I'.Vn. HKdCA. 12.'> 



to him and >aitl, "Many thanks, doctor. You sec; I was 

 afraid to come along tliese lonely heaclics by mysoir, in (he 

 middle of the night, so I invented the little story of the 

 silk person to get you to come with me; nuich obliged for 

 yuur comjtany." And the fellow disai)i)eared in the dark- 

 ness, K'aving the doctor to return us best he could. 



I liave been told by Dr. Ford Thomp.son of this city that 

 when in Taris attending theclinique under Professor Broea 

 at the ho.spital of La Pitic. he wasjstruck with the a])pear- 

 ance of an aged gentleman who, with edifying punctuality, 

 formed one of the large class which followed the professor 

 through the wards. Tliis venerable man would listen with 

 cijual interest and admiration to the luminous explanations, 

 the subtle diagnosis, or the fecund illustrations which the 

 accomplished surgeon would give utterance to, at the bedside- 

 This was Dr. Broca, the father, finding his chief enjoyment, 

 in tlu' evening of his days, in watching the daily work of 

 the son who had so far outstripjK'd him in fame. 



Broca 's mother was the daughter of a Protestant preacher, 

 named Thomas. She was an excellent woman, of great 

 intelligence, and endowed with a lu'odigious memory. This 

 latter quality was inheriteil by her .son. The Brocas were 

 of old Huguenot stock, and traditions were rife among them 

 of the persecutions which the grandfather and great-grant 1- 

 father had suflfered in the days of the drarjonnades. 



There is no doubt that his early training by the kind, 

 manly father and the clear-sighted .sensible mother, together 

 with the traditions of their family hi.story. bred in the young 

 Paul the courageous love of truth and hatred of injustice 

 and oppression which marked his entire career. 



Ill ls;;-J. he entered the college of Saintc-Foix which was. 

 at that time, the re.sort of the dlite of the Protestant youth 

 of France. Some of the most distinguished men of the 

 reformed ciiurch were educated atiSainte-Foix ; among whom 

 were >ronod, Coquerel, an<l Pressense. When .seventeen 

 years old, Paul Broca obtained the three di])lomasof baclu-- 

 lor of letters, mathematics, and physical sciences. In 184"2, 

 he presented himself for examination at the Polvteehnic 



