fully, omitting all those foreign divisions and subdivisions which are so intricate and perplexed. I would not have him pre-suppose a thing really false, which is, that the great or the genteel men understand the religion they profess, and so be afraid to instruct persons of their wit and breeding in their catechism; let him employ the long time others are composing a set, formal discourse, in inaking, that the turn and expressions may, of course, flow easily from him. Let him, after necessary preparation, yield himself up to his own. genius, and to the emotions with which a great subject will inspire him; let him spare those prodigious efforts of memory which look more like reciting for a wager than anything serious, and which destroy all graceful action; let him, on the contrary, by a noble enthusiasm dart conviction into the soul and alarm the conscience; let him, in fine, touch the hearts of his hearers with another fear than that of seeing him make some blunder or halt in his sermon.

"Let not him who is not yet arrived to such perfection, as to forget himself in the dispensation of the holy word; let not him, I say, be discouraged by the austere rules prescribed him, as if they robbed him of the means of showing his genius and attaining the honors to which he aspires. What greater or more noble talent can there be than to preach like an Apostle, or which deserves a bishoprick better? Was Fenelon unworthy of that dignity? Was it possible he should have escaped his Prince's choice, but for another choice ?"

To descend from the epigram of Labruyère to plain prose and critical commentary. The style of sermons cannot be too plain and simple, in general. The text should be perfectly clear and earnest. Strength and seriousness are chief qualities. Let it be rather a labored plainness than a labored

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