THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 29 



profession, and the names of the first cultivators of veterinary 

 science are inscribed on the tablets of their country's history as 

 public benefactors. 



Four years after the endowment of this, the first school in 

 France, a similar one was established at Alfort. A regular sys- 

 tem of veterinary medicine was there taught, under which students 

 acquired an acquaintance with the various forms of disease, and 

 the modus operandi of therapeutic agents on domestic animals. 

 The novel enterprise was regarded by other nations of Europe 

 with a watchful eye, and they were not slow in coming to the 

 rescue ; schools rapidly sprang up in Holland, Berlin, Copen- 

 hagen, Stutgard, and in various other places, which proved 

 equally successful and beneficial as the French schools. 



We shall now pass over a period of twenty-seven years, during 

 which time the science had gradually enlisted in its ranks men 

 of influence, talent, and research. And now an individual of 

 French descent, named St. Bel, lands on the shores of England, 

 having letters of introduction from the first men in France to Sir 

 Joseph Banks and other influential individuals, to whom he 

 made known his mission ; which was, that of establishing the 

 veterinary science, then unknown, and of course unappreciated, 

 in the British dominions. 



He was encouraged, with very flattering assurances of success, 

 to commence operations, and shortly after his arrival in London 

 he published proposals for establishing a veterinary school ; there 

 seemed, however, to be a sort of indifference manifested among 

 the masses, and consequently very little, beyond making known 

 his object, was effected during the first year. In the following, 

 he published proposals to read lectures on the science, and thus 

 give the English nation an opportunity to judge of the value of 

 the new project; but, alas! he was doomed to disappointment; 

 his second proposal met with no better success than at first. The 

 apparent failure of his primary labors has been attributed, by an 

 eminent writer, to various causes, and it may be well for us to 

 notice them, for the very same causes have been, and are now, in 

 active operation, diverting American skill and intelligence from 

 embarking in a cause so worthy the attention and support of a 

 free and enlightened nation. It was in consequence of the 

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