EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
363 
being simply to show that the existing state of things 
cannot continue, and that all well-wishers to the science 
of veterinary medicine, must forthwith determine to do their 
best, not in name only, but in deed and in truth, to effect 
its onward progress and due appreciation. We have 
more than once alluded to the influence of party spirit in 
the deliberations of the council, and we are not unmind- 
ful that we have incurred the displeasure of some by so 
doing. The truth, however, must be told, regardless of 
the consequences, and as public. and independent journalists, 
we are resolved that it shall not suffer at our hands. How 
often have we seen men tied and fettered by party, enter the 
council-room with their minds fully made up as to how they 
should vote; and, as such, they would listen to no argument, 
nor be open to any conviction, not in accordance with the pre- 
conceived views of those with whom they acted! We do but 
our duty to the profession by thus pointing out the shoals and 
quicksands upon which our little bark has drifted ; and if she 
again floats with a rising tide, like the sentinel on the watch, 
we shall raise the cry of “ breakers a-head” ere she founders 
on the hidden rock of secret party. 
APPOINTMENT OF A NEW EXAMINER. 
A vacancy having occurred in the Court of Examiners, 
by the resignation of Mr. T. W. Mayer, the Council of the 
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, has thus been called 
upon to exercise one of its most important functions ; and 
requiring the services of a country practitioner, conversant 
wdth the diseases of cattle, it has selected to the vacant 
seat, Mr. H. Lepper, of Aylesbury. Our readers will recol- 
lect that a short time since, we drew' attention to the ne- 
cessity of adopting some plan to secure the services of those 
most fitted to discharge the important duties of examiners. 
Little, however, has been done to have eC the right man in 
the right place the Council in this as in other matters halt- 
ing between two opinions, and hesitating to take a bold and 
judicious course — still we can congratulate the profession on 
