The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-01-11
From Graham's Magazine.
A TALE OF THE DISSECTiNG ROOM,
ny JAMES 8. JONES, ESQ.

accosted by gentleman one day in one OF the
most fiequented streets, who inquired if he did not
recognize him ms one of his students in past years
The Professor replying inihe negative t" tho last
question, the gentleman inquired his lodgings, ex
cused his abrupt departure, pressing engagements
| calling his immediate attention, bade him good
day promising to call upon him soon, and disap
pearcd among the crowd.
The Professors attention was called TO the re-
marks of an eminent surgeon, whom he had Just
encountered and who had proposed that morning
| to visit the Hotel Deu, OF the most popular
| receptaces in Paris for unortunates who need the
relief that surgery promises. Interesting exper
| iments were to be tred.-Limbs amputated against
time in the different styles of rival practitioners,
with regard to the feelings ofthe sufferers and
without real benefits to the candidate for fame in
the Of the pei and callin. The operating
Theatre ola great Hosp ital has its farces as well
as tragedies, the actors in the frs. named species
of the surgical drama, fortunately the most
numerous. It is 10 be regretted that science so
important TO society that dispensing The bounties
of medicine and surgery should be so little cared
| for, except by those who make it profession OF
choice Its history, the records Of its progress and
changes, in its journals and text books, though de-
signed for the practical students not shut out
! in modern days, from any who wish TO under
stand the pri nciples of the healing art To
most people, the theme is unattracve-tho word
anatomy conjures up myriads Of repulsve spectres
to the general mind; content to study
every thing but themselves, and consequently
| ignorant of the means to govern with safety their
ply steal condition, or guard against the attacks Of
disease through the contingencies of lie. Many
practitioners inculcate the general knowledge OF
| A.
his own doctor, is not to follow of course.
| The Professor and his friend, after witnessing
and listening 10 collateral remarks by a popular
surgeon, left the hosptal-When they were in
the street, they received the passing salutaous Of
the gentleman who he'd previously claimed the
Professors notice as former student. DO you
know that person. asked the Professor of his COM
panion; Il met him for the first time to my knowI-
edge few days since. lie claims to have been a
student Of mine in former yoars-bu have not
| the faintest recoilec ton Of him. HE is Mer-
chant, replied the other, distinguished for his
terprise and iberality and commands respect equal
to any of his class foreigner with whom have
no personal acquaintance Professor-then
recounted the particulars Of their brief interview
the conversation oninued on various subjects
they reached the Hotel where the Professor had
rooms, and both entered
The Merchant had not lost sight Of the Professor;
and in a short time they met again the street.
| The Merchant accosted him. 'My dear sir, the
business of the day with me is over, entrcat you
to honor me with your company at dinner TO day,
in my house. Observing the Professors surprise,
. he continued, 1T is strange sir, that you do not
recognize me; am under great obligations to you
come with me and pledge you my word will
| cow ince you of the fact. you say you was
my student: that may he, but that have done you
any particular service seems to Incredible, with
my entire ignorance Of your person. Il
student of yours and the precepts you taught me
have practsed with success. Will you attend
me?'
Il will--the gentlemen who have given me the
opportunity TO instruct them in the artf profess
have certainly been many, and its hardly to be
expected that could retain the countenances of
all in memory, their names land by the rye
don't recolect fyour having made me acqualn
ted with yours yet 'There is my mercantile card
sir-come, attend me, tbs near my dinner hour.
) Before part you shall an old ac-
quaintance.' Taking the arm of the Professor they
proceeded on their way.
The doors of elegant apartment opened, as
the Merchant and tat Professor entered the room,
two beautiful children, boy and girl, ran to wei
come their father and 10 receive their accustomed
, kiss The Professor with the characteristic kind
ness Of his profession remarked kissing the bloom
ing cheeks of each, GLOW healthy, sir, your chill
dren appear, for by their strong resemblance am
sure they are yours Twill please my wife to
hear you say so-they are mine, SIR beautiful
woman dressed for dinner, entered somewhat
hastily at this moment, but upon seeing stranger
about retiring. 'IleIe, sir is their mother land
my wie--Lou isu-my friend the Professor of A
, ma lomy; that you have heard me mention SO often
as my great bcnefactor.
The lady approached taking his offered hand
and with one Of the sweetest voices that ever pro-
cee!ed from the lips of woman, welcomed him to
her house
The Professors astonishnent increased every
moment at the attentions paid To him and the res
ception he had met with in family that he had
, not the most distant recollection OF even common
acquaintance. 1t evident to him that SOM
great mystery was 10 be unraveed,or great mis-
, take had been made by the Merchant