104 
VETERINARY STUDENTS DINNER. 
army veterinary surgeon through the instrumentality of Mr. Cole¬ 
man, and known in no foreign corps; and he called on those who 
respected the Professor, and felt the benefit they derived from his 
instruction, to do justice to the toast* 
Professor Coleman complimented the Chairman on the steadi¬ 
ness and ardour of friendship by which he was characterised. 
Had he not been supported by him, and by gentlemen like him, 
on his right hand and his left, he would not have dared to retain 
the situation to which he had been elevated; but, enjoying the 
good opinion of those he valued, and having the happiness to 
know that he possessed the affection and confidence of his pupils, 
he would not resign the honourable station he occupied so long 
as life and health remained. He trusted, however, that there 
would be some kind friend who would warn him when he ought 
to retire, but until then he would endeavour to discharge his duty. 
He begged to propose the health of his old and tried friend the 
Chairman. 
Sir Astley Cooper described the pleasure with which he had 
witnessed the improvement of our profession,—our advance from 
farriery to science; and he trusted that we should still proceed, 
until we occupied that situation in society to which our profession 
gave us a claim. He had worked with us and for us, from affec¬ 
tion for his fellow-student and friend, and from love for the art. 
He then digressed (why we know not, and we lament the digres¬ 
sion) to the constitution of the veterinary examining committee, 
which he affirmed was “ the best constituted that could possibly 
be devised.” “The examiners,” he said, “were men eminent 
in their profession, and acquainted not merely with minute ana¬ 
tomy, but the principles of disease, and therefore qualified to 
judge of the pupil, not only as a mechanic, but as a medical pro¬ 
ficient. If the board were otherwise constituted, if it were 
occupied by veterinary practitioners, they might be suspected or 
accused of partiality, although he could not imagine the real 
existence of these things; but among the present examiners there 
could be no partiality, and the students and the public would be 
assured that justice would be done.” 
“ The present examining committee is the best constituted that 
can possibly be devised /” so says Sir Astley, at the students’ 
