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THE HUNTERIAN ORATION. 39 To have hesitated, Gentlemen,. in appearing before you on this occasion, would have been to do no honour to the memory of my earliest instructor in surgery, for I was the pupil of Mr. Abernethy,—one of those who listened with delight through a long series of years, to his animated expositions of the doctrines of John Hunter. Rightly has it been observed, that many are able to reach the summit of a science, who are not capable of leading others to it; that there is often more difficulty in descending to teach, than in persist- ing to rise. How effectually did Mr. Abernethy mas- ter this difficulty was warmly acknowledged, on the yarious occasions of his appearance in the theatre of this college. Gratitude, and respect to his memory are justly due for the excellence of his instructions, enlivening as he did, the driest details of his subject, communicating to others the enthusiasm for surgery which he so strongly felt. An old pupil presenting his first publication, intimated that with whatever zeal he had studied surgery, was a consequence of the enthu- siasm derived from the attendance on his lectures. Mr. Abernethy, with his usual readiness of reply, simply reminded him, “that it required only a spark to excite the blaze of the largest fire.” Through his advocacy of the doctrines of Hunter, Mr. Abernethy reached the highest excellence as a teacher, inculcating the study of surgery as a noble occupation, and the practice of it with honourable and benevolent feelings. �