Page:A Memoir of Thomas C. James, M. D. - Hodge.djvu/14

 duties of the medical profession. As a physician, especially as an obstetrician, a noble example of the profession, venerable, not only for his appearance, but for his real excellencies. He was beloved and respected by all. His manners were courteous, affable, to the high and the low, to the learned and the unlearned, to the experienced practitioner in medicine, who came to solicit his advice, and to the student who was anxious to imbibe his sentiments on all subjects. Every word and look intimated the delicacy and purity of the inner man, whose mind was stored with knowledge, and whose heart was overflowing with kind feelings. "His character," says an intimate friend, Mr. Anthony Morris, "belongs to that distinguished class in which the virtues appear more from a habit of doing every thing in the spirit of Christianity, than any thing in the spirit of the world. There was no display, but a consistency and conformity in every thing to the mind, and manners, and habits of the Christian gentleman."

It would be interesting, if practicable, to trace the gradual development of such a character from infancy to old age, to discover, if possible, the circumstances which favoured its growth, and to draw philosophical deductions for the improvement of the present or succeeding generations. Such hopes are vain, or nearly so; man is born with his peculiarities, with specific and yet complex sensibilities, and however similar the circumstances of life and education of two or more individuals, entirely different characters result. This is experience, ancient and modern, in opposition to the theories of philosophers. Still, our interest for the early history of the great ones of this world is not diminished, and when little can be learnt, as in the present instance, the disappointment is felt.

The ancestors of Dr. James were originally from England, and on both sides were connected with the society of Friends. His maternal grandfather was Thomas Chalkley, (for whom the Doctor was named,) who for many years exerted by his talents, eloquence, excellencies and untiring industry, a most extensive influence among Friends in Europe and America. His life and correspondence have been published, and indicate the superiority and excellence of his character.

His father, Mr. Abel James, was for many years one of the leading merchants in Philadelphia, and very successful. From a character published in the Columbia Magazine, for 1790, we learn that he was of an active, enterprising spirit, well prepared to devise plans for mercantile advancement, but disposed to leave to others the practical details and the