When we compare the two conditions of life and death, and see that all the corporeal or material parts remain in the latter state, and know at the same time that in life there was some thing that produced the characteristick thereof, we may rationally conclude that the endowments of life was some very subtile or spiritous principle which resided in, and influenced those parts which remain even after it has vanished. In conclusion I will only observe, it is to the brain and its nervous system we should attribute the residence of vitality, which completely distributed and influenced by proper circumstances produce all the powers of the living system. It is there we find a remote cause and need seek no farther, but if it were necessary to approximate nearer to an efficient cause, I would take a general survey of the extensive field of nature, and observing the design and order that pervades all her regulations, refer their operations to immutable laws arranged in consummate wisdom, and intelligence, pervading all matter, and particularly modified in the human frame to fill the scheme of divine intention, whatever that may be.――Such general laws diffused through all extent, are the immediate attributes of a God―― All are but parts, &c.――POPE. Before I close these desultory observations, permit me to express a wish for the success and prosperity of the institution from which I am receiving the honors of physick, and the general obligations I am under for many advantages and improvements derived from the lectures of its enlightened professors. Satisfied that comparisons are always indelicate, and might in the present instance prove particularly offensive, I forbear to particularize advantages, but must, however, indulge in an expression of the gratification I feel in seeing the art of medicine once more assume to itself the form and character of a science; order to take the place of confusion; and system, the first effect of genius, triumph over the extravagances of whim, and love of innovation. FINIS. Transcriber’s Notes: ――Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). ――Obvious punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. ――Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. ――Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.