296 LETTER TO 



individual, though such individual could not, 

 according to the ordinary by-laws of the col- 

 lege, be admitted to examination. But to leave 

 the door open, and to prevent the observations 

 that were made in the case of Dr. Fothergill, 

 and under the auspices of the most learned 

 men of the profession, this by-law was made ; 

 therefore, I think, I have gone the length of 

 showing, that the present by-laws can be at- 

 tended with no possible inconvenience." 



" I will only ask my friends, by-and-by, to 

 explain to your Lordship, how it is consistent 

 with reason or common sense, to say, that the 

 public can suffer, or this learned profession be 

 affected in its dignity or advantages, if no per- 

 son should have an opportunity to force him- 

 self into their college, unless he comes within 

 the scope of their by-laws, sanctioned from all 

 antiquity, and comes within the sense of these 

 by-laws; although no door is shut against them 

 at all, but any one fellow of the college may, 

 notwithstanding that statute, propose them for 

 examination, &c. It is not easy to conceive, 

 that a man can be entitled to so much favour, 

 because of his eminent qualifications, as that 

 he can supersede all the rules and provisions 

 of the country, and yet shall not be able to 

 find one person within the walls of a college, 



