Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, London, June 29th, 1867 (IA b22315263).pdf/5

Rh tion of the two offices of President and Harveian Orator, I must beg to explain that, at the time when I accepted the office of Orator, I could not be aware that the period of delivering the Oration would find me, by the flattering award of the Fellows, in the occupation of this chair. Having thus undertaken to deliver the Oration, it has been no small encouragement to me not to withdraw, that I am furnished with a distinguished precedent. That precedent I find in ; who, in the year 1835, converted the Oration into a Presidential Address. Sir Henry Halford's great ability and influence were sufficient to redeem any step that he could take from bearing the character of an innovation; and any act of his must be sufficient sanction for a proceeding which otherwise a man of less pretension might hesitate to venture on.

Thirteen years have passed since I last addressed you on an occasion like the present; but, though my subject was the same, I then addressed you in a different tongue. I do not speak of this as matter for regret. It