16 



template our governments " as the worn out 

 " despotisms of the old world ;" why should the 

 United States be insidiously contrasted with 

 this country, as the spot *" where religion is 

 " in all its fervour, without needing an alliance 

 " with the State, and where the law commands 

 " by the respect which it inspires, without 

 " being enforced by military power?" 



No doubt you are at the most perfect liberty 

 to enjoy your own opinion on these or any other 

 subjects. We do not complain of them as con- 

 stituting your private sentiments, but as being 

 brought forward in an official manner, and from 

 the chair of the Royal College. Neither you, 

 nor any other man, have a moral right to use 

 such a public office, for the purpose of degrad- 

 ing and vilifying the civil and religious institu- 

 tions of their country. When our children are 

 sent to acquire a knowledge of surgery and 

 anatomy, we do not expect them to be hearing 

 tirades against the manners, the laws, and the 

 religious principles of their ancestors. It is not 

 for me to say how others should feel or act on 

 such an occasion, but I am a plain man, and 

 I will honestly give my opinion. If I had the 

 honour to be a member of the court which 

 elects to this office, I could not conscientiously 

 allow you to fill the station, f" However flat- 

 " tering to your vanity to wear the gown," I 



* P. 489. t P. 3. 



