236 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. them, but in which he probably outstripped them all. His first choice of a profession seems to have been in favour of the Church, but the emi- nence of his maternal uncle, William Hunter, decided him to embrace the more anxious pursuit of medicine. In the mean time, he obtained one of the Scotch exhibitions at Balliol College, Ox- ford, where he resided to complete his general education, while his vacations were also advan- tageously passed under the roof of his uncle, in London. Under auspices so favourable, he soon hecame a proficient in anatomy, and commenced as a demonstrator, in the anatomical school of his uncle, only two years after entering upon the study of that science. For the progress he had so rapidly made he was greatly indebted to the assi- duous instruction of his kind preceptor, who spared no pains in cultivating in his young pupil that habit of ready and exact explanation of every subject he treated, for which Baillie was in after life so remarkable. The manner he adopted, it is related, was as follows: — " Matthew, do you know anything of to-day's lecture?" demanded Dr. Hunter of his nephew. " Yes, sir, I hope I do."
- ' Well then, demonstrate to me." " I will go
and fetch the preparation, sir." " Oh no, Matthew, if you know the subject really, you will know it whether the preparation be absent or present." After this short dialogue, Dr. Hunter would stand with his back to the fire, while the young Baillie demonstrated the subject of the lecture which had just been delivered ; and then the student was en- couraged by approbation and assistance, or imme- diately upon the spot convicted of having carried
