But this Commencement of 1771 is memorable in witnessing the first public claim by the Provost for the institution of the rank and place of a University, to which in fact it had attained in 1768, and which it has maintained with honor through varying changes and vicissitudes to the present moment. Dr. -Smith's charge to the graduates, written in his happiest style, he gives in part in the Minutes, wherein he observed, he says, among things,
That it is by slow Degrees the Sciences are introduced and established in any young Country; that there is perhaps scarce an Instance, where any Seminary of Learning although patronized and supported by Princes, hath, in the same space of Time come to equal Perfection, with the College of Philadelphia, although at first begun only by a few private Gentlemen. That he had found it seventeen ago just in its Infancy; that amid the Tumults of War and many other Circumstances unfavorable to Literature, it had, during that period, been constantly growing in Usefulness and Reputation, that numerous and illustrious Benefactors had been raised up for its support, that all the Branches of Science were now professed and taught in it on so liberal a Foundation, that it would be entitled not merely to the name of a College, but of an University, in any Part of the World; that not only Professorships in the Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy, etc; but in the different branches of Physic, were established in it, and that this Day saw the whole plan compleat, as several Gentlemen, who had been regularly educated in the Study of Physic, and admitted to their first Degrees in this Semyiary, were now, after three years reputable and successful Practice, and after giving convincing Specimens of their Abilities, thought worthy of being admitted to the Degree of Doctor, the highest Honor belonging to their Profession. He added an earnest Exhortation to all the Graduates so to acquit themselves through Life, as still to reflect fresh Lustre on the Place of their Education; referHng further to what might be said by the Gentlemen, who was to give the Medical Charge.
With two Bachelors in Physic created in 1773, Thomas Biddle and David Ramsey, the latter of whom won his Doctor's Degree in 1780, we find that but twenty-eight sought this honor prior to the dissolution of the College in 1779, and of these four only won their Doctor's Degree in that time. It may be that the lesser Degree furnished its possessor with sufficient warrant for general practice, and the active life thrust upon him in the stir of a
