An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton.

  • Linton, M. L. (Moses L.), 1808-1872.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    [15] of help is reached forth. «Hercules helps them who help them- selves. The avenues of the temple of science are opened,—fit enters. The angel of good luck, troubles the waters—he steps in. Fame invites—he goes forward; and behold the result. Wherever under the sun the healing art is guided by science, his once humble name is known, his authority quoted, his example held up as a brilliant beacon, to the sons of adversity, genius and courage. The spectacle of the poor boy rising like a rocket into the upper regions of human excel- lency and glory, is far more sublime and heart stirring than that presen- ted by Caesar and conquerors. Talk of Napoleon on the field of Aus- teriitz; of Paulus Emilius with 150,000 captives at his heels; of Scipio returning victorious from the ruins of Carthage ; these are pic- tures of human misery, unholy ambition, and bloodstained crime, at which the soul shudders. They do not excite those high and noblo emotions which are an honor to the human heart. The will, I say, is the one thing needful for the student. I need not prescribe for such a one, how many hours he must study per diem ; how late he must read at night; how early arise in the morning; how frequently attend the hospital and the lectures. The resolution will adjust every thing. Who can calculate the power of resolution or measure the force of the will? At its fiat the pyramids arose in all their ponderous magnificence. The cultivated champagne, the huge me- tropolis, with its temples and towers, are but its outward manifesta- tions ; the armaments that thunder-strike the walls of rock built cities, are but the goings-forth of its strength. But to produce vast effects, the will must be continuous, and not fitful and inconstant in action; not like the shifting breeze, but the trade wind that forever urges its course to the line ; not like the evanescent flow of the noisy mountain torrent, but like the Pontic sea, whose course knows no retiring ebb but keeps due on to the Propontic and the Hellespont. I would say to those who possess the steadiness of purpose, I care not how obscure, how poor or ignorant you may be now, the future is rich in rewards for you; envy nobody ; you possess a pearl of great price, a wonder-working talisman, without which all other advantages can assist you but little. I have seen the student in his obscurity, and penury start out on his career ; in his mien were depicted resolution, humility and hardihood. I have seen the child of fortune laughing in the sunshine of prosperity, sneer at him as he entered the lists ; I have- watched the progress of the two. The one knowing that all depended on his own unaided efforts, bent his energies to his task. The other, infla- ted with the idea that he was superior to his fellows, acted the sluggard and the devotee of pleasure. Time passed on. There seemed to be less difference between them. The one had advanced ; the other had res- ted stationary; perhaps declined a little. Another year or two passed j the child of adversity and the child of fortune occupied the same station in society. They were walking arm in arm ; it was hard to say which