THE YOUATT TESTIMONIAL. 
613 
Thanks to the exertions of this noble Society, that state of things has 
passed, they having brought about an amalgamation of our art with its sister 
science, agriculture. As a member of the sub-committee, I could tell you how 
much we owe to a certain individual for the accomplishment of this improve- 
ment ! how great a debt of gratitude is due from us to the gentleman who was 
appointed the chairman of this committee. We are this day met to tender 
him our heartfelt thanks for the many benefits which, through his energy, 
and the devotion of his talents and his labours, have been conferred upon our 
profession. 
The veterinary student will now be instructed in that long-neglected branch 
of his education, for, already, as you know, a Lecturer upon the Anatomy and 
Physiology of Cattle and Sheep, &c., has been appointed at the Veterinary 
College, and to you, who are so well aware of the talent and the industry of 
our friend — Assistant-Professor Spooner — I need not speak of his capability, 
and his wish to impart to the pupil a thorough knowledge of this important 
division of his studies. I need not tell you how essential it is for the student 
to receive a correct notion of the structure and functions of the various 
organs of an animal — the parts of a machine — which he will, hereafter, be 
called upon to repair, when, from disease, their office becomes deranged. 
Without this knowledge his practice can be nothing but empirical. 
The other gentleman, to whom has been allotted the task of teaching the 
aspirant for veterinary honours, a still more important branch of our science, 
as it relates to these animals, namely, their pathology — the various and occa- 
sionally complex diseases to which they are subject — is one whom we cannot 
but admire for his devotion to his art, his perseverance, his desire for its 
onward progress, and his kindness to the pupil ; need I say that I allude to 
Professor Sewell. By their united exertions, I feel satisfied that the pupil 
will receive that instruction which will enable him to rescue in after-life 
many an animal that would otherwise have fallen a sacrifice to disease, and 
thus accomplish the good intended by the English Agricultural Society. 
If I had any fear of the full carrying out of the grand desideratum, it would 
be that produced by knowing how much the valuable time of our present 
and worthy Professor is occupied. His heart must, indeed, be thrown into 
the cause, and his labours must be unremitting, to enable him fully to accom- 
plish the task which will be required of him ; but we know and admire his 
perseverance and assiduity. May his health be fully re-established ! Gentle- 
men, I will not detain you longer ; for already do I see the bumper filled, and 
yourselves most anxious to join me in pledging the prosperity of the English 
Agricultural Society. 
Mr. Shaw , the former Secretary to the English Agricultural Society, thus 
replied : — Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen, I paused awhile, in the hope of 
finding that some member of the English Agricultural Society was present, 
who would acknowledge in more appropriate language than I can the toast 
which has been so cordially received. No person appearing, however, I lose 
not a moment in rising to return thanks for the honour you have conferred 
upon this society. Although suffering considerable bodily pain, I could not re- 
frain from attending here to day, to witness the presentation of a well-merited 
testimonial to one whom I am proud to call my friend. In addition to the 
observations upon his merits, and the gratitude due to him from the vete- 
rinary profession, I must add that, in the position which I lately held in the 
Agricultural Society, I had an opportunity of witnessing the zeal with which 
he laboured to bring about that connexion which has recently been formed 
between the Society and the Veterinary College, and which, if established 
upon sound principles, and carried out with proper energy, cannot fail to be 
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