the following resolution which was passed by the Select Council.

Resolved by the Select and Common Council, That the sum of ten thousand dollars, be, and the same is hereby appropriated to be employed under the directions of the Sanitary Committee, for the purpose of relieving the poor within the city, who are unable to provide for themselves, a comfortable subsistence, and that the expense of cleansing and purifying the respective premises of such persons as are unable to pay, be paid by the city, and that the expense thereof, be charge to appropriation No. 21.

Mr. GROVES offered the subjoined resolution, and called for the ayes and nays. It was carried in the Select Councils, by the following vote.

Ayes, Messrs. Fox, Groves, Massey, Neff, and To. land-5..

Nays, Messrs. Duane, Horn, Johnson, and Lippin

cott-4.

But the Common Councils had adjourned before it was sent to them.

Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, That the Board of Health be, and they are hereby requested to interdict the intercourse from the city of New York, and such other cities and towns, as may be afflicted with the Asiatic Cholera, and this city as soon as practicable.

by Councils, and the commissioners of the Northern Li-
berties, as to the most eligible mode of introducing the
Our committees would be glad to have an early
same.
arrangement of the matter, and for that purpose ask an
early interview. Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,

HUGH CLARK, Chairman of W. C. Mr. FRITZ called up for consideration, the resolution attached to the report of the committee to visit the lands of the late Stephen Girard, which was agreed to; and the resolution as amended, was passed by both Councils.

Mr. RYAN offered the following resolution, which was passed by the Common Council, but was laid on the table in the Select Council.

Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, That the Clerks of Councils, be authorized to have printed, ia pamphlet form, the ordinances of Councils, and the acts of Assembly relating to the city, passed since the last pamphlet publication, and charge the expense of the same, to appropriation No. 21.

Mr. SEXTON offered the annexed resolution, which was agreed to, and Messrs. Fritz and Neff, were appointed that committee.

Resolved, That one member of each Council, be added to the committee on the improvement of the Schuylkill lands, &c.

Thursday, July 26th, 1832. SELECT COUNCIL.--The annexed communication from the City Commissioners was received, and referred to the market committee.

CITY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, July 26th, 1832. To the President and Members of the Common Council. Gentlemen,-The City Commissioners have received the enclosed communication from Mr. Benj. W. Clark, who has the charge of the clock at the corner of High and Second streets, on the subject of procuring a new clock. As the commissioners are not authorized to act in this matter, unless directed by Councils, they respectfully refer it to their consideration. By order,

ROBERT H. SMITH,
City Clerk.

[COFY.]

To the City Commissioners..
Gentlemen,-The clock at the Court House, corner
of Second and Market streets, of which I have charge,
is so much out of repair, that it is impossible to make it
keep correct time. The clock is a thirty hour one, and
is supposed to be nearly two hundred years old. A first
rate eight day clock can be procured, I believe, for six to
Mr. Lukens's calculation for
eight hundred dollars.
repairs of the old one, is from two to three hundred
dollars, and then it would not keep correct time. The
immense business done in the immediate vicinity of the
Court House, and the consequent importance of having
the correct time, renders it necessary that decisive
measures should be taken as speedily as possible upon
the subject.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your ob't serv't.
Signed,
BENJ. W. CLARK.
Philadelphia, July 26, 1832.

1832.]

FAIRVIEW ROLLING MILLS.

The following communication was received from the | as tax collector, from M. Michael A. Cline, which was
Commissioners of Kensington District, which was read referred to the Mayor and City Solicitor.
and laid on the table.

PHILADELPHIA, July, 1832. To the Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia. Gentlemen-In obedience to a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Kensington District of the Northern Liberties, I have the honor herewith to present you a copy of a Digest of the Laws and Ordinances of the Government of that District.

Very respectfully,

ROBERT HODGSON, Clerk.

Mr. PETTIT offered the annexed resolution, which was adopted.

copy

Resolved, That the Clerks of the Councils respectfully acknowledge the acceptance by the Councils, of the of a Digest of the Laws and Ordinances for the government of the Kensington District of the Northern Liberties, presented by the Commissioners of that District; and that a copy of the "Digest of the Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Philadelphia, and of the acts of Assembly relating thereto," suitably bound, be presented to the Commissioners of Kensing

ton.

Mr. LIPPINCOTT presented a petition relative to a stand for drays, which was referred to the market committee.

Mr. Fox presented a petition for paving Madison Avenue, which was referred to the paving committee. Mr. DUANE, as chairman of the Girard committee, made a report which was ordered to be printed.

A communication from Charles Cany, was received, and referred to a joint committee of two members from each Council; and Messrs. Toland, Massey, Okie, and Mayberry, were appointed the committee.

Mr. PETTIT offered the following resolution, which was adopted, and Messrs. Pettit, Lippincott, Hood, and Fritz, were appointed that committee.

Resolved, That a joint committee, of two members of each Council, be appointed to consider whether any, and if any, what measures ought to be adopted on the part of the corporation of Philadelphia, in relation to the real estate purchased by the late Stephen Girard, Esq. subsequent to the date of the last publication of his last will and testament.

Mr. LIPPINCOTT offered the annexed resolution, which was adopted by both Councils.

Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia, That the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized, to pay the taxes now due, and that may hereafter be levied upon the different tracts of land, aud other real estate, bequeathed to the corporation by the late Elias Boudinot, also those of the late Stephen Girard.

Mr. TOLAND as chairman of the committee to whom was referred Mr. Cany's communication, made the following report and resolution, which were adopted.

The Joint Committee, to which was referred the petition and bill of Mr. Charles Cany, beg leave to offer the following resolution.

Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, that the executors of Stephen Girard be, and they are hereby authorized and requested to settle and pay the bill of Charles Cany against his estate, on the principles of equity and justice.

COMMON COUNCIL.-Mr. BAKER presented a petition praying that the north side of High street, between Delaware Fourth and Fifth streets, may be paved, which was referred to the paving committee.

Mr. HORN presented a petition praying that an Alley running into Tenth street from Currant Alley, below Walnut street, may be repaved, which was referred to the paving committee with power to act; and so much of it as relates to the fire plug, to the watering committee. Mr. HORN presented a communication, asking the release of a certain house from the effect of. his bond VOL. X.

10

The Common Council then took up for consideration, the resolution passed by the Select Council at their last meeting, relative to stopping the intercourse between New York and this city. It was unanimously rejected. Mr. Fritz called up for third reading the ordinance relative to the width of Water street, which passed, yeas, 15; Nay 1.

The Common Council then took up for consideration the resolution offered by Mr. Massey, at the last meeting of the Select Council, which was agreed to, and Mr. Leiper, offered an amendment, which was agreed to, when on motion of Mr. Horn, it was postponed, for the purpose of introducing the following ordinance which was read and laid on the table.

Be it ordained and enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Council assembled, That the powers of the Sanitary Committee be extend. ed so as to remove all such persons as may be unable to remove themselves, and further, to do all things which they in their judgment may think necessary and proper for the preservation of the health of the city, and that the expenses of carrying this ordinance; into effect be charged to the appropriation for sanitary purposes.

FAIRVIEW ROLLING MILLS.

Nearly opposite the State Capitol, on the west side Conodoguinnett creek, Messrs. Hiester and Callender, of the Susquehanna river, and at the mouth of the have lately erected the "Fairview Rolling Mills." They take their name from the beautiful situation of the of Harrisburg, and the surrounding country. This is village near which they are located, being in full view certainly one of the most delightful spots on the tiful and variegated scenery. The view up and down banks of the Susquehanna, celebrated as it is for beauthe stream, is here and there obstructed by beautiful islands, compared to which the Island of Blannerhassett in the Ohio, is vastly inferior. The river is more than a mile wide, and generally, the iron from the Rolling Mills can be carried across to Harrisburg in boats, out any land carriage. Arks of coal from Clearfield, where it can be put on the canal for Philadelphia, withthe mills. This circumstance gives these Rolling Mills Lycoming and Luzerne counties, can also be unloaded at a decided advantage." Here is one of the finest water powers in Pennsylvania; the fall being sufficient, and the water abundant at every season of the year. ring the last week we paid a visit to these mills, and witnessed the operation of rolling iron from blooms insent to the Philadelphia market; the bituminous coal to bars. Between 4 and 6 tons per day are rolled and from Clearfield county is used for heating blooms. The No person should visit Harristhe anthracite is used. proprietors are preparing to roll sheet iron, in which burg without paying a visit to these mills. Such works richest ornaments of a country.-Pennsylvania Intel. of industry and enterprise, located in any place, are the

TOWANDA.

Du

As a great many people are leaving the large cities to avoid the cholera, we recommend to their attention our own borough as a healthy and pleasant place. We venture to say that there is not a more healthy town in the Union, than Towanda is at present. The town situated on the west bank of the north branch of the Suscontains about five or six hundred inhabitants, and is quehanna river, eighteen miles from the state line. The fever There are springs within a few miles of this place said to possess excellent medicinal qualities, which are likely to become places of considerable resort. and ague, so common in the towns on the banks of the river above and below, never make their appearance unless contracted at some other place.-Bradford Sett.