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THE YOUATT TESTIMONIAL. 
in tlie possession of that rest so beautifully described by the poet Mont- 
gomery : — 
“ There is a calm for those who weep, 
A rest for weary pilgrims found ; 
They softly lie, and sweetly sleep 
Low in the ground. 
The storm that wrecks the winter- sky 
No more disturbs their deep repose, 
Than Summer evening’s latest sigh 
That shuts the rose.” 
We, too, must be gathered to our fathers; but the thistle-down will float as 
lightly, and the songsters of the grove warble as sweetly, then as now. The 
memory of the late Professor will be revered by many of us. I, at least, shall 
have cause to respect it, for he was my friend. 
The next occasion was for him who has so justly succeeded to the Profes- 
sorship ; from whom much good is anticipated, and to whom the eyes of the 
profession are directed. Nor do I think he will disappoint the hopes that 
are formed ; for I have heard him say, that he is only anxious to occupy that 
chair as long as he can be useful in it ; and you are all acquainted with him. 
He has long been weighed in the balance, and is justly esteemed by you. 
This brings me to the present evening, and, perhaps, I ought to speak of him 
who is now with us, and whose talents we have all so much cause to respect 
and admire ; but the flood-tide of eloquence which has poured in upon us, 
would make words of mine like the pattering of drops of rain upon the mighty 
expanse of waters. Much as the former pleasing events delighted me, this 
has afforded me equal gratification. I do contend that we are more indebted 
to him who clears away the brushwood from the forest, scaring thence the 
poisonous reptile, and making a pathway through the wild, than to another 
who afterwards covers that path with costly marble, or inlays it with mosaic 
work ; — to him who builds but a hut in the desert, than to him who, on the 
foundation which had been before laid, erects the most magnificent superstruc- 
ture. Such have been the labours of Mr. Youatt. He has achieved that, 
almost singly and alone, which many have often failed to do ; and shall we 
then withhold from him our thanks ? Rather does he not merit more than we 
can give ? 
It will be, perhaps, pleasing to you, to know how and by whom this expres- 
sion of our esteem for Mr. Youatt was brought about. The subject had 
been frequently conversed on at our private meetings ; but it was thought 
that, as certain matters were yet in abeyance, the present was not the fitting 
time for any public manifestation. A few months since, I received a commu- 
nication from Mr. W. Taylor, V.S., of Belfast, urging me to take the matter up, 
and in glowing language pointing out the merits of the man and the debt of 
gratitude which the veterinary profession owes to him. I replied, that I cor- 
dially agreed with him; but as yet the fitting time had not arrived. Very soon 
after this, a letter came from Mr. Hugh Ferguson, V.S., of Dublin, expressing 
precisely the same sentiments. Now, what was to be done ? It appeared 
that many entertained the same views, and that without intercourse with each 
other — the union between the English Agricultural Society and the Veterinary 
College was rapidly cementing, and the fitting time had arrived. The opinion 
of the profession generally was now sounded, and the result is before you ; 
and we rejoice in such a termination of our labours. 
As your Secretary, I feel it my duty to give you the particulars connected 
with the Testimonial; but at this late hour of the evening, I must be brief. 
The number of Contributors is 125. 
