History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 71

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884 > Part 71

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Philip H. Nicklin was a bookseller in Baltimore first and Philadelphia afterward, dealing in law-

books mainly. He was author, in 1834, of " Report Concerning the Universities of Oxford and Cam- bridge;" (2) "Letters Descriptive of the Virginia Springs," by Peregrine Prolix, 1836; (3) " A Pleas- ant Peregrination," etc .; (4) "Remarks on Literary Property ;" (5) "Papers on Free Trade." He also contributed to Silliman's and other journals.

James Patterson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of the Northern Liberties, published, about 1820, a missionary sermon and several religious works.

Henry Stewart Patterson, M.D., besides the biog- raphy of Dr. Morton, which has been much praised, published (1) " Oration before the Pennsylvania Liter- ary Institute ;" (2) " Lectures Introductory to a Course of Materia Medica ;" (3) "Notice of the Life and Pro- fessional Services of William R. Grant, M.D.," 1852.

Dr. William Patterson, a native of Londonderry, published, 1793, (1) "Remarks on Some of the Opinions of Dr. Rush respecting Yellow Fever ;" (2) "Observations on the Climate of Ireland," 1804.

Charles Picot, a native of Paris, for several years a teacher in Philadelphia, wrote (1) "First Lessons in French ;" (2) "French Assistant ;" (3) " Entertaining French Narratives;" (4) " French Historical Narra- tives ;" (5) "Historical, Scientific, Literary, and other Narratives ;" (6) " Beauties of the French Drama ;" (7) "Fleures de Parnasse ;" (8) "Spanish Speller." Besides these, with Judah Dobson, he published an " Abridgment of Fleming and Tibbins' French and English Dictionary," in 1844.

John Hare Powel was once secretary of the United States Legation, under William Pinckney, at London. One of the founders of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society, of which he published memoirs ; also " Hints for American Farmers," and contributions to the American Farmer, and other journals.

John Redman, M.D., about 1810, published-(1) " Abortion ;" (2) " Defense of Inoculation."

John Read, son of George Read, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Convention that framed the Constitution of the United States, and successor to Nicholas Biddle in the United States Senate, published, in 1798, " Arguments on British Debts."

His son, John Meredith Read, United States dis- trict attorney, and attorney-general and associate, and chief justice of the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania, devoted some of his time to authorship. Among his productions are "Outlines of a Plan for the Administration of the Girard Trust," 1833; "Address to the Democratic Members of the Legis- lature of Pennsylvania," 1854; "Speech at Phila- delphia on the Power of Congress over the Terri- tories," and a large number of justly celebrated addresses. Also "Views Sustained by Facts and Authorities on the Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus ;" " Lecture before the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania," and many other similar works. Mr. Read was regarded one of the

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

ablest debaters of his time. His speech in the celebrated trial of the United States v8. Hanway, for treason, was never reported. If it had been, it has been said that the law of treason would have been forever settled in this country.

Joseph Reed, son of Gen. Joseph Reed of Revolu- tionary fame, published in 1822 " Laws of Pennsyl- vania," a continuation of the series by Charles Smith,

Henry Reed, who passed one-half of his life in the literary duties of the Pennsylvania University as Pro- fessor of Literature and Moral Philosophy, was one of the most accomplished scholars in English literature that this country has produced. He was born in Phila- delphia on the 11th of July, 1808, being a grandson of Joseph Reed, the President of Pennsylvania. He was christened by the name of Henry Hope, after Henry Hope, of Amsterdam, who was cousin-german of his mother's grandmother, though the middle name was afterward dropped. He received his early education in the classical school of James Ross, a highly-esteemed teacher of his day in Philadelphia. Passing to the University of Pennsylvania in Septem- ber, 1822, he attained his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1825, taking first honors. He then pursued the study of the law in the office of his uncle-in-law, HIon. John Sergeant, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. In September, 1831, he relinquished the prac- tice of his profession, and was elected Assistant Pro- fessor of English Literature in the University of Pennsylvania. In November of the same year he was chosen Assistant Professor of Moral Philosophy. In 1835 he was elected Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature.

Previous to this time, however, in 1834, he married Elizabeth White Bronson, a granddaughter of Bishop William White. Mrs. Reed had six children,-three who died in infancy, and Mary Bronson Reed, Henry Reed (a member of the bar of this city), and Anne Bronson Reed (who married W. B. Robins, who is also a member of the Philadelphia bar).

In May, 1854, Henry Reed obtained a leave of ab- sence from his university duties, and accompanied by his sister-in-law, Miss Bronson, Jeft America for a summer visit to Europe, a trip he had long contem- plated. He visited the Continent, and from thence went to England, where he was at home among such friends as the Wordsworths, Southeys, Coleridges, Arnolds, Lord Mahon, Mr. Baring, Mr. Aubrey De Vere, Mr. Babbage, Henry Taylor, and Mr. Thack- eray, names, one and all, associated with the highest literary or political distinction. The last words he ever wrote were in a letter of the 20th of September, 1854, to his venerable friend, Mrs. Wordsworth, thanking her and his English friends generally for all she and they had done for him, On the same day, Mr. Reed and his sister-in-law embarked at Liverpool for New York, in the steamship " Arctic." Seven days afterward, nt noon, on the 27th, when almost in sight of his native land, a fatal collision

occurred, and before sundown every human being (about three hundred persons) left upon the ship had sunk under the waves of the ocean.

The news of Mr. Reed's death was received with deep and intense feeling in the city of his birth, his education, and his active life. Philadelphia mourned sincerely for her son, and no tribute to his memory, no graceful expression or act of sympathy to his family, was withheld.

A diligent scholar, and of a thoroughbred cultiva- tion in the best schools of English literature and criticism, of unwearied habits of industry, he would probably, as life advanced, have further served his country by new offerings of the fruits of his mental discipline and studies. His chief compositions were several courses of lectures which he delivered to the public at the University of Pennsylvania, and of which a collection has been published since his death by his brother, William B. Reed, with the titles " Lectures on English Literature, from Chaucer to Tennyson ;". "Lectures on English History and Tragie Poetry as Illustrated by Shakespeare," and " Lectures on the British Poets." These works have been eminently successful, having passed through several editions both in this country and in England. The tastes, mental habits, and associations of the writer are fully exhibited in these productions, which cover many topics of moral and social philosophy, besides the criticism of particular authors. Of the "Lectures on the British Poets" the London Athencum said, "No one can glance through the 'Lectures,' which are oratorical in style, without acknowledging the noble ardor which inspires them, or without sympathizing in the American's appeal- almost as fervent as a prayer-in behalf of the republie he loved, and to the service of which he devoted his generous and honorable life."

As a scholar and thinker, Mr. Reed belonged to a school of English writers who received their first im- pulse from the genius of Wordsworth and Coleridge. It is characterized by its sound conservatism, reveren- tial spirit, and patient philosophical investigation. He was early brought into communication with Words- worth, whom he assisted by the supervision and ar- rangement of an American edition of his poems. The preface to this work, and an elaborate article in the New York Review of January, 1839, which appeared from his pen, show his devotion to this master of modern poetry. After the death of the poet he su- perintended the publication of the American edition of the memoirs by Dr. Christopher Wordsworth.

With the Coleridge family he maintained a similar correspondence and intimate relation. As an evidence of this, Lord Chief Justice Coleridge, while on his late visit to this country, in the speech he made on Oct. 16, 1883, at the banquet given in his honor by the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, at that institution, said, " lle was a friend of Ilenry Reed, too soon, too sadly Jost," and added, " He was a

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AUTHORS AND LITERATURE OF PHILADELPHIA.

scholar, philosopher, and perfect gentleman. He was known in England as well as here. Of him it might be said, ' His life too short for friendship, not for fame.'"

A memoir which Mr. Reed prepared of Sara Cole- ridge for the Literary World, Aug. 20, 1852, though brief, was so carefully and characteristically executed, that it appeared not long after, reprinted entire, among the obituaries of the Gentleman's Magazine.

Professor Reed edited several books in connection with his courses of instruction. In 1845 he prepared an edition of Alexander Reed's "Dictionary of the English Language," and in 1847 edited, "with an introduction and illustrative authorities," G. F. Graham's "English Synonymes," the series of poet- ical citations added by him being confined to Shake- speare, Milton, and Wordsworth. He also edited American reprints of Thomas Arnold's "Lectures on Modern History" and Lord Mahon's "History of England from the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Paris." In 1851 he edited the poetical works of Thomas Gray, for which he prepared a new memoir, written with his accustomed judgment and precision. An "Oration on True Education" was delivered by him before the Zelosophic Society of the University of Pennsylvania in 1848. He also delivered a " Lec- ture upon the American Union" before the Smith- sonian Institute, and several addresses were made at various times before other bodies. To this enumera- tion is to be added a life of his grandfather, Joseph Reed, published in Sparks' "Series of American Biography."

William C. Preston was a native of Philadelphia, though his life was spent mostly in South Carolina. He was elected president of South Carolina College in 1845, and served that State both in the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States. Although an eminent orator and scholar, he com- mitted to the press little of his written work. His " Eulogy on Hugh S. Legare" is a most finished production.

Alonzo Potter, D.D., LL.D., a native of New York, elected bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania in 1845, had a very high reputation for ability and varied accomplishments. He was author of (1) " A Treatise on Logarithms," 1822; (2) " A Treatise on Descriptive Geometry ;" (3) "Political Economy, its Objects, Uses, and Principles," 1840; (4) "The Principles of Science Applied to the Domestic and Mechanic Arts, and to Manufacture and Agricul- ture;" (5) "The School and the School-master, with G. B. Emerson ;" (6) "Hand-Book for Readers and Students ;" (7) "Plan of Temperance Organizations ;" (8) "A Lecture on Drinking Usages." In 1858 a volume was published with selections from his ser- mons and other addresses. Besides these Bishop Potter composed nearly a dozen of the volumes in the Harper's Family Library Series.

Thomas Mckean Pettit, one of the judges of the District Court of Philadelphia, was author of (1) " An-

nual Discourse before the Historical Society of Penn- sylvania in 1828;" (2) " Annual Discourse before the Philomathian Society of the University of Pennsyl- vania," 1886; (3) " Memoirs of Roberts Vaux."

Leon Hyneman, editor of The Masonic Mirror, published, 1858, "The Origin of Freemasonry."

Charles Hodge, D.D., professor of Biblical Litera- ture in the Theological Seminary of Princeton, was a Philadelphian. He was editor of the Biblical Reper- tory and Princeton Review. His publications are (1) "Comment on the Epistle to the Romans," 1835; (2) "Questions to the Epistle to the Romans ;" (3) " Con- stitutional History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States," 1840; (4) " The Way of Life," 1842; (5) " What is Presbyterianism ? An Address deliv- ered before the Presbyterian Historical Society," 1855; (6) "A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians," 1856; (7) "Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians," 1857.

Daniel McCalla, D.D., minister of the Congre- gational Church at Wappetaw, S. C., was a native of Philadelphia. His "Sermons and Essays," with an account of his life, were published in 1810, by Hol- lingshead.

J. C. Oehlschlager, for many years a teacher of the German language, published a " Pronouncing German Reader," and the introductory matter to the American edition of Grieb's German and English Dictionary.

Benjamin Morgan Palmer, D.D., a native of Phila- delphia, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Beaufort, S. C., published several of his sermons, and in 1835, "The Family Companion."

Joseph Parrish, M.D., published " Practical Obser- vasions on Strangulated Hernia and some of the Dis- eases of the Urinary Organs," 1836; and an edition of William Lawrence's " Treatise on Hernia," with an appendix. He was one of the editors of the North American Medical and Surgical Journal, and contrib- uted much to its columns. A memoir of him was published by Dr. George B. Wood. His son, of the same name and profession, principal of the Institution for Feeble-Minded Children at Germantown, con- tributed many able papers on Idiocy and other sub- jects to the New Jersey Medical Reporter.

Two other sons, Isaac and Edward Parrish, pub- lished several works. The former, a physician, wrote a biographical memoir of John C. Otto, 1832. He was a frequent contributor to the Transactions of the College of Physicians, Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and other learned societies. A memoir of him, by Dr. Samuel Jackson, was published in 1853. His brother, professor of Materia Medica in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, was author of (1) " An Introduction to Practical Pharmacy," 1856; (2) "The Phantom Bouquet," a popular treatise on the art of skeletonizing leaves and seed-vessels ; (3) " An Essay on Education in the Society of Friends, with an Account of the Proceedings of Laying the Corner-Stone of Swarthmore College."

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

Eli K. Price, a distinguished member of the bar. published 1 " A Memoir of Philip and Rachel Price," 1853 ; 12| " Of the Limitation of Actions and of Liens against Real Estate iu Pennsylvania," 1857 ; (3)" A Discourse on the Family as an Element of Govern- ment, with Centennial Writings of the Descendants of Philip and Rachel Price," 1864; "History of the Consolidation of the City of Philadelphia." 1873.

Margaret Smith, daughter of Col. John Bayard, of Revolutionary service, was author of (1) " A Winter in Washington; or, The Seymour Family," 1827; (2) " What is Gentility ?" 1830 ; and many other stories and sketches appearing in The Southern Literary Mes- senger and Lady's Book. Mr. Hale's Woman's Record notices Mrs. Smith.

Richard Penn Smith, publisher of The Aurora, grandson of Dr. Smith, first provost of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote "The Forsaken," 1831; " A Guide to Philadelphia," 1832; " The Actress of Padua and Other Tales," 1836; a " Life of David Crockett." He was, however, more distinguished for his dramatic works,-" Cains Marius," made famous by Edwin For- rest. "Quite Correct." " Eighth of January," " A Wife at a Venture," "The Sentinels," " William Penn," "The Triumph at Plattsburgh," "The Water-Witch," " Is She a Brigand ?" " My Uncle's Wedding," "The Daughter," "The Venetian." "The Disowned" and " The Deformed" were acted with much éclat in the London theatres. Selections from his works by bis son, Horace W. Smith, with a biographical sketch by Morton McMichael, were published in 1856.

Henry Stuber, M.D., was a frequent contributor to various periodicals. He is best known for his " Con- tinuation of the Autobiography of Dr. Franklin," in which he gives account of the philosopher's researches in electricity.

Joel B. Sutherland, M.D., judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, wrote (1) " Manual of Legislative Practice and Order of Business in Legis- lative Bodies," 1830; (2 " A Congressional Manual ; or, t)utline of the Order of Business in the House of Representatives of the United States."

HIenry S. Tanner, a native of New York, resided for some years in Philadelphia. He published (1) "New American Atlas," 1817; (2) " Map of North America," 1822; 3) "The World on a Globular Pro- jection," 1825; 4 " Map of the United States of Mexico," 1825; |5) " Map of Philadelphia," 1826, besides many other maps. Ile was the author also of " Recent Surveys," " View of the Valley of the Mis- sissippi," " American Traveller," "Central Traveller," "New Picture of Philadelphia." "Description of the Canals and Railroads of the United States." His maps and other works were highly praised. He was a member of the Geographical Society of Paris, and a corresponding member of the Royal Geographical Society of London.

Gerard Troost, a native of Holland, the first presi- dent of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadel-

phia, became professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology in the University of Nashville. He translated Humboldt's "Aspects of Nature," and wrote extensively for several learned societies. In 1826 he published "Geological Survey of the En- virons of Philadelphia" and "Geological Surveys of Tennessee."

William Bradford, Attorney-General of the United States, a native of Philadelphia, wrote, at the request of Governor Mifflin, " An Enquiry how far the l'un- ishment of Death is Necessary in Pennsylvania." In early life Mr. Bradford wrote for the periodicals sundry poetical pieces,

John Bradford Wallace published (1) " Reports of Cases of the Third Circuit United States Court," in 1801; (2) "Remarks upon the Law of Bailment," 1840; and edited, in 1802, " Abbot on Shipping." His widow printed (for private circulation) a sketch of his life in 1848. ITis son, John William Wallace, master in chancery of Pennsylvania, reporter of United States Supreme Court, published (1) "The Reporters Chronologically Arrayed, with Occasional Remarks upon their Respective Merits ;" (2) "Cases in the Circuit Court of the United States ;" (3) "The Want of Uniformity in the Commercial Law between the Different States of the Union," 1851; (4) "Penn- sylvania as a Borrower ;" (5) "Reports of Cases in Supreme Court of the United States." He was editor of "British Crown Cases Reserved," also Smith's "Leading Cases." Mr. Wallace was for some years president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and wrote and delivered several valuable historical addresses. He also produced admirable works upon biography and history, among them, "Sketch of the Life of Bradford," the first printer of Pennsylvania; " An Old Philadelphian, Col. William Bradford, the Patriot Printer of 1776." This was privately printed a short time before Mr. Wallace's death, which took place Jan. 10, 1884.

Jasper Ycates, a member of the Philadelphia har and associate justice of the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania, published reports of that court iu 1818, which have been severely criticised for the want of care with which they were made.

Alexander Wilcocks, M.D., wrote (1) "Essay on the Tides: Theory of the Two Forces," 1844; (2) " Reflections upon the Nature of the Temporary Star of the Year 1572: An Application of the Nebular Hypothesis ;" (3) "Thoughts on the Influence of Ether in the Solar System : Its Relations to the Zo- (liacal Light, Comets, the Seasons, and Periodical Shooting Stars."

Several of the family of Wharton have been prom- inently connected with the literary growth of Phila- delphia. Thomas I. Wharton, a member of the bar, and for some time reporter of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was author of (1) " Digest of Cases in the Circuit Court of the United States, Third District, and in the Courts of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,"

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AUTHORS AND LITERATURE OF PHILADELPHIA.

1822; (2) " Digested Index to the Reported Decisions of the Several Courts of Law in the Western and Southern States," 1824; (3) "Discourse before the Society for the Commemoration of the Landing of William Penn," 1826; (4) "Discourse before the Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania," 1836 ; (5) "Reports of Cases in the Supreme Court of Pennsy]- vania, Eastern District," 1835; (6) " Memoir of Wil- liam Rawle, LL.D .; " (7) "Letter on the Right and Power of Philadelphia to Subscribe to the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company's Stock ;" (8) " Address at the Opening of the New Hall of the Athenaeum, Philadelphia," 1846. He also published biographical sketches of many distinguished Philadelphians, which have been of much service to us in the preparation of this work. His son, Francis Wharton, D.D., LL.D., who began as a lawyer and afterward became a min- ister of the Protestant Episcopal Church (rector of St. Paul's, Brookline, Mass.), published (1) "Treatise on the Criminal Code of the United States," 1846, which was very highly commended by several leading lawyers in this country ; (2) "The State Trials of the United States during the Administrations of Wash- ington and Adams, with References Historical and Professional, and Preliminary Notes on the Politics of the Times." 1849; (3) " Treatise on the Law of Homicide in the United States," 1855; (4) in conjunc- tion with others, "Treatise on Medical Jurispru- dence." This work also has been highly praised. (5) " A Willing Reunion not Impossible : A Thanks- giving Sermon," 1863; (6) " The Silence of Scripture," 1867. Dr. Wharton was also a frequent contributor to various periodicals. His brother, Henry Wharton, a lawyer, was author of " A Practical and Elementary Treatise on the Law of Vicinage," and was one of the editors of The American Law Register.

George M. Wharton published (1) "Remarks on Horace Binney's Treatise on Habeas Corpus ;" (2) "Answer to Mr. Binney's Reply ;" (3) an article on "Literary Property" in The North American Review, and one on "Oratory" in "The Philadelphia Book."

Jacob Servoss Rose, M.D., was anthor of (1) " Con- sumption Curable ;" (2) " Reformed Practice of Medi- cine," 1845.

William Edward Schenck, D.D., corresponding sec- retary and editor of the Presbyterian Board of Publica- tion, published (1) " Historical Account of the First Presbyterian Church of Princeton," 1850; (2) "Fare- well Discourse," 1852; (3) " Discourse on Church Ex- tension in Cities ;" (4) "God Our Guide," 1863; (5) " Aunt Fanny's Home ;" (6) " Children in Heaven ;" (7) "Presbyterian Social Psalmist ;" (8) "With Others Children's Praise."

Chief Justice George Sharswood, who is noticed in the chapter on the Bench and Bar, contributed much to the literature of his profession that has received the very highest encomiums,-(1) " Professional Ethics, a Compend of Lectures on the Aims and Duties of the Profession of Law," 1854; (2) "Popular Lec-

tures on Common Law," 1856. He edited Black- stone's "Commentaries," " Byles on Bills of Ex- change," "Coote on Mortgages," Leigh's "Nisi Prius," " Roscoe on Criminal Evidence," " Russel on Crimes," "Smith on Contracts," "Starkei on Evi- dence," Stephens' " Nisi Prius," "Laws of the United States," "English Common Law Reports." These editions rank among the very best that have ever appeared.

Francis Gurney Smith, M.D., professor of Insti- tutes of Medicines in Philadelphia College, published (1) " Domestic Medicine, Surgery, and Materia Med- ica," 1852; (2) " Experiments Upon Digestion ;" (3) " An Analytical Compendium ;" (4) " Translation of Barth and Roger's Manual of Auscultation and Per- cussion ;" (5) editor of Carpenter's "Principles of Human Physiology and the Microscope," of Rirke's & Paget's " Physiology," and, with others, of Drake's "Systematic Treatise."

Joseph Few Smith, D.D., first a Lutheran, then Presbyterian divine, professor of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology in Auburn Theological Seminary, was author of (1) " Address before the Evangelical Lutheran Church," 1845; (2) "American Lutheran Mission," 1845; (3) "Hints to Church Members," 1845; (4) "Pulpit Eloquence ;" (5) "Silent Influence of the Bible," 1851; (6) "The Office of the Ruling Elder," 1858; (7) "Prayer Meeting," 1860; (8) "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Second Presbyterian Church of Newark, N. J .; " and (9) "The Prayer of the Afflicted," 1864. He was also a frequent writer for religious periodicals.

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 71

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992