THREATENED ACTION. 
348 
have successfully resisted it; and not for the reasons which the 
complainants state, and we think improperly and uncandidly, in 
a letter to the governors, “ because they would come in contact 
with that sort of evidence which is usually brought forward on 
s uch occasions, and because they were of opinion that they would 
meet such testimony” ( Hippiatrist , No. 46, p. 153). This is 
an imputation on the profession (for by the opinion of veterinary 
practitioners, given on oath, would the case have been decided), 
which it does not deserve. We indignantly repel it; and if the 
first application, or notice, or threat of action, was made in this 
spirit, or if Mr. Coleman had reason to suppose that there was 
an enemy at the bottom of the affair, who was secretly prompting 
every step, and would take unfair advantage even of honourable 
concession, we do not blame him, although there was “ the total 
absence of all explanation and apology.” 
Mr. Coleman had a duty to discharge to the College over 
which he presided ; he had one more imperious to discharge to 
the profession. If the head of the profession had cowardly com¬ 
promised such an action, what would private practitioners have 
had to expect ? 
A forge is a necessaiy but a most annoying part of our 
establishment. We cannot keep our practice together without it; 
but we gain little or nothing by it; and it exposes us to more 
complaints, often unfounded, but sometimes apparently just, 
from our employers, than any other part of our profession. We 
know from painful experience how difficult it is, from the pecu¬ 
liar construction of the foot, or the thinness of the crust, always 
to drive the nail safe and true; we know that there never was a 
workman, however skilful and careful he might be, who has not 
occasionally lamed a horse, and that without any fault of his; 
w 7 e know what mischief the slightest bearing on an unsuspected 
part will effect; and we, whom experience has made the best 
judges of the danger, often wonder that more horses are not 
lamed at our forges. 
From proper and honourable responsibility w T e should not be 
disposed to shrink ; but we confess that we are grateful to Mr. 
Coleman for resisting this action. Had he compromised it. 
