JuQ^A^AJL {%' *\ BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR WILLIAM DRAPER BRINCKLE, M.D. AS READ, ON INVITATION, BEFORE THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, March 24th, 1863. J BY E. B. GAEDETTE, M.D. / PHILADELPHIA: C. SHERMAN, SON & CO., PRINTERS. 1863. A} TIM Philadelphia, January 21st, 1863. Dr. E. B. Gardette. Dear Sir : At the stated meeting of this Society held last evening, it was, on motion of Thomas P. James. Esq., " Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to wait upon Dr. E. B. Gardette, and respectfully to request him to prepare a biographical memoir of our late worthy and lamented fellow-member, W. D. Brinckle, M.D., for this Society." Messrs. Thomas P. James, Robert Buist, and A. W. Harrison were appointed as said Committee. Aery respectfully, A. \V. Harrison, Recording Secretary. odor IKilliam 1. Irmckle. My first duty here this evening is, to offer my thanks for the high compliment conferred upon me, by the invitation of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Justly to write the story of a good man's life, however difficult, must Jbe a grateful task; for it should bring profit no less to the writer than to the reader. It is in this feeling that I yield to the wish of friends to furnish, for publication, a Biography of the late Doctor William D. Brinckle, with whom, I am proud to say, it was my privilege to be on terms of close intimacy and friendship for the last ten years. It would be almost impossible to collect the num- berless incidents of the active professional life of a physician who was for more than forty years earnestly and faithfully performing his arduous duties,—his duties, as he understood and estimated them, by the highest standards of the true Christian man, and the elevated medical practitioner. Hence it will be no easy task to do adequate justice to the private acts of benevolence and self-sacrifice, that 6 entered so largely into the daily occupations of this good physician; and through which his learning and his usefulness, both in his medical and in his general character, should be rightly portrayed. But let us begin at the beginning of this interest- ing and instructive life. William Draper Brinckle, the fifth child of Dr. John Brinckle and Elizabeth Gordon, his wife, was born on the 9th of February, 1798, in St. Jones's Xeck, Kent County, Delaware, where the family had been among the earliest settlers. Dr. John Brinckle studied his profession under the celebrated Dr. William Shippen, of Philadelphia, and attained considerable skill in surgery. He attended a large practice throughout the county, and at the same time conducted an extensive farm. The mother of William D. Brinckle was a woman of great energy and decision of character, and had cultivated some branches of education not usual, certainly, with ladies of that time. She successfully learned the science of navigation, and was so well versed in general mathematics, that she was the instructor of her sons in this important branch of knowledge, until they entered college, and while they were engaged in other studies at school. Mrs. John Brinckle was the niece of the Hon. Caesar Rodney, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; and she became, at the death of her 7 father, an inmate of Mr. Rodney's family, and his adopted daughter. This step must have been governed by personal regard and interest toward her, and the fact of her being an only child; for her father had left her in very independent pecuniary circumstances. Mrs. Brinckl6's attainments made her none the less great, as a woman, according to the standard of Napoleon, in his famed witty reply to Madame de Stael. She had seven sons, of whom six lived to manhood. Her character was strikingly gentle and feminine, and she was regarded by her children with enthusi- astic love and reverence. William D. Brinckle's first teacher in the lan- guages, when about nine years of age, was the Rev. Stephen Sykes, then a tutor in his father's house. But with a view to the better education of his children, Dr. John Brinckle removed to the town of Wilmington, Delaware, in the year 1807. His son William was then placed at the Wilmington Acade- my, where he was the pupil of the Rev. Thomas Read and Joseph Downing, and where no small pride was felt in the quick intellect and creditable progress of the young scholar. William there evinced special talent for mathematics, and did honor to the early teachings of his good and gifted mother; for he retained this readiness through life, amid other blessings, that he regarded with satisfac- 8 tion as hereditary. Ho early developed a true taste for music; became a fine performer on the violin, and above mediocrity on the clarionette; and he especially carried the study of music, as a science, into the principles of harmony and thorough bass. He also made a large collection of sacred music for church use, much of which was original. In 1814, William Brinckle entered Princeton ('ollege, when under the presidency of Dr. Ashbel Green. He graduated in 1816, with the third honor, as member of a large class. Among his classmates and intimate friends, were young men who have since risen to distinction in our country. Of the number, we are able to name Bishop C. P. Mcllvaine, of Ohio; the Rev. Charles Hodge, Princeton; Dr. John Maclean, now President of Princeton College; Rev. C. Stewart, U. S. N.; Judge Stroud, Philadelphia, &c. On leaving college, young Brinckle determined to enter upon a course of theo- logical studies, possibly influenced by "a revival of religion," that occurred in college the year previous, and of which he became the subject. But subse- quent thought convinced him that his physical con- stitution was not adapted to the duties of the ministry, and he abandoned the idea. Therefore soon after his graduation, we find him in his father's office, commencing the study of medicine, and 9 attending medical lectures in Philadelphia, at the University of Pennsylvania. The justly celebrated Dr. Physick, then the Pro- fessor of Surgery in that institution, took a deep interest in young Brinckle from that date, and became his most valued friend and counsellor through the period of his early professional career. His course of medical studies terminated in 1820, when he at once began practice at Wilmington, Delaware. His thesis, on graduating at the Medi- cal University, was on the treatment of cutaneous diseases, and attracted much more notice from the faculty than is common with such productions. He first had chosen for his subject, "The Theory of Light," which he conceived to bear an important relation to medical science. But in this composition he disputed some opinions of Professor Coxe, filling the chair of Materia Medica. This led to its rejec- tion, and the necessity of selecting another theme. In so young a thinker, we have already here the evidence of a mind that grasped the deep and difficult. In April, 1821, Dr. William D. Brinckle was married to Miss Sarah T., the daughter of Henry Physick, and niece of the distinguished surgeon, his ! friend and late Professor. It is natural to infer that this family tie was a very acceptable approximation of the little-known young physician of Wilmington, 10 and the powerful Professor of the University. Of this marriage, Dr. Brinckle had five children, but one of whom is now living. In the same year (1821) he was induced to remove to Smyrna, Delaware, where typhoid fever had become alarmingly prevalent. His treatment of that disease was regarded as very successful, and his practice became so extensive in a single year, and embraced so wide a section of country, that his health gave way under it, and he returned again to Wilmington, where his father was still practising. Here he remained until the spring of 1825, and then, with slender means, but full of the self-reliance that seeks and needs no promoting from others, Dr. Brinckle came to Philadelphia, and settled as a medical practitioner. Just before leaving Wilmington, Dr. Brinckle re- ceived the following letter, bearing strong testimony in favor of the high estimate we are attaching to his early professional standing: (copy.) " April 20th, \H'i:>. "Dear Sir: " The members of the ' Medical Association of Wilmington,' feel it their duty to express to you the regret they experience for the resolution you have taken, to remove to Philadelphia. Although we 11 have full confidence that your talents as a physician, and your merits as a citizen, will be highly ap- preciated wherever you live, we confess that we could have wished that the sphere of your usefulness had continued where you had the happiness to enjoy the general approbation of the public, and the unanimous friendship and regard of your brother practitioners. Permit us to express a hope that you may be equally esteemed in your new position, and that your success may be commensurate with your talents and industry. " With the greatest respect, we have the honor to be, your friends, (Signed) "Gideon Jaques, M.D., "James Tilton, M.D., " Wm. W. Baker, M.D., "Allen McLane, M.D., "Wm. Gibbons, M.D. "To Wm. D. Brinckle, M.D/' He rented a moderate house in the far-north end of this city, noting with good judgement that this was the growing section, the new and young division of the already great mass of men among whom he hoped to be successful. Ere long he became closely associated in practice with Dr. Physick, who made him his chief assistant in his surgical operations, and left Dr. Brinckle to attend the patients on whom he 12 had operated ; Dr Physick wishing then to restrict his practice to surgery alone. In this happy professional relation, both the young and the experienced medical man found advantage ; for while the high repute and great skill of Dr. Physick gave very valuable oppor- tunity and lent character to Dr. Brinckle, the latter, in turn, gave rare devotion and entire fidelity to duty: gave prompt and accurate, as well as implicit obedi- ence to instructions, so important for the ultimate success of the surgeon. But to trace back the even- tual high standing of Dr. Brinckle, in Philadelphia, chiefly to the influences of his early association with Dr. Physick, would not be doing justice to his inherent merits in his profession, nor indeed to his elevated character and the many personal virtues by which he must have won the respect and the confidence he afterwards enjoyed. He soon became widely appre- ciated as the conscientious and judicious medical man, and at the early period to which we now allude, he had already six pupils in his office pre- paring for the profession. Not only did Dr. Brinckle keep himself well posted in sound, medical literature, and all profes- sional advancement that justly deserved the name, but his botanical researches and close general studies enabled him to bring other sciences to the aid of medicine, and originate or apply new features to his means of curing disease. In this connection, it may 13 be proper to mention, as an instance, that Dr. Brinckle was, we believe, among the first to intro- duce the administration of Sulphate of Manganese for the cure of jaundice. We chance to know that the Doctor had successful recourse to that medicine, for inactive liver and jaundice, some years in advance of his professional brethren generally. Dr. Brinckle made no distinction whatever between the rich and the poor, and scarcely indeed did he shrink even from the unworthy or ungrateful, in his prompt and benevolent answer to a call upon him for medical attendance. No matter what the hour, or what the weather, he never spared himself when he was needed, and could relieve suffering. And even when his health began to fail, from the effects of an overtasked body and mind, and near friends urged the good Doctor to take rest by ceasing, for a time, from his laborious practice, he would only answer, " Ido love my profession so much!" He might have said, with equal truth, " I do so love my patients /" For he was a true and practical Christian, doing good to others from no hope of reward in this world. The religious views and feelings of his life were marked by a gentle piety and toleration, yet full of charac- teristic energy and frankness in the performance of duty. In August, 1830, Dr. Brinckle's wife died. . 14 In September, 1832, he married again, his second wife being Miss Elizabeth Bispham Reeves, daughter of Benjamin Reeves, of Philadelphia, and by whom Dr. Brinckle had seven children: of these, six are now living to mourn the loss of a good and devoted father,—one whose voice was never heard but in kindness and conciliation. In his interior life, Dr. Brinckle' gave constant evidences of the pure and patient man, practising every day, at home as well as abroad, not only that charity which gives, but that more difficult charitableness which forgives; which feels and acts indulgently, and encourages the weak and the erring. Such was the excellent Doctor's affectionate and confiding intercourse with many of the families where he attended profes- sionally, that he was very often the friend and mediator, healing where drugs do not reach; always ready to lift up the unhappy or oppressed, and seek- ing to soften the rule of authority that seemed to him severe. Of course, in his character of physi- cian, Dr. Brinckle, with a large and undiscriminating practice, had great opportunity for the exercise of his benevolent and sympathizing feelings. Those who knew him well are sure that he did not let slip any of the numberless occasions thus afforded him, for doing good, within and beyond the range of his professional attentions. But these blessed ac- tions were quietly done, and cannot be here enu- 15 merated: fortunately, they are on record, where the hand of man cannot and need not reach, to do justice, or to reward righteous deeds. As a writer, we find William Draper Brinckle, M.D., in Mr. S. Austin Allibone's "Dictionary of British and American Authors," where he is credited with: 1. "Remarks on Entomology," chiefly with \reference to agricultural benefits. 1852. 2. "Ame- rican Pomologist," with colored plates. 1851. This work was never completed. The article of Mr. Allibone's Dictionary adds: " Dr. Brinckle has contributed to various journals many valuable papers on medical subjects, and on Pomology." Of the papers on medical topics here alluded to, we are able only to find published the following: 1. " Oration." Delivered before the Medical So- ciety of Delaware, by Wm. D. Brmckle, M.D., one of the censors. 1823. Published by the Society. 2. " Introductory Lecture" to a course on Materia Medica, delivered at the Medical Lyceum, Phila- delphia, April, 1826. These publications all evince his erudition and the clearness of his observing mind; they possess an ac- curacy and refinement of language that character- ized his habitual daily intercourse. The " Oration" was spoken on the occasion of the reorganization of the Medical Society, and 16 chiefly on account of the passage of a State law, "Feb., 1822," giving power to this Association to appoint " a Board of Examiners," for preventing the practice of medicine or surgery in the State of Dela- ware, without previously obtaining a license from the Board. Dr. Brinckle had been actively instrumental in obtaining the passage of that law, and he was the fit organ for congratulating the Society, not only on this account, but also because of his strong and well- known enmity to every form of empiricism. It may not be inappropriate here to quote briefly from the " Oration," when speaking of the successful decep- tions of quackery: " It is not the province of those who do not devote their attention to medical pursuits, to meditate on the various sources whence error enters our science. It is, therefore, not surprising that they should be the dupes of imposition, and, instead of feelings of contempt or indignation, we should entertain for them those of sympathy and commiseration. Be- sides, the mystery which attends the composition of a nostrum, elevates its character, in no small degree, in the eyes of mankind, and inspires a confidence in its virtues, which might, in vain, be expected, were its ingredients disclosed. Moreover, much of the confidence reposed in the specific and sovereign remedies of the empiric, is due to the circumstance, that the successful cases only are promulgated; while 17 the failures, or those in which pernicious effects have resulted, are studiously suppressed. And individuals who employ remedies of this description, in order to guard against aspersion or ridicule from the world, justify their credulity by bestowing extravagant en- comiums on the nostrums they have been using; or, it may be, that the benefit they have received is altogether imaginary. It has been established, beyond dispute, that the only agency some of these remedies can possibly exercise, is, exclusively, through the medium of the imagination. That some persons have experienced relief, cannot be denied. But unenlightened empiricism does not discriminate between nature and art. What has been accom- plished by the former, is too often supposed to be the consequence of the remedies which have been employed." ........ " The medical profession requires more extensive research, and a greater fund of information, than any other. Properly speaking, medicine is an assemblage of sciences, for, to a certain extent, they nearly all become tributary to its sway." .... "Not to be prolix, we may briefly state, that, besides the learned languages, a knowledge of all those branches of English education which are 2 18 taught in our institutitions of learning, and which go to form the scholar, the metaphysician, the man of science and literature, and the accomplished philosopher, is a necessary part of a physician's edu- cation." Here is a curriculum of preparatory knowledge for the medical student, and of final acquirements for the practitioner, laid down thirty years ago by a young physician, which is most worthy of adoption by our medical schools of the present day: and in this, he has only required of others what he had given to attain the rank he held in his profession. Dr. Brinckle was a strong advocate of the impor- tance of autopsic examinations: in his " Oration," he was wisely eloquent upon this branch of progress, and also with reference to etiology, or the doctrine of causation. In this connection, he said, "Scarcely is there a substance in nature which does not occasionally become productive of morbid action. Our clothing, by not being adapted to the state of the weather, by consisting of improper materials, by the manner in which it is made and worn, becomes a prolific source of disease. Our food may be a cause of disease, by its quality, by its quantity, by its being taken at improper times, and by the manner of preparing it; our habitations, by the materials of which they are built, by the man- ner in which they are constructed, and by their situa- 19 tion; the atmosphere, by its sensible or insensible properties; the passions and emotions of the mind, by being unduly exercised. ..... " Nay, we are fully persuaded that more benefit, especially in chronic affections, often results from a well-regulated diet, proper clothing, and care in avoiding other causes of disease, than from the exhi- bition of medicine. To active treatment, where it is evidently demanded, we are by no means inimical; but we contend that in very many cases it is had recourse to unnecessarily and prejudicially, without sufficient attention to other matters, which too often are considered of little consequence." In this brief paragraph, from the pen of our young physician, may we not recognize an evident wise an- ticipation (in 1823) of the mild practice of medicine, which, in later years, has become so universal] yet qualified with good sense, by not running into the opposite error of giving no medicine at all, or of dis- carding the " active treatment" in cases that clearly demand it. Wre have already said Dr. Brinckle had early pre- dilections for the specialty of Surgery, and his opera- tions, in many important cases, would make a large and valuable volume, could their history be written by a competent pen. We must again be permitted 20 to quote from his " Oration," a portion of his remarks in reference to Surgery. " The Surgeon must not only be expert in opera- ting, but he must determine when operations are necessary, and the most eligible method of perform- ing them. Much is unavoidably left to his discretion. There are scarcely two cases which are attended by exactly similar circumstances, and every variation in this respect, must influence, in a greater or less degree, his judgment. In vain sometimes, in cases of emergency, does he consult authorities; they give him little else than principles, and the proper appli- cation of these principles must depend on the exercise of his own sound discrimination. The surgeon should possess, in a high degree, decision in deter- mining on the plan to be pursued, promptness in its adoption, and resolution in its accomplishment. Vacillation should form no part of his character, for in some instances to hesitate is death. Do not un- derstand me, however, as advocating rashness or precipitancy; so foreign is this from my intention that these qualities are considered by me quite as reprehensible or unfortunate as timidity and indeci- sion. He should act, in no instance, until he has viewed and completely comprehended the case ; but to accomplish this he should possess the rare talent of penetrating the nature of the difficulty at a glance, by, as it were, a species of intuition." 21 When we recall all these as the published opinions of a physician, then less than three years in practice, and promulgated to the Medical Society of his own State, thirty years ago, we may well discover in his " Oration," the foreshadowing of the accomplished and high-toned practitioner, whose memory we now honor. Of the " Introductory Lecture" on " Materia Mcdica" (April 1826), we need only say it bears the same stamp of research, of learning, of good taste, and of sound medical views. " The course" to which it was introductory, was delivered it seems, at the " Medical Lyceum of Philadelphia." It is certainly to be regretted that Dr. Brinckle was not called, during his active life, to a chair of Materia Medica in some Medical College, where the valuable results of his studies and investigations would have proved of great importance, and found their rightful channel for expression. His high example, no less than the treasures of science he had drawn to himself from every source within his reach, would then have been happily influential and widely disseminated. Dr. Brinckle was elected physician to " the City Hos- pital" for twelve consecutive years, from September, 1827, to 1839, inclusive. The hospital building was then situated at " Bush Hill," and was known as the old Yellow Fever Hospital. At the date we speak of, it was specially devoted to the reception of small-pox 22 cases, that contagious disease prevailing with great malignity, during several years, while Dr. Brinckle had charge of the establishment. Unhappily, as we learn from Dr. John Bell, the present able physician, the records of the hospital, except for the last ten years, have been lost: hence we are unable to specify the amount of labor performed, or the good accom- plished, by Dr. Brinckle, in his medical superinten- dence of a post demanding active and fearless services. We, however, find honorable reference made to Dr. Brinckle, in his capacity of physician to the Small-Pox Hospital, in a " Report" to the " Philadel- phia Medical Society,"* by a committee of three medical men, appointed " to collect facts in relation to the recent occurrence of small-pox in this city." In the report of that committee, who addressed letters to all practising physicians of standing here at the time, great weight was given to the opinions of Dr. Brinckle; and his letter is largely quoted, in reply to the six questions of their printed circular. The same committee report, in externa, a note from Dr. Brinckle (March 8, 1828), in which he assumes the responsibility (no doubt by consent) of explicitly contradicting the report that Dr. Physick had lost confidence in the efficacy of vaccination. * See "American Medical Recorder," vol. xiii, pp. 337-38, 1828. 23 During the prevalence of the Asiatic cholera epidemic at Philadelphia in 1832, Dr. Brinckle's active medical attendance earned for him the warm admiration and gratitude of his fellow-citizens; a massive and beautiful silver vase, weighing sixty ounces, was then presented to him as a testimonial, the inscription upon which tells its own story, and rightfully claims a place in this imperfect biography. Thus it is,— " The Board of Commissioners of the Spring Garden District, to William D. Brinckle, M.D., for his disinterested and efficient services, as Physician in Chief of the Buttonwood Street Hospital, and for his intrepid exertions as a member of the Board of Health of Philadelphia, during the Cholera Epidemic of 1832." But we must come to the later period of Dr. Brinckle's life, when his health was again, and seriously, unfitting him for the duties of his profes- sion. He had, as yet, in nearly forty years' practice, made but a single interruption, by way of rest from his arduous labors; this was when he accompanied his friend Commodore Conner and family to Europe in 1839. It was but a summer trip, yet proved enough to restore energy and comparative health, although on the return voyage, of forty-six days, he 24 suffered from the scarcity of provisions, which were reduced to the single articles of potatoes. The good Doctor's patience and submission were then the sus- taining example of the ship's company, and during that tiresome delay, he composed the music for a number of songs that were published after his arrival. Wre have had the privilege of seeing a pri- vate diary, faithfully kept by the Doctor, from the day he sailed at New York, July 1st, 1839, to the day of arrival on his return, October 7 th, of the same year. The statistics of Paris and London, no Jess than of the other smaller towns and villages in which he tarried, even for a short time, show that the Doctor went everywhere, and that he made care- ful and minute observations in all branches of science and art; nor did he overlook any valuable feature of social life, or of human industry. It is now we reach that portion of the Doctor's career, which seems to have more immediate interest among his horticultural friends: and if I have tired them with details of the physician, I pray you re- member that Pomology was only incidental to his medical life. He inherited from his father a great fondness for the cultivation and amelioration of fruit: but devoting his whole heart and mind to advancement in his profession, he did not revive his interest in Pomology, until about the year 1840. Then, while still in the full tide of medi- 25 cal practice, he felt the need of some relaxation; a mode of relieving one species of labor by another of a different character, and still increasing the amount of his tribute of good to the Author of all good. This earliest return of the Doctor to pomological pursuits, has already been told, without mention of his name, while he was still among us, and we quote from our own contribution to the pages of the "Horticulturist" of August, 1846. " His benevolent heart was not satisfied with curing disease in his patients: he had the generous ambition to benefit all mankind—to bestow some- thing philanthropically upon his race, and with only that remuneration which exists in the consciousness of being useful. He found hours of the early morn- ing which he could devote to plants and trees in his yard, and where his knowledge of botany was in- dustriously followed up by studies and investigations in its dependencies of Horticulture and Pomology. The narrow strip of ground that lies beside the divi- sion between city lots, was for some years, the limited field of the Doctor's labors. Unfortunately too, this small border of earth had a northern exposure, most unfriendly to the success of such efforts; but spite of stinted space and all other difficulties, the little garden presented a rare and extraordinary display of fruits of various kinds in their season. To convey 26 some idea of this fruit orchard in a narrow town- yard, let us state the fact that it contained one goodly sized seedling apple tree; ten pear trees, dwarfs and standards, upon which he had grafted about seventy- five varieties, many of which bore fruit: one very large and thrifty high-bush blackberry, producing great crops of large and beautiful berries: six or eight varieties of fine seedling raspberries. Besides these plants in the ground, the yard contained over eighty boxes of growing trees and shrubs, grafts and seedlings, to say nothing of small earthen pots in great numbers, in which were rare young plants. All these formed the basis for numerous experiments, which, from time to time, resulted in the production of new varieties of fruit, which, when worthy, the Doctor scattered freely in all directions for propaga- tion. Thus by the application of science to the im- provement of plants, he has added new and rich varieties; has discovered new and valuable laws, and effected results that will make thousands more happy, when his career of graceful, modest, and untiring goodness is closed." We have the excellent authority of Mr. John R. Brinckle for saying, that his brother, the Doctor, has left no general record of his labors in Pomology or Horticulture, except what may be gathered from his voluminous correspondence, and his innumerable detached notes, descriptive of fruit and its origin. 27 He had no thought of building up for himself an enduring fame or monument, and his papers exhibit no proof that he even expected or cared for any credit or compensation for his efforts. These letters are, howrever, evidence that he forwarded thousands of various kinds of grafts, carefully packed in oil-silk, also packages of trees and specimens of fruit, to many places in the United States, and occasionally to other parts of America and to Europe, by express, by mail, and by other public conveyances, always being careful to pre-pay the cost of transportation. So frequent and so liberal were these acts to distant nurserymen and strangers, that in many instances such persons have written to Dr. Brinckle, supposing him to be in the trade, giving him large orders for plants, and taking for granted that he had sent the first specimens only with a view to make sales and advance his own profits. It was something new in the business world, to meet with a man who would labor and bear expense disinterestedly, for the benefit of others, with only the pure motive of im- proving the fruits of the earth. The Doctor soon made reputation with reference to this branch of science, in spite of himself; and such was the supposed distinction between the physician and the pomologist, that one celebrity seemed in danger of ignoring the other ; his medical associates could not generally appreciate the modest 28 merits of the pomologist, and comparatively but few of his pomological friends and co-workers, under- stood the whole value of his medical character. Dr. Brinckle joined the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, in September, 1843, during the second presidency of Mr. Binney, and early in 1844, began to take an active interest in its prosperity. There is probably no member of the Society, with any knowledge of its transactions, that would not concede to Dr. Brinckle the merit of having been among the most useful, the best informed, and most liberal contributor to its advancement and good standing. In testimony of one division of his labor, the Society voluntarily presented the Doctor a silver medal, bearing the following inscription: " Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, awarded to William D. Brinckl6, M.D., for having originated many Raspberries of great merit. July 1851." In February, 1852, we find the Doctor notified by Mr. Leander Wetherill, Secretary, that he had been elected " Honorary Member of the Genesee Valley Horticultural Society," at the annual meeting held in the city of Rochester, N. Y. The year following (February, 1853,) a similar compliment was paid the Doctor, the Recording Secretary, Mr. Peter B. Mead, informing him that he had been unanimously elected one of the Honorary Members of "The New York Horticultural 29 Society," as a mark of its high appreciation of his labors in horticultural science. We have been kindly furnished, by Mr. J: R. Brinckle, with the following lists of the varieties of fruit, either produced, described, or contributed to the Pomological world, by his brother, Dr. Brinckle. The lists are the result of careful ex- amination of horticultural works, and several hun- dred of the Doctor's own descriptive scraps, together with what Mr. Brinckle's memory has supplied. Some have been credited in different publications; many were variously and obscurely credited, or not at all, and no doubt the catalogue might, with justice, be considerably extended. LIST OF DR. BRINCKLEIS SEEDLINGS. Apples.—21 varieties. President Wilder, Willie, Wilmington, Samuel, Susan, Julia, Elizabeth, Dr. Brinckle, Thomas, Joshua, Curious, Dover, Clayton, Mary, Henry, Brandywine, Comly, Arbor, Perry, Christiana." Anna, 30 Raspberries.—8 varieties. " Orange, Cushing, Col. Wilder, Vice-President French, Fulton, General Patterson, Julia Gardette, Walker." Pears. " Wilmington, Catharine Gardette, President Fulton, Virginia Gordon, -6 varieties. Desmarais, Buist, Col. Wilder." Grape,—" Uncle John." Of the fruits variously produced, or found in a state of neglected nature, unknown and unculti- vated, and that would probably so have remained but for Dr. Brinckle's indefatigable exertions, are the following: Apples.—93 varieties. " Hector, Ewalt, Bolesburg, Cain, Republican Pippin, Falenwalder, Evening Party, Adams, Bush, Hughes, Yoder Pippin, Treichel, World's Wonder, White Spitzenburg, Watermelon, White Doctor, Worth's Strawberry, Summer Sour, Sweet Wine Sap, King's Buist, Standt, Seedling Reed, Seedling Faul, Rigley, Rebecca, Reist, 31 Red Russet, Quaker, Prince, Philippi, Old House, November Pound, New Hampshire, Madison Red, Never Fail, Disharoon, Nameless, Nick-a-jack, Allen's Pippin, Mountain Sprout, Riggs' Winter Sweet, Mary Moyer, McDowell's Sweet, Melon, Brooks' ^Pippin, Morris, Mangum, Tender Skin, Red Winter Limber Twig, Maverick's Sweet, Marvin, Logan's Berry, Ca mac's Sweet, Kelley, Horse, Housum's Red, Hambright, Hartwell's Seedling, Grandfather, Gewiss Good, Krouser, Freeze and Thaw, Ferris, Easterly, Keim, Dick's Seedling, Deacon, Davis, Chester, Baer, Ailes, Amen, Berry, Ash more, Barbour, Number 6, Carolina June, Chesterfield Pippin, Crooks' Greening, Breiner's Pippin, Buffington's Early, Berks Newtown, Hess, Jackson, Jenkins, Major, Marks, Meister, Never Sink, Ocone Greening, Strandt, William Penn, York Imperial." 32 " Tyson, Kingsessing, Moyamensing, Brandywine, Chancellor, Lodge, Ott, Jones, Pennsylvania, Petre, Feaster, Philadelphia, Rutter, Hanover, Haddington, Hosen Schenk, Sheldon, Styre, General Taylor, Niles, Uwchlan, White's Seedling, Wiest, Rodney, Bartram, Trimble, Pears.—51 varieties. Reading, Shubrick, Upper Crust, Taylor, Chester County, Delaware County, Southampton, Richards, Woleston, Pierce's No. 1, Pierce's No. 2, Pierce's No. 3, Noble, Needles' Seedling, Mather, Church, Parsonage, Davis, Conestoga Harvest No. 3, Conestoga Harvest No. 4, Eckfeldt, Bailey, Dr. White, Comly, Hewes." " Columbia, Corbit, Archer, Brandywine, Brinckle, Grapes.—10 varieties. Cassiday, Clara, Emily, Graham, Raab." 33 Peaches.—8 varieties. " Susquehanna, Peters, Walnut Hill, Kensington, Pentland, Oporto, Kuhn, Pace." Watermelons.—20 varieties. Mitchell, Odell's Large White, Lawson, Tatooed, Nelson, Imperial, Turner, Stillman, Summer, Ravenscroft, Pomaria, Florida, Orange, Elerbe's Mountain Sprout, Kale, Clarendon, Souter, Dark Speckled, Bradford, Long Mottled." In addition to these lists are several hundred seedlings, many of which will fruit the present year. The true character of Dr. Brinckle's labors in Pomology are but partially known even to his intimate friends, and the world has been bene- fited, our sources of health and enjoyment aug- mented, without knowing whence these blessings were derived. The name of each of these fruit trees has in it- self a history which unfortunately cannot be written. The modest gentleman whose industry and unselfish ambition, caused that name to be here, has some- times entertained his near friends with the details 3 34 of many journeys of search and investigation, in order to establish accurate knowledge about some particular fruit tree. But we have no such reliable memoranda of these frequent discoveries, so inte- resting to Pomology, as to be able to relate their story properly. We cannot, as we have before remarked, hope to do justice to the pomological writings of Dr. Brinckle, for they are scattered through many ephemeral pages, without any can1 in their preservation, and mostly without taking credit or being known as their author. But besides valuable " Remarks on Entomology, chiefly in reference to Agricultural Benefit," he was the author of the " Ad Interim Reports," as chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticul- tural Society. These reports extended over a period of two and a half years, and comprised some hundreds of printed pages; they have been very extensively noticed, copied, and referred to, as high authority on the subjects of which they treat, but not always with a knowledge of who was the writer. The " Ad In- terim Reports" terminated, unhappily, with the one dated Feb. 21st, 1851. We have no wish to revive here the painful particulars of a sad history, but we must at least give due honor to that period of the Doctor's connection with this Society, and the char- acteristic conduct by which it was marked. The expression, " terminated unhappily,"—is used ad- 35 visedly with reference to the Society, and the deli- cate feelings of Dr. Brinckle, so unjustly wounded; but the final " Ad Interim Report," happily settled as an absurdity, the vexed question of changing, by cultivation, the sexual organs of the strawberry plant. The especial features of the period alluded to, were, that the Doctor's sense of propriety and self-respect forbade him continuing the reports; that the minutes of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So- ciety having thereby lost their chief interest, after lingering a few months with sickly indifference, have ceased to be printed from that date, and that Dr. Brinckle withdrew his membership. His letter of resignation was as follows: "To General Patterson, " President of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. "• My dear Sir : During the period of my connection with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, it is well known that my only aim and ambition have ever been to advance the welfare of the Society, elevate her position, extend her usefulness, and harmonize her conflicting interests. Unkindness and incivility, therefore, I certainly did not look for from an)- quarter, and least of all from that whence they came at the last meeting. In consequence of the occurrence now alluded to, the respect due to 36 myself will no longer suffer me to participate in your proceedings. I therefore place in your hands my resignation, as a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. "In dissolving the relations that had so harmo- niously subsisted between us for more than ten years, I must be permitted to add, that the pleasant recollections of the past, associated as they are with numerous acts of cherished kindness, will ever en- dear to me the many friends with whom I feel con- strained reluctantly to part. And although the tie that has long united us is now severed, and our combined labors are ended, yet my indirect co- operation with you, in promoting the science of horticulture, and more especially in developing our native pomology, will be continued with unabated ardor. " I have the honor to be very sincerely yours, (Signed) " Wm. D. Brinckle." After the reading of this letter, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, at its meeting of March 21st, 1854, passed resolutions which seem to demand a place in this notice of Dr. Brinckle's connection with the Society, and indeed with public horticulture. These resolutions speak for themselves. " Meeting of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, March 21st, 1854. 37 " Dr. A. L. Kennedy, offered the following: " Resolved, That we learn with deep regret the intention of Dr. William D. Brinckle to resign from our Society, and thus vacate the offices that he has filled with so much ability, and so entirely to the satisfaction of our members. " Resolved, That the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, remembering with pleasure, the zeal and devotion of Dr. Brinckle to its interests, cannot afford to lose his valuable services. " Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, of which Mr. E. W. Keyser shall be the chairman, to wait upon Dr. Brinckle with these resolutions, and earnestly urge him to withdraw his resignation." At the next meeting of the Society, April 18th, 1854, the committee thus appointed, reported that Dr. Brinckle had " kindly consented to withdraw his resignation, and they congratulated the Society on the prospect of again securing his services as an active member." We are informed that the Doctor afterwards sometimes attended the meetings, and acted on the committees for award of premiums on fruit. All comment is needless upon the honorable and sustaining resolutions of the Society, by which Dr. Brinckle was moved to forego his purpose of leaving it. But no official or friendly interposition could resuscitate the " xld Interim Reports," or the former 38 warm participation of their author in the public proceedings of the Society. Those reports had been the labor of love ; they were full of valuable know- ledge to the friends of Pomology, and reflected great credit upon the Society, under whose auspices, and in whose name, they emanated. The records of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will abundantly show that the existence of more native fruits of ex- cellence, and chiefly of Pennsylvania origin, have been brought to light through the instrumentality of those " Ad Interim Reports," within the two and a half years they continued, than had previously been made known during the preceding half century. The cessation of these precious labors was felt in many directions with strong condemnation of the events from which their loss resulted, and which the Doctor in his letter of resignation terms " un- kiudness and incivility." W'hen good men are ill- used, all men suffer. Dr. Brinckle was one of the founders of the " American Pomological Society," and held the office of President for one term (two years), and often subsequently declined being a candidate for honors or for office. He was too modest, too sincere, and too unpretending to be generally known as his in- timate friends knew him, and the high order of his mind placed him above the petty competitions, or the love of brief authority, in public bodies. 39 When we recall the handful of soil that was the scene of his successful pomological experiments, we find a charming illustration of the fact shown in the history of all sciences, that the men who have done most for their advancement have been those who, like the Doctor, have wisely and industriously used small and inadequate means. Those who have pos- sessed every requisite and facility, have lacked the good-will and the genius. The illustrious Dr. Priestley boasted, we may all remember, that he could pack his whole laboratory in his hat. The results of those small beginnings on Chestnut Street, are discoverable in all parts of this country, but especially in our State, and in the vicinity of Phila- delphia. The new ambition to cultivate the best varieties of fruits, and the formation of new societies having for their object the advancement of horti- cultural science, date largely within the period of his labors, and we may reasonably attribute a consider- able share of the success we see, among other causes, to Dr. Brinckle. By his example and enthusiasm, many others were stimulated to efforts they would never have thought of making, and thus the whole range of American Horticulture has been advanced and expanded by labor which he performed with his own unaided hands, in the early hours of the day, while others still slept. The horticultural labors of Dr. Brinckle were by 40 no means limited to the department of fruits ; he took a very active part in advancing the great in- terests of agriculture, and also the growth of vine- yards for the making of native wines. In the latter he had an enlarged philanthropic view of the good likely to result, throughout our country, in the even- tual substitution of pure light wines, for the common, —too common,—use and abuse of alcohol, as an ordinary drink. Men of the Doctor's wisdom have seen too plainly, the far-reaching fatal injury to health, to mind, to morals, to industrial pursuits, to politics, nay, to the peaceful progress of our free institutions, which the freer consumption of bad liquor is producing among our people. In reference to the Doctor's well-known efforts for the prosperity of the wine-producing districts, some very pleasant and graceful results were mani- fested. Boxes of wines as specimens for his judg- ment and approbation, were sent to him from North Carolina, from Georgia, Ohio, and California, and possibly from other States. On the occasions of his horticultural parties, at his own residence, where he brought the influential and the wealthy consumer of luxuries, in near social intercourse with the intel- ligent worthy gardeners and nurserymen of his acquaintance, all these native wines were brought forward by the Doctor. On one or two of these even- ings, he took innocent delight in removing the labels 41 from both the domestic and the best brands of im- ported champagne, and substituted his own private marks; then, having the wines in equally good order, the Doctor challenged the judgement and taste of some connoisseurs to decide which were native and which foreign wines, and which pre- ferred. He greatly enjoyed mistakes and decisions, many of which were complimentary to the domestic wines. Among the papers of Dr. Brinckle, to which we have alluded, we find proofs of his direct exertions to promote the highest success of Pennsylvania agri- culture ; he corresponded with Governor Bigler, in 1852, on this subject, also with the State Agricul- tural Society, and with many private individuals of influence, with the object of carrying out a scheme, adopted in other States, for benefiting this impor- tant interest. The printed paper on Entomology was written by the Doctor, in this connection, at the invitation of the Agricultural State Convention. Its terminating appeal may best show the spirit that actuated him in the movements referred to. After learnedly exposing the nature and value of Entomology in its application to agriculture, he thus concludes: " Being impressed with the great importance of having the animal, vegetable, and mineral produc- tions and resources of the State fully developed, 42 Massachusetts, so early as 1830, authorized the com- mencement of a series of investigations, which re- sulted in the publication, at the expense of her Commonwealth, of several valuable documents hav- ing an agricultural bearing. Among these is an able report by Dr. T. W. Harris, on the insects of Massa- chusetts injurious to vegetation, issued in 1841, more than ten years ago. The history of this report was communicated to me in a letter from this distin- guished entomologist, in reply to one I had written him on the subject, and is of so interesting a charac- ter as to induce me to lay it before you. In it you will perceive that Massachusetts, not satisfied with the entomological information which she had caused to be widely diffused among her agricultural popula- tion, has already authorized the publication of an- other edition of this useful work. " Will Pennsylvania do less for the advancement of her agricultural interests than the Bay State has done for those of Massachusetts 1 W7e trust not. An able Entomological Report, written in familiar language, and adapted to the exigencies of our own Commonwealth, would impart to her rural population the entomological knowledge they so much need and ought to possess. Then would they be able to recognize the insects that at times produce so much injury to their crops, as well as those that are of a beneficial tendency. Then would they be 43 furnished with the most approved natural and artifi- cial means of combating their destructive ravages. " Such a report would also accomplish other re- sults quite as important as those now mentioned. By imparting general and correct views of insect life, a spirit of inquiry and investigation into the economy, habits and transformations of many insects within our borders would be engendered. Close, attentive, and well-directed observations on these points, by our agriculturists, would probably lead to the adoption of more efficient counteracting remedies against insect depredations than any hitherto em- ployed. " Permit me, then, to press upon you the import- ance of urging our State Government to legislate at once on this subject. Let a bill be laid before the General Assembly, during its present session, mak- ing the necessary provision for appointing an ento- mologist to draw up a report on the insects of Pennsylvania injurious to vegetation, as well as those that are beneficial, with outlines or colored illustrations, representing them in every form of their existence. The triumphant passage of a bill of this kind cannot for a moment be doubted. " In connection with this subject, the propriety of enacting legal enactments for the protection of insectivorous birds, is also worthy of your calm and serious deliberation. 44 " Sooner or later, these and various other measures* necessary to the elevation of the agricultural posi- tion of our Commonwealth, must and will be carried out. The only question is as to time. Whether their accomplishment be remote, or nigh at hand, must, in a great measure, depend on the zeal and energy with which the State Society urges their consummation. The present moment is auspicious. Agriculture is everywhere receiving an onward im- pulse. Downtrodden as are the masses in the des- potic governments of Europe, yet are the agricul- tural communities, even of those countries, now re- ceiving from their rulers aid the most important,— the most efficient.! Shall similar facilities be with- * " Such as the establishment of a State Agricultural College, the in troduction of books on agricultural and collateral subjects, into the rural public schools, &c." f "It appears from the report of the Commissioners recently appointed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the subject of an agricultural school, that in Russia there are 68 such institutions established; in Prussia, 32 : Austria, 33; Bavaria, 35 ; the other Germanic States, 28 ; Great Britain, 70 ; France, 75; Belgium, 9 ; Italy, 2 ; making an ag- gregate of 352 European Agricultural Schools in full and successful operation. While, alas, in the United States, with a republican form of government which recognizes, as the basis of all legislation, the hap- piness and welfare of the people, the great body of whom are engaged in rural occupations, not a solitary agricultural college or school has been established, either by individual States or by the National Government. Nor has an Agricultural Bureau yet been organized, though it has been urgently solicited, and its importance and necessity universally conceded." 45 held from the rural population of Pennsylvania'? We wait the response from her Capitol." In the year 1858, Mrs. Brinckle, the Doctor's second wife, died at Groveville, N. J., whither she had gone, to reside with her children, for the benefit of her failing health, two years previously, leaving her husband at bachelor's quarters, and still pursuing y his profession in the city. He could not then be prevailed upon to give it up, although his own health very soon began again to fail. After courageously suffering and persisting, the Doctor became so feeble, that, in July, 1859, he retired from practice, and joined his family at Groveville. This choice was not only from the natural attractions towards his mother- less children and his devoted brother, but also from the charm of past experiments in Pomology, the results of which had been transferred, from time to time, to the grounds of that retired home. And there was spent the last year and a half of his valuable life, during most of which time he was too ill to move about the house or grounds, without the use of crutches; and yet, in the early portion of it, he made the exertion, several times, to come to the city and make friendly visits, sometimes for a few days, and, especially, when learning the illness of a former pa- tient, who deplored his absence. On one or two of these occasions, the good Doctor was taken quite ill, as if from paralysis of his lower limbs; and it was 46 the effect of these attacks that brought him to de- pendence on crutches. Dr. Brinckle was a genial companion. His con- versation was easy and cheerful, while always strictly polite and full of instruction. No man could be more frank to acknowledge his ignorance of a subject or a fact, when without accurate information in regard to it. He was strikingly careful in his statements, even in reference to unimportant matters. The Doctor was, for many years, a great smoker; but in the latter part of his life he abandoned the use of segars, from the belief that his nervous system was suffering from the effects of that habit. At that time, the sight of one eye was temporarily lost, but he did not complain; and, in answer to the condoling sympathy of friends, the good Doctor would constantly say: " 1 should thank God for the blessing that I can still see with the other." Dr. Brinckle was of small stature—not above five feet five or six inches in height—and of light make; he had peculiarly bright, penetrating, gray eyes, and, when excited by conversation, and his countenance animated, one soon forgot that his fea- tures were not what would be termed handsome. He was exceedingly particular, even punctilious in regard to dress; and we may also add, a great favorite with the gentler sex; and this is the best 47 test we know of masculine beauty; for, with women, good or great actions mostly make men handsome. The Doctor was a consistent member of the Episco- pal Church, and a liberal promoter of all judicious efforts for the advancement of religion, not merely in the churches, but in the hearts of his fellow-men. Both his medical practice and his social attachments included people of all sects and of all opinions, even those that are regarded as being without the pale of the Christian Church. His Bible was for years his constant companion and his serious study; it is not too much to say, he daily lived up to its holy teachings. In his opinions, no less than in his self- government, he was a brave man: one who knew no fear, unless it was the fear of offending his God. Two months in advance of the Doctor's death, his brother wrote thus of his condition: " His sufferings, though borne with patience, have, of late, been so severe, that he seems no longer desirous of life; he takes no medicines, and but little nourishment, yet, in a remarkable degree, retains his faculties." The good Doctor's decline had been gradual, although continuous: the severe winter weather seemed suffi- cient to destroy the feeble amount of vitality that still struggled within him, with all the tenacity of an originally strong constitution. He understood his own case well and fully, yet spoke as little as possi- ble about it, always anxious for the comfort and 48 happiness of others. During this last illness, he had, added to all the rest of his bodily afflictions, inflammation of the lungs of a low type, from which he rallied, although he experienced agonizing short- ness of breath. But now commenced the dropsical effusion, which, beginning with his lower extremities, was destined to proceed upwards with fearful rapidity, invading every member and every organ, until it ex- tinguished the vital spark in the brain. Tortured with pain, devoured with thirst, and praying for death, he could yet smile, and ask for blessings in favor of those he loved. But, at length, the end came, and death dealt gently with the good Doctor. With closed eyes, erect in his easy chair, he fell asleep at about nine o'clock on Monday night. His breathing was soft and distinct. Thus he remained, without the least change of position, continuing to sleep until seven o'clock the next morning (Tuesday, 16th of Decem- ber, 1862), when, without a struggle, or the apparent change of a muscle, he ceased to breathe. Indeed, he seemed still only to sleep, while he had passed thus peacefully into that endless slumber from which we wake not, unless at the final call from heaven. . Permit me, in conclusion, to quote from Dr. John- son the following lines on the death of his friend, Dr. Robert Levet. You will agree with me that 49 they are not less true of our late friend, Dr. Brinckle, whose name I substitute for that of Levet: "Condemned to Hope's delusive mine, As on we toil from day to day, By sudden blasts, or slow decline, Our social comforts drop away. " Well tried thro' many a varying year, See, Brinckle, to the grave descend, Assiduous, innocent, sincere, Of every friendless name the friend. " Vet still he fills affection's eye— Modestly wise, and plainly kind; Nor, lettered arrogance, deny Thy praise to merit so refined. "When fainting Nature called for aid, And hovering Death prepared the blow, His vigorous remedy displayed The power of Art without the show. "In Misery's darkest cavern known, His useful care was ever nigh, Where hopeless Anguish made her groan, And lonely Want retired to die. " His virtues walked their kindly round, Nor made a pause, nor left a void ; And sure th' Eternal Master found All his talents well employed." 4 APPENDIX. Letter from the Right Reverend B. B. Smith, Bishop op the Episcopal Church for the State of Kentucky. Louisville, March 10, 1863. Dr. E. B. Gardette. Dear Sir: Your letter of March 5th vividly recalls the memory of one of the most true and abiding friendships, growing out of my church relations, and extending, for a period of nearly two years, into the most intimate social relations, which, elsewhere also, have shed a delightful radiance, over a long and chequered ministerial career. In a few months it will be thirty years since I was associated with Dr. Wm. D. Brinckle, as one of my wardens, in the enterprise which has since grown into Grace Church. It was before his resolute and eager nature had taken up the pursuit, his subsequent interest in which has drawn forth your inquiries. Since then, I met him once at Mr. Longworth's in Cincinnati, and listened to extended discussions on the culture of the smaller fruits, which amazed me, at his patient and successful experiments, under the pressure of professional engagements, and within a space so limited, as would utterly have discouraged a less eao-er and determined character. And again I met him, at his own table, with a circle of clerical friends, during one of the sessions of our General Convention, and well remember a similar interchange of experience, with a Bishop from the far South, on the subject of melon culture. 52 I return, however, with decided preference, to a record of the impression made upon me in my own department, the Church, by his beautiful and yet vigorous traits of mind and heart. What he entered into with the consent of his understanding and his con- science, outside of his immediate profession, he entered into with all his heart and soul. And to every such enterprise he brought the same habits of promptitude, punctuality and energy which gave him success in his profession, and a candor in judging the motives of others, a firmness of principle, which gave weight to his counsels and his influence, in all our consultations. His religion was of that noiseless and unobtrusive type which found its chief expression in the diligent use of all the means of grace, with great delight, in the habitual control of all his strong impulses; in the cultivation of all the graces and charities of social and domestic life\ and -in patient continuance in well doing. No report has yet come to me of the manner in which he met his last summons. But I am not anxious to inquire, so sure am I, if not deprived of reason, and not too much oppressed with the burden of a mortal agony, that he was calm and resigned, composed and peaceful, finding that grace sufficient for him in his dying hour, which had moulded his character, guided his footsteps, and cheered his spirit, during the whole of a most active, exemplary and useful life. This testimony is cheerfully borne, by His early and constant friend, (Signed) B. B. Smith. PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. "At a stated meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, held at Philadelphia, December 16th, 1862, Mr. Thomas P. James presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. 53 " Resolved, That this Society deeply mourns the decease of their late fellow-member, William D. vBrinckle, M.D., whose connection with it, during many years, has reflected honor upon the Society. " Resolved, That his untiring zeal and devotion to the cause of Pomology, has made his name widely known, and will cause his death to be deplored by a large circle of friends. " Resolved, That although ill-health has for some time deprived us of the benefit of his knowledge and experience, yet we regarded him as the Nestor of poraologists, and were sure of his sympathy in all that pertained to his favorite pursuit. " Resolved, That this Society show some mark of appreciation of the labors of their eminent fellow-member, by attending his funeral in a body. " Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the officers, be furnished to the surviving members of the family, with the assurance that the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society deeply sympathize with them in their affliction, and will ever hold his name in affectionate remembrance. " By order of the Society. (Signed) " A. W. Harrison, " Recording Secretary." " At a meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, held January 17, 1863, the Honorable Marshall P. Wilder, after some feeling and eloquent remarks, submitted the following resolutions : " Resolved, That the Massachusetts Horticultural Society sin- cerely sympathize in the profound regret expressed by the com- munity, in the death of Wm. D. Brinckle, M.D., a corresponding member of this Society. " Resolved, That the members of this Society would bear grateful testimony to his unblemished character and beneficent f>4 labor.s, his honorable and useful life, and especially to his un- wearied devotion and research in the science of American Pomology. " Resolved, That these proceedings be entered on the records, published in the papers, and communicated to the family of the deceased, as an expression of condolence in their bereavement." •• At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, held on the 18th of February, 1862, Dr. William D. Brin- ckle was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Society. "A. W. Harrison, "Recording Secretary.'' At a meeting of the Fruit-GroAvers' Society of Eastern Pennsylvania, held at llarrisburg on the 6th of February, 1*63, the following resolution was offered by Mr. J. E. Mitchell, and unanimously adopted: " Wliereas, This Society, in common with all others of a kindred nature, has been called to mourn the death of Dr. William I). Brinckle; it is therefore " Resolved, That in his death we have lost one of the greatest Pomologists of the age, and society at large one of its brightest ornaments." Extracted from the Minutes. William Hacker, Secretary.