Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/9



Your predecessor, Sir, in the Presidential Chair of this College did me the honour, which I highly appreciate and gratefully acknowledge, of inviting and nominating me to deliver the Harveian Oration for the present year. Had I followed my natural inclination to keep in retirement, especially on such a prominent occasion as this must necessarily be, I should have declined the invitation, being but too conscious of my unfitness for the position, my incapacity for fulfilling adequately the important function which it involves, and my inability to do anything like justice to the great and immortal personality whom we commemorate to-day. I have, however, always been guided by the principle to do what I am asked by those in authority, and therefore in a rash and thoughtless moment I consented, without duly considering or realising the responsibilities or difficulties of the task I was undertaking. Notwithstanding my misgivings and shortcomings, however, I venture to comfort myself with the assurance, remembering