Page:Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (ser 03 vol 05).djvu/66

lvi lately celebrated by his brethren in a dinner commemorative of that event—himself, like Dr. Wood, primus inter pares—with all the resources of modern discovery at his command, holds really a more elevated rank than did the foremost of them; because competition is more active, and general acquirement greater and more common, than it was fifty or a hundred years ago. No age can boast a monopoly of intellect, though opportunity and circumstances may give to it greater prominence in some conjunctures than in others. There are those among us capable of equalling, and, with their superior advantages, of surpassing, their predecessors; as they in turn will be eclipsed by those who come after them. The inequality of original endowment is less than is usually supposed. Education and the diligent employment even of the single talent, make the general difference between man and man. Labor omnia vincit improbus. It is the one great faculty within the reach of common possession. It gives respectability to dulness; and often enables mediocrity to win distinction and attain positions which we are wont to deem the exclusive prerogatives of genius and ability.

It was a rule of conduct with Dr. Wood, as he stated with some emphasis to the writer a short time previous to his decease, not only to be always diligently employed, but to be always usefully so. He seems to have acted with an instinctive belief in the great truth, so repressive of human selfishness, that— Nothing in nature, much less conscious being, Was e'er created solely for itself."

He loved work for its own sake, and for the satisfaction it afforded, but was ever magnanimously intent on making it subservient to higher and holier purposes than mere private