534 
TESTIMONIAL TO PROFESSOR MORTON. 
member that when we first began, there were only a very few books in 
the library, and these did not really belong to the Association, for they 
were borrowed partly from yours, partly from my own library, and also 
from others; but now there is a library of above two thousand volumes, 
to which the pupils have ready access, while the weekly meetings are 
extremely well attended, and the debates carried on with very considerable 
spirit. During the past session there have been introduced thirteen 
papers for discussion, some of which were of a very high character. In 
proof of this I will give you the titles of only two or three* of them : 
1, “ On Comparative Anatomy, preceded by a brief description of its 
rise and progress as a Science;” 2, “ On Chemistry, in its relation to 
Health and Disease 3, “ On the Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology 
of the Foot-of the Horse.” This last extended to no less than 150 pages. 
These, gentlemen, you will bear in mind, are all pupils’ essays. And 
have we not here a proof of an aptitude to acquire knowledge, and also to 
communicate it ? When w T e have such germs as these showing themselves 
in early youth, what may we not expect in mature age? I can only say, 
that, the committee to whom these essays have been given for adjudication 
will have an arduous task to perform to peruse them all, and to select 
from them those that are most worthy of the thanks of the Association. 
But I have no doubt they will satisfactorily perform their duty, as they 
have had—though perhaps not to such an extent as this—a similar task 
to perform before. After this, is it any wonder that I should feel gratified 
in the expression, on the part of the council, of their thanks for any 
services that I may have rendered to an institution which I believe to be 
so useful to the student of veterinary medicine ? When I was in the 
habit of sitting in my place as their secretary, I have sometimes seen 
young men fresh from the country so diffident as to be unable to express 
their ideas in words; fearful almost of hearing their own voices; but 
before they left the College they were enabled to enter freely into debate, 
and make during it somewhat lengthened speeches. Here was a calling 
forth of the powers of the mind, and I believe such efforts must prove, in 
the end, conducive to the advancement of veterinary science. The longer 
I live the more I am convinced that, it is only by union amongst our¬ 
selves, by education, and a determination to maintain the position to 
which we have already attained, that we shall continue to secure that 
estimation in the public mind which is so justly our due. 
The Chairman —It appears to me, and the friends around me, that as 
the time has arrived when our friend must retire from the position 
he has so long held among us, that we ought to give him three rounds of 
applause. 
The suggestion was cordially responded to by the assembly, and Mr. 
Morton rose and bowed his acknowledgments. 
Mr. Hobinson —I assure you, gentlemen, that I feel quite proud to be 
called upon to give the next toast, although there are others present 
much better able to do it than I am. It is to propose the health of those 
gentlemen whose merits as professors are so well known to us all. I beg 
to give you the health of Professor Spooner, and the other professors of 
the Royal Veterinary College. (Cheers.) We have heard that Professor 
Morton is about to retire from among us, taking with him that splendid 
testimonial of our esteem and regard for having performed his duties as 
Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medica with so much satisfaction. I 
am sure I need not say that I believe the other professors will imitate 
his example, and confer all those advantages upon the profession to 
which allusion has been made by Professor Morton. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. Sfooner—M r. Chairman and gentlemen, it has fallen to my lot 
