presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn.”
It was not until after an interval of years from the period of Hunter’s death, nor without much solicitation, that the Government became masters of the sacred treasure which was committed in trust to the guardianship of this College. And to what protection, let me ask, could it so properly have been consigned, or with such reciprocity of benefit? Enormous sums have been cheerfully expended upon its conservation, and strenuous efforts have been made, and of late years redoubled, to convey to the scientific world a just appreciation of its value. On the other hand, this splendid Collection exhibits copious and conclusive evidence of the truth of those principles and doctrines, which have mainly contributed to raise the character of British Surgery to the exalted position which it holds among the nations of Europe.
To elucidate this statement it may be useful to take a short retrospect of the rise and progress of the art.
The history of surgery demonstrates, as might a priori be expected, that its improvement has been progressive in a ratio corresponding to the knowledge of the structure and uses of the parts of which the human frame is composed. In the time of Hippocrates it was a profanation to touch the dead body, except in the funereal ceremonies ; and when, centuries afterwards, Galen arrived at Alexandria for the purpose
