Montreal
47 Union Ave.
July 6 '74
My dear Osler
I have just ret'd from a meeting of the Med. Faculty of the College at which I am happy to be able to inform you it was agreed to recommend you to the Governor of the College for the office of Lecturer upon Institutes [of Medicine] in the room of Dr. Drake who resigns on
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account of ill health. You have not been spending your time in vain on working at practical physiology and most hearty congratulate you upon the fine prospect that has opened before you. The fees of the students will at least meet your actual expenses for board, clothes, etc. and the position at the college will afford the strongest proof to the public
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that you are at least a well-qualified physician and that experience is all that you require to merit their patronage. I would advise you to come down at once, hang out your shingle, and set actively to work upon your lectures -- you will find the time short enough. Drake can be of much assistance and is willing to be; and he has a fine collection of diagrams, drawings etc.
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and a great many mounted specimens which will be of use & wh. he will no doubt dispose of to you very reasonably. You will see an official letter from the Dean no doubt by the same mail that conveys this -- answer it at once.
The time is a favourable one moreover at which to enter upon practice -- for altho. you will have to wait for that like other -- labour will procure its reward in that field also. Please present my congratulations to yr father open this gratifying recognition of yr merits by the oldest Medical
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school in Canada. All yr. friends here will be much pleased on your account.
I regretted to have missed you on yr arrival from Europe as you must have had lots of recent information to impart and as I wanted to hear of your doings. But you know what I was about and no doubt will forgive me. I hope soon to see you here and "to hear of yr affairs" Till then I remain
Very sincerely yours
R. P. Howard