168 
THE LATE Slit ASTLEY COOPER. 
For a short time he was delighted with his new occupation ; and 
more particularly when a horse or a cow or a sheep became ill, 
and needed his surgical or medical attention : and, even when he 
returned again to the practice of the profession, some of his hap- 
piest hours were spent in the company of his friend, and in pre- 
siding at the Examiners’ board. Ill befal him who forgets or who 
undervalues the benefits connected with an arrangement like this 
in the infancy of our art ! 
Grateful, however, as is the youth to him who has watched 
over and guided his early life, yet, when he arrives at years of 
maturity, he begins to think, and he thinks rightly, that he has a 
right to manage his concerns, partially, at least, himself. He 
would not totally exclude his old adviser and counsellor, but he 
claims a voice in the disposal of that which concerns him, and 
almost him alone. So it was with the body of veterinary surgeons. 
They forgot not one obligation, but they began to urge certain claims 
which common sense, and honour, and justice, should not withhold. 
Then came the time when — and we speak it with deep regret — 
the friendship between Sir Astley Cooper and Professor Coleman 
became injurious to the veterinary school. The Professor had 
many very strange opinions peculiar to himself, and which he was 
too apt to obtrude at the examination, although the main body of 
veterinary surgeons would decidedly reject them. Sir Astley had 
drunk deep of the spirit of his friend. He was afraid how far 
some of his favourite pursuits might be relinquished, or some of 
the opinions which he had professed for many a year disavowed ; 
and, unconscious of the injustice they were committing at the 
termination of the first half century of the existence of the St. 
Pancras school, the Examiners continued medical men, and, as 
such, necessarily ignorant of the nature and the treatment of many 
of the diseases of horses and cattle. We here find some difficulty in 
forgiving even him, to whom, in many other respects, we willingly 
and truly acknowledge our obligation and our gratitude. 
We will see what the Examiners will now do; and we hope 
that, fully convinced as every one of them must be of their ina- 
bility to discharge at that board the duty which they owe to the 
institution and to the country, they will promptly and honourably 
resign in favour of those who alone are competent to the task. 
