ON THE VAPOUIt OF AETHER. 
143 
wonderful intelligence ! I hear also that there is an inquiry con- 
cerning the Veterinary College being now made by the Agricul- 
tural Society. I trust that the latter report is well founded. 
More than an inquiry, however, is wanted. The abuse of years 
demands an investigation. Let the matter be searched into with 
an uncompromising spirit. Let the proceedings of the teachers, 
both in the school and out of it, be for the first time inspected. Let 
the practical ability and theoretical knowledge of the Professors 
be tested. Haul over the “ case book,” and find out, by examining 
various parties, whether there is nothing extenuated in it. Let 
agriculturists follow Mr. Simonds into the London dairies, and seek 
opinion as to the knowledge of a cow which the gentleman there 
displayed. Let them review his lectures, and discover whether 
the speediest way to kill is not promulgated to boys as the readiest 
means to cure. Let it be found out what he teaches, and what he 
does not even mention. Let his general information, his literary ac- 
quirements, his anatomical industry, his physiological genius, his 
pathological talent, his fitness for office, and the means by which he 
gained his present position, be looked into. When that is done, let 
Mr. Spooner receive attention according to his merits. Let the con- 
duct of the Professor be turned over, and a similar investigation 
undertaken. Then pay to Mr. Sewell the compliment of a fair inquiry. 
The result will repay the trouble. It will be found out that Mr. 
Spooner was Mr. Sewell’s friend : Mr. Simonds was Mr. Spooner’s 
companion, and Mr. Some-one-else Mr. Simonds’ protege. A mys- 
tery explaining much will be laid bare ; and, after all, the agricul- 
turist will discover, probably, that the doings in the College are 
not favourable to the security of cattle, or the connexion which 
exists between the Society and the school calculated to increase the 
knowledge of their diseases. The results of experience will not be 
discovered to have checked the progress of epizootics. Mr. 
Sewell’s memorable recommendation concerning the vesicular dis- 
ease murdered thousands. Mr. Simonds’ teaching with regard to 
pleuro-pneumonia will be perceived to have been based upon despe- 
rate necessity and hardihood of speculation. The agriculturist will 
find that loss has resulted from the propagation of error, and, where 
confidence was reposed, no pains were taken to discover truth. 
Such will turn out to be the melancholy issue ; and that it may 
not be perverted, the well-intentioned assertions of persons being 
Governors of the St. Pancras Institution should be listened to with 
caution. The Governors know nothing of the place. Parties have 
been there in the capacity of teachers who never knew the features 
of a Governor: what, then, can the Governors know of the manage- 
ment of the Institution over which they are fabled to preside I Before 
the Governors expose themselves by seeking additional grants, or 
