732 
PROFESSOR SPOONER’S ORATION. 
the government of those to whom, however, we owe a deep debt 
of gratitude, we have before us, and can claim as our own, a vast 
domain for medical observation ; and we can offer, in our turn, 
to our ‘elder sister many a useful hint, perhaps not sufficiently 
estimated by her, or by us : for many of the modern and most 
useful divisions of theory and of practice are founded on the ex- 
periments of which our patients formed the basis. 
“There is, however, or ought to be, no jealousy with regard to 
this. Each is, or should be, emulous to increase the honours and 
the usefulness of his peculiar profession. We are jointly labouring 
to enlarge the boundaries of our observation and experience. We 
are rendered inseparable by the pursuit of comparative anatomy, 
by a comparison of the diseases to which the patients of each are 
exposed, and by our mutual success in promoting the happiness 
of our respective patients.’' 
We now return to our native country, and to one of our own 
profession ; and we exult at having the opportunity of inserting 
the beautiful and erudite oration of Professor Spooner, at the com- 
mencement of the session 1841-42. The kind feeling which 
he expresses towards his class and his professional brethren will 
be duly estimated by them all. 
Gentlemen, — In presenting myself thus unexpectedly before 
you to deliver the introductory address to the present sessional 
course of lectures, with a notice of only a few 7 short days, and at a 
time, too, when my mind has been much occupied in the pursuit of 
the daily duties connected with the practical department of this 
Institution, I feel that I have some claim upon that indulgence, 
which, I doubt not, will be most readily granted by you all. 
You know the painful circumstance which has placed me here 
to day : it is the recent death of Mrs. Sewell — a sudden and 
unlooked-for occurrence, and which has inflicted a great loss, 
not only upon one to whom she was nearest and dearest, but also 
upon every individual who had the honour of her acquaintance. 
To make further comment on this lamentable subject would, I 
feel, be out of place here ; neverthelesss, I cannot help stating 
that it is a calamity, which, to use a common phrase, strikes 
home to the bosoms of us all, and renders it quite unnecessary 
for me to offer any further apology for the absence of Professor 
Sewell. 
