1832-37. OBTAINS SURGEON'S DEGREE. 83 



and be independent of the subsidies of any one. I took good 

 care none of the good folks at home should know aught about 

 it. I completely blinded them, and the more so, that in a walk 

 last night with Catherine and Mary, I took care to talk as much 

 nonsense as possible, imagining that such a careless, thought- 

 less-like piece of policy would completely mislead them as to 

 my intentions. To atone for it, however, I had to sit up till 

 one, spelling over all the mysteries of bones, muscles, nerves, 

 etc. ; and all next (that is, this) day, I have been busy reading 

 over half a book of chemistry, and the whole anatomy of the 

 leg and arm, from the shoulder and haunch to the fingers and 

 toes ; and well it was I did so, seeing I was examined on the 

 arm, and I was all the more expert at answers from having 

 looked over it. At the eventful hour of half-past one, having 

 slipped out in my best coat and waistcoat, and taken your cane, 

 that I might delude any of my friends with the idea I was about 

 to wander out on a walk, carelessly looking into the jewellers' 

 or toy shops when any one passed even on the other side, 

 who I thought might recognise by my dress my intentions, 

 all the while swinging your wonderful stick with as much 

 composure as possible, though I believe it kept pretty good 

 time with my heart thumping on my ribs, so much indeed, 

 that ' thinks I to myself,' I'm in love with what, I leave you 

 to guess, being one of those courteous writers who don't insult 

 their readers ITy explaining everything, as if they were address- 

 ing children. 



"I was ushered into the waiting-room, a little plain room, 

 which contained two fellows sitting in the window, and putting 

 on a very big magnanimous look, I strolled down to a seat, on 

 which planting myself, I kept stedfastly looking at them, that 

 they might not look at me, a plan which succeeds as well with 

 men as lions (see African travels). At last, however, tiring of 

 staring, I fumbled in my pocket to see if I had any sort of book 

 to while away the time. I dragged out of the recesses of my 

 pocket Mr. Williamson's French Prayer-book, and for want of 

 better, fell to reading Epistles, Collects, Prayers, and Psalms, all 

 very much to my edification no doubt. At last, saturated with 

 theology, the clock having struck two, I returned the book to 



