202 MR. RODWAY IN DEFENCE OF HIS PATENT SHOE. 
to be followed by a man having confidence in his subject. Mere 
anonymous assertions, without evidence, publish their own value; 
but assertions and opinions such as I have replied to are so weak, 
so unprofessional, and display such utter ignorance, that I beg 
the author, in common honesty and defence of the reputation of 
veterinarians, to make known his name; and if, at the same 
time, he would furnish his actual experience in the affair, the 
known results, by handing to me and the public the number of 
horses he has shod (if a shoeing smith he be), the times they 
have been so shod, where they were and are to be found, to 
whom they belong, and the length of time their shoes lasted, — this 
information will lay the matter fairly open, by which the public, 
veterinarians, and myself, may have an opportunity of investigat- 
ing the matter, and learning the length of time he has taken to 
form his judgment. The last nine months’ test of my shoe upon 
every description of horse, and at every kind of work, has not 
only proved its superiority over any other, but has, in positive 
contradiction of the paltry objections raised by some few (perhaps 
interested persons), furnished me with upwards of two hundred 
testimonials of indisputable evidence from noblemen, horse pro- 
prietors, and veterinary surgeons, a few of which I have printed, 
and shall be happy to forward to any gentleman in the profession, 
on application, giving part of the evidence collected, and shewing 
alone sufficient reason for believing that any man who will ano- 
nymously assert that he has had the same experience as others, 
giving such contrary opinions supported only by glaring misre- 
presentations, pure ignorance, and reckless desire to condemn a 
system he evidently is utterly ignorant of, and flatly in March 
denying what he asserted with proof in November, must either 
have been then too proud of publishing and attempting to be a 
teacher, or now determined at the expense of others (under whom 
he pretends to claim protection) to volley forth disgraceful pro- 
ductions, picturing only his true character, deserving also to be 
known and receive the contempt he merits. 
Allow me to apologise for the length of my letter; but so many 
readers of your valuable publication having already an interest 
in the concave shoe, renders it an imperative duty that the un- 
guised truth should be laid before the public. 
I remain. Gentlemen, 
Your humble and obedient servant, 
Henry Barron Rodway. 
