250 PROCEEDINGS OF THE N. Y. COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. 
he was careful to be thoroughly furnished for his responsi- 
ble and arduous profession. 
Mr. Adamson appears from early life to have been dili- 
gent in acquiring information. He had a fair knowledge 
of Greek, Latin, and most of the modern European lan- 
guages ; he uniformly spent a portion of the evening in sci- 
entific studies, and inquiry into branches of knowledge in- 
teresting to him. Having a retentive memory, he amassed 
an extensive knowledge of science, history, and general 
literature. He was a good physiologist and pathologist ; 
and was often consulted by physicians who frequented his 
store, on questions which they found it difficult to gain the 
requisite assistance from their own branch of the medical 
profession. To all who sought information of him, his 
counsel and instruction were freely given ; not with the os- 
tentatious assumption of superior attainments, but with the 
simplicity of a child and the kindness of a friend ; stating 
with frankness the sources of his information, and his own 
opinion thereon. He was ever ready to impart most cheer- 
fully, the knowledge which his diligent study and well 
matured experience had secured to a mind of superior cast. 
He was ever on the alert to detect fraudulent and sophisti- 
cated articles, whether manufactured at home, or import- 
ed from abroad ; and by his acuteness and knowledge has 
repeatedly prevented drugs of this character from being 
vended and used in this country. Nothing appeared to 
escape the vigilance of his active mind. 
Mr. Adamson was an alien. He remained so from his 
upright sense of honor. Having lived in his native country 
till middle life, and having received a commision as an offi- 
cer in its army? taking, on that occasion, the customary oath, 
he was under the impression that he could not conscien- 
tiously, (although he had great respect for our laws,) for- 
swear his allegiance to his own land. 
He took an active part in the original formation of the Col- 
lege of Pharmacy in this city. He was elected a member of the 
