University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
 I. 
 2. 
 3. 
 4. 
 5. 
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
TO THE SURGEON-GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


276

TO THE SURGEON-GENERAL

An office held by Doctor Mitchill.—See previous references to him.

OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

“Why, Tom! he knows all things. An it be not the devil himself, we may thank God.”

Village Wizard.

Oh! Mitchill, lord of granite flints,
Doctus in law—and wholesome dishes;
Protector of the patent splints,
The foe of whales—the friend of fishes,
“Tom Codus,”—“Septon” “Phlogobombas!”
What title shall we find to fit you?
Inquisitor of sprats and compost,
Or Surgeon-General of militia!
We hail thee—mammoth of the State!
Steam frigate on the waves of physic!
Equal in practice or debate,
To cure the nation or the phthisic;
The amateur of Tartar dogs,
Wheat-flies, and maggots that create 'em!
Of mummies, and of mummy chogs!
Of brickbats, lotteries, and pomatum!

277

It matters not how low or high it is,
Thou knowest each hill and vale of knowledge;
Fellow of forty-nine societies,
And lecturer in Hosack's College.
And when thou diest, for life is brief,
Thy name, in all its gathered glory,
Shall shine, immortal, as the leaf
Of Delaplaine's Repository!

See previous note to “Fanny,” page 374.


D.