Household words, No. 20, August 10, 1850 : $b A weekly journal — John Shaqi
Household words, No. 20, August 10, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
General
Household words, No. 20, August 10, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
English literature -- Periodicals
accompaniments of the dissecting-room.
Thus far we have passed through what are in truth the public portions of
the College of Surgeons, just glancing at its museum, unequalled as a
physiological collection by any other in the world. In their surprise at
the curious things it contains, there are many, no doubt, who wonder
also where the things all came from; and what patient men have gone on
since John Hunter’s time, adding to his museum where it was deficient
and keeping all its parts in their present admirable state. Such a
question, if put to the officials, would most likely obtain a very vague
and misty reply; but a glance behind the scenes at the College will
afford an ample and curious explanation, and show how one section of the
Searchers for Facts, silently and unheeded, work on in their
self-chosen, quiet, scientific path—undisturbed by the noises and the
bustle, the excitements and the strife of the modern Babylon, that
heaves and throbs around them.
Leave the handsome rooms, with their clear light, and polish, and air of
neatness, and come with us up the side stair that leads to the unshown
recesses, where, high up in the roof, the workers in anatomy carry on
their strange duties. As we open the side door that leads towards these
secret chambers, we should go from daylight to darkness, were it not for
the gas that is kept burning there. Up the stairs we go, and as we
ascend, the way becomes lighter and lighter as we rise, but the stone
steps soon change for wooden ones, and at length bring us from the
silent stairs to a silent and gloomy-looking passage, having three doors
opening into it, and some contrivances overhead for letting in a little
light, and letting out certain odours that here abound,—greatly to the
discomfort of the novice who first inhales them. We are now in the roof
of the building, and on getting a glimpse through a window, we may see
the housetops are below us, the only companions of our elevation being a
number of neighbouring church-spires.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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