THE YOUATT TESTIMONIAL. 
609 
my warmest thanks. I have before been present at similar meetings to the 
one we are now enjoying, but I can safely say that no previous occasion has 
afforded me a greater pleasure than the one we have this evening met to com- 
memorate ; and when I look to my right hand and to my left, and see around 
this social board by far the majority of the most influential metropolitan 
members of our profession, and many from different parts of the country, 
whose talents stand deservedly high in the estimation of their professional bre- 
thren and the public, together with other gentlemen, private friends of our 
esteemed guest, who have all distinguished themselves in various branches of 
literature — when I see such men ardently engaged in the good cause of doing 
honour to him to whom honour is due, and thereby evincing their anxiety for 
the advancement of veterinary science, the best interests of which have always 
been uppermost in my own heart, — I can, without hesitation, state, that the 
present moment to me is one of high gratification. 
That our profession of late years has been progressively improving, I think 
no one will deny ; and when I say, that Mr. Youatt, by his unwearied exer- 
tions in the literary department, has done more than any other individual to- 
wards effecting that desired object, I feel that I am expressing the sentiments 
of all. 
The versatility of his talents is such as falls to the lot of but few ; and when 
we reflect that those talents, guided by straightforward and honest principles, 
have for many years been strenuously engaged for the benefit of our art, we 
ought, and I am sure we do, one and all of us, feel proud of this opportunity 
of convincing him of the high value we put upon his mental acquirements, 
and the esteem we feel for him as a friend. 
Empty words, however, are but as bubbles upon the water, which expand 
on its surface and become attractive to the eye, yet, ere a few seconds have 
elapsed, burst and leave not a trace behind wherewith to mark the spot 
whence they arose. The token, however, which is now before us, and which 
has this night been presented to Mr. Youatt, is composed of lasting materials, 
which may be handed down to posterity ; and when no longer the harmonious 
concord of sweet sentiments, with which its presentation was accompanied 
in the eloquent address of Mr. Field, shall vibrate in our ears — when we of 
the present age shall have passed away, it may still remain in the possession 
of those who will be proud to exhibit it as a proof that in our time there were 
those in our profession who could appreciate the merits of a man who, during 
many a year, both through evil and through good report, steadily and perse- 
veringly laboured hard and successfully to exalt us as a body, by inculcating 
the true principles upon which the veterinary art is based. 
I can entertain no wish to lessen the force of the very able speech of Mr. 
Field ; for every word of it was expressive of my own feelings, and, I think I 
can safely say, the feelings of us all ; it was a simple yet sublime species of 
eloquence that has made an impression upon our minds, which during life will 
never be forgotten. Yet there is one circumstance which has of late taken 
place, to which Mr. Field did not allude, and which Mr. Youatt has been 
principally instrumental in bringing about ; an occurrence of vast importance, 
perhaps second to none, as being calculated for the improvement and the 
general extension of the usefulness of our art; — I mean the union of the Vete- 
rinary College with the English Agricultural Society. 
It must be admitted that the study of the pupil has hitherto been too 
exclusive; I trust, however, that the time is not far distant, when his atten- 
tion will be directed to every branch of veterinary science which will be 
calculated to render him a competent general practitioner. It will afford me 
the highest delight to be, in conjunction with Professor Sewell, one of the 
humble agents in effecting that desired end. It cannot, however, be expected 
that every thing relative to the new field of research upon which we are 
