1824-33 DEATH OF MR. CLIFT'S SON 67 



trough should be cleared out in our time, there is 

 a gleam of hope for science among a small few, 

 but you must not feel disappointed by the general 

 neglect of your researches. . . . 



' Ever yours, 



' A. Carlisle.' 



In September 1832 an event took place which 

 entirely altered Owen's prospects at the College 

 of Surgeons. Hitherto, as has been stated, he was 

 assistant only ' during the pleasure of the Curators,' 

 and his fellow-assistant was William Home Clift, 

 Mr. Clift's only son, who had been promised the 

 post of Conservator at his father's death. Owen 

 was quite aware of the fact that, as things stood, 

 he had no chance of advancement in the museum. 



But on the 1 ith of this month, Miss Clift states 

 in her diary, that as young Clift was returning 

 home one evening in a cab, the driver on entering 

 Chancery Lane out of Fleet Street turned too 

 suddenly, upset the cab, and pitched her brother 

 on to his head. He was taken up insensible and 

 carried to St, Bartholomew's Hospital, where he 

 was received by Owen. It was soon found that 

 he had sustained a fracture at the base of his 

 skull, and he died after lingering a few days. At 

 the time Mr. Clift was away from home taking 

 his holiday in the country, and, as he was travel- 

 ling about from place to place, it was some days 

 before the news could be communicated to him. 



F 2 



