"
"Occasionally a body must have been left in two pieces, to puzzle the
ingenuity of those gentry to unite. Yet, venerable and learned as they
were, I doubt not they did it."
"What! unite two parts of the human body, that have been severed by an
edged instrument, to any of the purposes of animal life?"
"That have been rent asunder by a scythe, and are united to do military
duty," said Lawton.
"'Tis impossible--quite impossible," cried the surgeon. "It is in vain,
Captain Lawton, that human ingenuity endeavors to baffle the efforts of
nature. Think, my dear sir; in this case you separate all the
arteries--injure all of the intestines--sever all of the nerves and
sinews, and, what is of more consequence, you--"
"You have said enough, Dr. Sitgreaves, to convince a member of a rival
school. Nothing shall ever tempt me willingly to submit to be divided in
this irretrievable manner."
"Certes, there is little pleasure in a wound which, from its nature, is
incurable."
"I should think so," said Lawton, dryly.
"What do you think is the greatest pleasure in life?" asked the operator
suddenly.
"That must greatly depend on taste."
"Not at all," cried the surgeon; "it is in witnessing, or rather
feeling, the ravages of disease repaired by the lights of science
cooperating with nature.
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