8 THE HISTORY OF 



In March 1792, it was resolved, that a temporary stabling 

 for fifty horses, and a forge for shoeing, should be built near 

 the house taken for the college ; but the completion of 

 which the Professor was hardly permitted to witness, for he 

 was attacked with an illness in August, 1793, which proved 

 fatal in about a fortnight. 



On the death of St. Bel, the public attention w^as of 

 course engaged in considering on whom the vacant pro- 

 fessorship would devolve ^ some ej^es were directed towards 

 Mr. Blaine ; many more to Mr. Clarke, of Edinburgh, who, 

 however, refused it. Mr. Morecroft, then in practice as a 

 veterinary surgeon, was unquestionably the most eligible 

 person. Mr. M. was originally a student of human medi- 

 cine ; but he had lately studied veterinary practice in the 

 French schools, and was considered to possess extensive 

 information on the subject. Mr. Coleman, a medical pupil 

 of the Borough hospitals, who had much distinguished 

 himself by some physiological inquiries, and by some experi- 

 ments on the diseases of the eyes of the horse, was brought 

 forward likewise ; although his attention had never, I 

 believe, reached beyond that point. The fitness of Mr. 

 Morecroft was, however, so nicely balanced by the interest 

 of Mr. Coleman, that it was determined to unite them in 

 the professorship ; since, with the practical knowledge of the 

 one, and the investigations of the other, every thing was to 

 be hoped from the association. Unfortunately for the 

 institution, Mr. Morecroft, finding that he had quitted a 

 profitable concern for one which held out little prospect of 

 gain, soon seceded ; and Mr. Coleman, who now applied 

 himself to fill up by his own talents the loss of his colleague, 

 was appointed sole professor. The general establishment, 

 also, at this time received some important alterations ; in 

 proof, a theatre for the delivery of lectures, with a dissect- 

 ing-room and museum, were erected. A medical committee 

 of assistance was also appointed, consisting of the most 

 distinguished medical practitioners in London, by whom the 

 pupils were to be examined, and, if found to have acquired 

 a sufficient knowledge of the art, certificates were to be 

 granted them. Pupils were now admitted to the practice 

 of the institution, which, from the erection of a very exten- 

 sive infirmary, and the encouragement it had received from 



