280 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. generally disturbed when they find the contrary. But all business is progressive, and the steps now taken may be so calculated as to produce their effect ten years hence. There must be a vacancy before we can get into business, and when there is, the competition must be equal in many points, as age or standing, character for knowledge, industry or readiness to exert our knowledge for the good of our patients, moral qualities, and the like. On the whole, I do not know what any man can do to get patients, but to quahfy himself for business, and then to introduce him- self to the notice of those who are likely to employ him. But it is hard to say, on what hinge this matter may turn, as I see men, in great business, of every disposition, or turn of conduct, and with very different degrees of know- ledge, and some, I think, with very little, but with great appearance of it. What is very hard, and yet I know two or three instances of it, is, that a man shall be esteemed as a friend, acknowledged to be a man of parts, but none of his friends think of employing him in his profession. This I can hardly explain, unless by the old observation, ' he is too good a poet to be a good physician.' You have judged very wisely in getting appointed to the Charity. It must do some good, though hardly ever so much as is expected from it. I know not why the late .Dr. Fothergill said it was a bad thing. With all that can be done, the progress of business must be slow, and may depend upon circumstances which no man can comm.and ; but whatever hap- pens, it is a point both of wisdom to the world, and justice to one's self, not to be put out of humour »"
