1839-4- PREFERENCE FOR EDINBURGH. 105 



Assistant, for Everett, formerly of Middlesex Hospital, is 

 the chemist of that institution. I could have stood with 



the best chance of 's place, for I knew of it when 



inquiring about the Engineer's College last autumn, but I 

 did not think it worth my while. 



"The London students are notoriously the most un- 

 scientific students on the face of the earth. My English 

 friends need not take offence at this, for the Englishmen 

 who come here are abundantly characterized by scientific 

 enthusiasm ; but the professional business spirit of the 

 London schools is alien to the true study of their subjects, 

 and on such things as chemistry they only ask what will 

 pass the halls. I had full opportunity of seeing this, last 

 winter, in the practical class of Griffith of St. Bartholomew's 

 Hospital. An experienced and popular teacher told me it 

 was useless to discuss law or theory before them ; they did 

 not care for it. Although, therefore, last winter I would 

 gladly have caught at what you have indicated, I should be 

 loath now to land myself among strangers, in a place where 

 my love of science would be damped down by the want of 

 enthusiasm in my pupils, and my pecuniary income would 

 at the best be barely sufficient to keep life in. Further, I 

 should not like to come in opposition to Graham, as a rival 

 teacher. I have spoken to Forbes and other wise men, and 

 they dissuade me from it. And now, indeed, there is an 

 opening in Edinburgh such as will not soon occur again ; I 

 have the kindest assistance from all about me, even from 

 those I thought coldly inclined towards me. I have the 

 good-will of all the professors, I may say, and the promise 

 of their votes (those who have them), when I apply to the 

 College of Surgeons for licence. All the University men 

 are on my side, and all the influential Queen's College men. 

 Both Dr. and Mr. Lizars have promised to help me, and 



