Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/97

 day, and thus gradually decreasing as continental money depreciated till it was reduced to about three pence or four pence. In Feb. 1781, there being no longer need of his services, he was discharged.

In 1779, when the University superseded the College, Dr. Hutchinson was appointed one of the Trustees by the Legislature, and took great interest in its prosperity. In 1781 he refused the chair of practice, and in 1783 that of chemistry, influenced doubtless by the wish to see them filled by the previous incumbents of the College; and further, not to embarrass the organization of the medical faculty, in the existing unpleasant state of affairs occasioned by the abrogation of the College charter.

In 1789, when the restitution of the rights of the College was effected, he accepted the Chair of Materia Medica and Chemistry in the University; and on the union of the schools, in 1791, was chosen the Professor of Chemistry. The further arrangement of the Professorships concentrated the medical talents of the city. In this result he heartily cooperated.

At the time of his death he was one of the Secretaries of the Philosophical Society, and for fifteen years had been one of the Physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital.

The Chair of Chemistry, left vacant by the death of Dr. Hutchinson, was conferred, January 7th, 1794, on Dr. John Carson, a member of the Board of Trustees, but this gentleman dying before entering upon the duties, the position was offered to Dr. Priestley, by whom it was declined.

The reasons assigned by Dr. Priestley for the non-acceptance of the appointment for which he was so eminently qualified, were that his views were directed to a country life as best calculated to permit indulgence in his tastes, and to aid him, by its seclusion, in his pursuits, and that this course would be of further advantage to himself and wife in consequence of a weak state of health. He therefore left the city, and settled at Northumberland, Pa.