ACCOUNT OF THE DINNER. 
297 
in the business of the day, for the wealth of the metropolis would, no 
doubt, secure a host of talent in the practice of the veterinary art, 
even if we had no schools or colleges whatever ; but, without these 
means of education, the treatment of the diseases of animals through- 
out the country would still be in the state of darkness from which, 
so far as it relates to horses, it emerged half a century ago. He 
(Mr. Spooner) had felt it his duty, though with much inconvenience, 
to come there that day to take part in its business, and to join in 
celebrating the auspicious occasion which had brought us together. 
But though the Charter was a just cause for rejoicing, they must 
bear in mind that it brought with it duties and responsibilities as 
well as pleasures and privileges. The eyes of the public would be 
more than ever directed to their conduct, and it became them all 
to take advantage of the more eminent position in which they have 
been placed, and survey the landscape that opens before them, and 
not only survey but to examine it accurately, and mark well every 
position that can be brought to bear on our profession ; and, having 
so done, what then must be their cry ? why, Onwards ! onwards ! ! — 
Onwards in the course of improvement — onwards with the march 
of science, — and onwards in the career of prosperity, which from this 
day he hoped may attend every worthy member of their body poli- 
tic. The great body of country practitioners were prevented by 
various circumstances from attending here this day ; but their 
attention was fixed upon the Council, to whom they would look 
for the amelioration of those evils of which they had now so 
just reason to complain. He had the honour to have been elected 
on the Council, and was well aware of the responsibility of the 
duties of the station ; but though he could not often attend himself, 
there were others that would do so, and he was quite satisfied that 
he should leave them in noble hands. As, therefore, he should not 
be able to attend the first meeting on the morrow, they would, per- 
haps, excuse him if he directed the attention of the Council to one 
or two points which he thought the profession would expect at their 
hands. It had not unfrequently occurred among country practi- 
tioners that they were met with distrust, advantage taken of the 
most trivial circumstances or unlucky coincidences, and attempts 
had been made by unworthy employers to crush them altogether ; 
and sometimes, indeed, with success. He had met with such at- 
