TWO DARTMOUTH PHYSICIANS

The Boston Medical and SurgicalJournal for August 17, 1916, contains an article entitled "Two Physicians of a Former Generation," which will be of interest to readers of the MAGAZINE since it deals with the lives of two Dartmouth graduates in the class of 1838 Dr. Willain Wallace Morland and Dr.' William Thornton Parker. We reprint here the following excerpt from it:

"Dr Morland received the degree of A.B. from Dartmouth in 1838, and he and his classmate, Parker, who was evidently his intimate companion and friend entered the Harvard Medical School together and both receiVed from it the degree of M.D. in 1841. Dr Par ker died on March 12, 1855, the year in which Dr. Morland first became associated with the Journal as assistant to the editor, Dr. J. V. C. Smith. Dr. Parker's obituary was published in the issue of the Journal lor March 22, 1855 (Vol.lii, p. 144) . Though there is no positive evidence on the subject, it seems probable that it was written by Dr. Morland The following extract affords interesting testimony, not only to Dr. Parker's qualities of character and mind, but to the esteem in which he was held' by his lifelong friend:

'By the death, of Dr. Parker, both the profession and the community have sustained a real loss. To eminent professional abilities, he added that sound judgment, highly honorable feeling and exceeding kindness of heart, which, united, constitute the truly "good physician.' From early and most intimate acquaintance with him we feel that we can speak with confidence of his attainments, his exertions for usefulness, his of heart and mind. For many years "we have been friends together," and the sadness which the departure of a valued associate brings with it is mingled with an unusual amount of very grateful and pleasant reminiscence. Active and industrious in his habits, Dr. Parker established an extensive practice for himself in South Boston, immediately after taking his medical degree. There are many in that portion of our city who can testify to his unflinching integrity his entire devotion to the interests of those entrusted to his medical care, his acute discrimination of disease, and his faithfulness, to the very last of his career, as a practitioner. To this trait, indeed, is much of his ill health, latterly, to be ascribed. Overwork did a vast deal towards developing the slow but sure disease of which he died. Unwilling to yield, he struggled on, visiting his patients continuously, often leaving his bed for several successive nights when ill able so to do. Compelled at last to quit an excellent practice and to resign the home-comforts his industry had gathered, he sought health both in Cuba and by a residence of some months in Europe, but without avail. With a strong will and a large share of the good spirits which once animated him, he toiled almost to the last day of his life, to supply the failure of the means formerly afforded by his professional exertions. Occupation was his life. He never seemed unhappy when employed. Pleasantly retired in a beautiful neighboring town, he wrought with pen and pencil, amid much physical trial, but surrounded with warm friends and delightful influences. To most of his medical brethren here, his skill as an artist is well known. We do not know, in the ranks of the profession, any one who at all approached him in the art of delineation and design. In pencil drawing he was an adept; in coloring, his hand was unrivalled. We have seen his copies from the most splendid anatomical plates, which we literally prefer to the original. In sketching, as well as in copying, he was peculiarly felicitous. One of the most touching circumstances connected with our remarks upon this accomplishment is the fact that the last work done by his hand was executed for the writer of this slight tribute to his worth. These drawings, finished only a few days before his death, have a value that can attach to such works alone. He who would so use the pencil might find in it almost a support. By a medical man, especially in these days of minute investigation, the talent cannot be too highly estimated.

'Constantly occupied through the past winter and enjoying much of that social comfort which was ever grateful to him, he has at last gently passed from earth, solaced by the consolations and hopes of religion. Violent hemorrhage from the lungs was the final agent in the gradual process of dissolution'."

"The following lines, to which we have previously alluded, further represent in verse Dr. Morland's feeling for his friend and afford evidence, likewise, of his literary ability in metrical composition :

To MY CLASSMATE

WILLIAM THORNTON PARKER (A.M., M.D.) July, 1838.

There is a word, alas how often spoken, A startling word

Telling of tender ties that must be broken When it is heard:

Farewell! Oh whether in life's early morn Or closing day,

Some friends asunder by that breath are torn , How hard it is to say!

And why is it so hard ?—we surely know That here below, Life's golden current cannot smoothly flow. That thorns will grow Upon the rose that wooes our eager grasp, And chilly grow The hands once joined in fervent clasp, Oh, this we know!

I could bid thee farewell—and if again We meet,— Grant heaven it may not be with stifled pain To greet,- I wish not that a change should darkly fall Upon our youth, That cold Deceit with her enshrouding pall Bury Love's truth.

Oh, this can never change the low-breathed tone Saying farewell!

It hath a moving power all its own Its tale to tell.

The tongue may falter, but the speaking eye How eloquent!

While freshly glow the tints in memory's sky With future bodings blent.

Once more, my friend, farewell!—now all is bright Our path around.

May fortune kindly for thee ever light Her torch ;—and bound About thy brow be Fame's well-chosen wreath, And when all thickly comes thy laboring breath And droops thine eye, May Hope with lifted finger point above, And show thy seat amid the throngs that love To die Such death as makes the Christian's cheerful tongue In tones triumphant on the death-air flung, Bid earth farewell!"