In 1815, he had been appointed surgeon to the hospital, after twenty-eight years' tenure of the assistant surgeoncy; a subject that we merely mention now, as we shall be obliged to revert to it when we consider the subject of the "Hospital System." At the time to which we allude, lecturing had become so easy as to appear little more than amusement to him; yet there were (we speak of about 1816) no signs of neglect or forgetfulness. His own interest in the subject was sustained throughout; but as his unrivalled lecturing will be more fully described, we must not anticipate. Few old pupils visited London without contriving to get to the hospital at lecture time. The drudgery of the early morning anatomical demonstration was taken off his hands by a gentleman who performed his task with credit to himself and with justice to his pupils. Abernethy, at this time, in addition to a successful school, a large and attached class, a solid and world-wide reputation, was receiving numerous proofs that his principles were recognized; that, however imperfectly adopted, they were gaining ground; and that if all his suggestions were not universally admitted, they were becoming axiomatic with some of the first surgeons, both in this and other countries. We think it not improbable that it was somewhere about this period that it was proposed to confer on him the honour of a Baronetcy. We had long been familiar with the fact; but not regarding it as very important, and having nothing in proof of it but the generally received impression, we omitted any reference to it in the first edition of these Memoirs. Finding, however, more interest attached to the circumstance than we expected, we have communicated with the family on the subject, and have ascertained that all the circumstances are fresh in their recollection, although they cannot recall the exact period at which they occurred. His first announcement of the fact to his family was at table, by his jocosely saying: "Lady Abernethy, will you allow me to assist you to—?" &c. Having had his joke, he then formally announced to them the fact, together with the reasons which had induced him to decline the proffered honour—namely, that he did not consider his fortune sufficient, after having made what he regarded as only a necessary provision for his family.