38 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. n. 
will, moreover, I may venture to affirm, set all poor 
students a good example for close application 
and attention to their professional and moral 
duties. 
‘ With best wishes for your health, I remain, 
‘ My dear Sir, yours very sincerely, 
‘ Wm. Clift.’ 
Joseph Hodgson, Esq. 
Four days later Clift addressed a letter to John 
Abernethy, on the same subject, from which the 
following is an extract ; — 
January ii, 1830. 
‘ I have this morning received the enclosed 
letter from Mr. Owen, who is now in Birming- 
ham. 
‘ If he succeeds, as he deserves to do, I fear 
I shall lose the advantage of his assistance just 
now when it was most needed, and when he was 
becoming most useful from the knowledge he 
had acquired of the business of the museum ; but 
of course no one can blame him for endeavouring 
to better his condition if it is in his power, and 
I only hope that the situation, if he succeeds in 
getting it, will be to his advantage, for I really 
believe him to deserve all the good that may 
befall him ; and from his steadiness and sedate- 
ness, combined with his extensive knowledge for 
so young a man, I think the Hospital must be 
much benefited if they retain him there .... He 
