public, who exercise, for good or evil, such immense influence over the destinies of doctors. And in employing the word "public,” I do not wish to be understood to mean the well-educated man of the world, who ever practises the courtesies of life, and who would not intentionally or wantonly insult or wound the feelings of even the most contemptible of doctors; but I mean that large, important mass of prosperous society, whose wealth outstrips its reason, feeling, and discretion.

The immense power which this portion of the public exerts over the medical profession is most baneful to its best interests. It originates and perpetuates that specious clap-trap doctor whom I designate the "Popular Celebrity," who, if he happen to cure a gouty alderman, is forthwith pronounced to be a fit and proper man to fill the next hospital vacancy;-he is trumped up as a great genius in all the railway trains, and he is soon known to the commercial world as "the man to go to." But Science knows him notthe profession knows him not. He becomes elected to the first vacancy, and fills a post for life which he was never intended by nature or by education to occupy a single day. O Shame! where is thy blush? In vain does the medical press speak out year after year. In vain do the

empty benches in the lecture-rooms testify to the mediocrity of civic choice. His patrons argue, that if he be fit to attend an alderman, surely he is sufficient to attend the poor and half-starved wretch who seeks the comfortable shelter of a public charity.

Will any scientific or rational man be bold enough to assert, that in our large hospitals and dispensaries throughout the country," the right men are in the right places?" There are many able men, 'tis true, there are many men, who are ornaments to their profession and the admiration of the civilised world; but there are also many mediocrities—and this will ever be the case so long as our elections are entrusted to those who cannot judge. Look at the mass of hospital-surgeons and physicians—how few have done anything to advance the boundaries of science! The great bulk are mere ciphers in the great medical account. The bitter spirit of rivalry and jealousy which pervades medical men is engendered by this unjust, injudicious, and invidious selection. It is the system-the principle of which I complain, and not the individual actors. The same spirit prevails everywhere-in the city, in the town, and in the country village. The public will run after the men who make a noise and bustle in the world,

and pass by modest merit. If you are taken ill at the chief inn or hotel in any country town, and ask to have the best doctor sent for, they always send for the man who makes the greatest noise or stir; but if you say, "Is he the cleverest man?" they as instantly reply," Well, sir, there's Mr. So-and-so, who is considered the cleverest man;-but all the principal people have Dr. Bluster."

Now this yielding to public prejudice is cruel, unjust, and most contemptible; and yet, how commonly is it done! What a commentary on man's independence!-he knows and will admit that Mr. So-and-so is the cleverest man, and yet he coolly and deliberately sends for Dr. Bluster because others do!

I know a village in which two doctors take nearly all the practice, and yet their patients are everlastingly exclaiming against their incapacity. Thus will man immolate his family and friends on Fashion's altar. How is it that we so often find doctors applauded, derided, and employed by the same patients? It is this: First, Fashion rules; and then the doctor's mission makes him acquainted with strange things-it places in his hands secrets too dear to be divulged; and thus many, who would be glad to change their doctor, dare not do so.

These popularities, when once well established, are sure to prosper. Each new-comer sends for them, and each inhabitant recommends them. I never knew but one gentleman who, on going to reside in a strange village, had the courage and the manliness to do justice to the medical profession. He took the trouble to ascertain the practical merits of every doctor; and when illness came, he ordered his servant to summon an obscure practitioner. The horror-stricken girl breathed, and looked astonishment; and at length remarked," Please, sir, all the great people in the place have Doctor Swagger." "Very good," was the cool reply; "but I am not a great person, and cannot afford to risk or lose my life to please great people." C'est le premier pas qui coûte. I need not say that in a few years after the doctor was well known in the village.

Never recommend a medical man from your own individual opinion of him. It is always a very delicate and very invidious thing to do; and if by chance he turn out unsuccessful, you will justly and deservedly be blamed. If you feel an itching to recommend a doctor to a stranger, pause a while, and turn it over in your mind. Think, would it not be wiser and far safer to recommend a tailor in his stead? These thoughtless recommendations are unjust, and often keenly

felt by medical men themselves, who know how little you can appreciate their talent. Many a patient has been sacrificed to this desire to serve a friend. I well remember the case of a young and lovely girl, just budding into womanhood, who was ruthlessly sacrificed to officious ignorance! How self-reproach must embitter that man's life who, by his want of skill, deprives a parent of a child, and sends that child to an untimely grave! Would that the hand of Death, while gathering up the victims of the pill and draught, could brand with some enduring mark the guilty doctor!

These unfortunate cases blight the prospects of the whole profession, and affect them all by implication. The deserving and the undeserving are punished alike; but reproach is more keenly felt by the well-educated gentleman.

It is too bad that bungling ignorance should stick its blunted sting into the more sensitive skin of merit and ability.

"Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart

Than when a blockhead's blunder points the dart."

Nothing stings a doctor more than remarks about the length of time his patient has been ill or under treatment; or the fact of death having