THE YOU ATT TESTIMONIAL. 
605 
would have found its way into every European state, and that a translation 
of it is the text-book in some of the Continental schools. It is, however, one 
of the tasks which I have assigned to myself, old as I am, to prepare an edition 
of it more worthy of the subject, of you, and of veterinary science ; and should 
I, forced by circumstances which I could not have anticipated, return again 
to the practice of my profession — this is a labour which I will struggle hard 
to accomplish. “ Cattle” and “ Sheep” will, I trust, be found more worthy of 
their theme ; but I can see in both of them errors which ought not to have 
found a place there. As to the other little work to which allusion has been 
made, it beguiled many a painful hour when I was incapable of severer study, 
and it had reference to a duty, in the deep sense of which the veterinary sur- 
geon will yield to no one, — the mitigation of animal suffering, in every possible 
meaning of the term. That little book contains principles which will gradually 
more and more impress the thoughtful mind, and, by degrees, influence one and 
another of the master spirits of our profession, until it will be felt pervading 
every part of this division of science, raising, enriching, ennobling it. 
Within the last twelve months I have been much more actively employed 
than in former years in endeavouring to extend the instructions of the pupil 
of the Royal Veterinary College to every animal connected with the agricul- 
ture of our country. I shall not, I trust, be accused of urging any slight or 
false claims to your regard, when I state, that the moment I heard of the in- 
tended establishment of the English Agricultural Society, I wrote to Earl 
Spencer requesting to be enrolled one of its members, and I was one of the 
earliest, and with the payment of a sum which entitled me to be present, and 
to deliver my opinion at any or all of their committees. 
It was, perhaps, this manifestation of zeal which induced them to nominate 
me one of the Committee of Management. Being placed there, I was the 
first to call the notice of the Committee to the state of veterinary affairs. I 
moved and obtained the appointment of a Veterinary Committee — I was ap- 
pointed Chairman of that Committee — I drew up the memorial from the 
Society to the Governors of the College, regarding the extension of veterinary 
tuition, and I am proud to say that I was in frequent communication with the 
most influential members of the Society on this important matter. 
The after- working out of the plan was committed to the father of the So- 
ciety. Some steps were taken, and some improvements adopted. That it 
was not worked out to the extent that most of us contemplated I regret ; but 
as long as I am permitted to belong to that Society it will be my strenu- 
ous endeavour that the interests of the agriculturist shall have their full share 
of regard in that institution, and that a system of tuition shall be adopted 
which will qualify the veterinary practitioner to become the farmer’s friend, 
and to undertake the medical treatment of every domesticated animal. 
You will kindly pardon this egotism. I should not have done justice to 
myself, nor, perhaps, to you, if this tale had not been told. I have told it in 
the presence of him who is well acquainted with every transaction of that 
Society, the late Secretary of the Society — a sincere friend to your cause — 
an unfeed but a talented and powerful advocate of your cause, a thoroughly 
honourable man, and whom I am truly proud to consider as my friend. 
Gentlemen, you have awakened in me hopes, which, but for your marked 
kindness I should not have dared to indulge — that my “ literary labours” will 
continue to be kindly received by you while I remain, and not altogether de- 
spised when I am gone. They encourage me to hope — in the language of one 
of the most powerful writers of our day — that when the name of the indivi- 
dual who now addresses you is invested with the solemn interests of the 
grave — when his eccentricities or his failings shall excite a smile or a shrug 
no longer — when the last seal is set upon his earthly career, his works may 
assume a place among the classics of his country. 
VOL. XII. 4 K 
