THE CM A III' Ell. 
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Chairman of that Committee through whose exertions the charter 
was obtained, and to whom every member of the veterinary pro- 
fession ought, on that account, to hold himself under especial obli- 
gations. In this letter, Mr. Mayer very properly observes, that, 
although the Committee have succeeded in their grand object, the 
obtainment of a Royal Charter of Incorporation, yet that “ of the 
(entire) duties with which the Committee were entrusted, only one 
half has been accomplished the other, or completing half, which 
remains for execution, being “the obtainment of an Act of Parlia- 
ment giving to the veterinary surgeon that protection, and to the 
public that security, against illiterate and unqualified practitioners 
which each have a right to expect,” and to the former — the vete- 
rinary surgeon — also “exemptions from serving parochial and 
other offices.” 
It will be recollected by those who composed the veterinary 
deputation which had the honour of the interview with the Home 
Secretary on the subject of the charter — before that valued instru- 
ment was obtained — that on that occasion Sir James Graham pretty 
plainly expressed his unwillingness to afford, through parliamentary 
enactment, any protection to the certificated against the uncertificated 
practitioner of veterinary medicine ; consoling the members of the 
deputation for the loss of their prospects in obtaining what at the 
time they felt so desirous to solicit of parliament through him with 
the pleasing assurance that, as men of science and of so much su- 
periority as they possessed over their uncertificated rivals in prac- 
tice, they, in fact, needed no legislative protection. With this “sop 
in the pan” so coaxingly and cunningly administered, the deputa- 
tion bowed and retired, and for awhile remained hushed; the 
business of the charter, however — the main or primary point at that 
time to be gained — went on, progressing to its final achievement 
some months after ; which important and all-engrossing affair it 
was that temporarily closed the eyes of the Committee to the ulte- 
rior objects for which the charter itself was from the first intended 
by them to have been but the forerunner, or as the means to an end. 
It has been in several instances, and very pertinently and properly, 
asked by veterinary surgeons on the occasion of their being called 
on to subscribe to the charter, “What good does the charter do 
me!” — and with truth has it been added, “ it does not prevent the 
farrier, my neighbour and rival, calling himself ‘ veterinary sur- 
geon,’ neither does it exempt me from serving on a jury or in any 
parochial office ; therefore, why should I give any money towards 
it!” 
Those who sought for and at length obtained the charter were 
from the first aware that, of itself, that instrument would not 
achieve these objects : being, however, given to understand, and 
