TO SOME REMARKS OF THE EDITOR. 
443 
the veterinary art/’ which its prospectus contains, and because 
I ardently hope for ‘‘the extension of our art to all its legitimate 
branches/’ that I became a humble subscriber to its funds. 
In the general tone and tendency of the article on that Soci¬ 
ety, which appeared in your last number, I entirely concur; but 
there is a portion of it on which you will permit me to make a 
few observations in justice to myself. First, however, allow me 
to thank the writer for the compliments, much higher than I 
aspire to, which he has bestowed on me as “the late Assistant 
Demonstrator*,” and which 1 am willing to believe sincere, 
although I may feel that I do not altogether deserve them. 
It is stated in effect, in the article in question, and it is of that 
I complain, that “ the strict and useful examination of the ox 
and the sheep, and the pig and the dog, and the bird,” has not, 
and whilst I acted as Assistant Demonstrator could not, be pur¬ 
sued at the Veterinary College, agreeably to the “original” 
prospectus of that Institution, in consequence, as the article 
infers, of my incapacity or unwillingness, or both, to investigate 
such subjects. 
Of my capacity it behoves me to say but little. What I have, 
others must judge of. But that I have always shewn willingness, 
nay, anxious desire, to investigate, the worst of my enemies can¬ 
not deny. 
Suppose it should be shewn that I have done much more than 
was my duty, though less than was my inclination ; that I have 
been censured by those who should foster and not check inves¬ 
tigation, for teaching the pupils too much, and been charged 
with leaving others nothing to teach ; that I have made scien¬ 
tific experiments, and published the results of them, which have 
never been controverted ; that those experiments have been ac¬ 
knowledged, in the most flattering terms, by Sir Astley Cooper 
and other eminent medical practitioners; and that the fact of my 
having made such experiments, received those acknowledgments, 
and been the successful author of veterinary works (whilst 
others, highly remunerated, who ought to be capable and willing, 
have done and written nothing) has been the chief of the causes 
enabling you to speak of me as “ the late ” Assistant Demon¬ 
strator;—I should then, 1 presume, be, at least, allowed credit 
for willingness to investigate ; and if envy (with which I have 
been pretty amply visited) were, as some contend, proof of the 
superiority of the person envied, I might make stronger claim 
to credit for capacity than I presume myself entitled to. 
The causes which led to my being called “ the late” Assistant 
• 1 wish he had named the Demonstrator, and stated what it is that he 
ever did, does, or can demonstrate. 
