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ing, and they naturally partake somewhat of the character of adver- 

 tisements. Many of them are agreeable and appropriate performances, 

 but others are open to severe comment. Turgid and extravagant 

 attempts at eloquence, a fondness for effete Latin quotations, a 

 parade of scholastic terms where simple ones only are called for, an 

 inclination to adopt the cant phrases of political and literary writers, 

 are the common faults of these productions. The physician should 

 remember, that his style has no more occasion for pomp of oratory 

 and glitter of epithet, than his costume for the gold lace and feathers 

 which belong to the military chieftain. Nothing is more offensive 

 than an attempt to tell that which should be said plainly and decently, 

 in high flown language. It vitiates the taste of the student who 

 listens to it or reads it, and exposes the profession to derision from 

 those who cannot value the important truths disguised by such ill 

 chosen finery. 



Here, too, a few words may be added on the subject of the Theses, 

 of which many hundreds are annually presented by the candidates 

 for graduation. It is to be feared, that they would compare ill with 

 those produced in the great European schools, very many of which 

 have taken their place as permanent scientific documents, and heralded 

 the future celebrity of their authors. Yet a more careful attention 

 would probably show, that some Theses are brought forward every 

 year which would do credit to the institutions from which they pro- 

 ceed, and to the country. Such a dissertation as that of Dr. Kane, 

 on Kiesteine, or that of Dr. Porcher on the Plants and Ferns of St. 

 John's (S. C), forms the best possible introduction of a young man 

 into the ranks of the profession, and is an actual accession to the 

 treasures of science. It has occurred to the Committee, that some 

 measures might be taken to elevate the character of these exercises, 

 and encourage a generous emulation throughout the country in 

 respect to their merit. 



In different parts of the country prizes have been frequently 

 offered for the best dissertations upon certain specified subjects. 

 Many interesting essays have been called out in this way, which 

 would probably never have seen the light but for some such active 

 stimulus. In some instances, a permanent fund is devoted to this 

 object. One of the best known of these endowments, is the Boyls- 

 ton Prize Fund, which has offered and generally awarded premiums 

 to the amount of a hundred dollars annually, for a long series of 

 years. The Fisk Prize Fund of Rhode Island, is a more recent 

 foundation of similar character. 



