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thus arrive, in a compendious manner, at a competent knowledge of any art. This is happy for us, seeing life is short, and the human mind necessarily occupied with a great number of pursuits, very different from our particular professions, which would not allow us otherwise to go any great lengths.
From the union of ingenious men the arts find resources, never to be met with in the labours of individuals, with whom the most useful truths are frequently buried; whilst societies form a kind of magazine, which collects together all the knowledge of the learned, and consecrates it to public utility. It establishes a commerce for the community, which never perishes, but from age to age is a fruitful source of new acquisitions.[1] What rapid progress have we not sometimes seen in science from a conspiration of counsel and industry? Thus institutions, which have appeared inconsiderable at first, improve fast, and make hasty strides towards importance and grandure. This very Seminary, of late only a collection of private schools, although of so short a standing, has increased its reputation and usefulness, so far as to attract the notice of our mother country; and already begins to flourish, beyond what could reasonably be expected in so short a time.
Of what consequence the united efforts of men learned in their profession are, the medical colleges
- ↑ Preface to memoirs of Royal Acad. of Surgery.
