24 MEMOIR OF 



cine, to imitate his industry and unfaltering perseverance. 

 By these means, if not blessed with his genius, they may 

 prepare themselves for extensive usefulness, and earn 

 respectability if not renown. 



We come now to contemplate Dr. Godman, as a mem- 

 ber of the profession. His first location was in the vil- 

 lage of New Holland, on the banks of the Susquehanna ; 

 where, however, he remained but a few months. The 

 next was on the Patapsco, near Baltimore, whence, in 

 July, 1819, he wrote to Dr. Luckey as follows : 



" My success in business has been considerable, or my 

 practice, at least, has been as extensive as I could ration- 

 ally expect." "What my success may be in the end is 

 at present very doubtful. I still have considerable ex- 

 pectation of being recalled to Baltimore, in order to fill 

 the place which I held in the University. If it so hap- 

 pen, I shall be much delighted, as a country life is very 

 little, or not at all, to my taste." 



In these rural situations . he devoted himself to the 

 study of nature; and, at a subsequent time, set forth the 

 fruits of his observations in a series of papers, entitled 

 the Rambles of a Naturalist. But his ardent tempera- 

 ment was little adapted to the stagnant existence of a 

 village doctor. He thirsted for competition, and longed 

 to engage in the rivalries which prevail among the can- 

 didates for fame. Nature seems to have urged him on. It 

 was she who revealed to him the compass of his intel- 

 lectual powers; and bid him seek a theatre commen- 



