VETERINARY CLUB DINNER. 
syy 
but because they were anxious that the profession in which they 
had embarked should be freed from those causes of disrepute 
w hich had so long been attached to it: there were, however, no 
ultra tories; there was not a man in the club, there is not a 
thinking man in the profession, who does not feel that there is 
much that wants reform among us: but some could not forget, 
and their companions w r ould not have liked them if they could, 
old associations and old benefits. No veterinary political pur¬ 
pose, therefore, was intended to be answered, or could be 
answered, by the establishment of the Veterinary Club—but 
there were some good purposes intended to be effected, and 
thoroughly effected, by their periodical meetings. 
These w T ere hours of pleasant relaxation. The fatigues and 
annoyances of a profession like theirs ceased for awhile to prey 
upon them. The mind was unbent, yet in that way which pre¬ 
pared it for renew ed exertion. Their whimsical peculiarities of 
opinion and practice,—it was pleasant and useful to roast each 
other about them. Many a sally of harmless but splendid wit, and 
many a flash of genuine humour was elicited: but it w r as more 
pleasant to observe, to acknowledge, to glory in, and to learn the 
sterling and valuable peculiarities of opinion and of practice by 
which each was distinguished—good-humouredly, to laugh each 
other out of his professional foibles, to copy each others excel¬ 
lencies, and to embody in each that w hich w as good in all—to feel 
no jealousy, but to glow^ with honest emulation. These w ere the 
necessary and invaluable consequences of bringing together 
those, all of whom had obtained some degree of reputation, and 
in all of whom there w~as something to admire. 
From this naturally followed that uniform honourable pro¬ 
fessional conduct, not always found among the practitioners of 
a new art. It w as impossible that these men could, to any glaring- 
degree, be actuated by professional jealousy, or disgracefully 
cross each others path. There was a tie upon them that was 
wanted when they were struggling to attain that consideration in 
society to which they were justly entitled, but which had been 
too long withheld; a tie which they dared not, could not break ; 
which forbad them to rise on the ruin of each others reputation, 
