ACCOUNT OF TIIE DINNER. 
289 
could say but little, as he really felt the want of words to give 
utterance to his feelings on this occasion. It was his most earnest 
desire to do the best he could for the Royal College over which he 
had been called to preside, and while he had his health and 
strength he would uphold the interests and the dignity of the 
institution. He felt infinitely obliged by the manner in which his 
health had been proposed and received by the company. 
Mr. Walter , jun. then favoured the company with the song, 
“ If I had a thousand a year,” after which 
Mr. King rose and said, that a toast had been put into his hands 
which he was quite sure would be received with the greatest 
pleasure by those whom he had the honour of addressing. It was 
the health of a gentleman to whom they owed much obligation. 
He would not detain them longer, but would at once propose 
“ The health of Professor Sewell, and success to the Veterinary 
College.” 
This toast being drunk with great applause, 
Professor Sewell begged to return his thanks for the honour 
which they had done him, and hoped that the meeting would allow 
him to state a few facts relative to the College and the profession, 
which had now been established nearly fifty years. It was about 
that time that the appointment of the first professor, who was 
a Frenchman, and who was succeeded by the late Mr. Coleman, 
had taken place. It was fifty years ago since the first pupil 
passed his examination before a board of examiners, consisting of 
the first surgeons of that day. The institution owed its origin to 
some gentlemen who had been travelling through France : of these, 
Mr. Grenville Penn was now the only survivor. As these gentlemen 
first formed the Veterinary College, so it has existed to the pre- 
sent time. It was governed by members selected in the same 
way as at present, and was called by courtesy, although it had no 
real title or claim to the designation, “The Royal Veterinary Col- 
lege.” Fifty years back a charter was asked for this establish- 
ment, but was opposed by Lord Eldon, who thought that it might 
lead to some infringement on the liberty of the subject, and conse- 
quently it was refused. Now, however, when time had either 
modified or done away with these objections, public opinion had 
changed upon this point, and the result was, that they had now a 
