DR. GODMAN. 23 



to gain universal applause; and at the time he was ex- 

 amined for his degree, the superiority of his mind, as 

 well as the extent and accuracy of his knowledge, were 

 so apparent, that he was marked by the professors of the 

 University as one who was destined at some future period 

 to confer high honour upon the profession." 



In reference to his graduation, on the 10th of February, 

 1818, he wrote to his friend, Dr. Luckey, in these em- 

 phatical words : 



" I know not what to tell you for news, unless I tell 

 you that I passed my graduate examination, on Saturday ; 

 Feb. 7,) which lasted twenty minutes; and, of course, 1 

 have now the ' vast unbounded prospect all before me ;' 

 though ' shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it.' I 

 will go to the country to practise, most probably to 

 Frederick county." 



In the United States, it is common to see young men, 

 without preparatory education or fortune, become prac- 

 titioners of medicine ; but most of this class struggle into 

 the ranks of the profession, totally unprepared ; and de- 

 part from it for other pursuits, or for the grave, unknown 

 and unhonoured by the scientific world. Such an ad- 

 mission, must not be confounded with that of young 

 Godman ; who scorned to enter the profession unqualified 

 and unauthorised by those who guard, or ought to guard, 

 its portals. In this respect he was a shining example; 

 and his subsequent success should animate every friend- 

 less young man, who may engage in the study of medi- 



