A somewhat amusing illustration of one feature of the hospital system occurred about this time. Sir Astley Cooper had, without the smallest intention to give offence, made some observation on the somewhat too free use of Mercury at that period in the Borough Hospitals. His observations having been misunderstood or misrepresented, he took occasion to remove any idea of intentional offence, by addressing the class. Among other things, he is reported to have said: "Why, gentlemen, was it likely that I should say any thing unkind towards these gentlemen? Is not Mr. Green my godson, Mr. Tyrrell my nephew, Mr. Travers my apprentice" (the three surgeons of St. Thomas's Hospital), "Mr. Key my nephew, Mr. Cooper my nephew?" (surgeons of Guy's)[78]. This was very _naïve_, and is an illustration of the value of evidence in proof of facts having no necessary connection with those it was intended to establish. It is difficult to conceive any one more disinterested than Mr. Abernethy had been in relation to the surgeoncy of the hospital, from the moment at which he was appointed to the hour of his resignation. Although he had waited twenty-eight years as assistant, and not participated in one farthing of the large sums accruing from his reputation in hospital pupil fees—although, too, he had a large family,—yet, so far was he from wishing to indemnify himself for this long exclusion from office by a lengthened tenure of it, that he at once announced his opinion as to the expediency of earlier resignations of the surgeoncies, and his intention of acting on it when he should have attained his sixtieth year. His reasons were liberal and judicious. Amongst others, he said that he had "often witnessed the evils resulting from men retaining the office of surgeons to hospitals when the infirmities of age prevented them from performing their duties in an efficient manner. That, at sixty, he thought they should resign in favour of the juniors," &c.; thus contemplating a tenure of only ten years. Again, he who had founded a school from such small beginnings as could be accommodated in a private house in an obscure neighbourhood (Bartholomew Close), taken for that purpose—who had so increased it, that a theatre was built within the hospital—this again pulled down and rebuilt of enlarged dimensions to receive his increasing audiences—having, too, some time previously made over his museum to the hospital, in trust for the use of the school,—required that his only son (should he _prove competent in the opinion of the medical officers_) should in due time—Do what? Succeed him? No; but be admitted to a _share_ in the lectures.