54 HUNTERIAN ORATION. 



blished rules of practice without cogent 

 reasons for his conduct. This I mention 

 from being aware, that if we presume on 

 our knowledge of the nature and treatment 

 of diseases, we may, like the ancient dog- 

 matists, do mischief Mr. Hunter's con- 

 stant saying was, " we are but beginning 

 to learn our profession." That he was con- 

 scious of the importance of his investiga- 

 tions, that he saw by anticipation the good 

 effects that might result from them, cannot 

 be doubted ; yet I have heard him declare, 

 and I know he was accustomed to say, that 

 he was not conscious of possessing any 

 peculiar talent, and that if he had promoted 

 professional knowledge, it seemed to him 

 chiefly to have arisen from his disposition 

 to distrust opinions and to examine every 

 subject for himself 



Mr. Hunter was, moreover, a man of 

 very considerable humour. His vigews of 

 subjects in general were quick and peculiar, 

 and when so disposed he could place them in 

 very ludicrous points of view. I have known 

 him to exert his talents in this way in a very 

 entertaining manner ; but though I could 

 produce abundant proofs of my present 



