308 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE 
toast of the evening was proposed by the Chairman, who 
said he rose with emotions of sincere pleasure to propose the 
health of the Governors of the Royal Veterinary College of 
Surgeons, and the health of their illustrious President. He 
deemed it a happy omen to the profession that the titles of 
the old and new Colleges were so nearly alike, as to cause, 
even to him, who had been for fifteen or sixteen years a 
governor of the older College, some confusion, so much so, 
that he first thought he was about to propose the drinking of 
his own health in connection with his fellow governors. 
(Laughter and cheers.) Instead of that, however, he was 
called upon to propose the healths of the governors of the 
new institution. He must confess, that he was among the 
number of those who feared when the corporate body came 
into operation, that there would be some danger of collision 
between it and the senior College. (Hear, hear.) But he was 
happy to say that which they all well knew, that the differ- 
ence in the organisation of the two Colleges had only pro- 
moted the efficiency of the profession. (Cheers.) Long had 
he thought, and that anxiously, on the important question 
how the new organisation could work with the old, but he 
finally came to the conclusion, that, understanding each other, 
as the members of both Colleges seemed to do, the separate 
interests of the respective Colleges promoted the prosperity 
of the whole body. (Cheers.) 
Nothing which could be done, no organization of any kind, 
could supply the education of the older institution (hear, 
hear) ; while the New College possessed all the ramifications 
and power necessary for progress. (Cheers.) The corporate 
body represented the principle of progression — the Old College 
the principle of educational stability. The Old College was 
necessary for minors, it instructed pupils for the profession, 
and in this consisted its usefulness. But after it had 
instructed them and sent them forth qualified to practise, 
then the importance of the New College, possessing as it did 
the property (if we might so say) of expansiveness became 
evident. (Cheers.) There was considerable difficulty at first in 
attempting to reconcile the action of the two Colleges, and a 
great deal of tact was necessary for bringing about that happy 
union which they all witnessed on that occasion. (Cheers.) 
And to no man was the credit of bringing about that union 
so much due as to their president. Professor Sewell. (Great 
cheering.) In proposing his health he wished to look back 
some years, — In 1 79 1 the College was founded; St. Bel was 
its first professor : he was succeeded by Professor Coleman 
in 1794, who occupied the chair 55 years. In 1799 Mr. 
