CHAPTER II. 



Edinburgh Studies and Dentistry — Anatomy his chief Pursuit — Dr 

 Knox and other Teachers — Medical Societies — Friendship with 

 Forbes — Gets a Surgical Diploma, and joins his Father in Prac- 

 tice — British Association, 1838. 



Being well grounded in Latin and Euclid, and disposed 

 to mechanics, chemistry, and natural history, John 

 Goodsir seemed fitted for the professional walk of his 

 family. Being desirous that John should, in the course 

 of time, enjoy the privileges of a Fellowship of the 

 Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, his father, 

 with a view to easy pecuniary terms, thought of ap- 

 prenticing him to Mr. Liston or Mr. Syme. Meanwhile, 

 his old friend Mr. Nasmyth, dentist, and also Fellow of 

 his college, offered to take John as a pupil and with- 

 out fees. This offer was gratefully accepted, and John 

 was apprenticed for five years to Mr. Nasmyth, who, 

 as a. master, treated him kindly and considerately. 



In November 1830, John matriculated in Edin- 

 burgh, ;iikI attended medical classes both within and 

 without the University walls. His most absorbing- 

 course of lectures during the first session was Dr. 

 Knox's, on descriptive anatomy, delivered in Old Sur- 

 geons' Hall Though not engaged with foiveps and 

 scalpel in hand, lie was daily in the rooms watching 



