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Medicine. From Edinburg, Dr. Rush proceeded to London, where, in attendance upon the hospitals of that city, he made many accessions to the stock of knowledge already acquired. In the spring of 1769, after visiting Paris, he returned to his native country, and immediately commenced the practice of physic in the city of Philadelphia, in which he soon became eminently distinguished. In a few months he was elected a professor in the medical school which had been recently established by the exertions of Dr. Shippen, Dr. Kuhn, Dr. Morgan, and Dr. Bond.

But Dr. Rush did not confine his attention and pursuits either to the practice of medicine, or to the duties of his professorship his ardent mind did not permit him to be an inactive spectator of those important public events which occurred in the early period of his life.

The American revolution; the independence of his country; the establishment of a new constitution of government for the United States, and the amelioration of the constitution of his own particular state, all successively interested his feelings, and induced him to take an active concern in the scenes that were passing. He held a seat in the celebrated congress of 1776, as a representative of the state of Pennsylvania, and subscribed the ever memorable instrument of American independence. In 1777 he was appointed physician general of the military hospital for the middle department; and in the year 1787, he received the additional gratification and evidence of his country's confidence in his talents, his integrity, and his patriotism, by being chosen a member of the state convention for the adoption of the federal constitution.

These great events being accomplished, Dr. Rush gradually retired from political life, resolved to dedicate the remainder of his days to the practice of his profession, the performance of his collegiate duties, and the publication of those doctrines and principles in medicine which he considered calculated to advance the interests of his favourite science, or to diminish the evils of human life.

In 1789, Dr. Rush was elected the successor of Dr. Morgan to the chair of the theory and practice of physic. In 1791, he was appointed to the professorship of the institutes of medicine, and clinical practice; and in 1805, upon the resignation of Dr. Kuhn, he was chosen to the united professorships of the theory and practice of physic, and of clinical medicine, which he held the remainder of his life.

Besides these delegated and official trusts, he took, as a member of the community, a very prominent concern in all the leading national transactions that occurred from the com

mencement of the revolutionary war till the organization of our present form of government. Contemporary with this latter event was the termination of his political life. He afterwards devoted himself exclusively to his profession, and to the discharge of his duties as a private citizen. The only appointment he ever held under the federal government, as an acknowledgment of all that he had contributed towards its establishment, was that of cashier of the mint of the United States.

In addition to those already enumerated, he held many other places of honour and confidence, which were conferred on him by the suffrages of select associations. He was, for many years, one of the physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital, to the interests of which he most faithfully devoted a portion of his time. He was president of the American Society for the abolition of slavery, vice president of the Philadelphia Bible Society, an early member, and, for a time, president of the Philadelphia Medical Society, one of the vice presidents of the American Philosophical Society, and a member of many other learned and benevolent institutions, both in America and Europe.

In private charities and acts of hospitality, in public contributions for benevolent purposes, and in donations to churches, colleges and other useful establishments, Dr. Rush was always liberal; more so, perhaps, during a part of his life, than was consistent with his income. But his object was to do good, and he recognized no value in money, except what arose from the proper employment of it. His charities as a physician were also extensive; for throughout the whole of his life, he regularly set apart a portion of his time for the rendering of professional services to the poor. Those persons in particular, who, in a season of prosperity, had employed him as their physician, he never forsook in the hour of their adversity, when the hand of penury was heavy on their spirits. To their shattered and desponding minds he feelingly administered the balm of comfort, while, by his attention and skill, he removed or alleviated their bodily sufferings.

But an hour awaited himself, the severities of which neither caution could avert, art countervail, nor all the solicitudes of kindness assuage. In the midst of his honours and usefulness, advanced in years, but in the meridian of his fame, he died, after a short illness, on the 19th of April, 1813. From one extreme of the United States to the other, the event was productive of emotions of sorrow. Since the death of Washington, no man, perhaps, in America was better known, more sincerely beloved, or held in higher admiration and es

teem. Even in Europe the tear of sensibility descended on his ashes, and the voice of eulogy was raised to his memory: for the man of genius and learning, science and active philanthropy, becomes deservedly the favourite of the civilized world.

In enumerating the excellencies of Dr. Rush's character, it would be an unjustifiable omission not to mention, that during his whole life he was distinguished by a spirit of prac tical piety, and a strict observance of the rites and ordinances of the Christian religion.

His person was above the middle stature, and his figure slender but well proportioned. His forehead was prominent, his nose acquiline, his eyes blue, and highly animated, and previously to the loss of his teeth, his mouth and chin expressive and comely. The diameter of his head from front to back was uncommonly large. His features combined, bespoke the strength and activity of his intellect. His look was fixed, and his whole demeanor thoughtful and grave.

He was temperate in his diet, neat in his dress, sociable in his habits, and a well bred gentleman in his intercourse with the world. In colloquial powers he had but few equals, and no one, perhaps, could be held his superior. His conversation was an Attic repast, which, far from cloying, invigorated the appetites of those who partook of it. Yet none could enjoy it without being conscious of intellectual refreshment so ample were his resources, and so felicitous his talent for the communication of knowledge.

SCAMMEL, ALEXANDER, was born in Mendon, Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard college, in 1769, and was employed for some time as a teacher of a school, and a surveyor of lands. In 1775, he was appointed brigade major, and in 1776, colonel of the third battalion of continental troops raised in New Hampshire. In 1771, colonel Scammel commanded the third regiment of that state, and was wounded in the desperate battle of Saratoga. In 1780, the levy of New Hampshire was reduced to two regiments, when he commanded the first. He was afterwards appointed adjutant ge-. neral of the American armies, in which office he was deservedly popular, and secured the esteem of the officers of the army generally. With this situation he became dissatisfied, because it often excused him from those dangers to which others were exposed; and preferring a more active command, he was put at the head of a regiment of light infantry. On the 30th of September, 1781, at the memorable and successful siege of Yorktown, he was officer of the day; and while reconnoitering the situation of the enemy, was surprised by a party of their horse; and after being taken prisoner, was

inhumanly wounded by them. He was conveyed to the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, where he died October 6, 1781.

He was an officer of uncommon merit, and of the most amiable manners; and was sincerely regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and particularly by the officers of the American army. The following lines were written the day after the capitulation of lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, and placed on the tomb-stone of colonel Scammel : "What tho' no angel glanc'd aside the ball, Nor allied arms pour'd vengeance for his fall; Brave Scammel's fame, to distant regions known, Shall last beyond this monumental stone,

Which conqu❜ring armies (from their toils return'd) Rear'd to his glory, while his fate they mourn'd." SCHAICK, GOSEN VAN, a brigadier general in the United States army, was the son of Sybrant G. Van Schaick, Esq. formerly mayor of the city of Albany, and was born in the year 1737. In the year 1756, at the early age of nineteen, he entered the British army as a lieutenant under the patronage of lord Loudon, his father's friend. He served through the remainder of the French war, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1760. When the revolutionary war commenced, he took sides with his native country. A muster of the militia having been made on the east side of the Hudson river. opposite the city of Albany, not a person was found among them capable of taking command. At this emergency, colonel Van Schaick was requested to go over and take charge of the drill; and he particularly distinguished himself on that occasion by introducing confidence and regularity among them. He afterwards commanded the first New York regiment in the line. He was at the battle of Monmouth court house, and in 1779, headed an expedition against the Onondaga Indian settlements. With the assistance of colonel Willet and major Cochran, the objects were completely effected and success rewarded their efforts. The enemy were defeated, and the troops returned to fort Schuyler, the place of rendezvous, in five days and a half after they had left it. performing the arduous service required of them, and a march through the wilderness of one hundred and eighty miles. For this handsome display of talents as a partisan officer, colonel Van Schaick and the officers and soldiers under his command, received the thanks of congress.

The cruelties exercised on the Wyoming and other settlements attacked by the Indians in the course of the preceding campaign, had given a great degree of importance to this expedition; and a deep interest was felt in its success.

Shortly before his death in 1784, he received a brigadier general's commission in the regular line. His own fortune was not a little impaired by the heavy demands made upon it, by the necessities of his men, at a time when the supplies were scanty and irregular. In short he was ever a good citizen, a true patriot. and a brave soldier.

SCHUYLER, PHILIP, a major general in the revolutiona ry war, received this appointment from congress June 19, 1776. He was directed to proceed immediately from NewYork to Ticonderoga, to secure the lakes, and to make preparations for entering Canada. Being taken sick in September, the command devolved upon general Montgomery. On his recovery he devoted himself zealously to the management of the affairs in the northern department. The superintendence of the Indian concerns claimed much of his attention. On the approach of Burgoyne in 1777, he made every exertion to obstruct his progress; but the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St. Clair, occasioning unreasonable jealousies in regard to Schuyler in New England, he was superceded by general Gates in August, and congress directed an inquiry to be made into his conduct. It was a matter of extreme chagrin to him to be recalled at the moment, when he was about to take ground and to face the enemy. The patriotism and magnanimity displayed by general Schuyler, on this occasion, does him high honour. All that could have been effected, to impede the progress of the British army, had been done already. Bridges were broken up; causeways destroyed; trees felled in every direction to retard the conveyance of stores and artillery. Patrols were employed to give speedy intelligence of every movement of the enemy, and detached corps of light troops to harrass and keep up perpetual alarm.

On Gates' arrival, general Schuyler, without the slightest indication of ill-humour, resigned his command, communicated all the intelligence he possessed, and put every interesting paper into his hands, simply adding, "I have done all that could be done as far as the means were in my power, to injure the enemy, and to inspire confidence in the soldiers of our army, and I flatter myself with some success; but the palm of victory is denied me, and it is left to you, general, to reap the fruits of my labours. I will not fail, however, to second your views; and my devotion to my country, will cause me with alacrity to obey all your orders." He performed his promise, and faithfully did his duty, till the surrender of Burgoyne put an end to the contest.

Another anecdote is recorded to his honour. General Burgoyne, dining with general Gates immediately after the convention of Saratoga, and general Schuyler named among the

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