Page:An Examination of Certain Charges - Alfred Stillé.djvu/16

. On the morning whose history we are about to record, a number larger than usual met in the sitting room to converse upon the subject which filled all minds, and to observe whether the Professor, in contravention of the declarations he had made, and in opposition to the will of the Board of Trustees expressed first mildly, and then more strongly, would still persevere in the delivery of his lectures. To the surprise of many, to the regret of all, he did appear. Some, under the impression it was his intention to deliver a valedictory, augmented the number of the accustomed audience; others entered from idle curiosity. In the mean time a considerable noise existed in the passage; loud talking, and laughing, and other rude behaviour, every moment infringed upon the bounds of strict decorum; and at length when the lecture was about one-half concluded, all who were engaged in this unworthy conduct, to the number of twelve or fifteen, entered the lecture room in a body, but neither with rushing, nor the violence of passion. With heavy steps they proceeded to the back part of the room. &#39;Clubs,&#39; they had none; &#39;instruments of other kinds,&#39; save two small canes, and the hands and feet which nature had given them, they had none. Yet they succeeded with these agents, in drowning the voice of the speaker, and rendered it necessary for him to request them to desist. If we may judge from the daily and reiterated annoyances of a similar kind, though less in degree, through which he had passed on previous occasions with serenity and composure, it was only by the loudness of the sounds produced, and not by the insults which they conveyed, that the professor was compelled to pause in his discourse. It was however, impossible for him to proceed. He therefore begged the gentlemen at first mildly, to maintain silence, but this being refused, he then declared that he was determined to lecture until, to use his own language, the Trustees should turn him out. In the paraphrase which 'a Physician' has given of his address, poetical license is most unwarrantably assumed. Even were there not proof in point, no one, who is accustomed to the manner in which the Ex-Professor delivered his unwritten sentiments, could for a moment conceive the polished address just alluded to had flown from the lips of Dr. Coxe. We think moreover, the late Professor will himself hardly maintain that the statement as to the anticipated action of the Trustees on the "next Tuesday" was then made by him, since he must have known that on the preceding Tuesday, they had acted, nor would finally confirm their action till the stated meeting in February. But to return.

The hissings and hootings continued, and the Professor, concluding the lecture, retired to his private room. Nearly the whole of the class now proceeded to the lecture upon surgery, while a small number remained below as usual, to see the Professor leave the building. But contrary to custom he did not make his appearance, and one of his friends entered the room where he delayed. It is stated that this friend "afraid from the excitement of the class, that personal violence might be offered, locked the door." Now we have positive testimony from this very individual, that it was from no fear of 'personal violence' that he locked the door, but to prevent expressions injurious to the feelings of the Professor from coming to his ear. We do not doubt, from