_Mr. Thomas_ observed, that he had not intended to say any thing at the present meeting; but as Dr. Shiel, in the course of his speech, had thought proper to make some remarks tending to calumniate Mr. Wakley's witnesses on the trial, of which he was one, he felt called upon to say a few words (hear, hear!). Dr. Shiel seemed to consider them all as the mere scum of the earth--as a miserable band, collected together to support Mr. Wakley, whatever might be the consequence; as though he was desirous of going the whole length of the Medical Gazette, which stigmatised them for what it called "their deep-laid contrivances--their rankling enmities, and their bitter revenge." For himself he could say, that it was not till the evening previous to the trial that he had been supœnaed, and that he had previous to that time never seen Mr. Wakley. _Dr. Shiel_ said that he could not have alluded to the gentleman who was speaking, as he did not even know his name. _Mr. Thomas_ then went on to observe, that as Dr. Shiel appeared to be the advocate of the opposite party, he also supposed that he was a contributor to the aristocratical (Medical) Gazette ("No, no!" from Dr. Shiel). If he were not, at all events he had put forward ideas that were quite consonant to the sentiments expressed in that Journal. In giving his testimony, he had not spoken of the instruments employed in the operation, but of his own impression on the subject, having been present thirty-five minutes; and that impression certainly was, that the operation had been performed in a bungling and unscientific manner (loud applause, mingled with hisses). Was he then, because he happened to be a witness on the occasion, to be put down, pell-mell, by the unfounded imputations of any one? The highly-principled, honourable-minded Medical Gazette, that had determined never to admit any personalities, had loaded Mr. Wakley and Mr. Lambert with all sorts of abuse. Was this what they intended to call acting on principle (applause, and cries of "No, no!")? He certainly had heard that Mr. B. Cooper was an amiable man in private life; but what had that to do with the question at issue? What had they to do with the private character of a man in a public office (cheers)? Surely the witnesses of Mr. Wakley were as competent to speak of the manner in which the operation was performed as those who had not been present (applause); and as he had seen many operations performed he conceived that he was a competent judge of the skill of the operator (applause).