It has been well said by Professor Goodsir, that few men come to their principles at such an early age as Mr. Syme. His terseness of writing aided greatly in their propagation, and his practice was extended far and wide by the assurance that “he never wasted a word, nor a drop of ink, nor a drop of blood.” He was great too in his conservation of all parts which might by any dexterity and patience be made useful. His revival of operations for the excision of joints rather than the amputation of limbs is an instance of this. Syme’s operation of amputation at the ankle-joint will always remain in vogue as the least fatal and most useful in surgery. Professor Lister has thus summed up Syme’s character as a surgeon—“A practical surgeon, Mr. Syme presented a remarkable combination of qualities; and we have not known whether to admire most the soundness of his pathological knowledge, his skill in diagnosis, resembling intuition, though in reality the result of acute and accurate observation and laborious experience, well stored and methodised; the rapidity and soundness of his judgment, his fertility in resources as an operator, combined with simplicity of the means employed, his skill and celerity of execution, his fearless courage, or the singleness of purpose with which all his proceedings were directed to the good of his patients.” * * * * * Though his fame has been overshadowed by the greater distinction of Liston and Syme, John Lizars deserves mention, not only as a brilliant operator, but also as a teacher, lecturer, and author. He was fortunate in his instructor, having been the pupil and apprentice of John Bell. After obtaining his qualification in 1808 Lizars became a naval surgeon, and saw good service on the Spanish and Portuguese coasts in Lord Exmouth’s fleet. He left the navy in 1815, and settled in Edinburgh, joining Allan, who lectured on surgery, and taking himself the departments of anatomy and surgery. Later, when this partnership was dissolved, Lizars continued to lecture, adding surgery before long to his programme, and hence being almost incessantly engaged during the prolonged winter session with his daily lectures on each subject. His zeal and method attracted, and retained for years, classes frequently numbering one hundred and fifty. He was obliged after a time to limit his labours when the Edinburgh College of Surgeons decided to recognise lectures in one department only from any given lecturer; and he resigned his anatomical lectures to his brother Alexander, afterwards Professor of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh, and thenceforward lectured on surgery alone. In 1831 John Lizars was appointed Professor of Surgery to the College of Surgeons, a post which he held for eight years. He had previously become surgeon in the Infirmary, and was considerably senior to Liston. The two were not unworthy compeers as regarded brilliancy in operating. Lizars’ ease and coolness under