10 MEMOIR OF ALFRED SMEE. [CHAP. II. 



But to return to my subject. As a medical student, Alfred 

 Smee became studious. Indeed, from the moment he became one 

 he never ceased from the most laborious work. At the time my 

 father began his professional career, medical students, as a rule, 

 were not all that could be desired. But too many of them were 

 addicted to idleness, drinking, and other vices ; and, indeed, they 

 had the character of being but too frequently very rough members 

 of society. Young Smee, however, though full of fun and of 

 buoyant spirits, was noted for his unexceptionable good conduct, 

 steadiness, and sobriety, and was besides a most hard-working 

 young man.* 



Alfred Smee had not been more than two years at King's 

 College before he carried off the silver medal, the prize for 

 Chemistry; Professor Daniell, so well known to the scientific 

 world as the inventor of a battery which bears his name, being 

 professor at King's College at the time. The following year, in 

 1837, Smee took the silver medal for Anatomy, Partridge being 

 professor ; and he also took the silver medal for Physiology, Todd 

 being professor. For the latter he used to prepare the experi- 

 ments for the lectures which that distinguished physician deli- 

 vered. In 1837 young Smee also contended for the theological 

 prize at King's College. He lost it by one mark only, and it 

 appeared that his answers on the one hand, and those of the 

 winner of the prize on the other, were so even, that there were 

 thoughts of giving two prizes, as the examiner, the Bishop of 

 London's chaplain, said that the answers in divinity were so 

 excellent as to entitle Alfred Smee to take orders for ordination. 

 I mention this fact particularly, as it shows how, at a very early 

 period, my father's mind was imbued with religious thoughts, 

 which hereafter proved a very remarkable feature in his 

 character. 



On the 4th of April, 1838, Alfred Smee's first paper was read 

 before the Geological Society ; it was ' On the State in which 

 Animal Matter is usually found in Fossils/ and it was communi- 

 cated by Professor Koyle of King's College. The paper will be 

 found in the Appendix, No. I., of this work. 



In the following month, on the 26th of May, 1838, appeared 

 in the * London Medical Gazette ' the second paper from his pen. 



* In all the testimonials which Alfred Smee received from his masters 

 and professors, his extreme steadiness and good conduct, and the great talent 

 which he displayed in his various professional attainments, are made a great 

 point of. 



