698 
THE MEMORIAL. 
The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons learn 
that there are four parties combined to obtain a new Charter, viz. 
the Governors of the Royal Veterinary College of London, the 
Council of the Agricultural Society of England, the Council of the 
Highland and Agricultural Society, and the Professors of the 
London and Edinburgh Schools. 
These parties seek to obtain authority over the concerns and 
management of the veterinary profession by constituting a Veteri- 
nary Board, to which the Council of the Royal College of Veteri- 
nary Surgeons shall be subjected. 
That such authority is needed is not shewn, and why it is sought 
is not declared. The profession have not solicited to be thus con- 
trolled, and the public have not seen proper to support the request. 
The prayer for the new Charter stands simply as a prayer, unsup- 
ported by any just cause, show, or pretence. 
When the Right Honourable Sir James Graham announced that 
certain parties had applied either to have a new charter granted 
or the present one altered, he stated that the application was made 
by persons taking a deep interest in the advancement of the 
veterinary profession. The Council of the Royal College of 
Veterinary Surgeons are happy to acknowledge the feeling here 
expressed, and at the same time gratefully say, they believe it to 
be sincere ; but nevertheless they are aware that the best intentions 
may be mistaken, and they are consequently anxious to know how 
or in what manner the proposed alterations are to tend to the 
advancement of the profession. 
The Right Honourable Sir James Graham intimated that the 
advantage would spring from the cessation of opposition from in- 
fluential bodies, and the connexion of the veterinary profession 
with personages of rank would reflect dignity on the entire body. 
The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, how- 
ever, in their public capacity would be unworthy of confidence if 
they feared an opposition not supported by right, and, when opposi- 
tion can be shewn to be so supported, they are prepared to give 
way before it ; and with regard to dignity, though in sincerity 
professing all respect for and anxious to receive the support of 
those who lend lustre to our social sphere, yet they feel that the 
time has come, when, if a profession is to obtain respect, it must be 
gained by its ability to command attention — therefore on the 
merits of its members the Council are content and desirous to let 
the claims of the veterinary profession rest. 
The Governors of the Royal Veterinary College of London 
cannot be fully aware of the deficiencies of the institution over 
which they preside, and how greatly those deficiencies affect the 
veterinary profession. That College has never perfected the object 
