Gross.] 172 [November. 



the most distinguished divines, physicians, lawyers, and statesmen of 

 Kentucky. It was, in fact, for a long time the only male seminary 

 of any importance in that State. What proficiency young Short 

 made in his studies under the instruction of this gentleman, my in- 

 formation does not enable me to state ; that it was highly respectable 

 may be inferred, not only from the character of his mind and his 

 habits of industry, but from the fact that, immediately after quitting 

 him, he was admitted into Transylvania University at Lexington, 

 where he was graduated, with considerable honor, in 1810. He was 

 one of the speakers on commencement day, and his address on the 

 occasion was very warmly applauded both by the faculty and the 

 public. 



Soon after the event just referred to, young Short began the study 

 of medicine under his uncle, Dr. Frederick Ridgely, a gentleman 

 of considerable scientific attainment, and for many years one of the 

 leading practitioners of Kentucky. In 1813 he repaired to Phila- 

 delphia, where he became a private pupil of Dr. Caspar Wistar, Pro- 

 fessor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. He remained 

 in the office of this distinguished teacher until he was graduated in 

 the Medical Department of this institution in the spring of 1815. 

 The thesis which he presented on the occasion was on the medicinal 

 vivtnes oi Juniper us Sab ina, aud was treated with marked ability. 

 During his residence in Philadelphia he was a diligent and zealous 

 pupil, and devoted much attention to the study of botany, a branch 

 of science in which he was destined to become so conspicuous. A 

 warm attachment sprung up during this period between the professor 

 and the pupil, which continued until the former died in 1818, uni- 

 versally beloved and honored, with a reputation coextensive with our 

 continent. That such should have been the case is not surprising 

 v^hen we consider the character of the two men. Wistar was an 

 eminently amiable man, of the most engaging manners and of re- 

 markable conversational powers ; he was the idol of his classes, and 

 probably the most popular teacher of his day in this country. His 

 social position was of the highest order, and he was the founder of 

 the parties which have since borne his name, and which have con- 

 tributed so much to the elevation of the social character of Philadel- 

 phia. His fondness for young men was proverbial ; he encouraged 

 them in their studies and aided them with his counsel and even with 

 his purse. The letters which young Short brought with him from 

 eminent citizens of the West secured him at once the entree to his 

 house ; they saw each other constantly, and when the young back- 

 woodsman at length left Philadelphia, his greatest regret was at 



