A YORKSHIRE NATURALIST 93. 



To a Londoner thisjeu d j esprit was irresistible. 



At last the time drew near for me to enter for 

 my medical examinations at the Apothecaries' Hall 

 and the College of Surgeons, both of which I 

 passed safely. My principal examiner was the 

 late Sir Astley Cooper. It was usual at that time 

 for each student to pass his examination successively 

 in front of four tables, behind each of which two 

 examiners were seated. But on this occasion one 

 of the tables was unoccupied. After Cooper and his 

 colleague had done with me, I looked inquiringly, 

 asking where I was to go next ; but was answered 

 by Sir Astley's fellow examiner: "Are you not 

 " satisfied ? Have you not had enough ? " 



" Not he ! " said the bright and smiling veteran 

 baronet. " He evidently likes it." 



My London work was now finished, and I returned 

 to Manchester, with very vague impressions as to 

 what was next to happen. This question was, how- 

 ever, soon determined for me. Two valued friends 

 Mr. Bury, of Scarborough, whose name I have 

 already mentioned, and Mr. John Mayson, a well- 

 known Manchester merchant came to my assist- 

 ance. The communication from each was virtually 

 the same viz., " I know that your finances are 

 " exhausted, but start on your medical career, and 

 " draw upon me for any money you may require." I 

 accepted their very generous offer, acted upon their 

 recommendation, and on January I, 1841, mounted 

 my brass-plate on the door of a house which is now 



