The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-11-15
Miscellaneous.
From the New York American.
L ii Il NJ EDICAI, STuDENT

via England to climb the Alps, to hear the romantic
legends OF Germany in her dark forests to study
the painters and scuptors Of Italy on her classic soil
10 say nothing OF the visions of dark eyed girls of Sc
Vlle of the sylphs and fairies floating through the
balets and operas of Paris and the midnight adyen
lures in the gondoas of Venice Arriving at Lon
don, fell in WITH and gladly availed myself of the
opportunity to take apartments in the sam house
with my friend Tom, and fellow student Lee. both
Americans, and both completing course of medical
education by attending the lectures of the celebrated
John Hunter.
1t so happened that on the very first evening that
we came together, in conversation upon the peculiar
features of their profession that expressed desire
to visit dissecing room, never having been in one
IN my own country Lee Immediately invited me to
accompany them to the lecture on that evening which
was to be delivered in the rotunda the COLLEGE and
where, by going at early hour, my curiosity could
be satisfied besides the opportunity that could have
OF hearing that eminent surgeon. SO pulling on our
hats and taking umbrellas in our hands, we pIung
cd INTO the dense fog, and CROPPED our way over the
greasy pavements to the college 1t was large build
ing, IN dark and retired court with something in its
very exterior sepulchral and gloomy. Entering the
nall door, we assembled pair of stairs, stopping
for moment as we passed the second story to look
into the large rotunda Of the lecture ROOM The va
cant chair Of the professor standing near the wall
in the Of circular table of such peculiar con-
struction as to admit of elevation and depression in
every part. This table was the one on which the
subjects were laid when under the hands of the de-
monstrator. Two skeletons, suspended by wires
from the ceiling, hung directly over it The room
WAC Of ,,noc MI ell
flight of stairs, we came to third, secured at its
entrance by strong oaken door. This appeared TO
stop farther ascent but by a small bell being pull
eda Of wicket in the upper part of the door was
cautiously drawn aside, discovering the features of
stern looking man, who, apparently satisfied of the
right of the parties to enter, drew two heavy
bolts, and dropping chain, admitted us. A small
table placed at the foot of the stairs, at which by
the light. of lamp this gloomy porter perusing
a book of devotions
Ascending the stairs, it was not until at three sever
al attempts, that enabled to surmount the efIu
via sufficiently to enter the green base door that open
ed into the dssectng As it swung noselcssly
to behind me, the first sensation produced by the
sight, was that of aintness; but it almost Immediate
ly subsidized. There appeared sort of profanity in
speaking aloud, and found myself unconscously ask
ing questions of my friends in low whisper.
On small narrow tables, in different parts of the
large room, which, though lighted by dome in the
centre, required, in the deep darkness of London
fog the additional aid of lamps, were extended some
five and twenty human corpses in different stages of
dissection. Groups of students were silently engaged
with their scalpels in examining these wonderful tenn
pies Of the still more wonderful human soul. Here
II
on the corpse, followed the text upon the human sub
ject, while there. two three together tracing
with patient dstinctness the course of the disease
which had driven the spirit of life from its frai habi-
taon | observed one Oft the professors in his golden
spectacles pointing out number of studetns gath
cred around of the subjects, the evidences of the
ossification Of the great aoa which had after years
of toure necessarily terminated the life of the suffer
There almost as much individuality in those
dead corpes if they had been living, and it requir-
ed the most determined effort on my part to divest
myself of the idea that they sentien land aware
of all that was passing around them. Irecoect,par
ticulary that was lying nearest the door as
tered. 1t was the body of about forty, with
light hair and fair complexion, who had been cut
down in the middle of health. His face as full,
and his skin white, if he had been sleeping but
the knife had passed around his throat, down his
body, and then in sections ways; the internal
muscles having been evidently exposed, and the skin
temporarily replaced, during the casual sbsence of
the dissector. There something peculiarly hor-
rid in the appearance of the CORPSE aside from
rufiany and dissoute expression of the featu the
cash around his throat conveyed the impression that
it was murdered man lying before me. a good
looking, middle aged female was extended just be-
yond her long hair hanging down over the end OF the
table, but as yet untouched by the hand OF the sur
geon; while Just beyond 1.-The body of an old man,
from which the upper part of the skull had been
sawn to take out the BRAIN appeared to be grnning
at us with horrid sort of mirth. In another part Of
the room, directly over which the blackening body
ofan infant thrown across a beam like peace
of old carpet, extended the body ola gigantic
negro. He lay upon his back, his legs somewhat
apart, of his arms thrown up as to rest upon