262 
THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
a case, and on his journey have looked upon a cow. Neither 
horse nor ox to him might be quite strange. The other, however, 
coming from the academy to the shop, throwing away his books 
to take the pestle up, and never leaving the counter save when 
there was physic to take out, would be well qualified to pass 
quickly through the veterinary school. It is true, he in his 
master’s place would mix up drinks and pack up balls. He 
would in the window see a plaster horse ; and occasionally he 
would compound a strange specific for a cat. Such education, in 
the Professors’ eyes, would fit the lad at once to take the lead in the 
shed, the stable, or the forge. Those who concocted the proposed 
new Charter thought the druggist’s ’prentice equal to the vete- 
rinary surgeon’s pupil, and offer to certify the fact. They ask 
the ministry to charter them to propagate so gross a falsehood. 
They have obtained the sanction of the Highland and Agricultural 
Society to the enormity. The governors of the Royal Veterinary 
College back up the outrage ; and, to crown the whole, the 
monstrous untruth is officially presented to the Throne. 
Common sense revolts at the hardihood which dared advance this 
infamous proposal ; but, if possible, even that is surpassed by what 
succeeds, if every country chemist is to write Member of the Royal 
College of Veterinary Surgeons above his door, and in his person to 
unite trade and profession, every fellow who lingers about a mews 
or travels to cut pigs (either of which might be made to constitute 
the veterinary art) is to take apprentices, and to send them up as 
candidates for our diplomas. The would-be Charter seeks the 
recognition of a class, yet contains a clause acknowledging an order 
which its intent and purpose is to repudiate. If the pupil is to be 
accepted, why is not the teacher to be embraced] When the 
farrier’s ’prentice is admitted, why should the farrier be repulsed 1 
What the one could claim for learning much, the other might de- 
mand for knowing all. 
Such are but two of the contemplated clauses in the proposed 
draft of a new charter. The profession will do well to consider 
them. The object is too plain to be mistaken. The design lies 
so openly upon the surface, that no man can fail to see it. The 
Professors want the pupils, from whom they get their incomes, and 
for all else they care not. Let the fees be numerous, and they 
can smile at consequences, which, however fatal to the profession 
on whose merits they urge their prayer, will have filled the pockets 
of the men who, within the College walls, are not likely to be 
affected by them. Treachery more flagrant, or selfishness more 
abhorrent, was never displayed. It should be published and made 
known. The veterinary practitioner should think well of the men 
who have presumed to make farriers his equals, and chemists his 
