70 
THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
by experience that study is hardly to be pursued with success in 
the midst of discomfort. Beside, their parents are at heavy sacri- 
fices maintaining them in London ; and, not to glance at the 
temptations to which a constrained idleness necessarily exposes 
youth, it would be only simple justice to those by whom the place 
is supported that the sons of its real patrons should not be forced 
to waste any portion of that time, every minute of which is valu- 
able to the future interests of the scholars, and accompanied with 
expense to their friends.” 
“ I don’t know. They need not waste their time. Those who 
lodge near enough may go home if they like, or they may go into 
the dissecting-room : and there’s the ‘ Bell and Crown,’ where 
there is always a good fire, close at hand. But the Professor 
generally takes the book round the stable at this hour, and gives 
clinical instruction. This morning he is half an hour behind time; 
but he’ll be here presently.” 
Thus enlightened, and pained at the apathy with which the 
interests of those who, one day, must form the body of our pro- 
fession were regarded, I requested to see the theatre, in order to 
give a turn to the conversation, which I felt could not be longer plea- 
santly continued. 
Through a short stone passage, leading from the archway, I was 
conducted to a door that was found to be locked. A student was 
desired to “ go and ask Sam for the key.” Sam, who appears to 
be the custodian of the theatre, I afterwards learnt was a very in- 
telligent person, holding the situation of head groom; and he having 
sent back what was wanted, we entered a room about ten feet 
high, fifteen broad, and twenty long. This apartment was lighted 
by two windows, between which, at a little distance from the wall, 
was a table, and in front of the table four rows of benches, slightly 
elevated one above the other. 
Upon the benches the students sit to hear the lectures, the 
lecturers standing between the wall and table upon the floor of the 
room. Against the wall, at the back of the lecturer, provision is 
made for the display of diagrams. These diagrams consequently 
must be hung between the windows or in the darkest spot in the 
apartment ; and the person who delivers the address must stand 
with his face in shadow, while the light falls full upon the eyes of 
the auditory ; so that should diagrams, rendered obscure by dark- 
ness, be found of little use — should the orator, deprived of the aid 
of expression, his face being concealed by shadow, fail to enforce 
his observations — or should the pupil, oppressed by the glare, feel 
himself more inclined to yield to sleep than listen to the lecture — 
or should the whole of these effects simultaneously occur, no one 
would see in them any cause for wonder. The plan of the place 
