MEMOIR 



DR. JOHN D. GODMAN. 



DR. JOHN D. GODMAN, the author of the pleasing 

 descriptions which, under their simple title, " Ram- 

 bles of a Naturalist," contain so much of the beau- 

 tiful and true, was born at Annapolis, in Maryland, 

 in the year 1798. At a very early age he was de- 

 prived, by their death, of both his parents. He 

 was then placed under the care of an aunt, whose 

 intellectual attainments and elevated piety, united 

 to much sweetness of disposition, eminently qualified 

 her for the direction of the youthful mind. His 

 fondness for books and aptitude for learning were 

 remarkable; while his frank, sensitive, and sweet 

 temper gained the affection of all around him. It 

 is said that he had such a reverence for truth, even 

 from infancy, that he was never known to equivocate. 

 When he attained the age of six years, his excellent 

 aunt died. The patrimony which should have pro- 

 vided for his wants, was lost through the mismanage- 

 ment of those to whom the care of it had been en- 



