elegance. The greatest truths, like the richest gems, show best plain set. The best character, for a writer of sermons, is Ben Jonson's character of Cartwright, the Dramatist, who was also a preacher. "He, my son Cartwright, writes all like a man." Joined to this manly sense let there be a liberal spirit of humanity, a sympathy with men as men; compassion and fellow-feeling. Let suavity modify the rigor of your doctrines, and let a Christian feeling overspread your whole spirit. Thus we would address the preacher.

Action and gesture, when natural, are always right—when artificial, very seldom. To the youthful student we would further say, the old Divines afford a good school, but a knowledge of human nature is better. Still, of the old Divines drink your fill-of wisdom, and fancy, and piety, and acute knowledge, and ability of every kind. What pictures, and fair conceits, and rich harmonies, in Taylor! what ingenius thoughts, so fine, so delicate, in Donne! what massy arguments in Barrow and Sherlock: and he that reads the contemporaries of these old masters, will confess them to have written as with a crisped pen.

PERHAPS nowhere throughout these United States is there to be found one, who unites so many various characters as Dr. Francis; whether we look upon him in the light of a highly * Abridged from S. Quart. Rev., June 1851.

scientific and skilful physician; a general polite scholar; a lover of the whole family of the arts; an acute inquirer into every branch of science; an accurate and philosophical antiquary, yet fresh and lively in his sympathies with the world as it moves; a humane, kindly, generous philanthropist; a converser full of spirit and resources, and the general friend of authors and scholars.

Dr. John W. Francis is a native of the city of New York. In 1807, he commenced his professional course of study under the late Dr. Hosack, at that period one of the most prominent physicians in New York, and Professor of Materia Medica and Botany in Columbia College. In 1809, the young medical student was graduated Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College-receiving his degree of M. D. in 1811, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons; a distinct institution. which had been established in 1807. Of this academy Dr. Samuel Bard was the first President, and Dr. Francis the first graduate, whose name is recorded in the College Album. On this score, and in one sense, therefore, Dr. Francis, though still in the prime of life, with his faculties and talents as vigorous as those of an active and energetic man of forty, may be called the leader, and be placed at the head of the medical body of the city, if not of the State, in point of talents, skill, and learning.

From his earliest youth a severe student, and blessed with a constitution which admitted of it, he has been, through life, a hard worker in the fields of acquisition, and of practical beneficence.

Soon after he commenced the practice of his profession, he received a flattering proposition from Dr. Hosack, his eminent instructor, to accept a copartnership with him in his practice, with which he closed. This union lasted till 1820; since

which time he has been without any partner in his laborious duties.

Nearly contemporaneous with his partnership, Dr. F. was appointed lecturer on the Institutes of Medicine and the Materia Medica. In 1813, he was appointed Professor of Materia Medica, at the early age (for such a post) of twenty-three years. With characteristic generosity, he taught gratuitously, and delivered his first public course of instruction to a class of one hundred and twenty students.

About this time, he made his trip to Europe, for the purpose of adding to his own rich stores, and of bringing home all the latest improvements in his art, for the benefit of the profession and of society. He was absent but a single year; but, during that period, managed to see more, (which was all carefully treasured up,) than most men would in a sojourn of thrice the length. He visited the great hospitals, and sat, an attentive listener, at the lectures of the celebrated professors of the day. With most of these he was intimate, and was cordially received by such men as Gregory, Brewster and Brown, in Scotland; McCartney and Sheridan, in Ireland; Denon, Cuvier and Gall, in France. Abernethy, amongst the most distinguished in London, the sarcastic wit and most able practitioner, welcomed him with open arms, and offered him a share of his immense practice. What higher eulogium. could we present of a young American physician!

Dr. Francis traversed England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Holland: on returning home, he brought a valuable library with him, which has been greatly augmented since in extent and value.

In 1817, Dr. Francis, in connexion with his other duties, filled the chair of Medical Jurisprudence; in 1819, that of Professor of Obstetrics, in addition to his former branch of

Medical Jurisprudence. So thoroughly versed is this master of his profession in all its branches, that he could turn from one department to another, with the same facility a clever surgeon can perform a variety of operations. And, as a sufficient proof of his largeness of spirit and true generosity in this single channel, we may state that, for nearly twenty years, Dr. Francis devoted from four to six hours a-day, in instruction alone, at a time, too, when he was occupied with his private and increasing practice..

With Dr. Hosack, Dr. Francis edited the American and Medical Register, and in which he wrote a great deal This periodical reached four volumes, and was almost entirely filled with original matter. Dr. Francis edited the standard edition of Denman's Midwifery.

In conjunction with Drs. Dyckman and Beck, he edited. the New York Medical and Physical Journal, until the termination of the third volume.

It must be confessed, that our Doctor has done his full share towards paying that debt every eminent man owes to his profession. New York has produced not only some of the ablest lawyers, but she can boast to have given birth to some of the most admirable physicians our country can display.

In his professional character towards his brethren of the faculty, he is liberal, frank, cordial; free from all jealousies and petty meanness; a model of conduct and courtesy. In charities, professional and pecuniary, he is as munificent as he is unostentatious; doing constantly good by stealth, and realizing the delightful picture drawn of Garth by his affectionate friend, that prince of gentlemen, and elegant writers, Sir Richard Steele.

In 1820, he retired from these chairs, which he resigned at

the same time, with Drs. Hosack, Mott, Mackneven, Mitchell and Post.

Since that period, Dr. Francis has been one of the busiest of practitioners-one of the most arduous among professional and general students-an indefatigable writer of the first class, on all the various subjects that have come under his pen, and prominently engaged in all the literary, artistic and social institutions of New York city. A lover of society and conversation, he is no less a cordial host than an engaging companion. His house is the resort of artists and authors, of travellers and divines, and, indeed, of all clever and agreeable people, who can contribute aught to good conversation, or understand the art of listening.

For authors and literary men, the Doctor has always cherished a fondness, arising from sympathy and mutual admiration. Extensively and minutely read in polite literature, with a memory most tenacious, and yet most ready—an unerring judgment and generous feeling, for every kind of excellence he is a true lover of literature, without cant or pretence.

He is equally fond of art and artists-an enthusiast in music, painting and the drama. His portrait has been painted by at least eight or ten of the first artists, from Leslie, in London, to Elliott, perhaps the most spirited American portrait painter of the present day. A miniature by Wenzler, is thought to convey the most faithful resemblance. The portrait by Elliott, was done for the Art-Union, at their request, of which institution Dr. Francis was the first President, and with Herring, the original projector.

Music, in all its forms, from the simplicity of the old ballads, to the rich musical art of the opera, finds a hearty admirer in the Doctor.