Chap. II.]

PROFESSION OF MEDICINE.

323

higher courts of civil judicature, generally, and with rare excep-tions, presenting the image of the sanctity of a temple, wheretruth and justice seem to be enthroned, and to be personifiedin their decrees.” * “ Perhaps,” says a writer, well entitled to

be heard on this subject, “ the perfection of the judicial charac-ter consists in the exhibition of pure intellect, divested of humansympathy. And yet, who would choose for his judge such amonster of perfection ? He is the truly great lawyer, whounderstands the law and the reason of it, and has the talentto apply it to all the occasions of the profession, whether at thebar or on the bench. He is the fortunate judge, who can so. conduct himself on the seat of justice, and clothe his decisionsin such language, that both he who wins and he who loses hiscause, can unite in paying a deserved tribute to his wisdom andintegrity.” f

CHAPTER II.

THE MORAL INFLUENCE AND TENDENCY OF THE STUDY ANDPRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, WITH THE DUTIES OFA PHYSICIAN TO HIS PATIENTS, TO THE FAMILIES INTO WHICHHE IS ADMITTED, TO OTHER PHYSICIANS, AND TO SOCIETY INGENERAL.

Hr. Benjamin Rush has carefully inquired into the virtuesand failings peculiar to physicians, with a view to an estimate ofthe moral character of the profession, of which he was one ofthe most distinguished ornaments, which this or any other coun-try has produced. He has also extensively reviewed the livesof physicians ancient and modern, in order to bring to light

* Commentaries on American Law, Vol. I. p. 463.

i The Hon. P. O. Thacher’s Address before the Bar of Suffolk, p. 28.—It will be perceived, that, in writing this chapter, the author has freelyavailed himself of the materials contained in “ The Study and Practice of theLaw,” ascribed to the late Sir James Mackintosh. The high moral and pro-fessional character and profound acquirements of this celebrated jurist andstatesman cannot fail to give a value to this chapter, which could not havebeen given to it. by the author’s unassisted labors,