An occurrence, singular, as we hope, took place one day in consultation, showing how comfortably the most questionable things may appear to sit on a man's conscience, if only supported by some _supposed_ sanction from custom. Two surgeons met to consider a case. They differed as to its nature and treatment; as thus—the one thought a certain remedy necessary, and that any prospective consequences on its employment merged into the necessity of the moment; the other thought that remedy wholly unnecessary, and therefore held even the _possibility_ of any prospective mischief, an insuperable objection to its use; conceding, however, that it _might_ possibly, if the treatment were conducted cautiously, be so managed as to secure the patient from the consequences in question; and that, if the patient preferred that course, after the matter had been fairly stated to him, he would superintend the plan. Having retired into another room to consult, they were now again introduced to the patient, when the junior was somewhat startled to hear his senior begin thus: "Well, sir, we have considered your case, and we perfectly agree as to the nature of it." Thinking that this unexpected exordium might possibly be preliminary to some explanation of the points on which they differed, the surgeon waited a minute to hear what followed; but finding that his brother was irremediably misrepresenting the matter, he said: "Stop, let us understand each other!" and then stated what had really happened, and the exact nature of their respective opinions; on which the other, in the coolest manner possible, said: "Yes—exactly, you are quite right!" and so ended the consultation.