Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/65

 “It was agreed that in pursuance of a Proposal given in by the Medical Trustees and Professors, the examination of the Medical Students for the degree of Bachelor of Physic shall be made in the following mode, according to the Rule originally laid down for the Medical Schools, which requires a full private examination before admission to the public one.

“Wherefore the private examination shall begin in the College, on the 9th of May, being Monday next, and shall be finished on Monday, the 16th. Such of the Medical Students as may appear fit, after such private examination, shall be admitted to a public examination in the College on Wednesday, the 18th of May.”

The ceremonies attending the Commencement of June 21, 1768, are minutely detailed upon the Minutes of the Board of Trustees, and are full of interest in connection with the customs of the time. They are thus set forth:—

“This day may be considered as the Birth-day of Medical Honors in America. The Trustees being met at half an hour past nine in the forenoon, and the several Professors and Medical Candidates, in their proper Habits, proceeded from the Apparatus Room to the Public Hall, where a polite assembly of their fellow-citizens were convened to honor the Solemnity.

“The Provost having there received the Mandate for the Commencement from his Honor the Governor, as President of the Trustees, introduced the business of the day with Prayers and a short Latin Oration, suited to the occasion. The part alluding to the School of Medicine is in the following language:—

“‘Oh! Factum bene! Vos quoque Professores Medici, qui magno nummi, temporis et laboris sumptu, longâ quoque peregrinatione per varias regiones, et populos, domum re-duxistis et peritiam, et nobile consilium servandi, et rationali praxi, docendi alios servare valetudinem vestrûm civium. Gratum fecistis omnibus, sed pergratum certé peritis illis medicis, qui artis suæ dignitatis conscii, praxin rationalem, et juventutis institutionem in re medicâ liberalem, hisce regionibus, ante vos longé desideraverunt.’

“To this succeeded—

“1. A Latin oration, delivered by Mr. John Lawrence,