GUY'S HOSPITAL.
fro ERR EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—With reference to the ebullition of feeling on the part of
the students to which you refer to-day, allow me to say that its having been so long delayed is due partly to the restraining influence of the medical staff, but chiefly to the loyalty and self-restraint of the students themselves. No one can justify a. breach of discipline ; but if you knew all the provocations of the last eight months, you would agree with me that they rather deserve credit for their patience, than blame for its having at last given way. You can have no sympathy with the ground- less slanders or the pert insolence with which they have been attacked, and if you compare their conduct with that of Oxford undergraduates, or Woolwich cadets, or Berlin students, the comparison will not be to their disadvantage. The zeal, self- denial, and manly tenderness of their work in our wards are beyond praise, and even after the late unfortunate outbreak, we feel, and the governors of the hospital feel, proud of our students.
With reference to the main controversy, I will only say that your readers would be astonished if they learnt how extremely moderate the demands of the physicians and surgeons are. They do not even ask for a share in the government of the hospital, of which they are the most important officers. They only ask to be consulted before, and not after, mischief has been done. The conciliation you speak of has already been carried by them to the verge of weakness, and their cause is now prejudiced, because it is so hard to make people understand that justice is not giving half of what is asked, but all of what is right.—I am, Sir, &c., [We are very glad to know that the Medical Staff discouraged the demonstration of the students, but we can hardly admit that they had formerly done all in their power in that direction. Our correspondent's own letter to us on a former occasion was just such a letter as, coming from so distinguished a member of the staff, would highly excite the feelings of the students of Guy's, and in our opinion excite it on inadequate and unjust grounds. How- ever, we desire nothing so much as to see all the difficulties in the way of a perfect understanding between an admirable matron and a brilliant medical staff, removed as soon as may be ; and we shall say nothing which can in any way delay that con- summation.—En. Spectator.]
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