86i ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
fessors, let me say there is one whom I shall never forget, 
one whose pupil I was—I mean the first Professor, 
Mr. Coleman. I am trespassing, perhaps, upon tender 
ground, but I know that the oldest members of the Profession 
revere that name. The Veterinarian tells us that we ought 
to erect a statue to his memory, and I should much like to 
see it done. Honour to whom honour is due. He did single- 
handed what no other man perhaps could have accomplished, 
and we owe him a deep debt of gratitude. He procured us gra¬ 
tuitous admission to the lectures in Windmill Street, and I 
shall never forget my obligations to those gentlemen who 
lectured there—Pearson, Wilson, Cook, and one who has 
kept to us up to the present moment—Professor Brande. I 
should be glad to see the proposal carried out, and will, if it 
is found practical, gladly subscribe £50 or j 6100 towards its 
accomplishment, so anxious am I that worth should be re¬ 
cognised. (Applause.) 1 am not reflecting in the least 
degree upon the present Professors. I go every year to hear 
the Introductory Lecture, and I am pleased to see the im¬ 
provement taking place. The Professors advance with the 
times. I shall never forget the last lecture I attended ; it 
completely convinced me that if the Profession is to advance, 
it must be from the fountain-head. There is another subject 
to which I would allude for a moment, as important as that 
of a Bill of Exemptions—I mean the introduction of members 
of the Profession into the Army. I speak now in the pre¬ 
sence of a man whose good opinion I value, who stands high 
in the Profession, and who has greater influence at the War 
Office than any gentleman who has ever held the post of 
Veterinary Surgeon-General of the Army. I remember well 
that at a Council meeting, when there was a question as to 
whether the Veterinary Surgeons would get the new Army 
warrant, which they so well deserved (as witness their deeds 
in the Crimea), it was proposed to form a small committee 
to wait upon the Secretary-at-War on the subject; and Mr. 
Wilkinson said, (C I think you had better let things go on as 
they are.” He knew what was going forward ; and consi¬ 
dering the high estimation in which he is held, 1 know no 
man who could accomplish the object we seek as well as he 
can. I hope he is going to occupy the seat which I have 
unworthily filled, and I hope he will never leave it till he has 
accomplished that object. I will not occupy your time any 
longer. Though 1 was fond of minute anatomy, I think I 
can wield the knife and fork better than the scalpel (laughter), 
and I hope to see as many of you at the dinner as can make 
it convenient to attend. (Applause.) 
The proceedings then terminated. 
