1839-40. EDINBURGH VCTSUS LONDON. 245 



from all about me, even from those I thought coldly inclined 

 towards me. I have the good-will of all the professors, I may 

 say, and the promise of their votes (those who have them), when 

 I apply to the College of Surgeons for license. All the Univer- 

 sity men are on my side, and all the influential Queen's College 

 men. Both Dr. and Mr. Lizars have promised to help me, and 

 recommend pupils, and I am pretty certain of getting the Cam- 

 bridge men, one and all. All the red ribbons, of course, stand 

 by me, and many private friends (ladies especially) are beating 

 about for pupils. 



" In these circumstances, I reconcile myself to the additional 

 expense in beginning here (though I am certain Lucas underrates 

 the London prices), because I am sure I should have just to do 

 in a few years what I am doing now, and with no greater, but 

 in truth with fewer advantages. London is not the place for 

 me at present ; Edinburgh is better ; this has been impressed 

 on me by Samuel Brown, Forbes, Professor Syme, Young, 

 and others, long ago, before this matter turned up, and I 

 should prefer remaining here to going anywhere else for some 

 time. 



" I mourn to think how your precious time has been taken 

 up about this ; and along with this, I see with sorrow how' little 

 likely it is that you and I will get together for a long while : 

 but the same professional necessity that took you to London 

 will keep me here, and for a while we must ' dree our weird' 

 separately. 



" I have in hand at present a very interesting inquiry regard 

 ing the phosphorescence of sea animals, and its possible connexion 

 with electricity. It was begun at Forbes's request, and is likely 

 to yield an excellent paper for the British Association. I work 

 some hours a day at purely chemical labour at Christison's, and 

 hope to get something in that way ready also ; so that I shall 

 probably read papers at two different sections. 



" Eegarding the Brotherhood, there is no secrecy as to its 

 character, but the opposite, enjoined on all men. Nevertheless 

 I never talk of it before people, for they cannot be got to under- 

 stand its true character. I advise you to do the same." 



