ADDRESS TO THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
265 
conflicting parties has been easy of attainment, I am enabled to 
arrive at conclusions, which otherwise would be beyond my mark. 
The time for action is at hand; not as shewn by the effects of 
individual opinions clashing together, but where feelings must 
prompt actions in unison with each other; for unless we, as a 
body, can act together, and shew to those in power, and who have 
granted our prayer to be recognized as an integral portion of the 
social community, that we are capable of managing our internal 
affairs in concord and with advantage, all the steps hitherto gained 
are as nought; for it is an axiom of the divine Law-giver, that a 
house divided against itself cannot stand ; it is not a question of 
a pecuniary nature that has now to be discussed, but one of simple 
unanimity. 
I must again advert to by-gone times, not in reproach, or with 
any angry feelings, but as a beacon to warn us from placing re- 
liance on the quicksands which have hitherto swallowed up the 
various attempts which have been made to bring about a better 
position for our unfortunate art. 
Various attempts had been made during the earlier part of the 
century, but not in sufficient force to attain an object so desirable. 
Somewhere between the years 1826 and 1829 a much stronger 
attempt was made, and some leading points were gained, and all 
seemed to shew that matters were in a fair train for attainment ; 
but, alas! the intemperance of a few, and the endeavours on the part 
of others to gain too much, and the violence of the first party, who, 
finding that they could not have wholly and solely the ruling of 
every thing, turned the scale against the attainment of a single 
point. Nay, more, the seeds of dissension were sown, and the 
union of those who had made the endeavour soon felt the influence 
of such proceedings, and the efforts ended only in abortion. For 
some years nothing was attempted ; but again others took up the 
question, and, proceeding in a better course, matters were laid on a 
surer foundation, and before any thing was attempted, the question 
was openly put to the Royal Veterinary College, as to whether 
they intended to take steps to obtain a Charter of Incorporation for 
the veterinary, body : the answer was a negative. Here was a 
blank ; but it was not to remain ; for, finding that no co-operation 
was to be looked for from this quarter, other independent steps 
were taken, and, having the means of ascertaining the opinions and 
feelings of some of the highest in the government of the country, a 
memorial was prepared, and presented to Her Most Gracious Ma- 
jesty. Finding that such steps had been taken, the Professors now 
thought it time to take part in the movement, and by overtures on 
their part, and by a promise to pay the extra charge which would 
accrue from having their names inserted in the memorial, their 
