VETERINARY ANNIVERSARY DINNER. 163 
but he has come here to support our institution, and to sup¬ 
port his friend, for which I beg leave to express my grateful 
acknowledgments. 
I have also the honour to return my warmest thanks to those 
distinguished visitors who have favoured us with their company 
this day, and who have so liberally admitted the veterinary 
students to their lectures. The information the pupils receive 
from human anatomy and physiology, the principles and prac¬ 
tice of surgery, materia medica, and chemistry, as taught by 
these eminent teachers, is not only most important knowledge 
to veterinary students, but they obtain a character for science 
they could not receive from the veterinary college alone. 
I feel particularly obliged to those numerous veterinary 
practitioners, who have given us the pleasure of their company 
at this anniversary dinner ; and, although last, but not least, I 
must not forget my junior friends, my present pupils, with whom 
originated this dinner, and who, with so much feeling,-address- 
ed a most affectionate letter, signed by upwards of sixty stu¬ 
dents, to desire me to remain at home, until my health was 
completely restored ; when a publication, not necessary for me 
to name, assured the public that my pupils were ^ without excep¬ 
tion dissatisfied, discontented, and indignant." That I should 
have enemies is not extraordinary. Few persons in any public 
situation are without. I trust and believe, in number, my oppo¬ 
nents are few, but in zeal, and in talent, I know their power 
is great. 
I am well aware that many veterinary surgeons are as 
competent, or more competent, to teach the veterinary art than 
myself; and I am proud to make this acknowledgment. The 
original intention of the governors of this institution was to 
form a school, in which it was expected that each succeeding 
generation should have more professional knowledge than their 
predecessors. Is it therefore a fault in your present professor, 
that he should have instructed pupils better informed than him¬ 
self? Was it a discredit to Mr. Cline that Sir Astley Cooper 
