fond 
Pepper.] 2 ‘ 8 (Oct, 19, 
ly come over the relations between the medical profes- 
sion and the community, is an open question. But it 
is evident that such changes were unavoidable, and the 
only matter of surprise is, that they could have been 
postponed so long by the conservative spirit, so strongly 
prevalent here, and by the respect paid by the medical 
profession to its deeply rooted traditions. In this re- 
lation of trusted and confidential adviser, Dr. Meigs 
could not have been surpassed. Of spotless integrity 
and purity of character ; with a lofty conception of his 
duty as a physician, and with unselfish devotion to the 
pursuit of medical science; with such courtesy and 
charm of manner and conversation as made him one of 
the most agreeable companions ;, with infinite tact, pa- 
tience, gentleness and sympathy with the sick and suffer- 
ing; and yet with firmness of will, vigorous energy, calm 
and dignified self-reliance which commanded implicit 
confidence and obedience in the hour of most urgent 
and deadly danger; it is not easy to conceive or por- 
tray the large and important place such a man filled 
in the lives and affections of hundreds or thousands 
who cherished him as their physician. I well know that 
this poor tribute would be re-echoed in stronger and 
warmer accents from many a sick chamber, which is 
to-day deprived of its brightest cheer and strongest 
comfort through his death. 
But few details of his private life need be added to 
this sketch. He was married Oct. 17, 1844, to Miss 
Ann Wilcocks Ingersoll, daughter of the late Charles 
