Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/109

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The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.

off, to pay their respects to him. The doctor kept himself close back in the carriage until directly opposite the building, the gentlemen all politely bowing, when he suddenly popped out his head, with "Good morning, gentlemen, good morning, I hope you are all well; thank you in the name of his Majesty King George," and drove off, laughing heartily at having quizzed the Philadelphia Whigs. At the commencement of the war, however, he was looked on as a "dangerous man," and only escaped being carted through our streets along with Dr. Kearsley by secreting himself in the stable of Mr. Marshall, and in May, 1777, was forced to take the oath of allegiance to Congress.

Dr. Chovet brought with him to Philadelphia a complete and beautiful collection of anatomical preparations in wax, which he had made in Barbadoes in 1744, and gave courses of anatomical and physiological lectures. The introductory to his first course in November, 1774, was delivered in great form, being attended by Governor Thomas Penn, Rittenhouse, Dickinson, the clergy, physicians, and other of the most influential men of the city. It consisted of a Latin oration on the origin and dignity of physic, and was followed by a learned discourse in English on the history and progress

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