the hands of a few eminent practitioners, who had been long established; so that no opening was left for a young man whose merit was yet unknown, who had no powerful connections to assist him on his first outset, and very little of that patient and circumspect activity by which a medical man pushes himself forward in the world. Full of anxiety about the future, Hutton wrote to a friend of his own age on the subject. This was Mr. James Davie, with whom Hutton had been on most intimate terms before leaving Scotland. They had both a great love of chemistry, and had experimented together, especially on the nature and production of ammonia. Their experiments had led to some valuable discoveries, and had been pursued by Mr. Davie during his friend’s absence. They had afforded a reasonable expectation of establishing a profitable manufacture of some salt of ammonia from coal-soot. The project of this establishment was communicated by Mr. Davie to his friend, who was still in London, and it appears to have lessened his anxiety about settling as a physician, and, probably, was one of the main causes of his laying aside all thoughts of that profession. Perhaps, too, on a nearer view, he did not find that the practice of medicine would afford him that leisure for pursuing chemical and other scientific objects which he fancied it would do, when he saw things at a greater distance. In fact, Hutton found himself in the same position as many other men of genius who have pursued as successfully the peculiar studies requisite for an accomplished medical man. Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and botany have often been much more attractive to the aspirant for medical fame than surgery, practical medicine, and the study of drugs and their uses. Many a good doctor has been spoiled by over-education, and science has gained an enthusiastic student. It would appear, however, that there was another cause which was influencing Hutton. He had inherited a little property in land in Berwickshire from his father; it was possible to live on it, and farm and work at chemistry without risk, whilst if he sold it, or used the rent in advancing his position as a medical man, he might fail after all.