Page:A Memoir of Thomas C. James, M. D. - Hodge.djvu/18

 second to those of any of their cotemporaries. Thus favoured by natural endowments, mental and corporeal, supported by family and professional influence, and blessed by providential arrangements, great expectations were entertained of Dr. James; his society was sought for; a connection with him was by all esteemed desirable, and his success in his profession was regarded as certain and rapid. These favourable presages were however not realized. His morbid sensitiveness, and his dread of responsibility, prevented his taking the lead in the professional race for reputation and practice. He drew back under a mistaken notion of inferiority and unsuitableness. His friends however, acted judiciously and decidedly. They made him assume his proper station, and gradually bring his strength into competition with that of his cotemporaries. This alone was necessary; he gained confidence, so that in the course of a few years he ventured to teach, as well as to practice his profession, and, having about this period married Miss Hannah Morris, (a lady connected with one of the first families in Pennsylvania, eminently adapted by her mild, but decided character, her judicious, yet cheerful disposition to meet the peculiarities of Dr. James's character,) his success became certain, business rapidly increased, and his time became fully occupied with patients and pupils, all of whom admired and loved him.

In 1802, Nov. 17th, Dr. James, in conjunction with the late Dr. Church, commenced his first regular course of lectures on obstetrics. It was altogether a private course, entirely unconnected with the University or any corporate institution, resting for success on the merits of the lecturers alone. It was quite successful, commencing with twenty pupils, who had the good sense to devote time to this neglected department of medical science. This was not the first effort to teach obstetrics in our country; for some lectures were delivered by Prof. Shippen in the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dewees lectured prior to this period in 1797; but it seems to have been the first regular and sustained effort; the commencement of that chain of circumstances which has elevated the science of Obstetrics to a co-ordinate rank with the other medical sciences, in the opinion and confidence of the community through the whole extent of our country. To render his teaching useful, Dr. James, assisted by Dr. Church, not only employed the usual modes of illustration, but zealously endeavoured to instruct practically, as well as theoretically. For this purpose his influence and exertions prevailed in having a "lying-in ward" (the first