OBITUARY.-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

JOHN SYNG DORSEY, M.D.

(With a Portrait.)

JOHN S. DORSEY, son of the late LEONARD DORSEY, and grandson of EDMUND PHYSICK, Esq. a distinguished officer under the proprietary government of the Commonwealth, was born on the twenty-third of December, seventeen hundred and eighty-three, in the city of Philadelphia. At the early age of fifteen, he commenced the study of physic, and four years afterwards (1802) he gra duated in the university of Pennsylvania. On this occasion, he selected for the subject of a thesis, the powers of the gastric liquor as a solvent in particular cases. In the following year he visited Europe, and remained abroad thirteen months. On his return he commenced the practice of his profession in this city. The pa tronage of his preceptor and kinsman, Dr. Physick, and the engaging frankness of his own manners, quickly introduced him to an extensive circle of friends, where he early acquired the charac ter of a skilful physician. As one of the attending surgeons of the Pennsylvania hospital, he had frequent opportunities of displaying talents in that branch of his profession. In 1807, he was associated with Dr. Physick, as an adjunct professor of Surgery in the uni versity in which he received his medical education, and on the death of the professor of Materia Medica he was elected to fill that chair.

Not long after he received this appointment, the demise of the amiable Wistar, next called him to the chair of Anatomy. But in the very instant that he had thus reached the highest point of his ambition, surrounded by crowds of admiring friends, and careering in health and prosperity, he was laid low. On the day suc ceeding that on which he delivered his introductory lecture, he was taken ill, and in a short time he was summoned to another world.

We are not competent to enter into a survey of the merits of Dr. Dorsey's professional character; but we should estimate his judgment on a high scale, from the circumstance that his "Ele

WAS caused to be ENGRAVED by his PRIVATE PUPILS.

ments of Surgery," first published in 1813, in two volumes, has been reprinted in Edinburg, and adopted as a text-book in the celebrated school of that metropolis. From the early period at which he quitted college, it may be inferred that his classical attainments were not extensive; but he was fond of letters, and we recollect that some of his literary communications in the early volumes of the Port Folio evinced much classical taste and a vigorous imagination. In the arts of drawing and sculpture, we have understood that he was no mean proficient, and he was a very good engraver. The qualities of his heart were of the highest order. Without the slightest tincture of adulation, he was easy, courteous, and affable. His disposition was the very abstract of good-nature. Happy in himself, he seemed to participate in the happiness of others, and imperceptibly communicated his own agreeable feelings to the social circle. There was no hypocrisy in his professions, no envy, no jealousy; on the contrary, his temper was so frank, so generous, so filled with amenity and candour, that he inspired universal confidence and ease. His mind was no less open and liberal; ardent and vigorous in the pursuit of knowledge, he maintained those opinions which he had early acquired and which were justly respected, with singular modesty.

We feel a mournful pleasure in dwelling upon the amiable character of one of our earliest friends; and we feel grateful to the members of his private class, that we are permitted to unite with them in rendering honour to the memory of one so dear. These gentlemen have summoned the arts of painting and engraving to their assistance; and in the portrait which accompanies this number of the Port Folio, they have endeavoured to express at once their respect, their affection, and their regret!

The body of the deceased was borne to the grave by twelve of his class.

The general regret which pervaded every class of the community, when the event was first announced, attests more powerfully the merits of Dr. Dorsey than any language which eulogy or friendship can possibly command.

J. E. H.

MR. CHARLES H. PARKER.

DIED, in this city, on the 9th of March, in the 26th year of his age, Mr. Charles H. Parker, a young gentleman who was ardently engaged in the study of the art of engraving, as a pupil under Col. G. Fairman, by whom he was highly esteemed. His disposition was happily adapted to conciliate affection; and in the exercise of his profession he was punctual, active, and assiduous. He had just finished the writing part of the splendid edition of the Declaration of Independence, which is about to be published; and we have occasionally been indebted to his genius for some of the embellishments of this journal. In the stations which were occupied by the deceased, as a member of three benevolent institutions, and one military association, he evinced a laudable readiness to perform his part in the great drama of life, and the concourse of soldiery and citizens which attended his funeral, with testimonials of public honours, and signs of individual sorrow, powerfully demonstrated, that though he had found an early grave, he had not lived in vain!

PROSPERITY.

PROSPERITY, as is truly asserted by Seneca, very much obstructs the knowledge of ourselves. No man can form a just estimate of his own powers by inactive speculation. That fortitude which has encountered no dangers, that prudence which has surmounted no difficulties, that integrity which has been attacked by no temptations, can at best be considered but as gold, not yet brought to the test, of which, therefore, the true value cannot be assigned. Equally necessary is some variety of fortune to a nearer inspection of the manners, principles, and affections of mankind. Moderation in prosperity, is a virtue very difficult to all mor

tals.

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.

NOTHING is so proper as the frequent publication of short papers, which we read, not as a study, but amusement. If the subject be slight, the treatise is likewise short. The busy may find time, and the idle may find patience.