EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
287 
Of Professor Dick’s character as a man I need say little. It is 
well known to all of you. He has ever been characterised by a 
liberal, candid, straightforward and consistent course of conduct. 
Without detaining you further, I shall, therefore, propose, 
“ Prosperity to the Edinburgh Veterinary College, and happiness 
to its Founder and present Professor, Mr. Dick.” 
Dr. Mercer rose soon afterwards, and said that the toast which 
he was about to propose was one which would come home to the 
feelings of every one of (he present company; viz. “Prosperity 
to the Veterinary Profession.” 
They were now met at the social board, to celebrate the termi- 
nation Of another session of the Edinburgh Veterinary College; 
and the success and eclat with which this has been done were, 
he said, perfectly understood by all present. 
It is a custom, he said, of long standing — and one which has 
gained authority by its age — that, after a science, or a public in- 
stitution, has completed a half century of its existence, some public 
demonstration usually takes places commemorative of its founda- 
tion: now, when we apply this good custom to the subject of our 
toast, we shall find it to be a fact no less true than it is startling, 
that we may be also said to be met to commemorate the jubilee 
of the public existence of the veterinary science in this country. 
I need not point out to you the circumstances under which 
this science was established, the degraded condition in which it 
was found prior to that period, or the success which has hitherto 
attended its cultivation. These have already been sufficiently 
pointed out by the previous speakers, and it therefore only re- 
mains for me to wish continued success and prosperity to it as a 
science, and that that rapid progress and advancement which it 
has of late years made may still continue ; and, more especially 
that you, who have this day been enlisted under its, banners, 
will prove yourselves alike worthy of the noble science you have 
undertaken to promote, and the patriotic institution under whose 
fostering auspices you have begun your public life. 
I cannot, however, sit down without alluding more particularly 
to another topic. The health of your worthy Professor has already 
been proposed, coupled with the honourable title cf the “ Father 
of veterinary medicine in this part of the kingdom but, gentle- 
men, when 1 look around me, it is with feelings of the greatest 
pleasure that l observe one seated at our festive board who is 
entitled to the still more venerable title of the Grandfather of ve- 
terinary science, — I allude to Mr. Dick, sen. To us it must be 
extremely pleasing to observe him, after having so far exceeded 
the allotted period of existence, enjoying such excellent health — 
taking that interest and fatherly care over you which he daily 
