FOUR PRIZES AIMED FOR. 199 



collecting anatomical specimens, in the study of com- 

 parative anatomy, and in the application of his science 

 to practical medicine and surgery. 



In addressing intimate friends he nsed to remark, 

 towards the close of his career, that he had not done 

 justice to himself — a spontaneous comment on the past 

 of very significant meaning. As a deep-rooted con- 

 viction, such a feeling could not fail to have a sadden- 

 ing effect upon a man sensitive to a degree regarding 

 his achievements in science, as it implied either 

 neglected opportunities in the exercise of his powers, 

 or dissatisfaction with his scientific status, or a latent 

 fear as to the permanency of his work beyond his own 

 epoch. Though this latter feeling did not exist in 

 Goodsir's mind, probably however in seeking present 

 fame and historic repute, as all true and faithful 

 men do, Goodsir committed the error of attempting 

 too much — more indeed than could well be accom- 

 plished. He aimed to win four great prizes hi life, 

 any one of which would have been a " blue ribband " 

 to most men, even of those who bid fair for high 

 place in the competition. His hopes were fixed on 

 being — 1st, a great teacher of anatomy ; 2d, a sur- 

 geon of distinction; 3d, the founder of a Goodsirian 

 .Museum; and ith, to rank as a man of science with 

 the greatest of his epoch. Some of these cherished 

 aims were incompatible with each other. The second 

 — surgical practice — was necessaril] a failure or the 

 first- anatomical teaching could doI have been so 

 truly and eminently a success. The third, or the museum 

 of high and undisputed excellence, Is a monumenl to 



