Letter from John Cleland to his aunt and uncle. John complains that he has not had a letter from his father in four weeks despite sending three home in that time. He writes of being appointed as an assistant surgeon to a first rate ship after a 35 minute examination on anatomy and surgery at surgeon's hall on Friday 15th. He says the next day he had an examination on medicine where he answered all the questions correctly bar one, for which he was not entitled to his full pay, instead recieving five shillings a day instead of seven shillings and sixpence. He says he refused this, as if he were to accept he may not return to England for two or three years, and would rather retake the exam in three months' time. Sent from London to Ballynahinch.
HOYFM.ACL2023.2/1/43
