SURGEON AND JOCKEY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1583, 1 April 1887, Page 3

SURGEON AND JOCKEY.

The following story comes to us (Pall Mall Gazette) from a correspondent:— Arehsr, having been bitten or otherwise injured bv a horse on one occasion, cilled on Sir James Paget. The eminent surgeon having bound up his wound, Archer requested to know how long it would take to heal. "Oh,"said Sir James, "I think in three or four weeks you will be all right." * But shall Ibe fit for the Derby?" said Archer.

"Ye-es," was the reply. " Oh, yes! I think you may go to the Derby" "No, but you don't quite understand me, Sir James," persisted the jockey. U I mean, shall Ibe fit to ride V "Well, I don't know," was the answer. "Better drive; better drive!" Archer, rather taken aback by this very innocent and unexpected rejoinder, had to explain. "I am afraid, Sir James, you scarcely realise who I am V "No." said the surgeon, politely, referring to the patient's visiting card. "I see I have the honour of receiving Mr Archer, but "

"Well," said Archer, "I suppose I may say that what you are in your profession, Sir James, that 1 am in mine," and proceeded to tell him what that profession was. The famou* surgeon, on learning the status of hi • visitor, was at once greatly interested; and asked him eagerly many questions, among others, What would be his loss supposing he should be unable to fulfil the Derby engagement? to which Archer replied: "About £2000." His average annual income he stated '(if I mistake not) to be about .fsoOO i upon which Sir James issaid to have remarked :

"You may well say that what I am in my profession that you are in yours. I only wish that my profession were half as profitable as yours."