The first thing, in consulting Abernethy, if you were a medical man, was to be clear, and "well up" in the nature of the case; and the next thing, not to state any opinion, unless you were prepared to give a good reason for it. These conditions premised, we never saw any one more unaffectedly deferential to the opinion of another. A surgeon took a serious case to him, in which the question was as to the removal of a large tumour in the neck, which seemed to be acquiring connections of such depth and importance as to threaten (should that step be desirable) to render the removal of it impossible. The patient was advised to allow his surgeon in ordinary to state his case, and to interrupt him only if he omitted anything in regard to it within the patient's knowledge. This was done; the general habits of the patient described, with the difference which had existed antecedent to the age of thirty, and subsequently thereto. Mr. Abernethy examined the tumour. To the SURGEON. It is parotid, is it not? SURGEON. I think not, sir. ABERNETHY (_hastily_). Why not? SURGEON. Because, sir, reflecting on the depth and situation of the parotid gland, I should hardly expect the tumour to be so moveable. ABERNETHY. Ah, I see! Very well. (Then to the patient). Well, sir, I should advise you to attend to your general health, and continue to follow Mr. ——'s advice on that subject. What I say is—— (Then followed a short lecture on the digestive organs.) PATIENT. Do you think, sir, I shall get rid of it? ABERNETHY. Nay, I cannot tell that. But now suppose you pursue a plan steadily, say for a month, and the tumour does not increase, will it not be encouraging to you? PATIENT. Certainly, sir. ABERNETHY. Well, then, try it; for if its removal should become necessary, you will at least be in better condition for the operation. If it does not get larger, or otherwise inconvenience you, let it alone. The patient had heard so much of Abernethy's roughness, that he came away equally pleased and astonished. A surgeon took a Colonel in the army to him, with a case which was progressing fairly, but, as he conceived, in consequence of the patient not paying so much attention to his health as he was recommended to do, not so satisfactorily as he desired. The Colonel briefly stated his case. ABERNETHY. Show me your tongue. Ah! that is bad enough. COLONEL. You are quite right there. ABERNETHY. Well, man, I don't require to be told that. Here the surgeon stated the treatment, which had, in addition to attention to the general health, involved some local administrations, of which, in general, Abernethy approved, but, as it would seem, not in this case. His difference of opinion he thus stated, in the presence of the patient: