Page:The Hunterian Oration1843.djvu/31

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voice, which nerves he discovered and traced to the larynx.

It was this method, which, revived by the great triumvirate of Italian anatomists of the 16th century, Vesalius, Eustachius, and Fallopius, was followed by Fabricius and our countryman Harvey, and which was established by Bacon, as the “ true logic of science.” Their undying reputation proves its success, and when we impartially weigh what Hunter accomplished, we need not fear to compare him with the shining lights that had gone before.

In order, however, to forma just estimate of his comparative merits, we must look at the circum- stances in which his rivals in the Fasti of science were severally placed.

Thus, the position of Aristotle was most favour- able, and both he and Galen received the best edu- cation which opulence and the severe discipline of Ancient Greece combined, could confer in philosophy and literature. In modern times Fabricius and Harvey, with the triumvirate I have mentioned, were equally fortunate, and if we pass from these eminent forerunners of Hunter to Cuvier, his dis- tinguished successor, we shall find that he also had walked from his childhood in the paths of learning and science. His early education was the chief em- ployment of his mother, a woman of superior un- derstanding, united with the greatest tenderness. Without knowing the language, she made him repeat his Latin lessons to her; thus practising, unconsci- ously perhaps, a precept τ᾿ Locke. He practised draw- ing under her eye, and she made him read numerous