360 
THE VETERINARY MEMORIAL. 
trance fee we shall injure the school by lessening the number of 
students. We will not enter into any invidious comparison, but 
content ourselves with stating that, although the London Medical 
Schools are by far the most expensive, and the curriculum the most 
difficult to master, and the examination for a diploma the most ri¬ 
gid, the number of students is, without comparison, the greatest. 
“ It has been staled on undoubted authority that, in 1837, there 
were admitted for diplomas at the College of Surgeons, 303 young 
men : in 1838, 538, and in 1839, 675, proving that where an effi¬ 
cient plan of education is enforced it will command the attendance 
of the student in despite of all obstacles. No school will decline 
unless it wilfully and blindly contents itself with a state of medio¬ 
crity—a state which, at the present time, would be incompatible 
witii the best interests of the Veterinary College. The demands 
of the Society, and the improvement of the profession should go 
hand in hand. 
“It is always wdse to keep abreast with the times,but much wiser 
for the directing bodies, whether they are individuals high in rank 
and station, or appointed for specific objects, to anticipate—not 
the capricious demands of the vitiated portion of society, but the 
evident and legitimate demands of their country. The arts and 
sciences naturally unfold themselves as men progress in civiliza¬ 
tion. The science of agriculture, with which our art is so inti¬ 
mately allied, is progressing most rapidly of all. Let us watch the 
signs of the times, and let all strife and cabal be hurled into the 
shades, and banished for ever from among us. 
“ One circumstance more deserves very serious attention. No 
distinction, at present, exists with regard to the period of residence 
at the Veterinary College. They who have served an apprentice¬ 
ship for a certain number of years under an able instructor, or who 
have been educated for the profession from their very childhood, 
find themselves on a perfect equality, as to their residence at the 
College, with those who are totally ignorant of veterinary practice. 
This is plainly wrong. After much thought upon the subject, we 
have ventured to solicit the Governors, that they who have not pre¬ 
viously enjoyed the advantage of apprenticeship shall remain at the 
College three years—they who have been apprenticed to a regular 
practitioner, two years—and they that come with the diploma of 
another school in their pockets, one year. This arrangement car¬ 
ries justice on the face of it. The months of relaxation during the 
summer vacation will be allowed to those who are disposed to take 
advantage of them. 
“ All these points being conceded—and is it possible that, being 
so plain, so just, so advantageous, one of them should be, to any 
material or fatal degree, refused—we can with a good grace pray 
for a Charter ? We shall possess every element necessary to its 
