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LONDON SATURDAY JOURNAL.

No. 61.]

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM SMITH, 113, FLEET STREET.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1840.

MUTUAL INSTRUCTION SOCIETIES.

[PRICE TWOPENCE.

intimating that all the members of the club were intimately acquainted with one another, and each could answer for all that they were not addicted to any vicious practices; that they were all outwardly strictly moral in their conduct, and anxious to follow the truth. Having thus "opened his case," he descended into the recesses of the youthful heart; spoke of its dreams, its wishes, its hopes, and its ambition; and at the close of an ably-written essay, appealed with great fervour, and even eloquence, to his companions, urging them to countenance one another in maintaining a high moral standard, not merely in conduct, but in thought and feeling. We have never forgotten the impression left by the reading of that essay. The speaker's voice was rather harsh and dissonant at first, but it gradually became soft and mellifluous, and as every word seemed literally spoken from the heart to the heart, they fell like "the dew upon the tender grass." Circum

In early life we had some little experience of juvenile debating clubs and mutual instruction societies; and that experience was, for a time, anything but favourable. We formed one of an association of youths, most of whom were schoolboys, whose flippant nonsense and pertness must have been very provocative of laughter to any person a little older than the oldest of the group; and when passing in years from the boy to the man, we again joined a club, whose chief orator was a babbling son of Crispin, ever ready to talk on anything or everything, no matter whether the subject was comprehended or not. When a little more knowledge and reflection came with one or two more years of existence, the impression left was, that these associations of youths, for the purpose of mutual improvement, were, on the whole, more pernicious than otherwise; generating a shallow self-stances prevented us from becoming a member of this little conceit in the minds of the young persons composing them, and leading them to gabble away, with scarcely an idea in their heads, yet all the while resting quite satisfied that their shadowless words were full of meaning.

They

Impressed with this conviction, we resisted the importunities of a companion to form one of an association of young men, whose ages were about from eighteen to twenty-four, and who held their meetings in a school-room, not far from where we lived. met twice a week; on Wednesday evenings for mutual improvement in general knowledge, and on Sunday mornings, early, for moral improvement. The idea which we entertained respecting this association was, that its members might be very well-meaning young men, whose tediousness, though cheerfully borne by one another, could not be very entertaining to a stranger; and we recollect loudly condemning the Sunday-morning meetings, as calculated to weaken the impression of the services at their respective places of worship, and therefore so far prejudicial. But hearing much about one individual, whom we set down as the "crack" man of the club, we consented to go on a following Sunday morning, to hear him, in his turp, deliver an essay.

The morning was a beautiful summer morning; and the delightful stillness had a quiet influence on the mind, rendering it averse to all criticism and all sarcasm, and disposing it to receive favourably whatever might be spoken. The young men were nearly assembled, (the hour of meeting was half-past six,) and in a few minutes one of them, who acted as chairman, rose, and began the proceedings by repeating in a low solemn tone the Lord's Prayer. On looking around, when the Amen was uttered, there appeared a serious kind of impression on every countenance; the look and air of all the young men showed that they had assembled for a grave and important purpose, and that they were in earnest. Presently the essayist rose, and placing a few leaves of manuscript in a copy of the Testament, proceeded to inform his audience that he had taken for a text-" Young men exhort to be 'sober-minded." Now, we thought, now for a bad sermon-a poor parody of what might be far better left to those whose duty it was to minister in the course of the day. The speaker began by

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association; but we afterwards discovered that this young man, who was almost idolised by his companions, acquired his influence over them by the simplicity of his character, the extent of his knowledge, and the enthusiastic and moral honesty which he carried into all that he did.

The club was broken up, and the young essayist went to the United States to join some relations; and there, as we understood, he died. Some ten years afterwards, we met, in a town remote from the locality of the club, an individual who had been one of its members, but who is now a married man, with his children round his fireside. In talking over "old times," he reverted, with extraordinary animation, to his "club;" spoke, with a feeling amounting almost to reverence of this youth, and of the influence of his character; and pointing to his little boy, he exclaimed, "When that child grows up, I will induce him to become a member of a Mutual Instruction Society;' for I feel that the good results of the one I belonged to will follow me through life!"

In fact, nobody who knows anything of these associations can doubt their general beneficial influence. To an ingenuous youth, thirsting for information, and eager for society, nothing can be more attractive than to meet with a few companions "likeminded," who are willing to combine together, to stimulate each other's exertions, and to add to each other's knowledge. Their efforts may be sometimes misdirected; their discussions may be sometimes ludicrously grave; to an elder mind, they may sometimes seem like pigmies, endeavouring to take up subjects which would try the strength of giants: still, their exertions are their own, and, unless the association is very badly managed, much good must result from it. It is essential, however, to the success of such an association, that there be amongst its members one or two rather superior to the rest, able to guide the proceedings, and give them a tone. By superior we certainly do not mean one who conceits himself to be so; for though a conceited person may le clever, able to compose a smart essay, or to talk with great volubility, he will be found, in the long-run, to be but a shallow person, after all. We mean by superior, one whose enthusiasm,

Bradbury and Evans Printers, Whitefriars

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energy, and moral purpose, though they may run in a narrow channel, at least run somewhat deep; one who attracts his com

panions by a quiet zeal, an unpretending and honest disposition, and a hearty acquiescence in the objects of the association of which he is a member. But, though superior, we would not, in general, like to see any member of a Mutual Instruction Society too superior. The young man of whom we have spoken was an exceedingly unassuming person, yet some of the humbler members of his society were rather deterred from exerting themselves, from a fear of the contrast in the minds of their companions.

When our attention was first called to the subject of "Mutual Instruction Societies," by a correspondent, we had some idea of being able to collect a quantity of materials for giving a view of the number and proceedings of these associations throughout Great Britain. On reconsideration, we do not think that this will be easily attainable, nor perhaps very desirable; and we will therefore give a few extracts from some of the communications we have already received. Our object in doing so is to convey information of the manner in which different societies conduct their proceedings, not without a hope that it may stimulate some young men to follow their example.

We have only received three communications from members of Mutual Instruction Societies in London. One of these is the Great Tower-street Society, of which Mr. Timothy Claxton is a member, whose interesting "Hints to Mechanics "we noticed in No. XI. of the LONDON SATURDAY JOURNAL, and also extracted his list of associations throughout England. This Great Towerstreet Society has been in existence four years, and is stated to be now in a very flourishing condition. "The object of this society is to promote the moral and intellectual improvement of its members, by means of essays, lectures, discussions, and conversations on all subjects. The subscription of 1s. per quarter constitutes a member (subject to the approval of a majority of the members at any meeting-night), and entitles the member to the use of a library consisting of 500 volumes; in addition to which, there are classes formed for the study of the following subjects:--Botany, discussion, Latin, mechanics and mathematics, arithmetic, and grammar." Another correspondent, who dates from the Dover-road, states that the objects of his society are-" First, the cultivation of the mind, and the acquirement and communication of useful knowledge. The benefits arising from this must be so apparent as not to need any further remarks upon the subject. Second, to keep us from the dangers to which we are exposed. We seek to amuse as well as instruct each other, and thus to give us a relish for high intellectual and moral pleasures, in the place of those which are low and grovelling; and, third, to bring out the talent and genius which a youth possesses. OUR aim, in short, is, by blending these three objects together, to constitute us useful members of society, to be useful to those around us, and thus assist us in fulfilling the moral duties which are imposed upon us.”

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A third correspondent, from Islington, says, "Feeling considerable interest in the establishment of all Mutual Instruction Societies' which may be conducted upon right and judicious prineiples, and being myself member of a Literary and Scientific Institution,' in which there is a 'discussion class,' I feel inclined to offer my humble aid to your correspondent Socius,' whose letter appeared in the 53d Number of the London Saturday Journal; humbly hoping that it may prove of some little use to him and his associates in the formation of their new society.

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"The discussion class referred to consists of a secretary and an unlimited number of members, having for its object the discussion of historical and philological' subjects. Its meetings are held weekly, at the hour of eight o'clock (unfortunately it is often half-past before business commences), when a chairman is duly elected, who generally commences the business of the evening by saying, 'Ladies* and gentlemen, our secretary will now read the *Each member may introduce a lady or gentleman.

minutes of the last meeting.' (It may be as well to state that the secretary enters the name of each speaker, as well as any other proceedings which may take place, in a book kept for the purpose.) The minutes having been read, the chairman then puts it to the meeting, 'whether or not the minutes which have just been read are correct?' When they are confirmed, that being the usual conclusion, the question for discussion is then read, with has concluded, any the intimation, that when the 'opener' gentleman may speak upon the question. "The opener is allowed to speak as long as he pleases; any other speaker may only continue his speech' for twenty minutes. No speaker is allowed to speak twice (besides the opener '), unless it be in explanation. The debate may be prolonged till ten minutes past ten o'clock, at which time the opener' must be called upon for his reply, unless some other member move its adjournment; which no one can do without undertaking to open it upon the next night of meeting. Should the adjournment be if the contrary be the case, the opener' replies, and pro or con. 'carried,' the discussion may continue till half-past ten; but is then put from the chair, and the meeting decides accordingly. The 'general meeting occurs half-yearly, at which time the secretary is chosen, and questions proposed for the ensuing halfyear. (The proposer of a question is bound to open it.) Should any individual desire to make an' amendment' upon any existing law, or wish to introduce a new one, he must give one week's notice of his intention previous to this meeting, which is the only time at which it may be considered.

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I feel particularly pleased at your correspondent's desire to exclude everything personal from the debating society of which he intends being a member; and I can assure him, from personal observation, that if a competent and well-qualified chairman preside at meetings for discussion, he will not fail to discern the proper time for making use of his authority, and check every such feeling at the outset. If discussion classes be properly conducted, and provided with good laws, they may be made eminently useful to all parties taking an active part in them. But as all power is injurious when abused, they are often attended with evil. I have known debating societies,' consisting principally of young men, holding their meetings in a room forming part of a public-house, which, of course, has a very bad tendency.'

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Proceeding to the provinces, we take up the following account, dated from GLASGOW, "of a Mutual Instruction Society which existed in our village [he does not give us the name of the village],

and of which I was a member.

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"The Society was composed of individuals between the ages of fourteen and thirty-five, and was called 'The Youth's Society for Moral, Religious, and Intellectual Improvement.' well-disposed young man of a proper age was admitted a member on application. The society met every Thursday evening and Sunday morning. On Thursday evening, a paper was read or an address delivered, by a member of the society, on some scientific or literary topic; after which, conversational remarks were made upon the subject handled by the essayist. On Sunday morning, the essay and the conversation were confined to religious subjects, and a chapter of the Bible was usually read; every meeting was opened with prayer. Each member of the society was expected to take his turn at the essay; only, in its place, he might read a The conversational remarks passage from some good author. went round the room, beginning on the right hand of the chairman, and ending on the left, in order that all might be prepared to take a part in it. The subject to be discussed next day was announced at the previous meeting by him whose turn it was to deliver an essay.

"Among the subjects discussed were-the moral improvement of man, the improvement of time, astronomy, emigration, benevolence of the Deity, mechanical powers, effects of the invention of printing on the moral and physical condition of the human family,

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to sixteen members; it meets on a stated evening every alternate week, when a lecture or essay is read by one of the members in rotation. The composition, pronunciation, manner of reading, &c. of the lecturer or essayist are criticised; and then the subject of the essay is debated.

"On looking over our minute-book, I find that in the short time that the society has existed, the following subjects have been brought forward:

"LECTURES-On the Improvement of the Mind. The British Constitution. Beneficial Results of the Extension of Machinery. The Steam Engine. Geography (outline). On the Causes of Steam-boiler Explosions, and Means of Prevention. The Manufacture of Paper. Phrenology. Astronomy (outline). Mechanical Properties of Water.

"ESSAYS-Ought the Study of the Classics to form part of the Education of Youth? Ought the Corn-laws to be abolished? Should Christianity be supported and propagated by the voluntary Contributions of its Professors, or by State Endowment? On Combinations. The Character of Napoleon. Are the Canadians justified in asserting their Independence? Has the Civil Magistrate, in his official capacity, anything to do with Religion? The Principles of the People's Charter. Why has the Comfort of the Working Classes not kept pace with the Progress of Machinery? "The members of the Society are all engaged in some occupation or other either as shopmen, clerks, or mechanics; and, to say the least of it, these topics were handled in a very respectable manner, considering that we are all but half-educated (if so much), and some of us in a great measure self-educated.

"Thus I have laid before you the manner in which we proceed; and from the list of subjects which I have given, you will easily guess that our object is mutual instruction. Besides those subjects I have noted above, we had a few humorous ones occasionally, most of which were what we call spontaneous or voluntary; that is, such as are brought forward out of turn, to fill up a night, or supply the place of an absent member or defaulter; but we chiefly confine ourselves to those matters from which information of present utility can be derived; and as we consist of persons who hold all shades of civil and ecclesiastical politics, we prefer subjects for debating that will naturally divide the members, and cause them heartily to take sides. The subjects of both lectures and essays are chosen by the persons who write them, but must be approved of by the society. Matters strictly religious are excluded.

"The benefits we have derived from the society are numerous; I shall only notice these a healthful stimulant to the mental faculties; a necessity for reading and thinking (which is not unnecessary, I can assure you, to those who are twelve or thirteen hours in the traces daily); a readiness in expressing our thoughts on paper; and considerable fluency of speech, with confidence to stand up and utter our opinions before others.

"There are several such associations in town, all of which meet quarterly in a united capacity, for the purpose of hearing lectures or for debating. Of course, the best of our members are put forward at these meetings; so that, whatever talent exists in any one society, all the others get the benefit of it."

As some of the topics included in the list given by our Paisley correspondent might be objected to by others, we here introduce the letter of a LIVERPOOL correspondent, who, he tells us, has been connected with Mutual Instruction Societies and debating clubs for several years; and therefore his experience is worth something.

"In the first place," he says, "very few of them last long, because young men in general cannot endure the literary labour they impose, and consequently they rarely continue long enough to produce those beneficial results which might be expected from them. The regulations which I consider the most suitable are these:

"Let every person, on becoming a member, pay a half-yearly subscription at least: this will preserve the society from the pecuniary embarrassments resulting from that indifference which prompts many members to withdraw after a short time. Let every member pledge himself to open a debate, the time for so doing being determined by an alphabetical list of the members, and let him at some fixed time previous to the debate propose a question in which he will take the affirmative side; his opponent, on the negative, being chosen at the same time from among those members who may be willing to speak on the negative. As fines for

non-attendance have never, in my experience, accomplished their object, I do not advocate them.

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Regarding questions to be discussed, I would exclude religion and politics. Let the questions be such as have reference to the happiness of mankind-that show the effect of manners and customs on society-that point out the causes and means of civilisation, such as the following:-Did the Crusades produce any beneficial effects on society? Has hope or fear the greater influence on the human mind? Was Rome, at the height of her power, greater than England at the present day? Whether did Greece or Rome do more for civilisation? Has war generally promoted civilisation? Has man or woman the greater influence on society? "Such questions as the following-Was Cæsar or Napoleon the greater character? ought to be introduced as seldom as possible, as they generally produce a great deal of party spirit, and very little useful knowledge."

The foregoing has been written by one whose experience has been, on the whole, somewhat discouraging. It may therefore be a little enlivening to turn to a letter from OswESTRY, Shropshire; the writer expressing himself with all the buoyancy of hope and pleasure :

"Our society is designated the 'Young Men's Improvement Society,' and already numbers 150 members, though it has scarcely been twelve months in active operation. It was formed principally for the intellectual and moral improvement of the shopmen and apprentices, who, in consequence of the earlier closing of the shops than formerly, it was feared would be led into mischief and vice. That class of individuals did not, however, avail themselves of the privileges thus offered to them; and the society now consists, with but few exceptions, of mechanics, who evince, by their regular attendance at the various meetings, their anxiety to improve and cultivate their minds.

"Our plans will best be known by an account of the routine of a week's proceedings:-Monday, discussion; Tuesday, lecture; Wednesday, reading; Thursday, classes for geography; Friday, classes for writing and arithmetic.

"But to enter more minutely into the description, the discussions are always on subjects of an interesting and useful character, and are generally conducted with great spirit. The principal subjects which have been discussed are-the Character of Queen Elizabeth; American War; Whether Britain has been a greater Blessing or Curse to the World, irrespective of Christianity; Whether we are most indebted to our Army or Navy for our present Greatness as a Nation; Whether Wealth or Knowledge gives the most Power to Man; the Characters of Charles I. and Cromwell, &c. &c.

"The object we had in view in commencing the discussions, was to excite the interest and attention of those who could not be allured into the flowery paths of knowledge by means of lectures and other tamer modes of instruction; and we have succeeded far beyond our most sanguine expectations. Numbers have joined our ranks in consequence of the interesting character of the disother haunts of dissipation, as they had formerly done, they are cussions; and instead of spending their time in the taverns and now storing their minds with a knowledge of history, and preparing for the discussion, to which they come, and deliver their thoughts in such a manner as surprises all acquainted with their resulting from the discussions is the great amount of oratorical previous characters and dispositions.

Not the least benefit

talent elicited from some of the members; indeed, one of the most respectable and intelligent gentlemen of the town has asserted that the speeches of some of the members would not disgrace any of our first public orators.

"The lectures are delivered by various gentlemen, strangers as well as residents in the town, who have offered their valuable services gratuitously, and the subjects-connected with science and literature-have been such as to excite considerable attention among young persons generally, as well as the members. The lectures are open to all who can procure tickets, which can be had gratuitously of any member; they are well attended.

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"We have a small library, which we hope soon to increase. In connexion with it, we take in the London Saturday Journal,' Chambers,' and the Penny; all of which, but especially the first, prove a source of great attraction to the reading part of our society, a class which I am happy to say is daily increasing. Respecting the various classes I need enter into no particu

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lars; their object is fully explained by their name, and their utility cannot for a moment be questioned.

"There is one important feature in our society which may be mentioned, as I think it is rather peculiar-that is, no member is compelled to subscribe; it is left entirely to his own free-will. By this means, many enjoy the benefits of the society who otherwise would have been debarred them, as being too poor to subscribe; but to the credit of the members it may be stated, that all who can, do subscribe according to their ability."

The last communication for which we have room at present is one from HUDDERSFIELD. From the printed rules of this society we extract the following :

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"This society shall be called 'The Society for Intellectual Improvement,' its object being the mental cultivation of its members, by engaging respectable and competent teachers to instruct

them in the useful arts and sciences.

No person shall be a member of this society, who is not of good moral character, and who does not acknowledge the divine authenticity of the Scriptures.

"All works on controversial theology and party politics, together with novels and romances, shall be excluded.'

The following account of this society has been given by the correspondent to whom we are indebted for a copy of the rules :-"It has been in existence about seven years; its object is the 'mental improvement of its members.' But though this is its direct aim, it has in many instances been instrumental in improving the moral character of its members, and raising them in society. Lectures are delivered gratuitously every alternate week, chiefly by our talented president and townsman, W. Dearden; they are upon a variety of subjects-such as grammar, logic, rhetoric, poetry, elocution, astronomy, geography, moral philosophy, &c. &c. Classes are formed on geometry, grammar, elocution, mathematics, and other subjects, all tending to mental improvement. The subjects for discussion are various.

"In the classics, a considerable proficiency has been attained by a great number of individuals. The lectures and discussions stimulate the members to active research and exertion. The society, since its establishment, has been productive of much good. At the last meeting, a fresh plan was suggested, with an intention of bringing into practical application the knowledge of the members. A number of gentlemen voluntarily subscribed their names to a paper, engaging to write essays on subjects most suitable to the abilities of each writer; the first writer to be balloted for. The paper to be read publicly before the members; after which, its merits, as respects correctness of language, eloquence of diction, and propriety of thought, will be criticised and discussed. This method, I think, will be useful."

Here we conclude, for the present: but we have somewhat to say, in the way of warning and advice, which we reserve to another opportunity.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN D. GODMAN.

JOHN D. GODMAN, an American naturalist of deserved reputation, was born at Annapolis, in the state of Maryland, on the 20th day of December, 1794. In early infancy he was deprived by death of both his parents; and when scarcely two years old was left to the care of an aunt then residing at Wilming ton, in the state of Delaware. His father, when he died, possessed but little property, and of that little young Godman was soon after fraudulently deprived. To his aunt he was, in consequence, solely indebted for nurture and education, at a period of life when he stood most in need of the fostering care and watchful guardianship of a mother's and a father's love. His aunt appears, however, to have faithfully supplied, as far as was within her power, the loss he had sustained by the death of his parents. She is represented as "a lady who, from the superiority of her intellect and education, as well as the sweetness of her disposition and her elevated piety, was eminently qualified to unfold, impress, and direct the youthful mind." Under such culture young Godman received the first rudiments of his education, and his earliest moral impressions. During his last illness he was often heard to speak in raptures of his aunt, and say, "If I have ever been led to do any good, it has been through the influence of her example, instruction, and prayers."

When he had attained his fourth year, his aunt removed from Delaware to Chester-town, upon the eastern shore of Maryland, and here the little orphan was first placed at school.

He had already become the idol of the family; but he now manifested such a precocity of intellect, such a fondness for books, so great an aptitude to learn, and withal evinced so much sensibility, frankness, and sweetness of disposition, that he gained the affection, and excited the admiration, of all who knew him. His reverence to truth was such, even from his infancy, that he was never known even to equivocate.

When he was seven years old his aunt died, and he was left without any suitable protector or guide, exposed to the neglect and temptations so often connected with adversity.

After the death of his aunt, young Godman was bound as an apprentice to the printer of a newspaper in the city of Baltimore. With this situation, however, he was from the commencement extremely dissatisfied. In a letter written in July 1812 to Dr. Luckey, in whom he had found an early friend, he declares that it was worse than "cramping his genius over a pestle and mortar," -it was "cramping it over a font of types, where there are words without ideas."

His early predilection for intellectual pursuits, and his unbounded confidence in his own powers and resources, are happily illustrated by the following anecdote related by Dr. Luckey. In the year 1810 the latter gentleman was student of medicine in the office of Dr. Thomas E. Bond of Baltimore. "The office," he remarks, "was fitted up with taste; and boys, attracted by its appearance, would frequently drop in to gaze on the labelled jars and drawers. Among them I discovered one evening an interesting lad, who was amusing himself with the manner in which his comlabelled. He appeared to be quite an adept in the Latin language. rades pronounced the hard words' with which the furniture was A strong curiosity soon prompted me to inquire, Who are you? -'Don't you recollect,' said he, that you visited a boy at Mr. Creery's who had a severe attack of bilious colic?'-'I do. what is your name, my little boy? He was small of his age. 'My name, sir, is John D. Godman.' 'Did you study the Latin language with Mr. Creery?' 'No, he does not teach any but an English school.' 'Do you intend to prosecute your studies alone? 'I do and I will, if I live, make myself a Latin, Greek, and French scholar.'

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During the unhappy war between Great Britain and the United States, young Godman, in 1814, became a sailor under Commodore Barney, and was engaged in some actual service. It does not appear how he left his apprenticeship: and his seamanship did not last long; for in 1815 he accepted the offer of Dr. Luckey, to become a resident in his family, and enter on the study of the medical profession. In a letter Godman says, "I have discovered my real age in an old book of my father's; and, you would hardly suppose it, I was twenty-one years old the twentieth day of

In the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, there is engraved on a December, 1815. Before I was two years old I was motherlessstone the anagram of Robert Dalglish and Jean Douglas :

"God's great, and he is all our blis."

before I was five years old I was fatherless and friendless-I have been cast among strangers—I have been deprived of property by

fraud that was mine by right-I have eaten the bread of misery-delphia, but had scarcely settled in that city, when he received a I have drunk of the cup of sorrow-I have passed the flower of my pressing invitation to accept the professorship of anatomy in the days in a state little better than slavery, and have arrived-at medical college of Ohio--an institution then recently established. what? manhood, poverty, and desolation. Heavenly Parent, teach His qualifications for this situation were expressed by Professor me patience and resignation to thy will!" Gibson, then of the University of Pennsylvania, but previously a member of the Baltimore institution, in the following unequivocal and prophetic language. "In my opinion, Dr. Godman would do honour to any school in America." He was forthwith appointed, and arrived in Cincinnati the ensuing October (1821), in time to enter on the duties of his chair with the commencement of the second session of the school.

He appears to have attended the lectures in the Baltimore school, through the sessions commencing in the autumn of 1816 and 1817. In the course of the last, Professor Davidge was disabled by an accident for several weeks, and Mr. Godman was appointed to supply his place. This, as he had been an apprentice to a trade not three years before, in the same city, was an honourable testimony to his talents and industry, and must have been highly gratifying to his ambition. According to Professor Sewall :

For the practical details of such a professorship, remarks Dr. Drake, he could not, of course, be well prepared, as his surgical "This situation he filled for several weeks with so much pro- experience was exceedingly limited; but he was learned in the inpriety-he lectured with such enthusiasm and eloquence-his illus-stitutes of the science, and his knowledge of anatomy was compretrations were so clear and happy, as to gain universal applause; hensive, accurate, and commanding. As a dissector he was and at the time he was examined for his degree, the superiority of equally rapid and adroit. His lectures were well received by the his mind, as well as the extent and accuracy of his knowledge, were class, who admired his genius, were captivated by his eloquence, so apparent, that he was marked by the professors of the univer- and charmed by the naïveté of his manners. sity as one who was destined, at some future period, to confer high honour upon the profession. Upon this occasion a prize medal was awarded him for the best Latin thesis."

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We come now to contemplate Dr. Godman as a member of the profession. Having, notwithstanding the apparently insurmountable difficulties against which he had to contend, originating in the want of influential friends, and in the extreme poverty in which he was plunged from infancy, succeeded in completing his medical studies and obtaining his degree, he commenced forthwith the practice of his profession in the village of New Holland, on the banks of the Susquehanna: at the termination of a few months he left this situation, and repaired to a small village in Anne Arundel county, in his native state; whence he wrote to Dr. Luckey in July, 1819, as follows:

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My success in business has been considerable, or my practice, at least, has been as extensive as I could rationally expect-what my success may be in the end is at present very doubtful. I still have considerable expectation of being recalled to Baltimore, in order to fill the place which I held in the university. If it so happen, I shall be much delighted, as a country life is very little or not at all to my taste."

In these rural situations the active mind of Dr. Godman was not content with those scientific pursuits more immediately connected with his profession; he devoted himself with the utmost enthusiasm to the study of nature; and at a subsequent period set forth the fruits of his observations in a series of papers, entitled the "Rambles of a Naturalist." These beautiful sketches, which appeared originally in a weekly journal published in Philadelphia, although struck off on the spur of the occasion, possess all the characteristic freshness and vigour which marked Dr. Godman's style of writing. They were composed while the author was confined to a bed of sickness, and from which he was removed in a few weeks afterward to the tomb. The series was consequently left incomplete.

The ardent temperament of Dr. Godman was little adapted to the stagnant existence of a village doctor. He thirsted for competition, and longed to engage in the rivalries which prevail among the candidates for fame. Nature seems to have urged him on. It was she who revealed to him the compass of his intellectual powers; and bid him seek a theatre commensurate with their efficiency.

A different arrangement was made in the Baltimore school from what he had anticipated; and he was thus disappointed in receiving the appointment of public teacher, to which he had evidently looked forward with no little anxiety, and for fulfilling the duties of which with honour to the school and advantage to its pupils he was even then so well qualified. He nevertheless returned to Baltimore, as a situation which afforded him more ample opportunities for the study of anatomy, which he justly regarded as the foundation of medical science.

In the course of the session, difficulties, of which he was neither the cause nor the victim, were generated in the faculty; the class was small, and the prospects of the institute overcast: under these circumstances, Dr. Godman resigned his professorship, but did not at that time return to the east.

A short time previously Dr. Drake, of Cincinnati, had issued proposals for a medical journal, to be edited by the professors of the college, and obtained a number of subscribers; but the distracted state of the institution prevented the fulfilment of the design. To this enterprise, as soon as he had resigned, Dr. Godman directed his attention; and, assisted by Mr. Foote, a liberal and literary bookseller of Cincinnati, in a few weeks issued the first number of the "Western Quarterly Reporter." Thus, if not the first to project, Dr. Godman had the honour of being the first to commence, a journal of medicine in the Valley of the Mississippi. At the termination of six numbers, of a hundred pages each, the work was discontinued; for, previously to that time, its editor had returned to Philadelphia. More than three hundred pages of this periodical were from his own pen, chiefly in translations, and reviews of anatomy, physiology, and medical jurisprudence.

Dr. Godman resided only one year in Cincinnati, but in that short period he deeply inscribed himself on the public mind, and acquired the confidence and affection of a respectable circle of friends. In addition to writing for the medical journal just referred to, and to his practice which was considerable for a stranger, he erected an apparatus for sulphurous fumigation, and translated and published a French pamphlet in relation to that remedy; he read medical books, and many current works of general literature; prosecuted the study of the German and Spanish languages; and labelled the ancient coins and medals of the Western Museum. In the midst of the whole, he found sufficient time to cultivate his social relations; and every day added a new friend to the catalogue of those who loved him for his simplicity and frankness of manners, not less than they esteemed him for his virtues, and admired him for his genius, vivacity, and diligence. Thus, to use an idiomatic expression, he was a growing man, and might have remained there and done well. But the hand of destiny was upon him. He had left the banks of the Patapsco to be a public teacher; the same object had drawn him from Philadelphia to Cincinnati; and that object at length restored him to the great emporium of the medical sciences.

Contrary to the wishes and importunities of his western friends, he set off, in the autumn of 1822, with his young family, for the theatre of his future glory; which he reached in safety, though not without some of the many difficulties at that time connected with a journey across the state of Ohio.

More ambitious of fame, and more eager for the acquisition and diffusion of useful knowledge, than for the accumulation of wealth, Dr. Godman, on settling in Philadelphia, rather retired from the field of practice, that he might employ all his time, and exert all his powers, in scientific pursuits. He was thus, in a great measure, removed from the pitiful rivalries and jealousies of the profession; and placed in a situation which enabled him to enjoy the friendship without alarming the fears of his medical contemporaries.

His main object was to make himself a thorough anatomist, and to qualify himself for teaching the science. To this end he About this time Dr. Godman formed a connexion by marriage-opened a room, under the patronage of the university of Pennsylan event which contributed equally to his domestic happiness and vania, for giving private demonstrations; and in the first winter literary advancement. Soon after his marriage he removed to Phila-he drew around him a class of seventy students. He now found

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