As we are convinced that, _cæteris paribus_, success in medical treatment is indefinitely promoted by both patient and surgeon _clearly understanding_ each other as to _principles_, we think it would be of great use if every medical man, who has any definite principles of practice, were to explain them in short printed digests. Nay, we have sometimes thought it would be useful to both parties, if, in addition to the inquiries and advice given at consultation, a medical man should have brief printed digests of the _general_ nature and relations of most of the well-defined diseases. A careful perusal of one of these would help the patients to comprehend the nature and objects of the advice given, tend to the diffusion of useful knowledge, and in time help them to understand whether their treatment were conducted on scientific views, or merely a respectable sort of empiricism. What is here intended might be printed on a sheet of note paper; and, whilst it would be of great service to the patient, would form _no bad test of the clearness and definite principles of the medical attendant_. There is no doubt that Abernethy did good service by referring patients to his book. It led some to think for themselves, and it also assisted, _pro tanto_, in doing away with that absurd idea which supposes something in medical practice inappreciable by the public. At this time, whilst, with a considerable indifference to money, he was making a large income, still he was obliged to work hard for it. He had as yet no emolument from the Hospital; he was still only an assistant surgeon. The tenacity of office, of which assistant surgeons so commonly complain, they have themselves seldom failed to exercise when they have become surgeons (Mr. Abernethy, however, excepted). The long tenure of office by his senior (Sir James Earle) wearied him, and was at times a source of not very agreeable discussions. On one occasion, Sir James was reported to have given Abernethy to understand that, on the occurrence of a certain event, on which he would obtain an accession of property, he, Sir James, would certainly resign the surgeoncy of the hospital. About the time that the event occurred, he happened one day to call on Abernethy, and was reminded of what he had been understood to have promised. Sir James, however, having, we suppose, a different impression of the facts, denied ever having given such a pledge. The affirmative and negative were more than once exchanged, and not in the most courteous manner. When Sir James was going to take his leave, Abernethy opened the door for him, and, as he had always something quaint or humorous to close a conversation with, he said, at parting, "Well, Sir James, it comes to this: you say that you did not promise to resign the surgeoncy of the hospital; I, on the contrary, affirm that you did: now all I have to add is, —— the liar!"