RISE OF COMPARATIVE ANATOMY 



145 



ance with the writings of naturalists, his neglect of reading 

 left his mind unprejudiced by ihe views of others. He was 

 a wild, unruly spirit, who would not be forced into the con- 

 ventional mold as regards either education or manners. 

 His older brother, William, a man of more elegance and 

 refinement, who well understood the value of polish in refer- 



FIG. 39. JOHN HUNTER, 1728-1793. 



ence to worldly success, tried to improve John by arranging 

 for him to go to the University of Oxford, but John rebelled 

 and would not have the classical education of the university, 

 nor would he take on the refinements of taste and manner of 

 which his brother was a good example. *' Why," the doughty 

 John is reported to have said, " they wanted to make me study 



10 



