Notices of Dr. Hollick's Lectures.
Dr. Hollick and Physiology.—The second of a series of Lectures, by this gentleman, on human physiology, and the all important truths connected with our physical constitution, was attended by a full house, in National Hall, last evening. The time was well spent, and so appeared to think the audience. On the delivery of the first of these Lectures on Tuesday evening, the speaker in a comprehensive and well-digested exordium, placed himself and the subject right with the public. His manner, language and style, did the first; his sound logic, his argument, his candor and research, accomplished the second. Apart from the interesting and apposite details of the wonders of reproduction, the illustrations of the immutable wisdom of nature, which teem in the animal and vegetable worlds—which
"Glows in each stem, and blossoms in each tree;Lives through all life, extends through all extent,Spreads undivided, operates unspent."
Apart from all this, Dr. Hollick's Lecture was excellent as a defence of truth, a vindication of the right of free and unshackled inquiry, and as a convincing refutation of that silly, but far too prevalent opinion that there are truths of which it is better to remain in a state of ignorance. Had nothing else been imparted in the forcible and well defined exordium of Dr. Hollick than this judicious demolition of that fallacious, silly, but injurious twaddle which would forbid research to pass in advance of the old landmarks prescribed by custom, ignorance, or a spurious morality—even that would well deserve the public patronage. Truths, well set forth, will make an impression, whether their investigation be fashionable or not. There is an affinity between the capacity to learn, and the truths to be learned, which always results, when a fitting opportunity is presented, in a free inquiry, and the gentleman who is bringing, in a judicious and elevated manner, a knowledge of those fundamental principles of our corporeal existence which are abused because unknown, will accomplish more good than half a dozen teachers of higher pretensions, and lower ability. It was gratifying to observe the decorum—the sense of respect for both speaker and subject, that was observed throughout the evening, which evidently shows that those who go there are actuated by higher motives than mere curiosity; by desires more ennobling than a passing gratification; in a word, it was clear that those who composed Dr. H.'s hearers, were men who know and dare to think, and who will profit by these most useful discourses.—New York Herald, Aug. 7, 1844.
The Origin of Life.—We attended Dr. Hollick's Lecture at the Masonic Hall, on Monday evening, and if we were to say we were delighted, we should but feebly express the gratification we experienced. It was, in fact, a whole series of anatomical lectures crowded into one, and that one so divested of technicalities, and rendered so concise, so intelligible to the most illiterate mind, and withal couched in such delicate as well as perspicuous language, that the most fastidious could find no fault, nor the idlest curiosity go away uninformed. Thehuman figure—a French model, made, we believe, ofpapier mache—is beautifully constructed, and every trifling organ is not only an accurate counterpart of nature, but can be taken apart, opened, examined, &c., with an ease that renders the study as perfect as an actual dissection, without thedesagremensthat attend a scrutiny of the real subject. We advise all who love knowledge, and particularly a knowledge of their physical organization, to attend these lectures.—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Dec. 4, 1844.
At a Meeting of the Class attendant upon Dr. Hollick's Select Lectures on the Physiology and Philosophy of the "Origin of Life" in Plants and Animals, held at the Lecture Room of the Museum, Wednesday evening, December 1, 1844, George G. West, Esq., was called to the Chair, and Samuel W. Black appointed Secretary.
Resolved, That we have listened with unfeigned pleasure and interest to the Course of Lectures delivered by Dr. Hollick, and now brought to a close, and that we deem it an act of justice to him and the community, to express our entire confidence in his character, ability, and the manner of illustrating his subject, which, to use the words of a daily journal, "is couched in such delicate as well as perspicuous language, that the most fastidious could find no fault, nor the idlest curiosity go away unimproved."
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to tender to Dr. H. the thanks of the Class for his courtesy to the members in affording them every facility for obtaining information upon the subject of his Lectures, and that he be requested to repeat the Course at the earliest period consistent with his other engagements.
Published in all the Philadelphia daily papers of December 14, 1844, and signed byone hundred and fortyof the most respectable and influential inhabitants.
(See similar Resolutions, withover two hundred namesattached, in the Philadelphia daily papers of March, 9, 1844; also of March 16; and on several other occasions.)
From the Philadelphia Daily Papers, Feb. 21, 1845.
At a meeting of the Ladies composing Dr. Hollick's Class, held on Wednesday afternoon, February 19th, in the Lecture Room of the Museum, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted, and ordered to be published in one or more of the city papers:
Resolved, That we have listened with great pleasure and interest to Dr. Hollick's Lectures, and are happy to add our testimony to the many already recorded in behalf of such Lectures: and regarding Dr. Hollick as a benefactor of his race, and especially of our sex, we cordially wish for him abundant success, and ample reward in the consciousness of doing good.
Resolved, That we will exert ourselves to induce our female friends and acquaintances to avail themselves of the great and rare privilege of obtaining the valuable instruction imparted in these Lectures in so chaste and dignified a manner.
Signed on behalf of the meeting by
Sarah Webb, Sec'y.SUSAN WOOD, President.
Sarah Webb, Sec'y.
SUSAN WOOD, President.
decorative pointerWith over 50 names attached thereto.
decorative pointer
With over 50 names attached thereto.
(See also similar Resolutions, with numerous names, on Feb. 27, 1846, March 20, 1846, and on April 10, 1846, with overthree hundred names attached.)