354 THE students’ veterinary society. 
We were not correctly informed as to the nature of the society 
lately instituted at the Royal Veterinary College, and to which 
we alluded in our last number. 
It has now assumed a name, which not unaptly expresses 
the valuable purpose which its projector had in view, The 
Mutual Instruction Society.” It consists solely of pupils, no 
visitors, and not even the teachers being allowed to be present. 
A committee of twelve has been appointed, out of which one has 
been selected as secretary, and each of the others acts in rota¬ 
tion as chairman. His duty is to select some point or points 
of Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, or Materia Medica, and 
to make himself as thoroughly as he can master of the subject. 
He then draws up a series of questions on that subject, or, having 
studied hard to conquer it, he trusts to the suggestion of the 
moment, and he examines his companions on it, and, perhaps, 
on other subjects intimately connected with it. If he does not 
obtain a satisfactory answer, he is called on to give one himself; 
and should not his explanation be quite clear and conclusive, 
reference is made to works of acknowledged authority on that 
subject, or perhaps to one of the instructors, within whose 
peculiar province that matter may lie. 
These meetings are held for the space of an hour, three times 
in a week. 
We heartily wish success to a society which promises so much 
good as this does; and much will it redown to the credit of the 
pupils of the College, if, from the construction—the almost 
necessary construction of such a meeting—left to their own 
guidance and management, a spirit of emulation, untainted by 
jealousy or ill-will, is excited in the well-disposed—the founda¬ 
tion is laid for more attentive observation, and for the acquisition 
of those first principles on which alone scientific and successful 
practice can be built; and no rude and ungovernable spirit mars 
the pleasure, and lessens or destroys the harmony of so praise¬ 
worthy an association. If they will sedulously cultivate, in these 
meetings, self and mutual respect—if they will avoid those 
questions on which grey-beards are not united—if they will 
confine themselves to the grand fundamental principles of their 
