tle" of this strange sect, and takes an active part in their proceedings. He has lately published an able work on Hooping Cough.

Of Drs. Roots, Darling, Sutherland, Stroud, Lee, Williams, D. Davis, Holland, Warren, we had prepared notices; but not having room, we have been compelled to defer, for the present, their publication.

In concluding our sketches of living physicians, we would observe, that we have endeavoured in a spirit of fairness, and we hope of truth, to give an impartial account of the eminent men whose names we have mentioned. If in doing so, we have caused pain to any one, we shall extremely regret the cir

cumstance.

Had we felt disposed, it was in our power to have described more minutely the private relations of the physicians and surgeons, of whose professional abilities we have endeavoured to convey some idea to our readers; but we felt that nothing could have justified us in adopting such a course, and we have endeavoured, therefore, with a few exceptions, to speak of them only as public characters.

CHAPTER VII.

SKETCHES OF EMINENT LIVING SURGEONS.

Sir A. P. Cooper-Sir Anthony Carlisle-Mr. Benjamin Travers-Mr. Bransby Cooper-Mr. Guthrie-Mr. Robert Liston-Sir B. Brodie-Mr. Lawrence-Mr. Wardrop-Sir C. Bell-Mr. Pettigrew-Mr. Owen-T. Wakley-Mr. KeyMr. Morgan-Mr. Costello-H. Thompson-Mr. StanleyMr. Dermott.

We do not consider it necessary to make many preliminary observations, in introducing to our readers the names of the distinguished gentlemen who occupy the rank of eminent London surgeons.

In our sketches, we have selected those only with whose abilities the public are somewhat familiar, and respecting whom they are naturally the most interested. There are many, we have no doubt, in the walks of surgery, who do not enjoy the title of eminent; but who, in consequence of their talents and acquirements, have a valid claim to such a distinction.

SIR ASTLEY PASTON COOPER may be properly termed the Wellington of British surgery. His profound anatomical knowledge, his energy and decision in cases of danger, his kindliness of heart and humane disposition, his inimitable skill in using the knife, and sound judgment in detecting the necessity for an operation, in cases involved in great obscurity, have all conspired to place him, by universal consent, at the head of modern surgery.

Astley Paston Cooper is the youngest son of the late Rev. S. Cooper, D.D. and Maria Susanna, daughter of James Bransby, Esq. of Shollisham, in the county of Norfolk. Mrs. Cooper is the authoress of a novel, called the "Exemplary Mother." Sir Astley was born, August 23, at Brooke, in the same county, where he remained untill the age of fourteen, when his family went to Yarmouth, of which place his father was instituted rector in 1782.

We have been curious, says a writer, to inquire into the early qualities of a boy, so highly distinguished in his after career by remarkable decision and talent; and, from a companion of his juvenile years, we gather that he was from infancy of a bold and enterprising spirit. A circumstance is related in proof of this. When in attempting to convert a cow into a riding horse, young Cooper was thrown, and broke his collarbone, amidst the long and loud laughter of his companions, in which, so far from lamenting, the young surgeon heartily joined. In early life, Sir Astley was distinguished for his social disposition and friendly demeanor to all the boys of his own age, however

removed from him by the circumstances of birth and education.

At this period he acquired a knowledge of reading, writing, and arithmetic, at the village school kept by a person of the name of Larke; he was subsequently taught Latin by his father, who had the reputation of being an accomplished scholar. A remarkable anecdote is recorded of him, which, fortunately for science and for mankind, led the way to the general extension of that skill and ability which has so largely benefited both.

It happened that a boy was thrown off a cart, in his presence, by which accident he wounded an artery in the thigh, and when on the ground, the blood gushed so copiously from the wound as to terrify all the other youthful spectators of the scene. They ran screaming for assistance, which must have come too late, had not the embryo-surgeon hastened to his aid. Young Cooper, when he saw the state of his young patient, with great presence of mind, instantly made his handkerchief into a tourniquet, and applied it so scientifically to the thigh, as to succeed effectually in stopping the hemorrhage, which would otherwise, in a few minutes, have proved fatal.

Sir A. Cooper has been often heard to declare, that the mental gratification of having thus saved the life a fellow-creature, inspired him at once with an almost romantic desire to become a surgeon.

At the age of fourteen, he went to Yarmouth, at which place he resided twelve months. At the age

of fifteen, he was placed with Mr. Turner, an apothecary, to ascertain how he liked the profession. Mr. Turner was a kind, but austere man; one of whom youth stood in awe, and, of course, Master Cooper did not escape the common restraint of his domestic discipline. A scolding and reproof, which he had earned by some carelessness, was being administered to him with due emphasis, but with so little effect, that his castigator caught him in the delinquency of making faces at him behind his back. An explanation of these contortions was sternly demanded; when the ready youth, who happened to have a carious tooth, dexterously availed himself of the circumstance, and, continuing his grimaces, exclaimed, "My tooth, sir! my tooth! it is so painful, sir; who can help making faces?" But Mr. Turner was also a wag in his way, and not to be easily diverted from the real state of the case: so, asking to examine the tooth, which he found to be as represented, he in an instant introduced his instrument, and ere the patient could be aware of the design it was out of his jaws !

During the short period that Cooper remained under Mr. Turner's roof, he manifested sufficient of his disposition to excite the admiration and love of every one who knew and could appreciate the natural benevolence of his heart.

In every case of distress, Cooper was ever ready to administer relief. Mr. Turner had the professional care of a large parish, containing a considerable num