eons. The painting is still preserved, and may be seen at the
Barber-Surgeons' Hall, Monkwell Street, London. Pepys pronounces this
"not a pleasant though a good picture." It is the largest and last work
of Holbein.

The date assigned for its commencement was 1541, and it was completed
after the death of the artist in 1543. It is painted on vertical oak
boards, 5 ft. 11 in. high, and 10 ft. 2 in. long. It has been slightly
altered since it was delivered to the Barber-Surgeons. The figures
represent notable men belonging to the company and leaders of the
healing art of the period at which it was painted.

[Illustration: Henry VIII. receiving the Barber-Surgeons.]

In the reign of Henry VIII., not a few disputes occurred between the
barbers and the surgeons. The following enactment was in force: "No
person using any shaving or barbery in London shall occupy any surgery,
letting of blood, or other matter, except of drawing teeth." Laws were
made, but they could not, or at all events were not, enforced. The
barbers acted often as surgeons, and the surgeons increased their
income by the use of the razor and shears. At this period, however,
vigorous attempts were made to confine each to his legitimate work.

The Rev. J.L. Saywell has a note on bleeding in his "History and Annals
of Northallerton" (1885). "Towards the early part of the nineteenth
century," observes Mr Saywell, "a singular custom prevailed in the town
and neighbourhood of Northallerton (Yorkshire). In the spring of the
year nearly all the robust male adults, and occasionally females,
repaired to a surgeon to be bled--a process which they considered
essentially conduced to vigorous health." The charge for this operation
was one shilling.

Parliament was petitioned, in 1542, praying that surgeons might be
exempt from bearing arms and serving on juries, and thus be enabled
without hindrance to attend to their professional duties. The request
was granted, and to the present time medical men enjoy the privileges
granted so long ago.

In 1745, the surgeons and the barbers were separated by Act of
Parliament. The barber-surgeons lingered for a long time, the last in
London, named Middleditch, of Great Suffolk Street, Southwark, only
dying in 1821. Mr John Timbs, the popular writer, left on record that he
had a vivid recollection of Middleditch's dentistry.

Over the last resting-places of some barber-surgeons are curious
epitaphs. At Tewkesbury Abbey one in fo