ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 865 
following gentlemen, viz., the President, Professor Brown, 
Messrs. Broad, Harrison, Thacker, and the Secretary, waited 
upon the Governors of the Boyal Veterinary College, on 
Tuesday, July 13th, 1869. 
The deputation having been introduced by Professor 
Spooner, Professor Brown proceeded to explain the object 
they had in view in waiting upon the Governors, viz. to 
suggest the advisability of more stringent measures being 
adopted in the matriculation examination of students, with a 
view to the elevation of the standard of education, and the 
ultimate improvement of the social status of the profession. 
The deputation did not desire to dictate what that higher 
educational standard should be, but they suggested that the 
preliminary examination should be conducted by an indepen¬ 
dent educational body as the College of Preceptors. 
The deputation was aware that a preliminary examination had 
been instituted at the College, hut it might be deemed invidious 
for a professor to examine his own pupils. Their object was 
to advise the adoption of a system which could he extended 
to the other colleges, viz. Edinburgh and Glasgow; the 
authorities of which would be asked to institute a similar 
examination. 
The Chairman (J. W. Bosanquet, Esq.) replied; he in¬ 
ferred from what had been said that the Council wished for a 
better class of men in order that they might be brought before 
the board of examiners more fully prepared. The Governors 
of the College quite concurred in the views of the deputation 
in this respect. 
The President said a better education was what was re¬ 
quired, and a better class of men would then enter the pro¬ 
fession. It ’was desirable that a uniform examination, or 
test of the qualifications of a student should be adopted pre¬ 
vious to his admission into either of the colleges, which would 
prevent those who were grossly deficient from entering into 
the profession. That they were much indebted to the 
G overnors of the College for having instituted a preliminary 
examination every one would admit. 
The deputation would respectfully suggest the propriety of 
adopting an independent board here, and another in Edinburgh 
and Glasgow, and to permit the Principals of each college to 
arrange the standard of education. 
The Chairman observed that we should all act together, 
and a representation should he made in writing to the other 
colleges. 
Mr. WilJcmson said that a matriculation examination by 
the College of Preceptors, if it could be carried out, would be 
