THE HUNTERIAN ORATION. 91
dence I appeal to those most competent to decide,—have been neither more nor less than the carrying out and applying the principles of John Hunter? It will not be the least of their honours who have been engaged in the development of those principles, that they have been eager to look at nature with his eyes, and to appreciate and confirm the truth and simplicity of his views.
Some of these, to whom the profession lies under deep obligations, have already left us, and live in our fresh memories, and the entire dramatis personae will ere long have wrapped their mantles around them and become the Oracles of future ages.
Alas! a month has scarcely elapsed since a member of the Council of this College was almost suddenly taken from us in the prime of life, and health, and usefulness. He was my friend; and in a brief notice of the event I must excuse myself from the performance of a duty, which in ordinary circumstances would fall to my lot, but which a calamity so recent and so unexpected would render unsupportably painful. I am sure that in this audience many hearts throb in unison with mine when I pronounce the death of Henry Earle a public calamity. His knowledge was sound and practical; his zeal was tempered with discretion; he was a skilful surgeon. Of a robust frame and active temperament, he possessed the unspeakable charm of a cheerful temper, and the invaluable qualities of a
