THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
201 
without disguise, opposing the self-same authority they beg to be 
invested with. Those who ask, at least should shew a disposition 
to respect. Still, while appealing to the Crown, they are actively 
thwarting the expressed and proclaimed commands of majesty. 
Inquiry is wanted : it must be instituted before matters proceed 
much farther. In the present state of affairs no ministry could 
advise the crown to grant the proposed new Charter. There is no 
evidence to shew it is required ; no proof to shew it is deserved. 
Without necessity and without merit it cannot be conceded. For 
the existing Charter there is ample precedent. For the one applied 
for there cannot be quoted a single example. 
Compare the two parties acting in opposition ; — a profession and 
the professors of a single school. The one a public body, the other 
a private clique. On one hand the meetings are open and the 
decisions public ; on the other side the proceedings are secret, and 
the conduct removed from inspection or responsibility. 
The governors, and those acting with the school, will, I am cer- 
tain, on reflection withdraw from the present disgraceful contest. 
Desiring only good, they are, on conviction, incapable of remaining 
the advocates of evil. It is said they are committed to the cause 
they have espoused. I deny they are so committed ; or, granting 
that they are, they are gentlemen, and have no petty fear of ac- 
knowledging they have been deceived. 
The veterinary profession, however, must now shew its feeling. 
If the Charter have their support, the fact must be demonstrated. 
In such a cause, every individual must act as if the issue de- 
pended on his single arm : all know what has been. They are 
aware how their wishes are opposed, and their best interests en- 
dangered. If the threatened plan of manufacturing illegal diplo- 
mas be carried into effect, the consequences will not be slight. 
The war which quacks and farriers have for so many years main- 
tained will receive new vigour. In the country, the certified of 
the College will hardly be distinguished from the constituted mem- 
ber of the Charter. The false and true paper will be confounded. 
Fearing the possibility of such an event, I have induced a 
talented young artist to execute a model of the crest of the Royal 
College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has produced a work which, 
on the score of art, is deserving of no measured praise. It is, in 
fact, a noble performance ; one that would not disgrace the gallery 
of a connoisseur. The centaur rears boldly up, firmly grasping 
the shield, as if he defied it to be wrested from him, and was de- 
termined to retain it. The figure is full of spirit, and displays 
more talent than I can here afford space to allude to ; my present 
purpose being to explain the motive rather than to enlarge on the 
beauty of the production. 
VOL. XXI. E e 
