MR. BRANSBY COOPER. 
97 
one of the few talented men belonging to the clique — one, in short, 
though by no means of the highest order of ability, of the trump 
cards of the pack. 
Farther than that he was the nephew of the late Sir Astley, we 
are not acquainted with any of the details of Bransby Cooper’s 
early life ; but we believe that, in his sphere, it was a stirring one ; 
and several passages in his “ Life” of his uncle would lead to the 
inference that he had been concerned in many churchyard scenes, 
as well as grave recollections. As these, however, are of by-gone 
date at the present time, and of questionable taste at all times, we 
shall not refer to them now. It was one of them, we believe, which 
first attracted Sir Astley’s attention, and induced the recommenda- 
tion that his nephew should be devoted to the interests of the 
church beyond the walls, instead of those within. The young 
gentleman was accordingly despatched to London instead of being 
confined to the provinces ; he was furnished with a scalpel instead 
of a breviary; and he is consequently now elevating his finger 
before the students of a London lecture-room, instead of shaking 
his head in the pulpit of some Norfolk parish. 
Having duly completed his noviciate at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s, 
where his uncle then reigned in undisputed supremacy, Mr. 
Cooper’s frolicsome and adventurous disposition led him to seek 
service abroad in the medical department of the army ; and we 
believe that so little did he confine himself to the mere routine of 
his profession, or to the rear, which is commonly considered its 
department, that he quickly became a subject for treatment himself, 
instead of attending in this capacity upon ethers. Going out with 
the design of superintending the limbs of the troops, he with dif- 
ficulty escaped with the loss of his own. In looking after their 
organs, he lost his eye ; for which he is indebted to a pension, and 
a peculiarity in his appearance which renders him, for his similitude 
to England’s greatest naval hero, strikingly remarkable. 
At the end of his period of service, or when thus disabled, Mr. 
Cooper returned home ; and it is now that the first, and still the 
most important, incident in his life occurred. He was, of course, 
quickly inducted into a hospital. His uncle’s influence at once 
secured him a leading- place, as surgeon to Guy’s ; and it was 
shortly after he entered upon this career that the memorable trial 
with Mr. Wakley took place. 
***** 
We make these remarks with no reference whatever to Mr. 
Cooper : on the contrary, we believe that he wanted no such 
advertisement, and assuredly we feel confident that on his part 
there was not the slightest shadow of moral obliquity. We give 
him full credit for being an able and honest surgeon, as well as a 
VOL. XXI. O 
