88 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. V. 



CHAPTER V. 



WORKING IN HOPE. 



" The subtle chymic can divest 



And strip the creature naked, till he find 



The callow principles within their nest : 

 There he imparts to them his mind, 

 Admitted to their bed-chamber, before 



They appear trim and drest 

 To ordinary suitors at the door." 



HERBERT. 



WHEN the weary climber of Alpine steeps has reached the 

 summit to which his toilsome efforts have long been directed, 

 it is often but to see before him heights still more inacces- 

 sible, defying, yet tempting him to scale them. The past is 

 as nothing compared with what is to be accomplished, and 

 only a stout heart and manly purpose will avail. So with 

 the student when the labours of years are crowned with 

 success ; the end is but a new beginning, and the goal is 

 harder to be won than in his first career. But happily, all 

 looks bright in the future to youthful eyes, and hope gives 

 strength to do what to faint hearts would be impossible. 



In the ' Life ' of Dr. Reid we find George Wilson's own 

 experience of this time : " There are few periods," he says, 

 " more happy in a young doctor's life than those which 

 immediately succeed his graduation. The most diligent 



