Page:Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (ser 03 vol 05).djvu/55

Rh increasing demands of a profession which tolerates no divided allegiance, compelled him to abandon the design. His comprehensive scheme embraced a history of the British Empire in India, and for this also, he had simultaneously made considerable progress in the collection of materials. An address embodying some of his researches, delivered before the Athenian Institute, indicates his general aim; and gives, perhaps, a faint idea of the manner in which he would have treated a subject that would have employed all his time and taxed his powers to their utmost capacity. His contributions, imperfect and fragmentary though they are, bear evidence of the clearness of his style and his other qualifications for the undertaking; and if he had not accomplished so much in his proper vocation, we might be tempted to regret that he did not consecrate himself entirely to historical composition. He would certainly have attained to very high distinction in that department of literature; and, with the Irvings, the Prescotts, and the Motleys, have shed imperishable lustre on his name and country.

It would be out of place, in a cursory notice like the present, to do more than allude to what is elsewhere more fully detailed, in relation to his minor and occasional productions. The bare titles of his numerous progeny would require more space than can conveniently be spared. His facile and vigorous pen, always in hand, "nor made a pause, nor left a void;" and many were the topics of public and of private interest on which it was employed. The more important of these—the papers which he deemed worthy of particular preservation—were, as already stated, collected and published by himself. Like his friend and fellow-trustee of the University, the late learned and admirable Albert