ter, by the shorter and less expensive mode of private tuition, / under a practising physician. To such it should be recommended to attend upon the publick schools for at least onc course of lectures, and upon the hospital for one year, by which they will acquire some idea of the extent of their profession, and at least learn their own deficiencies. Indeed it is to be wished that ere long our government may render such attendance at least for one year, necessary to the obtaining a license to practice any branch of medicine; and at the same time amend our present law, so as to prevent any person coming from the neighbouring states, and entering on the practice of medicine among us, with less acquirements and under testimonials less to be depended on, than those we expect from our own pupils. From this slight sketch, we discover the wisdom of our legislature in the patronage they have lately afforded to medical education; and the incalculable advantages which the publick derives from the unexampled liberality of the professors of both our medical schools, in granting to the county societies, the great privilege to send one pupil to each school every year, to receive the benefit of their instruction, free of expense; a regulation founded in the wisest policy, the truest patriotism, and the best judged beneficence; but evidently arising from the emulation and rivalship, which have been excited between the two schools: from which we have already begun to experience the most happy effects, and by which the general character of our medical men will very soon be greatly improved. But these singular advantages in a great measure depend upon the liberal and impartial view which the legislature may take of this subject, and must be materially lessened if not wholly lost, if through a blind partiality to one school, or an inexcusable neglect of the other, this generous competition is suffered to subside. Convinced as I am of the great and general importance of correct medical instruction, and anxious that our schools should be fostered by necessary patronage, I cannot but regret the the failure of the proposal made last year in our legislature, for the purchase of doctor Hosack's botanick garden. It would be too tedious at present to point out how much medicine may be benefited; how greatly the arts may be enriched, and how many of the comforts, the pleasures, and even the necessaries of life may be improved by such an institution. As an appen dage to a medical school it has become indispensable; and if we suffer this garden of Doctor Hosack's to sink, as sink it must if left in the hands of an individual; we give a decided advantage to every medical school in the United States, as well as in almost every other country over our own. In point of expense it makes very little difference to a young man who must go from home for his education, whether he goes to Boston, Philadelphia or New-York. He will always go, where for the least expense he can obtain the greatest advantages. It becomes therefore decidedly the interest of the State to render our own seminaries as perfect as possible. I hope therefore that this institution, as well as both our medical schools may continue to receive a decided patronage from our government; and that there never will be wanting in our legislature enlightened individuals, who will reiterate their application on the subject until they shall convince the less informed. Much gentlemen will be in your power; a physician is or ought to be the friend of his patients; and if you would exert that influence which so intimate a connection affords you; in a government like ours, you cannot fail of success in every laudable measure. I venture likewise to recommend it to you in your corporate capacity, and that you will instruct your delegate to use his influence with the members of the State Society and the University to accomplish it. One of the strongest arguments in favour of our medical schools, and one which must recommend them irresistibly to the patronage of an enlightened legislature, is, that they afford the only means of training young men for the publick service in case of war. Every dictate of humanity, and every principle of policy, demand, that due attention shall be paid in time of peace, to educating medical men for the army and navy; that in case of war those unhappy scenes, and that aggravated misery, may not be renewed, which we have once experienced; when our sick and wounded soldiers and seamen were in a great measure left to their fate, or what was perhaps worse, put into the hands of ignorant and unexperienced men. It is a painful recollection, but too true, that at the commencement of our revolutionary war, medical and surgical talents were among the greatest wants of our armies, and one from which they suffered more than from the muskets and bayonets of their enemies. Although therefore we may have reason to hope that the miseries of war may for a long time be kept from our hap py shores; yet the wisdom of being always prepared for it is acknowledged by all. But the only way to be prepared for a supply of good field surgeons and a well appointed hospital, is to encourage and always keep up, a well regulated system of medical education in the country. Before I conclude, I beg you will permit me to point out the great and decided interest which the more distant and thinly inhabited counties of the State, have in applying their weight and influence to obtain from the legislature the equal patronage solicited for our medical schools. The situation of these counties as it respects population and wealth, will for a long time, in a great measure, preclude the settlement of Physicians and Surgeons of education and talents among them; unless they can educate young men of merit from among themselves to those professions. Strangers will naturally seek a settlement where with less fatigue, they can hope for greater emoluments; but local attachments, family affection and interest all conspire to prompt the sons to settle in the neighbourhood of their pa rents. It becomes therefore to these counties a matter of the greatest moment to facilitate the means by which at the least expense, they can obtain from their medical students the best opportunities of instruction. It is a fact that in many parts of the new counties, respectable medical aid is not to be procured within 20, 30, or 40 miles, and it is equally true that this want of medical assistance is one great obstacle to the settlement of men of fortune with their families in those counties. The distressing sight of a child languishing on the bed of sicknessof a beloved wife in an hour of extreme distress, or of a husband writhing under the torture of a fractured bone; whilst at the same time it is not possible to afford them the comfort and relief of a physician or surgeon in whom we can place any confidence, is sufficient to deter any considerate man; and as long as these circumstances continue, will prevent many a wealthy settler, who would willingly brave all the other inconveniences and privations of a new country. Can there then be a doubt, but that if the more respectable inhabitants, and proprietors of these counties, as well as the members of the legislature, give this subject the attention it deserves, but, that they will join in promoting the most certain, the only certain means of removing so great an evil. It is singular that the plan here proposed of encouraging our medical schools, should have received during the last session of our legislature its most decided and effectual opposition from some members from the new counties which will undeniably be most benefited by it. It surely can have happened only from the plan having been brought in a partial manner before them; and from their not having given it all the attention it desired. To have it in their power to educate two young men annually from each county in the best manner, and at little or no expense, must surely be a very desirable object to them; and the means by which it can be accomplished can hardly fail to meet their approbation and support.* The wisdom of the legislature, and the liberality of our medical Professors have suggested the idea, and I hope already laid the foundation of this scheme; which, if ever matured, I will venture to predict will give to the State of New-York one of the best medical establishments in the world. By the emulation which will be excited and competition which equal patronage will keep up between the two schools, a constant supply of able and learned teachers will be ensured, and the exertion of all their talents and powers will be called forth. By the purchase of the Botanick Garden, a national ornament and most useful establishment, already brought to a great degree of perfection will be preserved: by which our medicine, our agriculture and our arts, the elegancies, and the conveniencies of life will necessarily be improved, and by the free scholarships derived from the benevolent liberality of the medical professors, the talents of many an ingenious youth will be cultivated; which otherwise will probably be buried in obscurity. Even the most distant parts of the State will soon be filled with well educated medical men; always ready in case of war to supply our armies and navies, by which the lives of our sick and wounded soldiers will be preserved; and their ranks kept filled with veterans instead of new recruits. A plan which promises such advantages to the community, must surely merit the serious and impartial consideration of every member of our government, and if it meets their unbiassed attention can hardly fail to command their cordial approbation and liberal support. * In those counties where there are no medical societies, the judges of the court should have the power to recommend students to the Colleges. VOL. VIII. 9 From the Port Folio. DR. HOSACK'S BOTANICK GARDEN. THIS establishment is distant three and a half miles from the city of New-York, and consists of about twenty acres of land. The ground was purchased by Dr. Hosack in 1801, with the patriotick view of supplying to his native city, what had long been a desideratum in a course of medical education, a botanick garden. At the time of the purchase, the land was exceedingly rough and broken; but by its present possessor it has been brought to a state of the highest cultivation and embellishment. Verbal description, in general, conveys but an imperfect idea of the objects intended to be described, but more particularly so when those are connected with scenes in what may be termed the rural department of Nature. To the eye alone "The pomp of groves and garniture of fields" must be presented. In our description, therefore, of this delightful spot, we shall confine ourselves solely to those arrangements in it, which have utility for their object. This establishment is enclosed by a well-constructed stone wall, and within this enclosure is a belt of forest trees and shrubs with which the whole is surrounded. The interiour is divided into various compartments well calculated to instruct the student in the science of botany by exhibiting to his view not only the plants which are used in medicine, but those which are cultivated by the agriculturalist, and which are employed in the arts and in manufactures. A nursery is also now forming by which our tables may be furnished with the choicest fruits of the earth, and a department is devoted to experiments upon the culture of such plants as may be advantageously introduced into this country but which are now annually imported from abroad. Elegant and extensive conservatories and hothouses have been erected, which experience has already shown are well constructed for the cultivation of plants from every quarter of the globe. Here already may be seen an assemblage of Nature's choicest productions from every climate and from every country. The language of a celebrated poet may with justice be here applied: One cultivated spot there was that spread Where many a rosebud rears its blushing head, |