Meigs, Wood, and Grant.* To Dr. Wood also we are indebted, for
Ms exposition of Morton’s eminent services to medical science, both
as a teacher and writer; a point too frequently overlooked in regarding
him in the more prominent light of a Naturalist. Passing over
these topics, my object will be to consider mainly his contributions
to Natural Science, and especially to Ethnology. As introductoiy to
a work upon anthropological subjects, we desire to present Morton
as the Anthropologist, and as virtually the founder of that school of
Ethnology, of whose views this book may be regarded as an authentic
exponent.
Let me be permitted, however, a few words in relation to the personal
character and private worth of Morton. At the mention of his
name there arise emotions which press for utterance, and wMch it
wouM do violence to my feelings to leave unexpressed. If I have
felt tMs affection for him, it is only what was shared by all who knew
him well. What was most peculiar in him was that magnetic power
by wMch he attracted and bound men to Mm, and made them glad
to serve him. TMs influence was especially manifested, as I shall
have occasion to observe again, in the collection of Ms Cabinet of
Crania. In looMng over Ms correspondence now, it is surprising to
see the number of men, so different one from another in every respect,
who in all quarters of the globe were laboring without expectation
of reward to secure a cranium for Morton, and to read the
reports of their varied successes and disappointments. In his whole
deportment, there was an evident singleness of purpose and a candor,
open as the day, wMch at once' placed one at his ease. Combined
with tMs was a most winning gentleness of manner, which drew one
to Mm as with the cords of brotherly affection. He possessed, moreover,
in a remarkable degree, the faculty of imparting to others his
own enthusiasm, and filling them, for the time at least, with ardor
for Ms own pursuit. Hence, in a measure, his success in enlisting
the numerous collaborators, so necessary to Mm in his peculiar
studies. I t may be affirmed 'that no man ever came within the
sphere of his influence without forming for Mm some degree of
* A memoir of Samuel George Morton, M. D., late President of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, by Charles D. Meigs, M. D. Read Nov. 6th, 1851, and published
by direction of the Academy: Philada. 1851.
A Biographical Memoir of Samuel George Morton, M. D., prepared by appointment of
the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and read before that body Nov. 3d, 1852, by
George B. Wood, M. D., President of the College: Philada. 1853.
Sketch of the Life and Character of Samuel George Morton, M. D. Lecture, introductory
to a course of Anatomy and Physiology in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania
College. Delivered Oct. 13th, 1851, by William R. Grant, M. D. Published by request of
the Class: Philada. 1852
personal attachment. His circle of attached friends was therefore
large, and the expression of regret for his untimely loss general and
sincere.
It was in London, and while seated at the hospitable board of Dr.
Thomas Hodgkin, (to whom I had been introduced by a letter from
Morton,*) that I first heard the news of his decease. He was the subject
of an animated and interesting conversation at the moment, (for Dr. H.
and he had been classmates at Edinburgh,) when a gentleman entered
with an American newspaper received by the morning’s mail, and
containing the sad intelligence. A cloud came over every countenance,
and every voice was raised in an exclamation of sudden grief
and regret; for he was more or less known to all present. My next
appointment for that day was with Mr. 8. Birch, of the Archaeological
department of the British Museum, who had been a correspondent
of Morton, and could appreciate his great worth. During the day,
Mr. Birch or myself mentioned the melancholy tidings to numerous
gentlemen, in various departments of that great institution, and
always with the same reply. All knew his name, and felt that in
his decease the cause of science had suffered a serious deprivation.
And this seemed to me Ms true fame. Outside the walls of this
noble Temple of Science rolled on the turmoil of the modem
Babylon, with its world of business, of pleasure, and of care, to
all which the name of Morton was unknown, and from which its
mention could call up no response. Within these walls, however,
and among a body of men whom a more than princely munificence
enables to devote themselves to labor like his own, he was universally
recognized and appreciated, and mourned as a leading
spirit in their cosmopolite fraternity. But always there was this
peculiarity to be noticed, that wherever a man had known Morton
personally at all, he mourned not so much for the untimely extinction
of an intellectual light, as for the loss of a beloved personal friend.
Certainly the man who inspired others with this feeling, could himself
have no cold or empty heart. On the contrary, he overflowed
* Among the letters with which Dr. Morton favored me, on my visit to Europe, was one
to Dr. Alexander Hannay of Glasgow. This he particularly wished me to deliver, and to
bring him a report of his old friend; for Dr. H. had been an intimate of his student days,
although their correspondence had long been interrupted. The letter was written in a
playful mood, and contained sportive allusions to their student life at Edinburgh, and a wish
that they might meet again. On reaching Glasgow late in May, I sought Dr. H., and found
that he had recently deceased. Morton himself, as I afterwards learned, had then also ceased
to breathe. That letter, so full of genial vivacity and present life, was from the hand of one
dead man addressed to another ! And should they not meet again ? Rather had they not
already met where the darkness had become day! It is a beautiful and consolatory belief,
and one that the subject of this notice could undoubtingly hold and rejoice in.