Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/72

66 our view many events in the life of that prominent individual; and circumstances peculiar to himself—his learning, his talents, his public-spirited exertions, and the large space which he filled in the esteem and affection of a numerous and most respectable acquaintance—give these events a value in narration, which would, perhaps, have justified us in presenting them to the public in still more minute detail than we have deemed necessary merely for the illustration of this historical sketch. It may not be amiss to state, in taking a final leave of the venerable provost, that his life, already far advanced at the period of his separation from the institution, was protracted to the year 1803.

In the department of law, the regulations which originated with the late college, were still maintained, and Mr. Wilson was continued in his professorship. But the place seems to have been nominal; for no salary was attached to it, and sufficient encouragement was not afforded by students to compensate the trouble of a regular course of lectures. To the present time, instruction in law continues, on paper at least, to be a part of the scheme of the university. In the year 1817, attention was called to the subject by the annunciation of a course from Charles W. Hare, at that time professor; and a respectable attendance was commanded by the high and well merited reputation of that accomplished lawyer. I am not aware, however, that the effort was continued beyond one season; and it has not since been repeated.

It has before been stated that a complete history of the medical school does not constitute a part of our present design. I shall now, therefore, merely mention the names of the gentlemen who were chosen professors in this department. The new faculty was composed of William Shippen, professor of anatomy, surgery, and midwifery; Caspar Wistar, adjunct professor of the same branches; Adam Kuhn, professor of the practice of physic; Benjamin Rush,