INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
627 
And, as this institution is now so intimately connected 
with the corporate body, I will venture to express a hope 
that that body, which represents the collective wisdom of our 
profession, will take into its consideration the lowering of the 
fee which is demanded for its deploma. Ten guineas is the 
present amount. This I confess I consider as excessive ; it 
being half the sum which is paid by you for the whole of your 
instructions during the period of your education at this 
College. I see no necessary connection between the high 
standing of the profession, and a high rate of fee for entering 
it. The stringency of the examination should be a sufficient 
provision for maintaining a high standing. 
After all, the quality which we wish to attract within these 
walls, and ultimately into our ranks, is not wealth, but 
merit; and it seems to me to militate against that “merit 
service which cries so loudly on all sides, to raise any pecu- 
niary barrier against the admission of deserving pupils to 
our examinations. But 1 feel I may very safely leave the 
decision of this question to the council of the body corporate, 
whose especial business it is. 
As our institution is now firmly united in the bonds of 
amity with the corporate body, it may be fairly expected that 
that strength which belongs to union will be obtained in a 
larger measure than heretofore. 
By the possession of our Charter our position in the state 
would seem to be materially improved; and whatever just 
demands w r e make, are likely to be listened to wfith at least 
respectful attention. Thus we may anticipate that some of 
the same privileges and immunities as are enjoyed by the 
medical profession will be granted to us. In times of great 
change like the present, it is not easy to foretell wffiat may 
happen ; and therefore I cannot express more than an anti- 
cipation on this subject. But, at all events, it is not unreason- 
able to expect that all appointments in the Army and in the 
service of the Honorable the East India Company, will be 
conferred upon the members of the Royal College of Veteri- 
nary Surgeons only. This will be no more than carrying 
out the objects the government must have had in view in the 
granting of the Charter. 
It is a satisfaction to me to be enabled to announce to 
you, that the Royal Agricultural Society of England affords 
us the same hearty support as in previous years. It recog- 
nises the value of this institution, and the oneness of the 
object between it and the College. In proof of this, w T e 
receive from it an annual grant of £200, to be expended in 
lectures and demonstrations, having for their object the ad- 
