PURCHASE OF REMOUNT HORSES FOR INDIA. 129 
vices will be considerably extended. More especially in a 
military point of view are we of importance ; and as it regards 
the agricultural community, surely we are likewise of some 
value to them, since several millions’ worth of the most pre¬ 
carious of all property, in the shape of live stock, is dependent 
on our judgment. I have seen letters in this colony repre¬ 
senting losses to the extent of 600 and 900 lambs belonging 
to farmers, most of which, I believe, might have been saved 
by instituting sanatory measures. 
The Royal Agricultural Society of England, whose 
motto is “ Practice with science acknowledges the value of our 
profession, and has honored itself and us by appointing Pro¬ 
fessor Simonds to responsible and important national duties; 
and this is done by practical, wealthy, and highly-educated 
gentlemen, who have immense property of their own at stake. 
Modesty may be, and no doubt is, a sign of merit; but a 
proper want of confidence is a great defect in an individual, 
and I believe it often deprives the public and the public ser¬ 
vice of much that is valuable; but in a body recognised by 
the Government, and having a charter granted to it, I think 
it most reprehensible. It ought to come forward, and in the 
public prints, as the Times, the Field, or Bell's Life , assert its 
rightful position, as well as in its own Journal. Above all, let 
the standard of its education and the gentlemanly bearing 
among its members be always kept high, for thus, and thus 
only, will it be enabled to take its place among the other 
professions. 
Colonel Apperley, whom Mr. Gibton refers to as “ Captain 
Abernethy,” is known to be a most excellent judge of horses, 
and, I believe, I may also say of veterinary surgeons too. 
But he is more than this even; he is acknowledged, and will 
ever be remembered, as a scientific admirer of the horse. 
His father, the celebrated “ Nimrod,” always recommended 
and made use of the practical veterinary surgeon, whenever he 
wanted and could find him, and so does his son, whose ex¬ 
perience in military matters connected with the horse, likewise 
of breeding and purchasing, has undoubtedly been more exten¬ 
sive than any other man’s in the world ; therefore, his practical 
experience is greater, especially in the shipping of them for 
long voyages, and in latitudes inimical to health ; while his 
arrangements for ventilation, and all other questions con¬ 
nected with the ecomony of the horse in an £ s. d., as well as 
a scientific view, have always proved most beneficial to the 
Government. He, however, needs not my poor testimony to 
his abilities. 
XXXII. 
18 
