A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE

OF THE LATE

EDWIN LEROY M'CALL, M. B.

IN sketching the following biographical notice of Dr. Edwin Leroy M'Call, late of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, the object of the writer is, not to throw around the memory of the deceased a gaudy tissue of unfounded panegyric, but, by a simple statement of acknowledged truths, to pay to departed genius and worth a tribute which he knows to be justly due.

The subject of this notice fell a victim to disease before the period of the complete evolution and polishing of his elegant mind. Notwithstanding this, he was a bud of science of such ample promise, a professional germ of such flattering hope, that his death must be regarded as a national loss. For, had he been permitted to measure out the usual span of human life, the talents and virtues which threw into his character their blended lustre, would necessarily have rendered him a national ornament. To, the nation, then, it belongs to cherish his fame, and to receive his portrait, though green in youth and drawn by a feeble and trembling hand, into the gallery of portraits of her distinguished worthies.

Biographical memoirs, when written with ability and taste, are sought after with avidity as sources of entertainment. But a higher and more important use of this species of composition is, to hold forth models of conduct and standards of imitation, for the youth of our country. For this purpose, though the lives of men advanced in years abound most in matter, and are, therefore, most richly fraught with instruction, it does not follow that they are in all respects best calculated to answer the true end of biography. I think it appears, as well from our observation of others, as from the feelings of our own minds, that we are most inclined to an imitation and generous emulation of our equals in years. The youth of eighteen does not, cannot feel the same lively interest in the brilliant exploits of the man of forty-five, that he does in those of the gallant stripling, who, like himself, has not yet attained the gristle of manhood. Would you wish to lead the youthful mind into the flowery paths of Morality and Religion? Are you desirous to entice it into the delightful walks of Literature and Science? Or, is it your intention to fire it with a love of military glory? In either case, dwell not on the characters of men advanced in years, but tell the story of an amiable youth eminent for the qualities and virtues you wish to inspire, and your effort is likely to be crowned with success.

It is principally from considerations like these, that the following brief biographical memoir is laid before the youth of the United States. Though it is certainly true, that the much-lamented subject of it did not achieve a single action, nor leave behind him a single monument capable of transmitting his name with eclat to posterity, yet it is equally true, that the whole tenor of his life, whether it be regarded in a moral, social, intellectual, or religious point of view, furnishes a bright example for the imitation of his fellows. It is a pure and steady light, beaming on the paths of virtue and honour, and pointing the way to utility and fame. It will never lead astray those who adopt it as the cynosure of their actions. Should it, as here portrayed, rouse to a generous and successful emulation the bosom of but one American youth, the writer of this article will feel that he has not lived in vain for his country.

Dr. M'Call was born in one of the western counties of North-Carolina. He was second son of the Rev. Thomas Harris M'Call, D. D. a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, of great eminence and exemplary piety. While yet a child, his father, who was preeminent in that country, for eloquence, science, and classical learning, was called to the Presidency of Mount-Zion-Parnassus College, just then established at Wynnsborough, in the State of South-Carolina. It was in this institution, while flourishing under the auspices of his illustrious father, that Dr. M'Call received the rudiments of a sound education, and imbibed a love of literature and knowledge. It was also here, in his occasional excursions through the groves and forests of the surrounding country, that he contracted that love and veneration for the productions of nature, and that attachment to rural scenery, which constituted a predominant feature in his character.

Before the education of his son was completed, the Rev. Dr. M'Call relinquished his situation in the college over which he had, for several years, presided with great reputation, and removed to Savannah, in the State of Georgia. To this removal he had been invited by the most flattering prospects of utility and fame. For, like all men of liberal and exalted minds, he cherished the love of fame as one of the darling inmates of his bosom. Nor was this noble ambition at all incompatible with the zealous and faithful performance of the various duties of the clerical profession. On the other hand, it even rendered this performance more able and complete. For it was an apostolic ambition, purified and quickened by piety, and having for its object the best and most permanent interests of man. But it was not long before the heats of the climate and the insalubrity of the atmosphere of Savannah, operating on a system already debilitated by a pursuit of knowledge too ardent, and an attention to professional duties too laborious, snatched from the world this illustrious divine.

This melancholy event was fraught with more than the common measure of calamity to young M'Call. For, having been, some time previously, deprived of his mother, he was now, at an early and very critical period of his life, thrown on the world in the condition of an orphan. Too young to have profited, as yet, by the lessons of Experience, he had nothing but his intuitive perception to direct him. But the mildly twinkling day-star of his character, now just beginning to unfold its lustre, did not suffer him to pass unnoticed. Like a jewel of rich value amid a mass of common matter, it attracted the attention and excited the admiration of all around him. Nor did his opening virtues, and the amiableness of his disposition and manners, fail to proeure for him the offices of friendship. Those offices, however, came wholly unsolicited; for an unusual degree of diffidence, connected with a proud independence of character, prevented him from becoming an applicant for favours. True friendship and benevolence spontaneously sought him out, and promptly received him as a favourite to their bosom.

One gentleman in particular, directed by the suggestions of an enlightened understanding, and yielding to the impulses of a noble heart, stepped forward, on this occasion, as the steady and active patron of young M'Call. Did not an apprehension of wounding feelings of great sensibility, forbid it, justice would induce me to publish to the world the name of this fosterer of youthful genius and worth. But his own virtues will rear to him a monument more permanent, and will pronounce on him a eulogium more honourable, than anything that could flow from the feeble efforts of my pen. I may be permitted, however, to add, that he is a practitioner of medicine, who then resided and still resides in the town of Savannah, and that a rare assemblage of talents, philanthropy, and medical skill, combine to render him an ornament to society and an honour to his profession.

From the kindness and protection of his benevolent guardian, whose care and attention were truly parental, young M'Call soon began to derive every consolation his condition admitted, for the loss he had sustained in the death of his pious and distinguished father. From a cheerless situation, where every-thing around him wore the hue of despondency, he was suddenly translated, as if by a magical hand, to the brightening region of expectation and hope. A grateful and strong attachment to the person of his patron was in time very naturally succeeded by an equal attachment to his professional pursuits. He, accordingly, when in his eighteenth year, commenced the study of medicine under the same gentleman who had generously volunteered as the director of his early destinies.

It was now that the talents of the deceased, being directed to objects worthy of their exertions, began more particularly to unfold their

lustre. For, as the flint yields its spark only to a violent collision with the steel, so genius manifests its native brightness only when engaged on elevated and important subjects. The classical, literary, and scientific acquirements of our young philosopher (for so we shall now venture to denominate him) were already far beyond those of the common college youth of our country. This gave him a decided ascendency over most of his fellows in the new course of studies on which he had just entered. For, notwithstanding the dreams of certain visionaries to the contrary, it is an unquestionable truth, that without a classical education, professional studies, whether on the subject of law, physic, or divinity, prove to the beginner laborious and irksome in the highest degree. Without such an education the mind of the pupil is neither sufficiently expanded, nor properly formed to habits of study; nor has he a competent knowledge of the technical language which is to serve him as the chief vehicle of science.

But far different from this was the case with young M'Call. Possessed of a mind opened and enriched by early culture, and marked by a strong predilection for the knowledge of nature, his professional studies were unaccompanied with difficulty. On the other hand, such was to him the facility of their acquisition, and such the rapidity of his advancement in them, that they might have been ranked in the catalogue of his pleasures and amusements. Darting into every thing with a kind of intuitive penetration, it was not long till he had exhausted the various sources of improvement with which it was in the power of his preceptor to furnish him. Nor were these sources either deficient in number or wanting in substantial richness and variety. Whether they be regarded in relation to the science of books, or the more prompt and practical knowledge derived from observation, experience, and oral instruction, they were equal to the best that the Southern States can afford.

That nothing might be wanting to render his professional education complete, he repaired to Philadelphia in the autumn of the year 1803, to prosecute his studies in the University of Pennsylvania. Here, new and rich sources of improvement bursting in all their variety and lustre on his view, poured into his bosom new and more exquisite sensations of satisfaction and delight. For to him nothing was pleasing without being instructive and useful, and instruction in every form was surrounded with charms. His application was uninterrupted, his researches diversified, extensive, and profound. Medicine, with all its collateral branches, was the object of his pursuit. To the sciences of Botany, Natural History, Chymistry, and Physiology, he was peculiarly attached. To these he devoted himself with the most distinguished assiduity and success. Whatever was to be derived from books, from lectures, VOL. I.

from hospitals,or from medical societies, became his in rapid succession, for his active and enterprising mind laid under unceasing contribution all these several sources of knowledge. Thus, laudably aspiring to an acquaintance with every accessible page in the great volume of physical science, he continued his studies in the University of Pennsylvania till the spring of 1806, when he was, with great reputation, admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. On that occasion, the subject of his interesting thesis was "The Mutual Subserviences of the different Parts of the Body, and the Power of one to perform the Function of another." This brief and hasty essay, which consists principally of a rich collection and lucid arrangement of facts, deserves to hold a respectable rank among the physiological productions of our country.

It is not pretended that the deceased was a finished writer. Literary excellence like this requires for its attainment maturity in years, an extensive acquaintance with the best English authors, and longcontinued practice in the art of composition. It must be acknowledged however, that, considering his age, he was capable of wielding a rea'dy and a distinguished pen. It is a subject of particular regret, that none of his poetic effusions have found their way into public print, nor exist, perhaps, at present, even in a manuscript form. For though we do not contend that he was equal to the higher walks of poetry, yet we well know, that in the minor departments of that field of fancy and taste, his productions possessed both beauty and excellence. Had he lived to the prime of manhood, and paid only an occasional court to the Muses, they must have acknowledged him as a legitimate and favourite son, and woven for him a wreath of no fading verdure.

Dr. M'Call having brought his pupilage to an honourable termination, new objects began to present themselves to his view. He became now strongly solicitous to apply his professional knowledge to its only proper end, the alleviation of the distresses of his fellow creatures. For a spirit of active benevolence was no less predominant in his bosom than a love of science. He, accordingly, returned to Savannah, where he was immediately taken into partnership by the friend and patron under whom he had commenced his medical studies. An alliance like this, while it manifested the high degree of confidence reposed in him by a character beyond all others competent to judge of his qualifications and his worth, secured to him a certain and prompt introduction into profitable business. His prospects, though uncommonly bright and flattering, appeared, for a time, to be even more than realized by his success. But, alas! the period was short!-the prospects were not less transitory than fair! For, in the words of the poet, "The time of his fading was come, and the blast that was destined to scatter his leaves."