THE CHARTER. 
537 
carrying on the examinations, the system of education cannot fail 
to become so much improved that, in the natural course of events, 
veterinary science will actually have to date the commencement of 
an era of reform from the grant of the existing Charter. 
On the subject of corporate government, or that which in 
the best sense is called representative , one on which we have 
already taken occasion to make some remarks, we need here say 
no more than, so far as the Charter has yet been tried, let those 
who are opposed to such wholesome legislation state the grounds 
of their objection. One thing appears certain, and that is, if we 
are incapable of managing our own affairs ourselves there is little 
chance of their being properly managed for us by persons who, 
from their being out of the profession, must necessarily know so 
much less about them. And if these latter, or any of our 
opponents, can prove mismanagement, let them come forward, we 
say, and make their charges. Let not, in either case, the Home 
Secretary be deceived. And, above all, let him not suppose that 
we are tame enough to surrender our rights and privileges, for no 
earthly reason whatever, into the hands of a board of unprofes- 
sional comptrollers. 
While we are writing in this defensive strain on our Charter 
we are reminded that such fruits have not grown out of it without 
due working —without, indeed, a good amount of labour and time 
bestowed upon it; and for this reason it is we feel how much we 
are indebted for all that has been accomplished to our unpaid, up- 
right, never-tiring Council ; and though to all and every member 
of Council we are bound to acknowledge a debt of thanks and gra- 
titude, yet is there one presiding over their sittings, ever in his 
“ chair,” and ever vigilant and anxious about every thing and 
every body concerned, whom, notwithstanding we have had cause 
before favourably to mention, we feel we ought on such an occasion 
as this — while we are shewing how well and how successfully our 
Charter has worked — in an especial manner to bring before the 
veterinary public. It is needless to say the individual in our 
mind’s eye is Mr. Thomas Turner, the present President of the 
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He it was who was very 
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