614 
THE YOU ATT TESTIMONIAL. 
productive of infinite advantage to both institutions. It has been remarked 
this evening, that the veterinary profession owes a debt of gratitude to the late 
Professor Coleman, for having given that profession, as it were, a standing in 
society, by getting its members recognized as officers when attached to 
cavalry regiments. I would not have it thought that I seek to derogate from 
the merits of the late Professor ; but I am rather inclined to believe that 
time and circumstances had much more weight in promoting that object than 
either the influence or the exertions of that departed individual. A war 
carried on upon a very extensive scale, in which great numbers of horses 
were employed, rendered the government and the country alive to the import- 
ance of the veterinary profession, and hence, as it seems to me, the just 
mark of distinction bestowed upon its practitioners. So, on the other hand, 
I am inclined to view in a somewhat similar light the apathy which has 
been displayed in respect to the diseases of the other domesticated animals, 
and the impediments which, it is said, were interposed to prevent the study 
of those diseases at the Veterinary College. Independent of its utility, 
fashion and pleasure, supported by wealth, combined to stimulate attention 
to the horse. The time had not arrived when the amount of capital invested 
by the agricultural interest in cattle, sheep, and pigs, not to forget horses 
used for agricultural purposes, far exceeded that of horses used for all other 
purposes, and hence the cause of those animals being left to be treated by 
the ignorant and the unskilful. That time is now come ; circumstances begin 
to operate by calling attention to the subject ; and a fine field is opened to 
the practitioners of the veterinary profession, not only to elevate that pro- 
fession, but to acquire affluence individually. If, however, I may be per- 
mitted to hazard an opinion, I would observe, that the elevation which that 
profession may attain, must, in a main degree, if not altogether, depend upon 
the exertions of its members. Feeling a lively interest in every thing which 
concerns agriculture, I am happy to have had this opportunity of inter- 
mixing with gentlemen whose pursuits are so nearly connected, and whose 
interests are so intimately blended with it; and in the name and in be- 
half of the English Agricultural Society, I return you my most sincere 
thanks. 
Mr. Henderson proposed “the Health of Mr. Turner,” as the Chairman of 
the present happy meeting. He was always ready for every good work, and 
the moment that he was told that our friend Mr. Percivall could not be pre- 
sent, he acceded to our request that he would occupy the chair. Well and 
worthily had he done so. He would beg, however, to couple the health of 
the chairman with another subject, which, in truth, was worthy of a separate 
toast, but which was very appropriate as connected with the present one, 
“ Veterinary Authors.” It w r as to acknowledge the literary labours of one gen- 
tleman that we assembled to-day, and well did he deserve the compliment that 
had been paid to him. It is true that he is now weaning into the vale of years ; 
but he might live, and he hoped he would live many a year to conduct the vete- 
rinary Journal — our own Journal — and occasionally to see around him those 
whom he values, and who esteem and love him. If our friend Mr. Percivall had 
occupied the chair to-day, the toast would have come home to the business 
and bosoms of us all; our indefatigable friend — our guest to-night; the 
classical writer of our profession, W. Percivall, who delights while he in- 
structs; and our ardent, practical friend, the Chairman, with his Treatise on 
the Navicular Joint Lameness ; our zealous and scientific friend the Secre- 
tary, zealous in elucidating a branch of veterinary instruction too much 
neglected, — w r e should have had a constellation of talent. If w r e had wanted 
more, here is the luminary of our northe 1 "' 4, Professor Dick, whom we 
