LETTER TO SIR ASTLEY COOPER. 455 
taken into serious consideration ; and I should hope that we may 
rely on you to take an opportunity thus far to serve us. 
In regard to any honour which the post -of a veterinary examin- 
ership may confer on any medical member of your committee, or in 
respect to any other advantages derivable from the office, I may 
obser\^e, generally, in the first place, that all men are ready 
enough to receive and cling to that which invests them with au¬ 
thority, though it be but ^Mittle and brief;"’ that, in other words, 
it seems natural to us to love to lord it over one another : and, in 
the second place, that it seems to be equally in our nature to like 
to hear the world giving us credit, not only for a great deal more 
knowledge on certain subjects than we really possess, but for 
knowledge even about that of which we are consciously quite ig¬ 
norant. For example, it is said, Sir Astley, that the world will 
give me credit for more science, because your name is subscribed 
to my diploma; in which case, how much more must your vete¬ 
rinary reputation become enhanced ! I have, however, in a former 
part of my letter, given it as my opinion, that the appearance of 
your signature, in quarters where it is to our interest that it should 
make most impression, is likely to have the contraiy effect; and 
thus far, it casts a reflection upon the veterinarian; though, still, 
it may prove, even if only by way of advertisement, of some 
service to the medical examiner. 
But I will suppose. Sir Astley, indeed, I wnuld fain believe, 
that neither you, nor any member of your committee, is influenced 
by any such sordid feeling in this exclusion: does, therefore, the 
inference follow, that you are acting pwrc/y on account of us—that 
you can have, neither directly nor indirectly, any selfish motive 
whatever for retaining your places ? Far be it from me to be sus¬ 
picious of the presence of intrigue in minds at once so enlightened 
with reason and fortified with independence, that they seem to 
have no place for the lurking devilit is only my sad expe¬ 
rience which makes me feel certain indescribable misgivings, 
when I view actions, said to be disinterested in their origin, turn 
out otherwise in their operation, and persisted in after their inju¬ 
rious tendency has completely manifested itself. I will not here 
press too hard. Sir Astley; but I feel quite confident I shall, in 
the end, find some secret spring at work, impelling you onward 
so disinterestedly to our disadvantage and degradation. Let us 
look a little closer on this part of our subject. 
I presume. Sir Astley, you will agree with me, that we all of 
us have some observation and experience, that in committees and 
assembhes in general, of whatever description, from the Houses 
of Lords and Commons down even to a vestry meeting, there are 
always to be found one or two of the members, br a certain com- 
