MR. EVANS IN REPLY TO MR. BROWN. 
393 
treat the case to the best of his knowledge. It was Mr. Musson’s 
wish that I should take charge of the case ; but this I declined doing, 
on the following grounds: — first, that there existed but a slight 
chance of the mare’s recovery ; secondly, that I had several impor- 
tant cases to attend to in my own neighbourhood; and, lastly, that 
it was a delicate point to take a case out of any man’s hands, 
although requested to do so on account of his gross neglect. 
It appears that Mr. Samuel Brown does not see any thing unusual 
or inconsistent in my going to see the case, but complains of my 
examining the patient ; a most grievous offence certainly ! But, Mr. 
Editor, this is not the first time Mr. Samuel Brown has felt 
his vanity hurt by his employers requesting my professional assist- 
ance. 
The accusation of having acted discourteously towards Mr. 
Samuel Brown I repudiate with the contempt which it deserves. 
What ceremony has he shewn towards me by calling into question 
my professional character without any cause 1 Towards him I acted 
with that spirit of liberality which I should have expected every 
professional gentleman to have exhibited towards me. 
The case which Mr. Samuel Brown wishes to establish against 
me is, by his own statement, so far satisfactory as fully to exonerate 
me from the charge of inattention to professional etiquette ; for 
what employer has not the right to change his surgeon if he sup- 
poses there is gross neglect, or for the want of confidence in him 1 
My professional practice is as extensive, respectable, and con- 
ducted with as great regularity and observance of etiquette towards 
my cotemporaries, as Mr. Samuel Brown’s, or any other man’s ; and 
I challenge Mr. Samuel Brown to prove the contrary. It is not my 
intention to enter into further controversy with Mr. Samuel Brown ; 
but had I treated his attack with the silent contempt it deserved, I 
might have been considered, by those who do not know me, as guilty 
of the impropriety with which he charges me. 
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 
Joseph Evans, 
Member of the Royal Veterinary College. 
Grantham, 13th May, 1839. 
[The charge has been brought, and the defence has been heard. 
The whole originated in a misunderstanding of circumstances — a 
misunderstanding which a little further inquiry might and would 
have rectified. When these gentlemen meet again, there is no 
reason why they should not cordially extend to each other the 
right hand of fellowship. Vast improvements are on the eve of 
taking place in our profession ; we shall occupy a higher station 
