OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
203 
repeat, we found our Alma Mater not only refusing us any interest 
whatever in the management of her concerns, but spurning every 
petition we made to her to be allowed even to examine her 
scholars — then she drove us (and blessings on her for having 
driven us !) to seek a Charter, and for ourselves. And we have 
sought, and have obtained one ; and now, in truth and law, we 
are a College-— a ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY 
SURGEONS. 
Let us for a moment take a glimpse at our beloved Charter — 
look a little into its meaning and objects ; and then, let us cursorily 
inquire what its influence is likely to be, both as regards the pre- 
sent state and future prospects of the profession. Its purport runs 
thus: — To the persons named and described in the Charter — se- 
cundum formam statuti — to all persons now holding veterinary 
diplomas, either from St. Pancras or Edinburgh ; to all students at 
either of the Schools ; and likewise to all who may become stu- 
dents at other Veterinary Colleges (?) or Schools, in London or 
elsewhere, in Britain, not at present in existence, “ and which may 
hereafter be sanctioned by the royal sign manual in that behalf ’ 
such students passing an examination before a board of examiners 
constituted by and of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 
the Charter of Incorporation is granted. From which it appears 
that the Chartered College have it not in their power to admit to 
examination, or into their body politic and corporate, any persons 
who may have studied at any private or foreign school — at, in 
fact, any other school save such as has been previously sanctioned 
by “ the royal sign manual.” This is an enactment that will have 
the effect of restricting the number of veterinary schools : how far 
its operation is likely to prove desirable or beneficial may become 
matter for future consideration. 
By virtue of their Charter of Incorporation , the members of the 
profession become empowered by law to act as one person, under 
the name of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; 
and by that name, bound by their common seal, they have power 
to sue or be sued, acquire or dispose of property, &c. ; all such acts 
to be evidenced by their aforesaid common seal. They also have 
the privilege, vested in their corporation, of making for their own 
governance reasonable and consistent by-laws ; in virtue of which, 
