36 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. n. 



I will quote from the " Lives." " One thing 

 indeed can never be too strongly recommended 

 to young men aspiring to rise in their profession, 

 whether such profession be the law or physick : 

 let them, if within their means and power, become 

 the pupils of some person already eminent and in 

 high repute ; by such a preparatory course they 

 obtain two great objects — a well-grounded pro- 

 fessional knowledge, and the opportunity of be- 

 coming known to all the friends and connections 

 of their instructor." Now, my dear Richard, I 

 do flatter myself that you will ultimately become 

 great in your profession, and, should it please the 

 Almighty to spare me till then, I trust in His good 

 Providence for the rest.' 



Towards the end of 1829 or the beginning of 

 1830, Owen heard that the post of House Surgeon 

 to the Birmingham Hospital was vacant. On 

 January 7, 1830, he left London at a few hours' 

 notice, thinking that if he obtained this appointment 

 it would further the ends he had in view. There 

 is no doubt that his affection for Miss Clift had a 

 great deal to do with this attempt which he made 

 at improving his position ; for he saw but little 

 prospect of advancement if he stayed on at the 

 College as assistant to the Curator, because Mr. 

 Clift's only son, William Home Clift, had been 

 promised the curatorship on his father's death. 



As will be seen from the two following letters, 

 Mr. Clift even while acknowledging the loss which 



