1 3u HEROES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER K 



possible, to alleviate human suffering and lengthen out human 

 existence. Your ambition is to gladden as well as to prolong 

 the course of human life, by warding off disease as the greatest 

 of mortal evils, and restoring health, and even, at times, reason 

 itself, as the greatest of mortal blessings. If I may borrow the 

 beautiful language of the author of " The Village " : 



" ' Glorious your aim — to ease the labouring heart, 

 To war with death, and stop his flying dart ; 

 To trace the source whence the fierce contest grew. 

 And life's short lease on easier terms renew ; 

 To calm the phrensy of the burning brain. 

 And heal the tortures of imploring pain ; 

 Or, when more powerful ills all efforts brave. 

 To ease the victim no device can save, 

 And smooth the stormy passage to the grave. ' 



I repeat it — if you follow these, the noble objects of your pro- 

 fession, in a proper spirit of love and kindness to your race, the 

 j)ure light of benevolence will shed around the path of your 

 toils and labours the brightness and beauty that will cheer you 

 onwards, and keep your steps from being weary in well-doing ; 

 while, if you practise the art that you profess with a cold-hearted 

 view to its results merely as a matter of lucre and trade, your 

 course will be as dark and miserable as that low and grovelling 

 love that dictates it." 



He was now a prosperous man, and in the first three months 

 of 1844 he received ;^iooo as fees. At the close of 1845, his 

 practice was still increasing amongst the nobility and aristocracy. 

 He bought a house at No. 52 Queen Street, where, even at 

 this early date, patients sought him in such numbers, that his 

 limited time and other engagements would not permit him to 

 overtake half of them. Country cases received his special 

 attention. His correspondence increased, and he received 



