CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS MOTHER. 61 



yourself; we have in no way opposed your 

 plans. We have, on the contrary, entered 

 into them with readiness, saying amen to your 

 proposals, only insisting upon a profession 

 that would make us easy about your future, 

 persuaded as we are that you have too much 

 energy and uprightness not to wish to fill 

 honorably your place in society. You left us 

 a few months ago with the assurance that two 

 years would more than suffice to complete 

 your medical studies. You chose the univer- 

 sity which offered, as you thought, the most 

 ample means to reach your end; and now, 

 how is it that you look forward only with dis- 

 taste to the practice of medicine ? Have you 

 reflected seriously before setting aside this 

 profession ? Indeed, we cannot consent to 

 such a step. You would lose ground in our 

 opinion, in that of your family, and in that of 

 the public. You would pass for an inconsid- 

 erate, fickle young fellow, and the slightest 

 stain on your reputation would be a mortal 

 blow to us. There is one way of reconciling 

 all difficulties, the only one in my opinion. 

 Complete your studies with all the zeal of 

 which you are capable, and then, if you have 

 still the same inclination, go on with your 

 natural history ; give yourself wholly up to it 



