The native American., 1838-02-03
THE SURGEON OF CALAIS.
Translated from the French.)
AN AMPUTATION.

a surgeon named Louis Theyenet who was not
only distinguished as famous operator In that
city and its vicinity, but was frequently called
across the strait to exercise his talents. He had
long served in the army, and still preserved de-
gree Of roughness in his manners, inseparable
from that profession-though, indeed, this served
only as foil to his natural good disposition. No
one knew Thevenet who did not love him, and,
that very roughness, which, in others, without
such redeeming qualities, would have been disa-
greeable, appeared in our friend, divested of all
the unpleasantness which, under other crcum-
stances, it might have possessed.
One morning, in the season and year above
mentioned, he received written invitation, but
without signature, to repair the next day to a
country house on the road to BARS, and bring
with him all the instruments necessary to ampu-
tation. The time and place were indicated with
the greatest exactness; but Thevenet, somewhat
surprised at the anonymous invitation, did not
comply with it, supposing that one of his friends
wished to have some sport at his expense. Three
days after, he received similar invitation, but
more pressing than the first, and with this addi-
ton, that on the next day at nine o'clock, coach
would be in attendance to carry him to the place
where his presence was required. In fact, the
next day, as the clock struck nine, an elegant
calash presented itself before his door Theyenet
no longer hesitated, but took his seat in the ye-
hicle. 5tefg ,3f M
ITO whose residence do you conduct lneY
said Thevenet to the coachman, he seated
himself ssss tbassA
Things unknown to me am not concerned
for,' returned the other. }ss
s.So,' said Thevenet to himself, sit is an Eng
lishman, eh!' The coach proceeded, and at
length stopped before the door which the note
had described. IN A. as Ati- feiYf
b tF,
who lives in this house, and who is the pa
tient am shout 70 visiti' ssked Thevenet, as he
descended The coachman only repeated the re-
sponse that he had given to the first question,
and our surgeon, now rather impatient, hastened
to enter the house. He was received at the ves-
tibule by fne-looking young man of about
twenty-eight years of age, who conducted him to
a large saloon in one Of the upper stories of the
house. His accent plainly INDICATED that he was
citizen Of England, and our surgeon addressed
him in the language Of his country.
1T is you. then, who have called mel ex-
claimed Theyenet.
Il am very much obliged to you for the trouble
you have taken to visit me- said the Briton.
IF you wish any refreshment before you COM
mence the operation, you will find it on that
table,
sShow me the patient / must first examine if
the operation be necessary.
Y,
II have every confidence In you--listen to me,
then. This purse, containing one hundred guineas,
is your compensation for the operation which you
are about to undertake, whether the result be ia
vorable or not. If you refuse to comply with my
request-you sec this pistol--it is loaded-you
are in my power ela
sSir, I do not fear you or the pistol. But what
do YOU exact Of me! What am to do here!'
You must cut off my right leg
with all my heart and your head also, if it be
necessary! But if / am not deceived, your leg is
sound, for saw you ascend the stairs with all
the lightness imaginable. In what is this fine
limb deficient
In nothing. desire only to lose it,
'Sir, you are fool'
THAT does not concern you, M. Thevenet.'
what disease, then, affects your leg?
sNone; but have you decided to amputate it,
sSir, know you not. Give me some proof
that your reason is not impaired
will you comply with my demand, M. The
venet?
when you have given me a reasonable motive
for this mutilatiOn.' M M sat
il' AT present, may not tell you the truth--in a
year, perhaps; but, sir, will wager anything,
you will then be convinced, that my motives for
disencumbering myself of this limb, were of the
most noble nature
Il Will DO nothing, unless know your name,
residence, rank, and family. saas
You will learn all that one day, but nothing,
now. pray, you, sir, believe me man Of
honor
AN honorable man never forces his surgeon to
any operation by holding loaded pistol to his
head. Besides, have duties to fulfil, even to-
wards you, who are unknown to me, and do not
refnse won without reason. But, if you are de-
sirous TO become the murderer of the father of an
innocent family, here is one in your power-fire.'
We'll, M Thevenet,' said the Briton, taking
the pistol, Il will not fire; but know how can
force you to amputate this leg. That which you
will neither do a. my request, nor for the love Of
gain, nor fear of bullet, you will not at least,
refuse to do for humanity's sake
How so, sirl'
Il am about to break my leg with this weapon,
and under your very eyes
The Englishman sat down, and placed the
muzzle Of the pistol his knee. Thevenet
darted forward to prevent this rash proceeding.
do not approach, said the Briton, TRANQUILITY