28 
PROFESSOR COLEMAN AND THE 
which were delivered at the school in Windmill Street, where I 
had a particular friend who was going through his course of 
medical studies, for the purpose of qualifying himself to practise 
as a surgeon : he introduced me as a visitor to the Westminster 
Medical Society, which held its weekly meetings there, and 
ultimately got me elected a member. The advantage of such a 
society, connected with a school of medicine and surgery, struck 
me as of so much benefit to the students, that I immediately re- 
solved upon mooting the establishment of a Veterinary Medical 
Society amongst my fellow-students at the Veterinary College. 
They immediately entered into it, and I was requested, with 
others, to draw a rough outline of the rules by which it was to 
be governed. 
The first formation of it, in reality, occurred at the commence- 
ment of 1812, and its early meetings were held at a respectable 
inn, midway between Holborn and Camden Town, so as to ac- 
commodate the students at and about the College, and those 
resident at the West End. A large commodious room was 
taken there, and the meetings held weekly, as long as I was at 
College, which was up to the commencement of 1813. Thus 
was launched into the world The London Veterinary Medical 
Society, without patronage of any kind , and nothing but its own 
intrinsic merits to swell its sails and propel it along . The Pre- 
sident and Vice-president were chosen from among the Fellows; 
but, rather more than a twelvemonth from its first formation, my 
respected friend, Professor Sewell, very kindly allowed himself 
to be nominated its President, which gradually paved the way 
for its admission within the walls of the College. In the course 
of two or three years from its foundation, our respected Pro- 
fessor allowed himself to be placed at its head as Patron ; under 
whose fostering care, and that of Professor Sewell, it has 
worked well for the general interest of the students. 
Thomas Mayer. 
The account of Mr. Mayer is perfectly correct. The idea of 
the establishment of the Society originated with him ; and at 
first there were not a great many who lent a willing ear to his 
suggestion. A few, however, of the more zealous ones were 
determined to make the attempt ; and to Mr. Mayer, Mr. Hab- 
good, and Mr. Henley, was entrusted the labour of drawing up 
a code of laws for our governance. Our place of meeting was 
a tavern in Marchmont Street. 
