PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 7 



toriety attached to my name as an early teacher at the Veterinary 

 College, almost insensibly, and certainly unexpectedly, drew me 

 into extensive correspondencies and a remunerative practice on 

 the diseases of horses, dogs, and domestic animals in general, 

 which, increasing daily, at length determined me to devote all my 

 future professional energies to these subjects. In this almost un- 

 beaten track I might hope to reap both fame and emolument ; 

 and although it might not appear so honourable a calling as that 

 of human medicine, it was at least a very useful one, and, under 

 all the foregoing circumstances, the most prudent one. The re- 

 solve was followed by a popular and extensive practice in the 

 British metropolis, during which I produced a succession of 

 veterinary publications, all of which have received the meed of 

 public approbation, by passing through several editions, and by 

 having been translated into several continental languages. Firmly 

 resolved no more to deviate from this settled line of practice 

 (which, although it was not that which it has ever been my wish 

 I had remained in, yet has proved a remunerating one to me, and 

 I hope not altogether a useless one to the public), I remained 

 engaged in it twenty years, although twice exposed, during that 

 time, to temptations of a profitable and flattering nature to trans- 

 late my professional services, first to India, and next to Russia. 

 To induce me to take the direction of a veterinary school in Peters- 

 burgh, Prince Gargarini was directed, when the crowned heads 

 were in England, to offer me the usual temptation of a title, 

 with a liberal pension. By declining these^ I hope I somewhat 

 reclaimed a character for consistency, if not for prudence and 

 wish for aggrandizement. For myself I have never repented the 

 step: the retirement I have some years enjoyed is still em- 

 ployed in editing new editions of my former works, or collecting 

 materials for others connected with the improvement of the per- 

 sons and treatment of our domestic animals. Thus, though hap- 

 pily not called on by want, my energies, my competence, and 

 my leisure, are yet devoted to the cause of humanity, and to that 

 course which chance forced mo into. 



