TO Mil. MAYER. 
105 
fessor Coleman’s opinions within the present year (or session), 
“ altered and modified ,” as you declare them to be. If his opinions 
are changed, and I believe them to be so, at least in the strength 
of their expression, let his cause receive the full benefit thereof, 
and inconsistency would here be his greatest praise : but is this 
the right light in which to consider the career of one who, by his 
doctrines and precepts, has exercised the highest control over the 
profession, our noble patients, and the public, for a period of nearly 
half a century; and which doctrines are still influencing, in some 
degree, every diplomatized Y.S. in England, and, in many instances, 
to the injury of their practice and reputation! 
Will such an inquiry produce an answer to my assertion in 
1829 1 You know full well that Professor Coleman has not pub- 
lished a line for very many years — that his “ lectures, ” which alone 
can be looked to as “proof of his present opinions ,” have never 
been in print ; and “ altered and modified,” as you confess them to 
be, you require me to found my remarks upon such unsubstantial 
grounds. You say, “Finally, we will not debate with you the 
terms upon which you acc'ept our challenge whilst in the same 
paragraph you dictate your own terms ; and I reply, that I will not 
be bound to any such “ modified ” consideration of the theories 
(false or not) which have pervaded the school of St. Pancras since 
the death of Professor St. Bel, to the exclusion of every improve- 
ment which was not forced upon it by the pressure from without. 
I will not be debarred from the use of any or all of the books, 
pamphlets, letters, and parchments — and there are more than you 
perhaps are aware of — which have influenced the welfare of my 
profession since its date in this country. 
And as your last paragraph contains a virtual renunciation of 
your first resolution, I am compelled to look for its cause ; but be- 
ing denied the power of speaking, soundingly as you do, in the 
plural number, allow me to inquire respectfully, Gentlemen, have 
you consulted Professor Coleman as to the course you are pursu- 
ing, as he is certainly the party most interested in the controversy ! 
and has the word to “ retreat ” been heard from head quarters 1 
You seem very desirous to repudiate the obvious construction 
which his acuteness would immediately fix upon the terms “ altered 
and modified opinions” in your first resolution, and which I could 
not but observe upon. 
The next month will commence a series of articles in direct proof 
of the allegation made ten years since ; and permit me in the mean- 
time to observe, that if you are a powerful secret combination op- 
posed to a single individual, it would be only generous and be- 
coming, for the future, to abstain from personalities, which retard 
argument, and which he has neither the power nor the wish to 
retort. _ 
