Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/20

 museum with numerous objects of curiosity and a variety of surgical instruments. The ceremony of opening took place on February 2nd, 1653, and on the occasion Harvey provided a sumptuous entertainment at his own expense, at which he received the President and Fellows, and made over to them on the spot his whole interest in the structure. In the next year he was unanimously elected President in his absence. He attended the Comitia of the College next day, but in graceful terms declined the honour, regarding the concerns of the College, which had greatly prospered under the preceding President,, as being too weighty to be intrusted to one like him, laden with years and infirm in health, and in compliance with his desire Dr. Prujean was re-elected. Harvey accepted, however, the office of consiliarius, which he again held in the two following years. In July 1656, Harvey delivered to the College a formal deed, by which he bestowed upon it as a free gift his paternal estate at Burmarsh in Kent, worth at that time £56 per annum, with special provision settling one sum by way of salary for the librarian, and another sum for the delivery of a solemn oration annually. The College of Physicians was justly proud of Harvey, and he was undoubtedly greatly attached to the College, which he regarded as a grand foundation, and where "he consorted with his nearest and dearest friends, seeking to