148 
HUNTERIAN ORATION, 
It would require much knowledge, much application of mind on 
the part of his readers, to understand fully the conceptions of a 
teacher engaged in following out his subject in every possible 
point of view, and would naturally excite some alarm for the labour 
in prospect. Hunter himself deemed it necessary to apologise for 
the abstruse character of his reasoning. Neither would a fair in¬ 
ference be drawn as to his influence in surgery, if it were shewn 
that some of his contemporaries were more often quoted than he, 
and were even safer guides in some points; as when he postponed 
the amputation of a limb to a remote period after an accident. It 
would be easy, on the other hand, to shew many points which were 
known to him, but which were overlooked, until re-discovered by 
other observers after the lapse of time, and secured by them as the 
result of their discrimination. But it is in examples of individual 
practice only (for they were all students in the science or art of 
surgery) that they regard him as their great master. The estima¬ 
tion of posterity is the same as was Brandreth’s, who said, “ I feel 
that I am but a pigmy in knowledge when compared with this 
man.” Notwithstanding their great practical merits, it was in vain 
to look to the ranks of those at the head of surgery for that con¬ 
stant reference to anatomy, for that depth of thought and varied 
illustration, which fixed the attention, charmed the ear, and exer¬ 
cised the mind of this writer, in dwelling upon the doubts and sus¬ 
picions thickly scattered over his writings, many of which are 
proved to be most sagacious anticipations and most important facts. 
Hunter’s constant aim was to explain to his pupils the principles 
of the art of surgery, and thus by reasoning, comparison, and ana¬ 
logy, to lead them to be prepared to cope with unusual and un¬ 
foreseen difficulties. It was by enforcing these principles in a 
spirit of experimental research that he contributed to effect that 
change in surgery which characterized his time; and to his pre¬ 
cepts were they largely indebted for the impulse which had been 
given to it in the present century. He was prohibited by the 
Council of that Society from mentioning the names of many among 
whom the same spirit had extended, becaused they still moved 
within their observation. It was his duty to recall to the recollec¬ 
tion of his audience the losses which had been sustained by the 
Council, since the last anniversary, in the death of three of its 
members. Two of these, Mr. Briggs and Mr. Callaway, afforded 
a most remarkable contrast to each other, both physically and men¬ 
tally. The latter was an active, persevering man, laboriously em¬ 
ploying his skill for the benefit of a large circle, by whom he was 
deservedly esteemed and most sincerely mourned. The former 
was the shy, retiring, and modest student, whose works were 
known in comparatively a narrow sphere. Both of them held 
