1832-37- EXAMINATION FOR A DEGREE. 37 



the time. I dragged out of the recesses of my pocket Mr. 

 Williamson's French Prayer-book, and for want of better, 

 fell to reading Epistles, Collects, Prayers, and Psalms, all 

 very much to my edification no doubt. At last, saturated 

 with theology, the clock having struck two, I returned the 

 book to its cell, and pulling off my gloves, laid them, hat 

 and cane, aside. I now learned that one of the gentlemen 

 at the window had passed the day before, and that one 

 (comforting thought) had been rejected ; and I was awaked 

 out of a chirurgical reverie by the other fellow singing out, 

 * Have you any tremors 1 ' ' No,' said I, and thrust my 

 head up against the wall, and planted my feet firmly 

 on the floor, that the said tremors might not appear. 

 They were two good-natured fellows, and were busy 

 telling me to answer as quickly as possible, lest they 

 should hear too distinctly. Hem ! thought I, and the bell 

 rang, and in I was ushered to the grandees, whole four 

 inquisitors. There they fell to ; shoved me Gregory, made 

 me translate, twice write a prescription, tell them as much 

 about drugs and chemistry as would fill a pharmacopoeia, 

 and so much about the anatomy of the arm, skull, neck, 

 &c. the surgery of the same part, and the philosophy of 

 broken skulls, and the method of coopering such casks, 

 that I might rival Syme, Listen, or Lizars. ' You may 

 depart, sir,' said the President. I was kept for a moment in 

 a small side-room, and then pulled in to be told, ' that my 

 examination was highly creditable to me, and that they 

 were very much pleased.' Rejoiced in heart, here I am, 

 your affectionate brother, GEORGE." 



At the close of his last session there was another brief time 

 of relaxation, much required and greatly enjoyed by George. 

 He had only ten days at his command, as new duties, of 



