THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
197 
ing their own doings ; of course, being such, it would be pleasant. 
The governors, as gentlemen, are not disposed to question it. If 
no rumour necessitating inquiry has reached them, the report is 
formally passed. Under the circumstances, complaints are not 
likely to be heard by them. They rarely visit the College. When 
they meet, it is at the Thatched House — a long distance from 
Saint Pancras. Then the accounts have to be audited. These 
last constitute the real business of the assembly. No narrative of 
the proceedings is published. All is snug, and, as a natural con- 
sequence, every thing is agreeable. 
Secure from internal direction, the College also is protected from 
public surpervision. No one may be decidedly turned out of the 
building ; but they who come to it merely to look, are never wel- 
comed. A cold reception readily checks any inquisitiveness of 
disposition. The stay is brief, and the visit rarely is repeated. 
Other colleges are managed on a different plan. The lectures are 
reported. The professors seek publicity, and take pride in the 
discussion of their opinions. The profession are received with 
kindness. Their presence is regarded as an honour, and their at- 
tendance is courted. The reverse is the fact at Saint Pancras. It 
stands alone amidst the colleges of London. No report of the lec- 
tures is given. The veterinary profession are not even permitted 
to be subscribers. They who best could judge, and are most fit 
to approve, are arbitrarily excluded. From criticism the Professors 
are protected. The pupils alone hear the lectures. When one Jias 
obtained his diploma, if he enter the walls, he is informed that his 
presence is obtrusive. Gentlemen who have graduated at the 
College have been even ordered off the premises. The grooms 
have been commanded not to speak to them. The Professors feel 
they are private, and they act in a manner calculated to maintain 
their privacy. The place is given up to them, and in it they con- 
sult only their pleasures. To the public they acknowledge no 
right, and to the profession they accord no privilege. 
The foregoing assertions embody but a portion of the truth. To 
state every fact, would require more space than I dare venture to 
occupy. If all were told, the narrative would seem exaggerated. 
I suppress much. Enough, however, has probably been advanced 
to convey some idea of the condition of a school, the. existence of 
which is urged upon the Government as a sufficient plea for an- 
nulling a charter, and establishing an unconstitutional authority 
over a profession. 
The folly and the impudence of the demand provoke wonder. 
Nevertheless, I have no wish to assert that the teaching is wholly 
bad. Under the circumstances, it is better than might be ex- 
pected. Still it is imperfect. On some points it is deficient; on 
