man had no appreciation of the dignity of a learned profession. He
might constantly be seen compounding medicines in the shop, at the left
hand of his front door; not making experiments philosophically in
materials medica for the benefit of coming ages--which, if he did, he
should have done in the seclusion of his study, far from profane
eyes--but positively putting together common powders for rural bowels,
or spreading vulgar ointments for agricultural ailments.

A man of this sort was not fit for society for Dr Fillgrave of
Barchester. That must be admitted. And yet he had been found to be
fit society for the old squire of Greshamsbury, whose shoe-ribbons Dr
Fillgrave would not have objected to tie; so high did the old squire
stand in the county just previous to his death. But the spirit of the
Lady Arabella was known by the medical profession of Barsetshire, and
when that good man died it was felt that Thorne's short tenure of
Greshamsbury favour was already over. The Barsetshire regulars were,
however, doomed to disappointment. Our doctor had already contrived to
endear himself to the heir; and though there was not even much personal
love between him and the Lady Arabella, he kept his place at the great
house unmoved, not only in the nursery and in the bedrooms, but also at
the squire's dining-table.

Now there was in this, it must be admitted, quite enough to make him
unpopular with his brethren; and this feeling was soon shown in a
marked and dignified manner. Dr Fillgrave, who had certainly the most
respectable professional connexion in the county, who had a reputation
to maintain, and who was accustomed to meet, on almost equal terms, the
great medical baronets from the metropolis at the houses of the
nobility--Dr Fillgrave declined to meet Dr Thorne in consultation. He
exceedingly regretted, he said, most exceedingly, the necessity he felt