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EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
THE RETIREMENT OE DR. BABINGTON, AND APPOINTMENT 
OF DR. A. TAYLOR, AS AN EXAMINER. 
Our readers will perceive by the report, which we publish, 
of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 
that Dr. Babington has resigned the seat which he has so long 
and so ably filled at the Board of Examiners. The name of 
Babington has been associated with the onward progress of 
veterinary science, from the earliest days of its emancipation 
from the thraldom of ignorance and empiricism, — and hence 
we could have wished to have seen it still attached to the diploma 
of the newly graduated veterinary surgeon. If, however, this 
gratification is to be denied us, we have the pleasure to find 
that the loss is to be supplied by that of Dr. Alfred Taylor, 
of Guy’s Hospital. In commendation of Dr. Taylor it is 
unnecessary we should say anything, and especially when we 
read in the columns of the ‘ Medical Times/ that “ The 
appointment of Dr. Alfred Taylor to the examinership in 
Chemistry in the medical department of the University of 
London, will tend to raise still higher the character of this 
body. It must be highly satisfactory to Dr. Taylor to have 
obtained the post after competition with two highly-qualified 
men, while these gentlemen will not consider it any dis- 
paragement that a chemist who has earned by his works so 
high a reputation in all quarters of the world should have 
obtained the appointment.” 
ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
QUARTERLY MEETING OF COUNCL held April 7, 1858. 
Present — The President, Messrs Braby, Constant, 
Dickens, Ernes, Field, Jex, Stockley, Wilkinson, 
Professors Simonds and Morton, and the Secretary. 
James Turner, Esq., the President, in the Chair. 
The minutes of the preceding Meeting having been read 
and signed, letters were read from Professor Brande in re- 
ference to the vacancy in the Board of Examiners, when — 
