304 LETTER TO 



" Then what are we assembled here upon ? 

 Why upon this grave and notable question 

 whether the by-laws which I have read to your 

 Lordship, taken altogether as one body ; those 

 that are subsequent qualifying, restraining, and 

 modifying those that are antecedent ; whether all 

 these taken together constitute a reaso able body 

 of' by-laws^ within the meaning of the charter^ 

 granted by the king, and confirmed by an act 

 of the legislature. Orl, whether these by-laws 

 shut out any persons who had a right by some 

 privilege inherent in them as British subjects, 

 under this charter, and this act of parliament, 

 from becoming members of this grave and 

 learned body.*' 



" Would a mandamus go to the Bishop of 

 London if he refused ordination to a person 

 who set forth his learning, but had not been at 

 either of the universities, and was therefore re- 

 jected ? But have the college of physicians done 

 that ? No ; they have done no more than this^ 

 if you have been at the university, and have 

 acquired a degree and testimonials, without 

 dispensation, we presume that you are learned 

 from the place from whence you came, and the 

 'discipline you have been engaged in, and we 

 examine you at once j but if you have not, do 



