but the young man was fertile in expedients.he said that we could easily make some excuse, promising her something more perfect, and in making two or three impressions, could slip one away for him.this was by no means a bad suggestion, at least so far as he was concerned, but we had some qualms of conscience.while we were deliberating, a matter was introduced which perhaps lay as near doctor cabots heart as the young lady did that of our friend.that was a pointer or setter dog for hunting, of which the doctor was in great want.the gentleman said he had onethe only one in meridaand he would give it for the portrait.it was rather an odd proposition, but to offer a dog for his mistresss portrait was very different from offering his mistresss portrait for a dog.it was clear that the young man was in a bad way; he would lay down his life, give up smoking, part with his dog, or commit any other extravagance.the case was touching.the doctor was really interested; and, after all, what harm could it do? the doctor and i went to look at the dog, but it turned out to be a mere pup, entirely unbroken, and what the result might have been i do not know, but all farther negotiations were broken off by the result of our outofdoor practice and disgust for the business.there is no immediate connexion between taking daguerreotype portraits and the practice of surgery, but circumstances bring close together things entirely dissimilar in themselves, and we went from one to the other.secluded as merida is, and seldom visited by strangers, the fame of new discoveries in science is slow in reaching it, and the new operation of mons.guerin for the cure of strabismus had not been heard of.in private intercourse we had spoken of this operation, and, in order to make it known, and extend its benefits, doctor cabot had offered to perform it in merida.the merida people have generally fine eyes, but, either because our attention was particularly directed to it, or that it is really the case, there seemed to be more squinting eyes, or biscos, as they are called, than are usually seen in any one town, and in merida, as in some other places, this is not esteemed a beauty; but, either from want of confidence in a stranger, or a cheap estimation of the qualifications of a medico who asked no pay for his services, the doctors philanthropic purposes were not appreciated.at least, no one cared to be the first; and as the doctor had no sample of his skill with him, no subject offered.we had fixed the day for our departure; and the evening but one before, a direct overture was made to the doctor to perform the operation.the subject was a boy, and the application in his behalf was made by a gentleman who formed one of a circle in which we were in the habit of visiting, and whom we were all happy to have it in our power to serve.the time was fixed at ten oclock the next day.after breakfast our sala was put in order for the reception of company, and the doctor for the first time looked to his instruments.he had some misgivings.they were of very fine workmanship, made in paris, most sensitive to the influence of the atmosphere, and in that climate it was almost impossible to preserve anything metallic from rust.the doctor had packed the case among his clothing in the middle of his trunk, and had taken every possible precaution, but, as usual upon such occasions, the most important instrument had rusted at the point, and in that state was utterly useless.there was no cutler in the place, nor any other person competent to touch it.mr.catherwood, however, brought out an old razor hone, and between them they worked off the rust.at ten oclock the doctors subject made his appearance.he was the son of a widow lady of very respectable family, about fourteen years old, but small of stature, and presenting even to the most casual glance the stamp of a little gentleman.he had large black eyes, but, unluckily, their expression was very much injured by an inward squint.with the light heart of boyhood, however, he seemed indifferent to his personal appearance, and came, as he said, because his mother told him to do so.his handsome person, and modest and engaging manners, gave us immediately a strong interest in his favour.he was accompanied by the gentleman who had spoken of bringing him, dr.bado, a guatimalian educated in paris, the oldest and principal physician of merida, and by several friends of the family, whom we did not know.preparations were commenced immediately.the first movement was to bring out a long table near the window; then to spread upon it a mattress and pillow, and upon these to spread the boy.until the actual moment of operating, the precise character of this new business had not presented itself to my mind, and altogether it opened by no means so favourably as daguerreotype practice.not aiming to be technical, but desiring to give the reader the benefit of such scraps of learning as i pick up in my travels, modern science has discovered that the eye is retained in its orbit by six muscles, which pull it up and down, inward and outward, and that the undue contraction of either of these muscles produces that obliquity called squinting, which was once supposed to proceed from convulsions in childhood, or other unknown causes.the cure discovered is the cutting of the contracted muscle, by means of which the eye falls immediately into its proper place.this muscle lies under the surface; and, as it is necessary to pass through a membrane of the eye, the cutting cannot be done with a broadaxe or a handsaw.in fact, it requires a knowledge of the anatomy of the eye, manual dexterity, fine instruments, and mr.catherwood and myself for assistants.our patient remained perfectly quiet, with his little hands folded across his breast; but while the knife was cutting through the muscle he gave one groan, so piteous and heartrending, that it sent into the next room all who were not immediately engaged.but before the sound of the groan had died away the operation was over, and the boy rose with his eye bleeding, but perfectly straight.a bandage was tied over it, and, with a few directions for its treatment, amid the congratulations and praises of all present, and wearing the same smile with which he had entered, the little fellow walked off to his mother.the news of this wonder spread rapidly, and before night dr.cabot had numerous and pressing applications, among which was one from a gentleman whom we were all desirous to oblige, and who had this defect in both eyes.on his account we determined to postpone our departure another day; and, in furtherance of his original purpose, dr.cabot mentioned that he would perform the operation upon all who chose to offer.we certainly took no trouble to spread this notice, but the next morning, when we returned from breakfast, there was a gathering of squinteyed boys around the door, who, with their friends and backers, made a formidable appearance, and almost obstructed our entrance.as soon as the door opened there was a rush inside; and as some of these slanting eyes might not be able to distinguish between meum and tuum, we were obliged to help their proprietors out into the street again