594 INSTRUCTION AT THE VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
but a poor pupil, might dare hint one word of advice, '' and with 
no ?/wfriendly voice,” it would be that there is as much to be done 
in the stud^ as in the dissecting-room; and that it is a pity that 
a young man, in Mr. Spooner’s situation, who has so soon and 
so deservedly carved himself a reputation with the point of his 
knife, should put that reputation at all to hazard by occasional 
thoughtlessness and error, whether it regards the substance or 
the clothing of what he says. 
Since I am got into the way of giving advice, I will turn to 
Mr. Vines, and tell him that he would do much better in rubbing 
up the knowledge which I understand he once possessed, than 
in fretting and fuming and vapouring about with his list-paper. 
Mr. Vines, was once a good anatomist. If he will apply himself 
a little when his other duties are done, and prepare one or two 
subjects in a masterly manner (it should be at the College expense, 
or at Mr. Sewell’s), and at the same time cultivate a simpler and 
less roundabout mode of explaining himself—if he will unite the 
science which he had, with the good* nature which he has al¬ 
most lost—if he is attentive, obliging, and clear, and gives these 
systematic courses in addition to superintending the personal 
labours of the students, he will soon retrieve himself among the 
pupils, and his demonstration room will be filled ; and for this es¬ 
pecial reason, that no man will pay for that which he can get, and 
as good, for nothing. But while the College-room continues to be 
deserted, he may depend upon it that he has himself to thank 
for it, and for the implied disgrace which must attach to him and 
to the institution to which he belongs. 
But now, gentlemen, once more to return, or to try to do so, 
to my subject. Is it right, or rather is it not shameful, that I 
should be compelled to go out of the College, and to pay more 
money for that w'hich is, in common honesty, included in my initi¬ 
atory fee ? The existence and flourishing state of such a school 
as Mr. Spooner’s is proof positive of what I am saying; for, I 
repeat it, money is not so plenty as to induce me to give three 
pounds for nothing; but, nevertheless, 17nust give these three 
pounds, for demonstrative anatomy is not taught as it ought to be 
—is not taught at all systematically at the Veterinary College* 
I hope you will not give a mere notice of my letter, but insert it 
all, with its devious yet harmless wanderings. 
Then, gentlemen, I go to the College to learn to practise on the 
diseases of domesticated quadrupeds; but I hear there of one 
only, and the anatomy of that one I am not taught. No ; I do 
not recollect the time when a horse was put on the dissecting 
table ; and, worse than all, my chief instructor, Mr. Coleman, 
when he lectures on the muscles, has preparations of the ass and 
