The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-12


Though 'twere TO buy world of happy days;
So full of dismal terror was the time"
Richard III.
Many years ago. before the facilities for pro-
fesslonal education were as great in shis coun-
try as they are at present, was pursuing my
medical studies at one of the Universities on
the Continent of Europe. Subjects for dis
section were at that time obtained with con-
siderable difficulty from the hospitals, on ac
count of an excited state of public feeling on
the subject, similar to that which has since
frequently prevailed in different parts of this
country; consequently, whenever, after
world of trouble, we had obtained any bodies
tor the amphitheatre, We were compelled to
observe the strictest secrecy among ourselves,
and to watch them with the greatest caution,
to prevent the discovery of the fact or an at
tempt at rescue in case of such discovery
The exhibitors of anatomy, who were usu-
ally young medical men who had received
their diplomas, but who continued their con-
nection with the institution for further pros
ecution Of their studies, were charged in turn
with the duty of watching with the bodies
1t happened one evening that one of these
young gentlemen, with whom l was intimate
at the time, was appointed to spend the night
in the exercise of this unenviable prerogative.
This was particularly annoying to him, as he
had received an invitation to ball for that
same evening, and was anxious to attend it.
l may here remark, ten PEASANT" that the
most unaccountable prejudice which now pre-
walls both in France and Italy against medical
men, and which, particularly in the latter
country. excludes them as a class from min
Cling otherwise than professionally with re-
fined society, did not then maintain in the
town where the institution to which belong
ed was situated. The young physician en-
joyed equal social privileges with the educated
man of any other profession. -.-.t......
To return. My friend lamented his i'll luck
in my presence with free out-pouriDg of his
regret that he had not been able to find a sub
stitu to take his place in the dissecting room,
and remarked in bantering way, that were it
not for my youth and tmidity, he should ask
the favor of me. must confess that had no
particular ambition in that way, but yet felt
still less disposed to be tauntcd with an un-
manly weakness of nerve, real or supposed
and accordingly volunteered with most ex-
cellent grace to exchange my snug chambers
and comfortable bed for a solitary watch with
the dead.
About nine o'clock, my friend, after having
dressed himself deliberately for the expected
entertainment, called at my room to accom-
Iany me to the amphitheatre.
1t was a cold, cherries autumn evening"
The atmosphere had all the asperity of winter,
without its bracing elasticity. Such as it was,
had been for the last three or four days-a
heavy, steady rain, interrupted from time to
tine with gusty showers-accompa with
OCCASIONAL thunder, which cheated you into
tht belief that the storm was about to break
uH but which gradually softened down into
tn same monotonous dripping. Of all posi-
bl weather, it was precisely That which re-
qdres the most cheerful associations to keep
TN spirits in tune. A good fire, a pipe, and a
rom full of jolly companions, were the only
possible non conductors to the gloomy infu-
EMP of outdoor things. l must confess, that
as! slept into the carriage with my friend, my
heHt rather failed me, rejecting upon the un-
pr@is'ng auspices under which l had volun-
teeed for so unenlivening an undertaking.
he dissecting amphitheatre, as is usually
thGase. was situated in the upper story of
theu,lding. 1t was only lighted by sky
ligl from above, there being no lateral win
dow. A cheerful wood fire was burning on
theearth as we entered. The subjects, which
wei five in number, were lying on an ordina-
ry ssecting table. Two placed side by side
conituted the first stratum two others were
in Ike manner placed upon these and the fifth
bod upon the last, forming, as it were, the
apelof the pyramid. Drawing up our chairs
to te fire, we remained for some time chat.
tingpon Indifferent topics-I at least making
an aort to keep up an animated conversation,
in der to cheat my companion out of the
lonst possible time before ne left me for the
nigh
Aaength church clock in the 'neighbor-
hoostruck ten, and my friend, springing up,
proated that he must be off Immediately. l
pleafor another half hour of his company,
urgis the improperly of his going to large
ball so unreasonable an no r. 1t was of no
use nc perceived easily enough that my real
moth for wishing to detain him was of a
moreelfsh character; and sort of waggish
| maliousness was a sufficient incentive on his