red them? Above all,
what becomes of the theological aspect of the question, when he asserts
that a practitioner was "only unlucky in meeting with the epidemic
cases?" (Op. cit. p. 633.) We do not deny that the God of battles
decides the fate of nations; but we like to have the biggest squadrons
on our side, and we are particular that our soldiers should not only say
their prayers, but also keep their powder dry. We do not deny the agency
of Providence in the disaster at Norwalk, but we turn off the engineer,
and charge the Company five thousand dollars apiece for every life that
is sacrificed.

Why a grand jury should not bring in a bill against a physician who
switches off a score of women one after the other along his private
track, when he knows that there is a black gulf at the end of it, down
which they are to plunge, while the great highway is clear, is more than
I can answer. It is not by laying the open draw to Providence that he is
to escape the charge of manslaughter.

To finish with all these lesser matters of question, I am unable to see
why a female must necessarily be unattended in her confinement, because
she declines the services of a particular practitioner. In all the
series of cases mentioned, the death-carrying attendant was surrounded
by others not tracked by disease and its consequences. Which, I would
ask, is worse,--to call in another, even a rival practitioner, or to
submit an unsuspecting female to a risk which an Insurance Company would
have nothing to do with?

I do not expect ever to return to this subject. There is a point of
mental saturation, beyond which argument cannot be forced without
breeding impatient, if not harsh, feelings towards those who refuse to
be convinced. If I have so far manifested neither, it is well to stop
here, and leave the rest to those younger friends who may have more
stomach for the dregs of a stale argument.

The extent of my prefatory remarks may lead some to think that I attach
too much importance to my own Essay. Others may wonder that I should
expend so many words upon the two productions referred to, the Letter
and the Lecture. I do consider my Essay of much importance so long as
the doctrine it maintains is treated as a question, and so long as any
important part of the defence of that doctrine is thought to rest on
its evidence or arguments. I cannot treat as insignificant any opinions
bearing on life, and interests dearer than life, proclaimed year