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Eulogium on William West. By James Mease M. D. 
Read February 13th, 1810. 
Posthumous honors, whether they consisted in mo- 
numents, or in praise, have generally been confined to 
persons who have occupied the first ranks in civil so- 
ciety, or who have distinguished themselves by their 
military exploits or literary talents. ‘Their examples for 
these reasons, are necessarily limited in their influence, 
because only a small number of persons can derive be- 
nefit from imitating them. Examples of nis bane indus- 
try, knowledge and usefulness, taken from the humble 
walks of life, are calculated to be far more beneficial in 
society, because a great majority of mankind are ina 
situation to be benefitted by them. Of this class, the 
cultivators of the earth are by far the most numerous. 
The retired life of an humble agriculturist, does not in- 
deed admit of a display of eloquence, nor would such 
a display suit the speaker ; but it is hoped, that a few 
traits in the life of one of them, will prove interesting, 
particularly to a society founded for the purpose of pro- 
moting knowledge, economy, and the improvement of 
the profession of which he was so distinguished a 
member. 
The venerable subject of as tribute of respect 
was born in the county of Delaware, a few miles from 
the farm he owned at the time of his death. He was 
the elder brother of the celebrated Benjamin West, 
who has done so. much honor to himself, and to the 
state which ¢ gave | im birth, by his talent, as an histo- 
