"Stay, sir," said the old gentleman; "I shall insist on this, if you please;" in a tone which at once made the surgeon feel that it would be painful and improper to refuse. He accordingly took it. The old gentleman then said, "I am very much obliged to you, sir; for had you not taken your fee, I could not again have the advantage of your advice. I sent for you because I had understood that you were a pupil of Mr. Abernethy's, for whom I could not send again, because he would not take his fee; and I was so hurt, that I am afraid I was almost rude to him. I suppose, judging from the appearance of things here that I could not afford it, he refused his fee; on which I begged him not to be deceived by appearances, but to take it. However, he kept retreating and declining it, until, forgetting myself a little, and feeling somewhat vexed, I said, 'By G—, sir, I insist on your taking it!' when he replied, 'By G—, sir, I will not!' and, hastily leaving the room, closed the door after him." This gentleman has been dead some years. He lived to a very advanced age—nearly, if not quite, ninety—and had many instructive points of character. He was really in very good circumstances; but he lived in a very humble manner, to enable him to assist very efficiently some poor relations. To do this, he saved all that he could; and although he insisted on the surgeon taking a fee when he visited him, he said that he should not hesitate to accept his kindness when he called on the surgeon. The intercourse continued many years; but with rather a curious result. After a time, growing infirmities converted what had been a visit—perhaps once or twice a year—into occasional attendances, when the rule he had prescribed to himself, of paying visits at home, became characterized by very numerous exceptions; and, at last, by so many, that the rule and the exception changed places. The surgeon, however, went on, thinking that the patient could not do other without disturbing existing arrangements. When, however, the old gentleman died, about four hundred guineas were found in his boxes, wrapped up, and in various sums, strongly suggestive of their having been (under the influence of a propensity too common in advancing life) savings, from the somewhat unnecessary forbearance of his medical attendant. We know one other very similar occurrence. Sometimes Mr. Abernethy would meet with a patient who would afford a useful lesson. A lady, the wife of a very distinguished musician, consulted him, and, finding him uncourteous, said, "I had heard of your rudeness before I came, sir; but I did not expect this." When Abernethy gave her the prescription, she said, "What am I to do with this?" "Anything you like. Put it in the fire, if you please."