ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 353 
class character and of a very considerable range. The dis- 
tances he was in the habit of riding would rather try the 
stamina of some of our junior contemporaries; fifty miles a 
day having been the average for forty years, and above a 
hundred not a very uncommon occurrence. He was elected 
a Vice-President of the College in 1847, and a Member of 
the Council in 1 848, from which time to within a few months 
of his death, his zeal and untiring energy, defying alike 
time and distance, will long be remembered by those who 
witnessed his regular attendance at the meetings of the 
Council. 
The number of pupils who have obtained the Diploma 
of the CoJlege during the past year is 29, 25 being from 
the London, and 4 from the Edinburgh School, making 
the number who have passed since the obtainment of the 
Charter, 591. The changes in the register are now so nu- 
merous that a new issue will shortly be required. The 
number at present on the list is 1431. 
In the election of a president for the past year your 
Council paid a just tribute of respect to age and position. 
W. Stockley, Esq., the gentleman selected, was one of the 
foundation pupils at the first establishment of the Royal 
Veterinary College. He obtained his diploma in 1794, and 
after a life of untiring energy and perseverance, he fills the 
honorable position of Senior Veterinary Surgeon to the 
Royal Artillery ; and will, doubtless, prove to you this day 
that the lapse of more than two thirds of a century has 
failed to quench the mental or corporeal energy of the man. 
The only change that has taken place in the Board of 
Examiners during the past year has been the retirement of 
Mr. Solly, after nine years 5 valuable service to the pro- 
fession. He was elected in 1847, and the thanks of the 
Council were unanimously voted him on his withdrawing 
from the Board. The Council are happy to say they have 
been enabled most satisfactorily to fill the vacancy thus 
occasioned by the appointment of Professor Sharpey, of 
University College, a name too well known to require any 
eulogium, and one that guarantees the efficient performance 
of the duties of the office to which he has been elected. 
The financial department continues satisfactory. The in- 
creased expenses connected with maintaining the establish- 
ment of the College, residence, &c., have been met ; the 
deposit account remains intact, and the balance in hand 
amounts to £272 1 5s. 5d.; this amount would have been 
larger had the examinations taken place, as was the case 
last year, before the Annual General Meeting. It is hoped, 
xxx. . 47 
