78 APPENDIX. 



liis I'cgrcl that many of our associates had been suf- 

 fered to siuk into unmerited oblivion. In this senti 

 mcut he was perfectly disinterested ; for be was theu 

 in full possession of health and spirits, little think- 

 ing that at the very next meeting, his brethren would 

 bo occupied with the mournful care of decreeing to 

 him that honour of which he was worthy in the judg- 

 ment of all. I much fear that I shall be unable to 

 do him justice. Indeed, when 1 reflect that he was 

 eminent in a profession, of which 1 pretend not to be 

 a competent judge, I feel conscious that the honour- 

 able task assigned to me would have been better per- 

 formed by several distinguished members who have 

 moved in the same sphere. In one qualification, how- 

 ever I am not deficient — in zeal for the memory of a 

 man whom I loved and admired. At all events, I felt 

 myself obliged to obey the will of the Society, and 

 trusting to their candour, I shall endeavour faithfully 

 to portray the character of our departed brother. 



Doctor Caspar Wistar had the good fortune to 

 descend from ancestors in whom he beheld exam- 

 ])lcs worthy of imitation. His paternal grandfather, 

 Caspar Wistar, emigrated from the dominions of the 

 Elector Palatine of Germany, and arrived at Phila- 

 ilcl[)lua in the year 1717. He was a man of strong 

 ititcllLLl, and lipplicd his life to Ubcful purposes. By 



