man can fix too soon or prosecute his plan with too much steadiness, if he ever hopes to make a figure in any one branch of business or literature. If ever you form a resolution to pursue the study of physic, and can make me any way subservient to your plan, you know you may always command any service in my power. I shall be glad to hear what classes you attend this winter; and, if any thing new is talked of, I don't need, I hope, to desire you to communicate the same,

I GREATLY want some anatomical preparations; and you, I think, have it in your power to help me to a few. The method to come at them will be by applying to JACK INNES, as he has these things frequently to dispose of, and I shall not grudge money if they are pretty good ones. You must apply as if they were for yourself; and I will put you upon the method of sending them up; but I am afraid nothing but dried preparations could be carried, or such as can bear a deal of motion without being broken to pieces or destroyed.

I SHOULD chuse to have as many parts of the human body, injected and dried, as you can procure; such as arms, legs, hearts, stomachs, &c. One thing I greatly want is, to have all the bones of a strong old subject asunder and well marked by the impressions of the muscles. I don't much mind whether they all belong to the same subject, so that they are well marked.

You see I have no room for communicating any thing curious, but if you will write soon you shall have a packet.

I was highly entertained to-day by a man who came to me for advice, and who firmly believed he was turned into a woman *

Yours, &c.

W. BUCHAN.

* It has not been deemed necessary to insert the medical case

here alluded to.

No. XLVI.

Mr WILLIAM SMELLIE to Dr WILLIAM

DEAR DOCTOR,

BUCHAN.

1761.

I SHOULD be extremely sorry if our friendship were dissolved, merely because our views of the same object were different. Your delay indeed gave me pain; but I guessed the cause, and earnestly wish for the continuance of it. Business must constantly be preferred to letters of amusement. Mr WooD answers in every respect the character you gave of him. He is very fond of Edinburgh. As to lodgings, &c. he is agreeably enough situate.

RESOLUTION is certainly a necessary qualification for carrying mankind through every stage of life. Bút you must allow that a very great degree of it is required, when a man is about to leave friends, relations, com→ panions, &c.; and not only so, but in a moment to change entirely his former sphere of

action, and to launch into the practice of an art which demands both labour and abilities.

I DOUBT much if I shall be able to procure the preparations you mentioned; and, were it practicable to procure them, I imagine it would be next to impossible to preserve them from being injured by so long a carriage. I shall, however, attempt to get you as many bones as I can procure.

I AM singularly indebted to you for communicating any thing curious that occurs in practice. The story of your crazy wouldbe hermaphrodite diverted me highly. I wish I could entertain you as well in reBut that is beyond my power, for every thing here is as dull and insipid as usual. One HARRIS is just about to be caped. The subject of his thesis is de Abortu. I expect nothing new from it.

turn.

DR CULLEN lately presented me with a ticket without any solicitation. Business does not admit of my attending any one else. With regard to the practice of physic, I am still as undetermined as ever.

SOME weeks ago I was desired by the Society of Masons to give them a discourse on Charity. This I delivered on Monday se'enight. The lodge ordered it to be printed; and I believe I shall make two or three guineas of it.

OUR Newtonian Society goes on with great vigour. I shall be happy to hear from you as soon as your convenience will admit of. My kind compliments to Mrs BUCHAN. Yours, &c.

WILLIAM SMellie.

No. XLVII.

Dr WILLIAM BUCHAN to Mr WILLIAM SMELLIE.

DEAR WILLIE,

Ackworth, August 20. 1761.

I HAD your favour in due course; and am, I assure you, very sorry that your subject did not prove in every respect to your satisfaction; however, I think, by the account have made of it, your labour has not at all been lost.

you