Smith is a man of no ordinary talents, and stands high as a scholar
and gentleman in the city, amidst the _literati_ of a hundred seats of
learning.
In 1843, when the character of the colored race was assailed to
disparagement, by the representative of a combination of maligners, such
was the influence of the Doctor, that the citizens at once agreed to
give their presence to a fair public discussion of the subject--the
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of the races. This discussion was
kept up for several evenings, attended by large and fashionable
assemblages of ladies and gentlemen, until it closed. Doctor Smith, in
the estimation of the audience, easily triumphed over his antagonist,
who had made this a studied subject. The Doctor is the author of several
valuable productions, and in 1846, a very valuable scientific paper,
issued from the press in pamphlet form, on the "Influence of Climate on
Longevity, with special reference to Life Insurance." This paper, we may
surmise, was produced in refutation of the attempt at a physiological
disquisition on the part of Hon. John C. Calhoun, United States Senator,
on the colored race, which met with considerable favor from some
quarters, until the appearance of Dr.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133