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British and American mens medica, until the comparatively recent 

 discoveries of chemical analysis revived the old humoral opinions, so 

 consonant with the instincts of mankind. Chapman carried away 

 with him for life the doctrines of the Edinburgh school. He was, 

 to the close of his medical career, in the language of Dr. Jackson, 

 " a most uncompromising vitalist and solidist." 



His residence in Edinburgh was agreeable as well as instructive. 

 His pleasant manners and social powers brought him into intimacy 

 with a number of distinguished men, particularly Lord Buchan, 

 Dugald Stewart, and Brougham. He seems to have anticipated the 

 career of Brougham ; for, not long after his return to the United 

 States, he republished Brougham's speech before the House of Com- 

 mons on the British Orders in Council, with a biographical sketch, 

 in which the eminence of the future chancellor was predicted. 



Lord Buchan, the eccentric but warm-hearted friend of America 

 and Americans, paid the young A'irginian the compliment of a public 

 breakfast, upon his departure for his own country. The occasion 

 selected was the birthday of Washington, and a large number of dis- 

 tinguished persons, including most of the literary celebrities of the 

 modern Athens and many of the nobility, male and female, were 

 present. Lord Buchan, at the close of this entertainment, commit- 

 ted to the custody of his young friend an interesting relic, valuable 

 from a double historical association. He had, some years previously, 

 presented to General Washington a box made from the oak that 

 sheltered Wallace after the battle of Falkirk, with a request to pass 

 it at his death to the man in his country who should appear to merit 

 it best. General Washington, declining so invidious a designation, 

 returned it by will to the Earl, who intrusted it to Dr. Chapman, 

 with a view to its being ultimately placed in the cabinet of the Col- 

 lege at Washington, to which General Washington had made a 

 bequest. 



LTpon his return to the United States, Chapman determined to 

 select Philadelphia as the theatre of his professional career. An offer 

 of partnership in Virginia had been made to him by his old precep- 

 tor, Weems. But he chose the wider field, and in 1804 commenced 

 the labors of his profession in Philadelphia. His success was imme- 

 diate ; and for a period of nearly fifty years he commanded whatever 

 he could attend of practice in the most refined and opulent circles 

 of our city. 



As a practitioner, his qualifications were unrivalled. The charm 

 of his manner was no less effective in the sick-chamber than his skill 



