1840-41. LECTURER ON CHEMISTRY. 253 



scrawl, and get back to bed, and try to get better in time for 

 your coming." 



It was while laid aside by this illness that his first course 

 of lectures was arranged, under many disadvantages. He had 

 received license as a lecturer on chemistry from the Eoyal 

 College of Surgeons,- a privilege at first confined to the Fellows 

 of the Eoyal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians, but afterwards 

 granted by them to others qualified to teach natural philosophy 

 and chemistry. George Wilson was their first lecturer on che- 

 mistry, and his tickets qualified for their diplomas, though not 

 for that of the University. For the field of teaching thus opened 

 to him he was ever deeply grateful, as, nameless and with little 

 influence, no other opening could have offered similar advan- 

 tages. The title given to the teachers of medicine not professors 

 is, " Extra-Academical Medical School," and of this body he now 

 formed one. After a time, the students of those extra-mural 

 classes were permitted to share the rights of the University stu- 

 dents in competing for degrees. The several schools ha nited 

 under the name of " Queen's College," and with that in Brown 

 Square he became associated, sharing the lecture-room with 

 other teachers, and having a small laboratory fitted up. After 

 this Association was dissolved two years later, he retained sole 

 possession of the house they occupied, and did not leave it till 

 twelve years afterwards. It was within a few minutes' walk of 

 the University, and thus easy of access to students attending 

 other classes. 



Scarcely convalescent, he entered on the laborious duties of 

 an opening session with the ardour characteristic of all his ac- 

 tions. To spare himself, when professional duty was concerned, 

 was for him an impossibility. A letter to his brother, after the 

 first month was over, gives a glimpse at his labours and pro- 

 spects : 



" December Qth, Sunday. 



" Nothing but the most overwhelming occupation of my time, 

 to an extent I never knew before, has kept me so long from 

 writing to you. For the last fortnight I have not had a moment 

 to give to anything but my lectures. I have lectured six days 



