TESTIMONIAL TO WILLIAM ROBINSON, ESQ. 585 
ing candidates who wished to enter the profession, and hence- 
forth no man was permitted to practise without first having 
passed the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, of which 
their friend Mr. Robinson was one of the most distinguished 
examiners. (Cheers.) Mr. Robinson had also twice filled 
the office of President of the College. The college added to 
the respectability of the profession, and had been the means 
of placing it upon an equality, he might say, with the medical 
and surgical profession generally. For this result, they were 
in a great measure indebted to the exertions of Mr. Robinson, 
who was one of the most active members of the committee. 
(Hear.) As much as they esteemed and honoured Mr. 
Robinson, it was right that they should know that he was 
equally respected by the members of his own profession. 
(Cheers.) He would now, with their permission, say a few 
words respecting the beautiful piece of plate which they were 
about to present to Mr. Robinson ; but first of all he would 
remark that the testimonial originated with Mr. Robinson’s 
agricultural friends, who thought the occasion of his retiring 
from the office of Mayor of that borough, after having filled 
it the third time, would be a good opportunity of testifying 
the respect in which he was held by them. (Hear.) The 
time, however, proved too short, and other friends joined with 
the agriculturists in the object, and the result was the beau- 
tiful testimonial they then saw before them. (Cheers.) In 
that group of figures they had a representation of the first 
horse being introduced into Europe, and they had in Mr. 
Robinson a man who had done more than any one else to 
rescue the noble animal from the barbarous treatment to 
which it was so long subjected, a treatment which commenced 
in ignorance and was continued from prejudice. (Hear and 
cheers.) Every one who was the lover of the horse had 
reason to be truly grateful to Mr. Robinson for his improved 
treatment, and they had also every reason to admire him for 
the pains he took to relieve the sufferings of the animals 
under his care. (Cheers.) Mr. Webster next remarked that 
when they asked Mr. Robinson what shape he should like the 
testimonial to assume, he replied that he should prefer a tea- 
pot. (A laugh.) The subscriptions, they told him, were 
sufficient to produce a teapot large enough to hold him — a 
laugh) — but in order to gratify him they had procured a tea- 
pot, but they had secured a testimonial in keeping as they 
thought with his profession. Then addressing Mr. Robinson, 
he said, — “ In the name of all your friends now present, I 
beg to offer for your acceptance that beautiful group of 
figures ; and I trust you will accept it not only as a grateful 
xxvti. 76 
