LORD KEN YON. 407 



for the shortest time, as if it were unknown to 

 them, could not have been honourable ; but as 

 they persisted in this conduct for nearly three 

 years, they must necessarily have been serious. 

 Shortness of duration is essential to every kind 

 of joke, whether verbal or practical. 



About the middle of 1794, a rumour became 

 prevalent among medical men in London, that 

 the college viewed, as a breach of faith to them, 

 the attempt of certain licentiates to render the 

 corporate distinctions of their profession ac- 

 cessible to every physician of sound morals and 

 learning ; but it was thought by those licentiates 

 too absurd to be credited. " We know," said 

 they, " of no statute of the college, by which 

 we are forbidden to endeavour to gain admission 

 into it. If there be any such, let it be pointed 

 out, and let the fine be demanded, which is an- 

 nexed to our disobedience. Were indeed such 

 a statute to exist, it would be not only tyran- 

 nical, but contrary to the laws of our country, 

 and therefore without force. At all events, to 

 desire the removal of a grievance can never be 

 justly held a breach of our promise to the col- 

 lege. For to what purpose has the Court of 

 King's Bench been charged with the inspection 

 and controul of corporations, if applications to 

 it against the oppression of by-laws can, by 

 other by-laws, be legally declared violations of 



