xxix 



the chaff. But beyond the more immediate occupation of his life — sur- 

 gery, his chief affection was centred in those sciences which are included 

 in Biology. He was not content to cultivate these sciences only, so far 

 as they are supposed to be directly applicable to practice, but, from first 

 to last, he pursued them for the charms they possessed. The zeal with 

 which he studied, especially in early life, anatomy and physiology, human 

 and comparative, is well known. Throughout his long career his interest 

 in these subjects never flagged. 



Again, it is acknowledged by those most competent to judge, that he 

 wrote well. His style was excellent — correct, perspicuous, and graceful. 

 He spoke, too, admirably. Whether in private or in public, he never ap- 

 peared at a loss either for thought or expression, but was always lucid and 

 to the point. From egotism and all affectation he was supremely free. 



Although he was very fond in his later years of discussing with his 

 friends any of the great questions of physiology, it does not appear that 

 he ever committed his thoughts to writing. But those who listened with 

 dehght to his conversation were often led to regret that he was never 

 induced to set forth his views in a more permanent form. There was 

 something very attractive in the power of mind and range of knowledge 

 which he, on almost all occasions, seemed to hold in reserve. Eut two 

 facts especially impressed themselves on those who talked with him. He 

 was always thoronghly well read in the subject, and his views, unfettered 

 by prejudice, were ample and enlightened. 



As a surgeon, Lawrence was distinguished rather by his clear and vigo- 

 rous conception of principles than by any special or peculiar skill in the 

 details of practice. His was no low or narrow view of the requirements of 

 surgery ; its practice in his hands was no mere empirical or mechanical 

 art, but he thought it worthy of the highest powers of the intellect. He 

 was no mere skilled artisan,-but a thorough philosopher. His great ability 

 was never more conspicuous than in prognosis. At times, with marvellous 

 dexterity, he would predict the issue of a case which baffled or misled every 

 one around him. Thus his most daring achievements as an operator were 

 often crowned with success, which to others appeared in the distance as 

 the remotest chance. 



As an operator, he was decidedly skilful ; but his skill was shown not 

 so much in grace of action or in apparent manual dexterity,^ as in the 

 ability with which he accomplished the end in view, and the manner in 

 which he brought the operation to a close. Near-sighted in early life, 

 his vision in his declining years, except towards the end, not only did not 

 fail, but in some respects improved. To the last he operated without 

 glasses, and those which for some years he occasionally used at other times, 

 still later he almost entirely laid aside. 



All his colleagues and pupils, and many others, were familiar with his 

 amazing coolness and perfect self-possession under the greatest difliculties. 

 He seemed never to be disturbed, even by the most perplexing and unto- 



