The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-01
TRIuMpH oF scIENcR.

roul Ol us are SlCtlnS m the pay Wln- dow of the hotel. There was England, the landscape painter; Harrison, the civil engineer; Eardley Britton. the pro- lessor of physiology, and myself.
 Outside there was whisk of rain in the air The surf was coming up thun- derously on the beach, fifty yards away. Dusk had fallen very rapidly, and far out at sea the lightships chal- lenge flashed at regular intervals. We lit our pipes. Politics had been discus- sed, books talked over and nothing re- mained but the last refuge of the weary story telling.
 Harrison tried to thrill us with pro- foundly uninteresting tale of bridge judged by him to be safe, which had gone down five minutes after Cor was it before?) he had tested it. England told at great length a narrowing recital of the loss and recovery of one of his own pictures. which some presumably bad judge of painting had stolen. To im- part little life 10 the gathering, told very good story, thoroughly original about stopping at an inn on the slopes of the Black Forest mountains; how I had not liked the landlords appearance, and how he very nearly robbed and murdered me, but for my presence of mind in leaving the inn next morning. Strange to say, this story also fell flat, and so we asked Britton for a tale. He smiled sadly, and puffed away at his pipe.
 "Ah, we'll" he said. "You fellows may laugh, but I've had one stirring adventure in my time, young as I am" It is hardly necessary for me to state that Britton's discoveries in brain phy- siology had won him his D. Sc. of Lon- don university at the age of twenty-six, and that his further success had given him worldwide fame). T have never told this to anyone before" went on Britton, "as I've always felt rather ner- vous about it. But it's five years ago now, so think I'll venture, if you care to listen. Charge your pipes, please. There's some Latakai here, if you care to try it.
 Tt was just after I got my D. Sc. I went straight to Leipsic to study under Virhoff. I had good recommendations from Crane Thompson and other big lights. Taking one thing with another, I felt on good terms with myself when I stepped out of the train at the Schloss- vein terminus. I first hunted for lodg- ings, but they all seemed full, till I at last turned down a street of dark, tall houses, and in the window of one stood the welcome announcement that lodg- ings were to be let within The place suited me admirably, especially as there was large rambling room under the roof, which I saw at once would be the very thing for my laboratory. So ho6 " two, oh ond quite at home. Of course, quickly in- troduced myself to the great Virhoff. He was a man about seventy years of age, white haired, venerable and with a look of gentle, placid serenity on his face He had, in fact, what you would call thoroughly benevolent apepar- ance, and child would trust him at first sight. I can't tell you how kindly he received me, or how quickly he put me at my ease. He soon got me to talk to him about my work, and I could see he was surprised at it's extent. I went home highly delighted with my recep- tion, as you may suppose. had looked for some soured old votary of science and 10! a genial old philanthropist.
 During the next six months work ed hard and found the benefit of such teaching as Virhoff could undoubtedly give. On certain phases of brain phy- siology he was sublime, and would have inspired clod. Now, all this time I was busy in my spare moments on the 'medulla oblongata' and it's functions. and I thought something might come of my researches in that direction, though, truth to say, had very hay notions about what did come at last. But I was very shy about this private work of mine, and, although talked freely enough with my master on other topics, did not say anything about my pet subject Looking back now, can think of no other reason than shyness.
 lone day, however, after an unusually brilliant lecture of Virhoff's, I waited for him, and we sauntered down the street together his arm resting affec- tionately in mine. Neither spoke for some time, so at last he said playfully Well, my young friend, you seem dull to-day. Is is that you are in what you English call "a brown study?' was thinking said I, moved to a sudder confidence of some researches I have been recently making. 'Ah, yes,' he said, inquiringly, in what direction? Well, master I replied I have beer doing what many men before me have tried to do; that is, find out the precise function of the medulla oblongtat. As said the words, felt my arm violently pressed by that of the old man, as if he had felt a sudden electric shock l looked up in surprise. Pardon me- he said, it is a slight affection of the heart to which I am subject. You were say ing'--- But, master replied, this is dangerous. Have you consulted any, one?' No! no!' he cried, mpatiently Don't think any more about it. You were saying something about some little researches of yours. You must let me come to see your laboratory. Perhaps I may be able to give you some hints l thanked him effusively, and we bade farewell at the corner of my street
 "A few weeks passed away, and l was getting feverishly anxious. My experiments were turning out even more successfully than I had hoped. and ligh, was beginning to dawn on me l saw the goal Of my hopes very near at hand I strove hard to be methodical in my work and each series of experiments