November 9, 1751

Vastly tired this morning as a result of a Hazardous Escapade from which I count myself lucky to have escaped without Grievous Harm to Life and Limb. Mr. Blumenfield did yester eve put to me that we should disinter the body of the hanged woman for the Advancement of Our Art and the Glory of Medicine and so after some talk I agreed and we approached our worthy teacher who warning us of the Dangers-for hanging is not the least penalty, one is likely to be torn to pieces by the mob should they learn of it-did then commend our Diligence and whilst saying he would have no hand in it and would know nothing of it should it come to light, did call his huge manservant to him and gave him instructions that he was to help us. So home to an early supper and to acquaint Mr. Hunt that that night I was to a meeting of Physicians and because of the dangers of the streets would after lie at the house of a friend, this because I thought it imprudent to return home mired in the early dawn. Then to take up my small sword and so to Doctor Urqueharts to enter it by the small gate to find the Doctor gone out but his man and George Blumenfield and Messrs. Pope and St. Clair gathered in the Anatomy room very comfortable before a fire smoking and discussing a flask of wine, and they very merry at my sword. So with them to pass the evening in pleasant discourse I growing somewhat drunk on the wine, very potent; and when the clocks had struck the half after twelve to collect spades and grapples and to muffle ourselves in thick cloaks.

I was given a spade but betwixt the Wine and the Excitement of My Spirits did so catch it in my cloak that Doctor Urquehart's man did take it from me and give me the sack in which they carry the bodies this having a most foul and dismal charnel house odour. And so into the lane and to the graveyard where Mr. Pope was inspired to Belch loudly this causing Doctor Urquehart's man to swear vilely vowing that he would rather have a School of Apes to help him than such young turnip heads. The grave not easy to find there being very many in a small place and the moon did come out from behind the clouds the which I did not care for as we were more likely to be seen but with its aid to find where the mould had been newly turned. George Blumenfield very vehement to dig up the coffin only this on being opened did prove to contain an old woman very foul and I to pray with all my heart that Venus Cloacina the Goddess of Sewers would watch over us this night so that we caught not some enervating distemper; then Mr. St. Clair on sitting down did find the ground give way beneath him and so we found the hanged wench and dragged her out and put into the sack which Mr. Pope and I did then carry between us and with great haste to the lane and so to the Doctors again, all mired and sweaty. George Blumenfield did brew us a bowl of punch and we certainly in need of such a Specific. Lord, what a business this be, the Quickening of the Aweful Dead, at night when the powers of evil be abroad, amongst the tombs and the earth and the dreadful worms! Fit work only for men of Brutish Minds! Did resolve then to have no more of it, but on reflection realize that nothing is gained without labour and so as Medicine be the most noble of the Arts so the Gateway to it is correspondingly difficult and arduous to pass. Slept on a couch at the Doctor's, and so home this morning to Mr. Hunt's, and with him and Mrs. Hunt to church, where I heard a tolerable Sermon aptly enough on the Resurrection, and wonder what his Reverence would say of my night's activities. Shall to bed early this night.

- The Diary of a Surgeon in the Year 1751-1752 by John Knyveton (18)