96 
MU. PEUCIVALL, AND 
one, vote that some very handsome and acceptable return be made 
to the present Board of Examiners for their long and faithful ser¬ 
vices, "with a conjoint request that they cede their places to a 
board of veterinary surgeons. If Mr. Sewell be deemed informed 
enough to sit as Professor at the Royal Veterinary College, doubt¬ 
less such men as Goodwin, Cherry, King, Field, Turner, and Youatt, 
are sufficiently endowed to examine into the qualifications of the 
students! And, therefore, it would be just as reasonable to appoint 
a surgeon to the Professorship, as to continue to elect surgeons to 
become our examiners. 
At the Scotch veterinary school this incongruity has never had 
existence. Ah incipio, there, veterinary surgeons have constituted 
the examining board; and the fruits of this wholesome arrange¬ 
ment, if I mistake not, have already shewn themselves on more 
occasions than one. The profession wants men “ qualified to prac¬ 
tise”—not men schooled like parrots to answer questions. The 
army in particular requires the qualified practitioner ; and, if I am 
not deceived, under its present veterinary directorship, will take 
care to have that kind of qualification. Indeed, for my own part, 
were I in the place of the Principal Veterinary Surgeon, I should 
certainly consider it my duty to look lightly upon any veterinary 
diploma signed by surgeons and physicians, however celebrated 
in their own profession. 
But the present diploma is also subscribed by the Professor of 
the Veterinary College. So much the worse; because he is, or 
is naturally regarded to be, interested in passing his own pupils. 
I cannot refrain, in this place, from relating what some years ago 
passed on this very question between myself and the late much 
respected and talented Dr. George Pearson, whose acquaintance I 
had the honour familiarly to enjoy. The Doctor one day called at 
my barrack-room, in Hyde Park, and in the course of conversation 
the subject now before us happened to come upon the tapis ; when 
I urged what I have in this letter been contending for. “ No,” re¬ 
plied the Doctor, “ I cannot agree with you, Mr. Percivall; the 
Veterinary Board would become poor and inconsequential without 
us. Without our (celebrated) names, your diploma would be worth 
very little.” “True, Doctor ! 1 admit the force of your reasoning; 
