6 MEDICAL DIPLOMA. Introdv 



rality, honesty, and intelligence, they were in general good 

 specimens of the Scottish poor. In addition to the common 

 run of men, there were some characters of sterling worth and 

 ability, who exerted a most beneficial influence on the youth 

 of the place by imparting gratuitous religious instruction.* 

 Much intelligent interest was felt by the villagers in all public 

 questions, and they furnished a proof that education did not 

 render them an unsafe portion of the population. They much 

 respected those of the neighbouring gentry who, like the late 

 Lord Douglas, placed some confidence in their sense of honour. 

 Through the kindness of that nobleman, the poorest among us 

 could stroll at pleasure over the ancient domains of Bothwell, 

 and other spots hallowed by venerable associations ; and few 

 of us could view the dear memorials of the past without feeling 

 that these monuments were our own. The mass of the work- 

 ing people of Scotland have read history, and are no levellers. 

 They rejoice in the memories of " Wallace and Bruce and a' 

 the lave," who are still much revered as the former champions 

 of freedom. While foreigners imagine that we want the spirit 

 to overturn aristocracy, we in truth, hate those stupid revolu- 

 tions which sweep away time-honoured institutions, dear 

 alike to rich and poor. 



Having finished the medical curriculum and presented a 

 thesis on a subject which required the use of the stethescop© 

 for its diagnosis, I unwittingly procured for myself an exami- 

 nation rather more severe than usual, in consequence of a 

 difference of opinion between me and the examiners as to 

 whether this instrument could do what was asserted. How- 

 ever, I was admitted a Licentiate of Faculty of Physicians 

 and Surgeons, and it was with unfeigned delight I became a 

 member of a profession which with unwearied energy pursues 

 from age to age its endeavours to lessen human woe. 



But though now qualified for my original plan, the opium 

 war was raging, and it was deemed inexpedient for me to pro- 



* The reader will pardon my mentioning the names of two of these most 

 worthy men — David Hogg, who addressed me on his death-bed with the words, 

 ** Now, lad ! make religion the every-da) r business of your life, and not a thing 

 of fits and starts ; for if you do not, temptation and other things will get the 

 better of you ;" and Thomas Burke, an old Forty-second Peninsula soldier, who 

 has been incessant and never weaiy in good works for about forty yearn Men 

 like these are an honour to their country and profession. 



