196 
THE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT 
nally was its object has grown to be no more than*an appendage. 
The tuition which is afforded is not gratuitous. The accomoda- 
tion of the pupils is not even of an ordinary kind. The instruc- 
tion is in many points deficient, and in others it is erroneous. The 
fees paid by the students enable the governors to retain the services 
of the Professors without drain upon their funds. The school, 
therefore, is a source of profit. It is of advantage to the institution, 
and, being kept up on such ground, I cannot see it gives any right 
on which to found a request for public grants. 
The governors know nothing of the school. During the time I was 
attached to the institution as a teacher I know not that I ever saw 
a gentleman holding such an office. Certain am I, no inquiry was 
ever addressed to me concerning the object of my teaching or the 
conduct of my class. Unknown to the governors I was appointed, 
and ignorant of their existence I remained in my situation. They 
knew nothing of me, or I of them. No orders were transmitted to 
me as to what I should do, and no report was made of that which 
I had done. No minutes were kept of the transactions of the 
school. The College was left to the discretion of the teachers. 
Beyond that it was free from direction or control. 
Certainly, in answer to the above it can be said, gentlemen, 
members of useful and scientific associations, were invited to inspect 
the place. Equally certain is it the Professors were nominally re- 
sponsible to the Governors. A report was annually drawn up and 
approved. All this is admitted, but unfortunately the admission 
will establish nothing. A few gentlemen may walk through the 
building, and see that which the attendant Professors request them 
to look at. Of course, in return for courtesy they are polite. 
Thanks and approval are expressed. The visitor is reported to 
depart delirious with delight. On reflection, however, what can 
such a person assert that he has learnt ? What can he have ascer- 
tained about the internal regulation of the place 1 He sees young 
men, and these, he is told, are students. He enters a theatre, and he 
is informed lectures are daily delivered. He walks into a room 
crowded with specimens, and is acquainted that it is a museum 
illustrative of anatomy. His ears are amused, and his eyes are 
pleased. He, however, leaves the Veterinary College as ignorant 
of all that really concerns the conduct of the place as the man 
would be of the British government who had merely been shewn 
through the offices of Downing-street. Nevertheless, opinions 
uttered after so hasty and superficial a view have been seriously 
urged as proofs that the school is properly managed, and the insti- 
tution systematically conducted. 
Such evidence is obviously ridiculous. The report annually made 
is of no greater value. It is the report of the Professors concern- 
