Page:A Memoir of Thomas C. James, M. D. - Hodge.djvu/23

 year 1807, endeavouring to render it practically important for students of medicine. In 1807, (Jan. 26,) he was appointed Physician to the Pennsylvania Hospital, as successor of Dr. J. Redman Coxe, and on the 25th of June, 1810, was translated at his own request to the station of obstetric physician. The duties of this appointment he continued to discharge with scrupulous attention and punctuality, until the 26th of November, 1832. He watched over not only the interests of his immediate department, but the other portions of the establishment, and paid great attention to the medical library of the hospital, the improvement and increase of which, he facilitated very much by his advice and recommendations. At his resignation, the board of managers made the following minute on their records: "A letter from Dr. Thomas C. James was received, resigning the station of obstetric physician after twenty-five years service most acceptably in this institution. The managers, on parting officially from the Doctor, tender him their acknowledgments for his long, faithful, and useful labours, and assure him of their cordial regard, and best wishes for whatever may contribute to his future happiness. The secretary is requested to furnish Dr. James with a copy of this minute."

In the Philadelphia Medical Society, Dr. James was an honorary member, but the exciting character of its debates never seemed to suit the quiet tenor of his feelings, and he rarely, at least of late years, attended its meetings. To the College of Physicians he was much attached. Its quiet and dignified course well suited the peculiarities of his character. Within its precincts, he was sure to meet with his cotemporaries and personal friends, or with those who were gratified in numbering themselves among his pupils and admirers; and he there never anticipated that rude collision of sentiment, which, although it may occasionally elicit the spark of genius, too frequently generates the fires of envy and passion. He was elected Fellow of the College on the 6th of October, 1795, and in July, 1796, he succeeded Dr. Samuel P. Griffitts as secretary. The duties of that office he discharged for six years. In 1809 he was made treasurer, and continued as such for seventeen years; at the expiration of this period in 1826, he became vice-president, and finally in March, 1835, he was unanimously elected president as the successor of Dr. Parke. We all remember the interest which he took in the affairs of the college, the pleasure with which he attended its meetings, and the suavity and dignity with which he presided over its deliberations. Great however, as was his confidence in