242 MEMORIAL TO SIR GEORGE GREY, BART. 
cultural Society of England. The object of the two Societies being 
the same, that which the one can approve ought not to displease 
the other. The Royal Agricultural Society of England, induced 
by the representations of the Professors, were once opponents to 
the Charter of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; your 
Memorialists, however, having opportunities of communication, 
and being located where their conduct could be watched, sought 
to explain their powers, and to justify their proceedings; your 
Memorialists gratefully acknowledge their representations were 
entertained. The result has been, that the Royal Agricultural 
Society, after mature consideration, recognizing the scope of the 
existing Charter, and witnessing the conduct of the Council, no 
longer appear as Petitioners against the Royal College of Vete- 
rinary Surgeons. 
The Professors of the Colleges are the parties with whom the 
Petition originated. They drew it up, and they are the persons 
whose activity caused it to be signed : on their assertions the agi- 
tation was commenced, and in consequence of their representations 
it is continued. 
“ Your Memorialists decline to insinuate the motives by which 
the Professors are actuated, but they humbly beg you, Honourable 
Sir, to weigh the following facts : — 
The Charter gives to the Royal College of Veterinary Sur- 
geons the power of appointing Examiners to test the qualifications 
of those gentlemen who may be desirous of becoming members of 
the veterinary profession. This power indirectly, to a certain 
extent, controls the teaching of the Professors. In some measure 
it makes known what has been taught at the schools : — it places 
the Professors, in some degree, under responsibility — it inquires 
into-the attainments of the pupils, and therefore it insists upon the 
efficiency of their instruction. 
Such is the only power connected with the schools which the 
Charter confers upon the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 
and such is the only responsibility to which the Colleges are 
subjected. 
The establishment of such power was not a novelty, since it 
had been in operation for many years over the medical profession ; 
for the existence of such authority there was, therefore, ample 
precedent. To prove that it was wholesome in its influence, and 
by no means injurious in its effect, the acquiescence of a learned 
and noble profession affords the most decided evidence. To shew 
that it has been abused by your Memorialists no statement is 
advanced, but to demonstrate that it has been considerately exer- 
cised facts may be appealed to. 
To guard against the possibility of abuse, your Memorialists 
