HUNTERIAN ORATION. 
211 
and impudently and falsely dignified by them with the proper 
attributes of science, serve to make manifest to what a depth 
of degradation the mind can and will descend when not upheld 
by the dictates of true science or moral rectitude. Godlike 
though our profession be when properly used for the glorious 
purpose of giving health, how fallen from that high similitude 
when perverted to the ignoble purposes only of an absorbing 
avarice! It is an axiom of the deepest import to the steady 
and safe course of scientific study that no confidence should 
ever be placed in conclusions beyond the limit of the data from 
which they are derived. It is to be feared that, with every dis¬ 
position toadopt facts as to the groundwork in forming deductions, 
it has happened too frequently that inquirers have been influenced 
by a few prominent and impressive, rather than by a due con¬ 
sideration of all the, facts which, by a more careful proceeding, 
might have been brought to help their decisions ; and that thus 
opinions have been promulgated which may not have been 
justified by the premises had they all been duly taken into con¬ 
sideration. That such opinions, insufficiently supported as they 
must be, and bearing upon them the probability of error, while 
they seemingly advance knowledge, serve occasionally, like 
ignes fatui , to lead from the true path, and entail a necessity 
upon others of a toilsome correction, with all its attendant re¬ 
tardations to advancement. The able orator concluded by a 
recommendation to his hearers to control their aspirations after 
knowledge by a wholesome reliance upon facts alone, as ascer¬ 
tained by experience, and to eschew all dependence upon mere 
hypothesis and conjecture, as the valuable and safe lesson, as 
taught by Hunter and his museum. 
In the evening the president (Mr. South) entertained, in the 
library of the college, a large and distinguished body of guests 
to dinner, among whom we observed the Earl of Enniskillen, the 
Bishop of London, Sir James Graham, the Lord Chief Baron, 
Sir De Lacy Evans, Sir Howard Douglas, Captain Boldero, Sir 
William Burnett, Sir James Clark, Sir B. Brodie, Archdeacon 
Hale, Baron Diibin, Sir R. H. Inglis, Sir G. Staunton, Sir 
John Liddell, the President and Censors of the Royal College 
of Physicians, &c. 
The space we have given to the Oration prevents us giving 
the interesting speeches, on professional and other subjects, 
which took place after dinner. % 
Times. 
