HUNTERIAN ORATION. 55 



proposition, they would be unsuitable to the 

 gravity proper to be maintained on this 

 occasion. I have heard some express their 

 wonder that very sensible men have some- 

 times condescended to appear foolisli; yet 

 it ought not to excite surprise, for it only 

 shows the activity of their minds which oc- 

 casionally relieve themselves from the uni- 

 formity of thoughtful exertion by sportive 

 and irregular actions. They find it " dulce 

 desipere" and have no fear, as others might 

 have, to indulge themselves in this pro- 

 pensity. Thus strong and healthy people, 

 after the labour of the day, derive re- 

 creation from the continued efforts of a 

 lively dance, or some agile sport. 



There is, however, one subject evin- 

 cing Mr. Hunter's possession of the kind 

 of talents 1 am now alluding to, to 

 which I may advert on the present occa- 

 sion, because it is connected with our 

 professional concerns. Yet here also I 

 must restrict myself to one instance se- 

 lected from a considerable number, and I 

 doubt if it be the best for my pur- 

 pose. Mr. Hunter's sagacity led him 



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