THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
643 
luable improvements which have been effected. They rejoice 
that cattle and sheep, and swine and dogs, and, in fact, all of our 
domestic animals, will be admitted as patients at the Veterinary 
College. They rejoice in it, as cementing the bonds of amity be- 
tween the Southern Veterinary Institution and the English Agri- 
cultural Society ; and also because the student may now, for the 
first time, go to his practice honestly prepared for the discharge of 
his duty. They are doubtful, however, one and all, whether, ac- 
cording to the present arrangement, this can be fairly carried out. 
All the diseases of all the domesticated animals to be taught by 
one man ! — it seems to be a moral impossibility. The horse, the 
ox, and the hog, what little analogy is there between either their 
physiology or their diseases? In scarcely any case, — perhaps it 
might be better said in no case, — can that which is known of the 
one be fully applicable to the treatment of the other. They could 
have wished that this point had been deeply considered, or that it 
be so ere the ensuing session commences ; but, thankful for other 
boons, they will wait to see the working of the new curriculum. 
With regard to the appointment of Professor Spooner, there is 
not a dissentient voice, whether the importance of the Professor- 
ship or the competency of the Professor are considered. Had they 
heard the concluding paragraph of his speech at the late dinner, 
they would have, indeed, exulted. “ I will confess thus much,” 
said the Professor, “ that I deeply feel the responsibility of the 
situation in which I have the honour to be placed, and will ever 
exert my utmost endeavours to fulfil the expectations of the 
Governors of the Institution, to merit the esteem and good-fellow- 
ship of those with whom I shall act, and to obtain the confidence 
and support of every well- thinking member of the profession. 
Failing in this, I will never consent to hold a situation where I can 
only be considered as a clog to the advancement of science, and a 
mark to be shot at by all who are anxious for its welfare.” This 
is noble ! Long may he live to carry out all the purposes intended 
to be effected by the Assistant-Professor, according to the new 
arrangements at the Veterinary College ! — and, far more than these, 
he has the ability and the determination to effect. 
It is a wide field which he will have to occupy, and much labour 
of body and of mind will the proper occupancy of it exact. We 
