, 1859-11-18
A LIVE SUBJECT.

tory, each Of which comprises lifetime OF nor.
ror. Only three short weeks ago, ! was one OF
the gayest students of medicine and surgery in
the United States. To-day-well, let me not
anticipate. So
Two years have elapsed since was sent from
Mobile, by my father, to study medicine ct the
North. listened to my first course Of lectures
in Philadelphia, and there made the acquaintance
Of Professor who is probably the best dem
onstrator in physiology that ever taught the
young idea how to shoot, ALPHABETICALLY, on his
side Of the Atlantic. was fortunate enough to
become particular iayorits Of his, and was intro
duced by him to one Of the cleverest surgeons
in, think, the world. His name is -.
will call him the Professor, however. He is
one Of those individuals for whom you at once
conceive great dislike or wonderful partially /;
and It was the latter, OF the first time we met,
felt for him.
He was o strange being; at least be seemed
so to me on our first meeting, and forever after
under the influence Of drink, he would let fall
curious hints concerning "blighted hopes"
"the rascality Of kindred" and "the folly Of sup
posing any affection sprang from the ties Of con-
sanguinity." On Ont Of these communicative oc-
casions he told me heart-rendlng history Of
family experiences. gathered, by piccemeal
from his conversations, the fact that one Of his
own blood had treated him most heartlcssly, and
driven him, BY fraud Of the grOssest character,
from his native place to this country, pennicss
and iriendless
ought to say, en- passdnt, that bis drinking
bouts were conducted strictly upon the gentle
manly plan, aud were seldom or never made
known to the public, or even to the majority Of
those who ranked among his immediate lrieds !;
and furthermore, should remark that he is well
advanced in years, although no doubt you know
that already.
"My evil spirit is upon me-" he would some
times say to uIe, and then he would illustrate, in
his conduct and manner, the most singular phases
oil hypochondria ever saw.
II appears that he was born In the town Of
c. Il must BE- guarded, for am now violating
contidence) and was unfortunate enough, con-
sidering the laws which give the elder brother
everything, to be ushered into the world after
his brother John. For this .ffeT0 he felt the in
tensest affection. To him he confided history
Of his hopes; 70 him he looked more than 70
his infirm father for advice; to him he commu-
nicated narrative Of his love, and Of his sue
cessful woOing. The maiden Of his choice was
beneath him IN wealth and station, but his brother
approved Of that choice, and be was content
Il is necessary to my object, In penning this
narrative only to state that the elder brother So
uuCcu tuo kuIR IOooGu Uy = hoAA VI Wv OaoSos
character her honorable lover of all his means,
(also reducing the old father to penury by forge
res) and then decamped, taking the girl along
to Italy.
"Did you never take vengeance upon the Sc
ducer" inquired, when he related these facts
to me.
al did not regard either Of them as being wOr.
thy Of my anger" he replied; "and ! never FOL.
lowed them an inch"
"Did you ever hear from themH" Iasked.
"Yes, several times; the last news ! got was
to the effect that she had become shameless and
besOtted, and was living in condition Of public
infamy in Paris-of course be- hadleii her."
"And hei"
Had become gambler wrote to me, .
thief" (Here he shuddered.) Certain Il was,
be had dsquandered al Of his ill-gotten means"
This was all could gather Of bis early and do
nestle history. But to the point Of my cOmmu-
Three weeks ago, the professor was to explain
to US all 10 class Of studentsl certain condition
Of the human stomach, and be was to do this
practically in the dissecting-room. There was
dispute as TO the propriety Of some Of the late
DR.. Marshall Halls teachings with reference 10
the divisions Of the nervous system, and the
Professor was to settle the dispute, scalpel in
hand The division Of DR.. Hall, permit me TO
say, arranges the nervous system into three sec
tiOls; the cerebral, or sentiment voluntary; the
true spinal, or excitomotOr, and the gangliOnic,
or nutrient or secretOry.
The Professor Is one Of the most skillfGl Of
lecturers, and precise and handsome demon
strator. His devotion to the anatomical branch
Of medical science, amounts to almost . mono
mania. The patience with which lie will work
around aud elaborate the smallest preparation
fnr his cahiunk ia a,iipr.lka
Connected with the moOted questions concern
ing tho stomach were others which It Is unnec-
esSary (Or me to describe; but they made it i'm
perative that the body 10 be disseeted should be
that Of male adult somewhat aged.
Thenight arrived. Wewere all in our dissect-
ing-Ioom apparel. The body, entirely nude and
completely covered with cloth, as it is the Gus
tom, lay upon the table, and We impatiently
awaited the Professors arrival.
The conduct ofstudents In the dissecting-room
is not as presume the most Of your readers
know, from the many able medical sketches you
have published, particularly dignified. In fact,
Il is, in view Of the sad proofs Of our wretched
hvlplcSsncss and mortality spread around, frivol-
Gus, disgusting, and utterly at variance with the
scene and the legitimate purposes Of the assem-
blage. Rude jests, profanity, the incorporate
use Of ardent spirits pipe-smoking, etc, are
practiced and indulged in by al, or nearly all.
On this night, we were in the widest spirits; ;
and when, soon after the hour appointed, The
Professor entered he found US engaged in the most
animated series Of laughs at the spectacle Of .
lighted cigar stuck between the lips Of halfdis-
sected negro.
The Professor seemed to be as joyful as the
students. He regaled US with several anecdotes,
more pointed than polite, but calculated To in
spire the heartiest mirth. perceived that he
was in his best mood. There he was perfect
picture Of man Of science, unbending, for the
moment from the dignities Of his station, 50 as
to insure feeling Of ease TO those who had con-
gregated to receive his instructions. And ease
IN the presence Of the precePtOr, lot me tell you,