Both the grandfather and the uncle of Astley Cooper, the latter a lecturer at Guy’s, are credited with some share in exciting a surgical bias in the boy’s mind. Visiting the Norwich hospital one day, and seeing a striking operation, he was strongly impressed with the utility of surgery. In 1784 a visit from his uncle, the London surgeon, led to the nephew being articled to him; but his progress here was limited, owing to the attraction which a free town-life had for him at first. One day he was met by his uncle disguised in the uniform of an officer, and the former recognising his nephew, the latter denied all knowledge of him. The detection of this escapade was soon followed by his transfer as a pupil from his uncle to Mr. Cline, who then shared with Abernethy the next honours as a surgeon to John Hunter. Under Cline, young Cooper imbibed the spirit of Hunter’s teaching from one of his most enthusiastic pupils: for Cline’s judgment about Hunter was that there seemed no comparison between his great mind and all who had preceded him. Sir Astley Cooper at a later period thus depicts his old master: “Mr. Cline was a man of excellent judgment, of great caution, of accurate knowledge; particularly taciturn abroad, yet open, friendly, and very conversationable at home. In surgery cool, safe, judicious; in anatomy sufficiently informed. In politics a Democrat, living in friendship with Horne Tooke. In morals thoroughly honest; in religion a Deist. A good husband, son, and father. As a friend sincere, but not active; as an enemy most inveterate.” Young Cooper was soon actively engaged in dissection, and his adventurous nature found scope in many a night-expedition with the body-snatchers or resurrectionists in their search for “subjects.” He spent one winter session (1787-8) at Edinburgh, having already made considerable progress in anatomy and surgery. He greatly appreciated Cullen, Black, and Fyfe. Having returned from Edinburgh, he attended John Hunter and other celebrated lecturers, and in 1789, being only 21, he was appointed demonstrator at St. Thomas’s. Two years later Mr. Cline obtained for him the joint lectureship with himself in anatomy and surgery. In December 1791 he married Miss Anne Cock. The wedding was perfectly quiet owing to the recent death of the lady’s father, and on the evening of the same day Astley Cooper lectured on surgery with his usual composure, without any of his pupils becoming aware of his marriage. In June 1792 the young surgeon and his bride visited Paris, and were there during the three terrible months which followed. Cooper spent much time in studying Parisian methods of surgery and in attending the debates of the National Assembly. His safety was secured by a democratic badge, and by friendship with leading revolutionists in England to whom Cline adhered.