The Quatercentenary of the Lumleian Lecture

The letter to Lord Lumley, while expressing the College's gratitude for his part in providing the surgical lectures, explained that all their small stock of money 'shall altogether be emploied in the building of a more convenient place for the lectures. Trusting that it will, please God, to raise someone or other, to put to their furthering help, for the finishing of that which we find ourselves very weak and insufficient to perfurme . . .' The second letter is much more informative, as it is clear that it was Caldwell's idea to establish a surgical lectureship and that he had drawn up the statutes, which Comitia approved, 'saving that we have here and there inserted a word or two, for the plainer explication of your intent'. It also becomes apparent that it was Caldwell's idea to enlarge the College house and that he had offered to be solely responsible for the supervision of the alterations, but Dr Giffard suggested that 'in so great a matter you would joyne unto you, some one or two of the company, who might ease your labor therein, as well with their advice and counsel . . .'