278 ON THE VETERINARY EXAMINING COMMITTEE. 
Indeed, were I in your place, I should be exceeding glad to have 
such a responsibility—one so liable to be taxed and impugned— 
taken altogether off my shoulders. 
In the beginning of this letter I told you, I hoped that the rumour 
which ascribed hostility on your part to the innovation in question, 
was without foundation. I now tell you, that, if it be true, you stand 
alone in your opposition : at least, if there be any veterinary surgeon 
concurrent with you in opinion, he is unknown to me. Sir Astley 
Cooper, fortified as he feels himself in veterinary science, and for 
that reason not admitting the incapability of the Medical Committee 
even in matters of veterinary practice, still is not opposed to the 
introduction of veterinary surgeons. Mr. Travers has actually re¬ 
signed on the grounds that the veterinary profession ‘‘ has now at¬ 
tained a rank and character, both in science and practice, that not only 
enables us to provide for our own independent maintenance and legis¬ 
lation, but fairly entitles us to all honours and emoluments thereunto 
belonging.” These are Mr. Travers’ own words; and long will 
veterinary surgeons bear in memory that noble act of resignation by 
which they have been accompanied. Mr. Bransby Cooper, too, is 
fully of opinion that we ought to have seats in the Examining 
Committee. Ay! even your predecessor was of that opinion, as 
the following letter of his to me in May 1827 will sheAV : 
Veterinary College, Saturday. 
Dear William,—I expected to have had the pleasure of seeing 
you to-day, or should have answered your letter before. Your 
proposal of calling on the Medical Committee to examine those 
veterinary surgeons who may be desirous of becoming veterinary 
examiners, may suit your individual claims extremely well. * * * * 
But recollect the arguments employed to make out a strong case in 
favour of a veterinary committee. That the medical committee are 
wholly ignorant of veterinary knowledge (which, however, is not 
true), and that the Professor is an interested individual in these 
examinations. Is it probable that the candidates would consent to 
be examined by a committee which they believe to be incompetent, 
whose approbation they would not value, and upon rejection they 
would despise. Neither would the committee who have previously 
