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.
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