264 
THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
upon the success which has hitherto attended their well-directed 
efforts. Such a course as the one so rigorously pursued by them 
ought and must ultimately effect its object. Failure is impossible ; 
and future generations will with pride refer to the members of that 
Council who, in the time of faction and trouble, maintained their 
Charter pure and inviolate, that it might descend to their inheritors 
as a boon worthy of acceptance and of general usefulness instead 
of being, as it otherwise must be, an empty, worthless, appendage. 
The profession are most seriously alive to the occurrences past 
and passing ; but their confidence is so implicit in their Council, 
that they are content to rely entirely upon their vigilance and 
integrity. The time, however, has now arrived, says Mr. Mayhew, 
when “ If that the Charter have the support of the profession, the 
fact must be demonstrated ; ” and it is with a full concurrence in 
this assertion that I now address you, fearing that I may not be at 
liberty to attend the general meeting. 
Upon taking a retrospective view of all that has appeared, and 
considering all the probable advantages and disadvantages which 
would arise in the event of the present veterinary schools with- 
drawing themselves from the corporate body, or if that they, by 
illegal acts, should place themselves beyond the pale of the existing 
Charter, I am decided in the opinion that such an event, instead 
of being in any way feared, ought rather to be rejoiced at, if that 
a total reform does not take place in their operations. And I con- 
sider, moreover, the veterinary profession to be forcing a derogation 
upon their Council if they do not come forward and take upon them- 
selves the entire responsibility of such a change, and empower their 
Council to demand an instant cessation of hostilities, or at once 
proceed to the putting into execution such plans as shall for ever 
prevent the possible recurrence of such exceedingly disagreeable 
misunderstandings. 
Why may not the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons have 
a school of its own! What are the objections, and wherefore are 
we to be beholden to parties out of the profession for the use of a 
school for the instruction of those anxious to become members of 
the corporate body ? The St. Pancras School is certainly an edifice 
not calculated either from its external appearance or internal 
management, to reflect any very great degree of credit on the pro- 
fession at large. Besides, the progressive spirit of the times calls 
loudly for an institution better in every respect than either of those 
now in existence. A new school, of which every regularly qualified 
veterinary surgeon would be eligible to become a member and 
have a voice in the general management of its affairs, would at 
once receive the decided support of the whole profession, who, 
having an interest in its welfare, would be certain to employ all 
