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soul into curiosity and expectation, and are just gaping to hear the solution of some fine problem, all that you are to expect is, "That we are not yet in a capacity for determining this matter." At this declaration, methinks I see you bite your nails, and curse the shallowness of human genius. But soft and fair, say I; perhaps it is as well that we don't know more, as that we don't know less. Vide Essay on Man.

I INTENDED to have written some little essays this winter, some of the subjects, I think, I hinted to you; but since that time I have plunged so effectually into practice, that I verily believe the theory of physic may sink or swim for me, as, although no man loves it more, yet I find the practice is the more profitable part.

I SHALL be glad to hear that the Newtonian Society flourishes; and beg you will make my compliments to all the members of it that I have the honour to be acquainted with. If I get to Edinburgh before it rises, I shall do myself the pleasure of waiting upon them; and if I can think of any subject new, or that may be worthy of their atten

tion, I hope they will indulge me in delivering it, as I had no time last winter to think of philosophical matters.

I AM not at all surprised at your account of Mr BULLERS behaviour, as tyrants are commonly cringers; and as to his choice of a subject, you know it must be out of the usual road, otherwise below his notice. But I really believe Arteriotomy will have the same fate with the brush described by HEISTER for cleaning the stomach. Its use may be demonstrated, but few will ever dare to put it in practice: and, indeed, should it be attempted by one of a thousand who practise physic, more mischief would ensue from its use than is ever likely to happen from its neglect.

I WOULD advise you by all means to attend MONRO; as anatomy is a subject you can never know too much of, if you practise physic; and if you don't attend the public lecture, I would at least have you endeavour to be with JACK at night, during the time the subject is in hands. I take young MonRo to be quite an expert anatomist. CULLEN is clever, and does not want for genius, but

has his head full of theory and vague hypothesis. WHYTE will afford you the greatest satisfaction imaginable, being both ingenious RUTHERFORD is slow, but abso

and solid. lutely sure.

If you are not a member of the Medical Society, I would advise you to enter immediately; as one never fails to pick up something in these clubs, let them be ever so stupid. As I cannot entertain you with any new piece of theory, I hope you won't be disobliged if I should just mention a history or two, to shew you a little of my success in practice.

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I BEG of you to write me soon; and give your letter to my wife, who will take care to send it in a frank. Yours, &c.

W. BUCHAN.

THE person alluded to in the foregoing letter, under the name of JACK, was Mr JOHN INNES, long dissector to the Professor of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh. This gentleman used to give every evening a private repetition of the anatomical demon

strations, to the students who attended the public class, and who were disposed to avail themselves of this excellent means for impressing a knowledge of the structure of the human body on their memories. This useful institution still continues under Mr FYFE, the successor of Mr INNES in the of fice of dissector. The fee given to the professor, for attending the public lectures, is three guineas for each course; that to the dissector, for the private demonstrations, is one guinea, `The professor at that period was the present Dr ALEXANDER MONRO, senior, whose eldest son, Dr ALEXANDER MONRO, junior, has now been for a good many years his assistant and successor; and who has added a course of lectures upon the morbid anatomy of the human body to the former customary academical course of medical education. It may be here remarked, that the chair of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh has now been occupied for near a century by Dr ALEXANDER MONRO, senior, and his father of the same name, who was appointed professor in 1719.

In the original of the foregoing letter from Dr BUCHAN, he communicated to his

friend Mr SMELLIE two cases of wonderful cures which he had performed in his private practice; but which it has not been thought necessary to insert.

No. L.

Dr WILLIAM BUCHAN to Mr WILLIAM

DEAR SMELLIE,

SMELLIE.

Ackworth, 10th July 1762.

A PRODIGIOUS hurry of business has both prevented your hearing from me, and also retarded my journey to Edinburgh for some time past.

I HOPE YOU wont take it amiss if, after so long silence, I should say nothing farther than that, God willing, I flatter myself with once more having the pleasure of seeing you, and all my Edinburgh friends, soon. I shall set off in a few days; and expect to reach Auld Reikie about the 16th instant. I desire you will hold yourself in readiness for a journey, as I don't fear soon convincing you

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