A COMMUNICATION FROM C. DICKENS, M.R.C.V.S. 507 
meeting, since any observations there advanced might have 
elicited the opinions of some members then present, and who 
have neither time nor inclination for writing ? 
Your Council, as now formed, certainly is equalised as 
much as possible, so far as regards its representatives $ the 
College sending to that Board its four excellent preceptors, 
the army its principal, the senior V. S. of the Ordnance, and 
two others ; of the remaining sixteen, eight are metropolitan 
practitioners, and eight from the provinces, all of whom are 
of some standing and estimation in their several localities. 
Further, if I may borrow the language of one of you, the 
body corporate have an opportunity annually of throwing 
some new blood into the system, or by re-election of giving 
proof that the old is not vitiated. 
Of the efficiency of the gentleman lately elected as an exa- 
miner, surely none can doubt. His extensive practice must 
have given him opportunities of knowing the requisites es- 
sential for the aspirant to veterinary science to be possessed 
of ere he is sent forth under the sanction of the Board ; in 
short, “ the right man is put in the right place.” 
Although I am sure it was penned in a kindly spirit, there 
is one observation in your leader for July which I would 
rather not have seen. “You hope that no party of obstruc- 
tives will be formed.” Surely, gentlemen, you have upon 
reconsideration, a better opinion of the members composing 
the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 
than to suppose any of them capable of lending themselves 
.to party purposes. They may differ in opinion as to the 
best mode of serving the profession as a body, but I hope, 
and firmly believe, that, individually and collectively, they 
have only one object in view, namely, its welfare. 
As I am upon the subject of examinations, I cannot resist 
stating an opinion I have long held, and one in which many 
very eminent members of our art I know fully coincide, viz., 
the necessity of a preliminary examination prior to admission 
to our chartered schools . Its adoption might prevent some per- 
sons from entering our profession, but depend upon it a 
greater number would seek the Temple of Science ultimately, 
and it would do more towards inducing a better class of men 
to come amongst us than all our annual displays, even when 
countenanced by royalty, as in a recent case so highly com- 
plimentary to our esteemed President. 
I am, Gentlemen, 
Yours very truly. 
