An introductory address on the future of St. Thomas's Hospital : delivered at the hospital in the Surrey Gardens on the occasion of the opening of the session of its Medical and Surgical College, October 1st, 1862 / John Syer Bristowe.

  • Bristowe, John Syer, 1827-1895.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory address on the future of St. Thomas's Hospital : delivered at the hospital in the Surrey Gardens on the occasion of the opening of the session of its Medical and Surgical College, October 1st, 1862 / John Syer Bristowe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tion was one that did not meet with the approval of his conscience. To satisfy a scruple, in which many a man would not share, he threw up his means of livelihood, and became a poor man. I have known him, since that time, for many years; but never yet saw him act otherwise than in accordance with the spirit which dictated this great pecuniary sacrifice; I never yet saw him swerve, in obedience to any selfish instinct, from the strictest principles of duty, of justice, and of truth. I am not apt to be reverential, but I do pay sincere homage to the moral heroism of this man, who has obtained, in the face of great difficulties, such mastery over himself, who ever judges himself more harshly than he judges his neighbour, and who, by first curbing himself, has acquired such strange influence for good over the pupils of this school. I fear, I should scarcely fulfil my duty, I should certainly not fulfil my wishes, were I to leave this post, without addressing a few words to the students I see around me. I cannot now say much; but I trust that paucity of words will not be mistaken for deficiency of interest in their welfare, or of personal regard for themselves. To the new faces which have come among us, I beg, on the part of my colleagues, and of myself, to offer a hearty welcome, and to assure them that if they strive earnestly to acquire knowledge here, and to do their duty in other respects also (as I have no doubt they will), they will find in us not only teachers, but friends, and friends, I trust, anxious and able to assist them. To those who are now in the midst of their studies, who were with us in the old Hospital, and have accompanied us hither, I beg, also to give a friendly greeting, and to express the hope, that in the changes which have occurred, they will find that their interests have been fully considered, and that our future relations may be as pleasant as the past have been. To those who stand here for the last time, who sever with to-day’s ceremony their connection with the Hospital, who go hence to the various spheres of usefulness in which they will have to labour, I beg, while regretting our separation, to offer warm con¬ gratulations on their hitherto success, to express the wish that their future careers may be prosperous and happy, and that the friendships which have arisen between us may survive, and form in after years some of those sunny recollections which give such charms to the contemplation of the past. I beg finally to thank you, Mr. Treasurer, for so kindly presiding on the present occasion; and you, ladies and gentlemen, for the in¬ dulgence which you have accorded me.