584 TESTIMONIAL TO WILLIAM ROBINSON, ESQ. 
a period of nearly fifty years had not been unappreciated by 
his large circle of friends. (Hear). He said a “ large circle” 
of friends, because the testimonial was not the result of a 
merely local subscription, but had been joined in by friends 
in all parts of the kingdom, embracing all classes, who 
equally with them respected Mr. Robinson, admired his 
talents, and appreciated his private worth, (Applause). 
Mr. Robinson’s professional fame extended beyond the limits 
of that borough, and even of the county, as a proof of which, 
and of the esteem in which he was held, he might refer to 
the presence amongst them that evening of several of his 
professional brethren who had come long distances to testify 
the respect in which he was held by them — (cheers) — and he 
believed that the eminent veterinary surgeons who were then 
present would bear him out in saying that Mr. Robinson 
had done more towards raising the status of the profession, 
and adding to its respectability, than any other who had 
ever belonged to it. (Hear). It might not be out of place 
for him to advert briefly to Mr. Robinson’s connection with 
the profession in which he was so much distinguished. 
Veterinary science had not been very greatly studied in this 
kingdom until comparatively within the last few years. 
During the early part of the last war the horses of the 
cavalry suffered much from disease, and great loss was expe- 
rienced in consequence thereof, arising chiefly from the igno- 
rance and incapacity of the men whose duty it was to attend 
to them ; accordingly the veterinary art became more studied 
at that time, and in 1791 the Veterinary College was esta- 
blished. The college was attended with beneficial results, 
and an improvement took place in the treatment of animals ; 
still, as time rolled on, it was found that there was room for 
further advancement in the art, and about the year 1842, a 
number of distinguished persons, including the father of one 
whom they had amongst them that evening, Mr. Mayer, 
associated themselves together with a view of seeing if the 
institution could not be made more useful. The college was 
attended by those who wished to practise the veterinary art, 
but the pupils were simply passed by those who had taught 
them. It seemed inconsistent that a master should be at 
liberty to pass his own pupils, and -a number of gentlemen, 
including their friend Mr. Robinson, formed themselves into 
a committee for the purpose of bringing about an improved 
state of things, and with the assistance of the late Sir Robert 
Peel and Sir James Graham, who was then Home Secretary, 
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons was established, with 
professors of the art. The professors had the power of examin- 
