36 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. II. 
I will quote from the “ Lives.” “ One thing 
indeed can never be too strongly recommended 
to young men aspiring to rise in their profession, 
whether such profession be the law or physick : 
let them, if within their means and power, become 
the pupils of some person already eminent and in 
high repute ; by such a preparatory course they 
obtain two great objects — a well-grounded pro- 
fessional knowledge, and the opportunity of be- 
coming known to all the friends and connections 
of their instructor.” Now, my dear Richard, I 
do flatter myself that you will ultimately become 
great in your profession, and, should it please the 
Almighty to spare me till then, I trust in His good 
Providence for the rest.’ 
Towards the end of 1829 or the beginning of 
1830, Owen heard that the post of House Surgeon 
to the Birmingham Hospital was vacant. On 
January 7, 1830, he left London at a few hours’ 
notice, thinking that if he obtained this appointment 
it would further the ends he had in view. There 
is no doubt that his affection for Miss Clift had a 
great deal to do with this attempt which he made 
at improving his position ; for he saw but little 
prospect of advancement if he stayed on at the 
College as assistant to the Curator, because Mr. 
Clift’s only son, William Home Clift, had been 
promised the curatorship on his father’s death. 
As will be seen from the two following letters, 
Mr. Clift even while acknowledging the loss which 
