20 MEMOIR OF 



at which our young orator became indignant ; and yield- 

 ing to the impulse of his strong native feelings, not only 

 refused to deliver what he had prepared, but resolved on 

 returning forthwith to Baltimore. His oration was left 

 with his preceptor, who speaks of it as not unworthy of 

 Patrick Henry. 



Departing from Elizabethtown, he returned to Balti- 

 more, and became a pupil of Dr. Hall ; and, in the suc- 

 ceeding autumn, began to attend the lectures in that city. 

 His pecuniary difficulties, however, were pressing, and, 

 in the ensuing February, 1816, he wrote to his benefac- 

 tor in the following eloquent and affecting style : 



" Need I then inform you how high my expectations 

 were raised, when I commenced attending the lectures 

 this winter need I say I was almost certain of future 

 competency ? Alas ! my friend, the Great Ruler of 

 events has interposed (in order to teach me resigna- 

 tion to his will) this heavy disappointment. By unforeseen 

 events by domestic calamities, I have been compelled 

 to relinquish the study of medicine, so long the ultima- 

 tum of all my hopes. FATHER OF ALL, THY WILL BE DONE. 

 I have made this my motto my consolation; and did I 

 not daily see the truth of " Omnia pro optimo," I might 

 perhaps repine. I am now in expectation of a situation 

 with an eminent apothecary of this city, and I may be 

 enabled, at a future period, to recommence the study of 

 medicine." 



This situation however he did not obtain. 



