ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 501 
examination, although it will be gradually increased, cannot 
be carried into full effect for some time. 
We have reason to believe that the other schools are pre- 
pared to give their adhesion to the scheme which we are 
advocating, provided the Edinburgh authorities adopt it. It 
is, therefore, self-evident that the result of this meeting will, 
for weal or for woe, mark a most important epoch in the 
history of our profession. 
In conclusion we wish to say that, being fully alive to 
the necessity of effecting great ameliorations in the status of 
the veterinary profession, while keenly appreciating the just 
demands which are made in the interests of the public, and 
having due regard to the welfare of the several schools and 
their respective professors, and also having given very careful 
consideration to the various divisions of the subject, the 
Council has come to the conclusion that a matriculating 
examination is an absolute necessity, and this deputation, 
acting under the authority of the whole profession, as repre- 
sented by the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary 
Surgeons, respectfully solicit the co-operation of your lord- 
ship and your brother trustees in support and furtherance of 
this laudable object. 
We propose the examination shall be on the following 
subjects, namely : 
Writing from dictation. 
Parsing a simple sentence. 
Reading aloud. 
The first four rules of arithmetic and simple rule 
of three. 
Signed by the President and each Member 
of the Deputation. 
Is/ November, 1869. 
In the early part of this year the Town Council of Edin- 
burgh, through their agent, forwarded a communication to 
the following effect : “ That the trustees had approved gene- 
rally of the representations made by the deputation, and that 
when the heads of the various Colleges had decided as to 
the precise mode in which the examinations are to be carried 
out, the trustees would be glad to be afforded an opportunity 
of finally adjusting the scheme.” A further communication 
was afterwards received from the Edinburgh Veterinary Col- 
lege, recommending the appointment of a General Examin- 
ing Board, and expressing their willingness to receive any 
suggestions relating to the details which the Royal College 
of Veterinary Surgeons might have to propose. 
xliii. 31 
