311 VETERINARY BENEVOLENT AND MUTUAL DEFENCE SOCIETY. 
parable loss she has sustained. We have also lost other members 
by death, and amongst them was the late Alfred Challiner, of 
Bolton. Under this dark cloud of affliction we have a glimmer¬ 
ing ray of light in the horizon, which cheers our hearts to 
advance onwards with a firm resolution in the good and chari¬ 
table work we have in hand. I am more than pleased to announce 
to you that the first and beneficent legacy of the sum of £50 has 
now been paid to the National Veterinary Benevolent Fund, 
which was left to this Society by the late esteemed and noble 
member of our profession, the late William Field, junr., of 
London, the inheritor not only of a noble name, but he was a 
great worker in his time in advancing the status of our profes¬ 
sion, and who has, by this generous act, shown to that profession 
he so loved the nobility of his nature by leaving behind a sum of 
money to be added to our Benevolent Fund, that will for all time 
to come be written down in the pages of our history, and be 
handed down to our posterity that William Field, junr., lived 
and died to assist our National Veterinary Benevolent Society. 
He was the first member of our body to leave behind a legacy 
that will redound to the honour of his name, and be a great and 
noble example to all future ages and to the wealthy members of 
our body—“ do likewise”—for it is to provide for the wants of 
the sorrowing and poor widows, the kind, affectionate orphan 
children, whose parents were removed from this busy scene when 
probably in the meridian of life and activity, and also for the 
helpless, desolate, and oppressed members of our body, and to 
those who are afflicted by sickness or disabled by accident from 
following their professional calling. An example like this I wish 
in my humble way to place before our profession, as I know there 
are many more in our ranks who have equally generous hearts, 
and who have also ample means for doing good to our noble 
Benevolent Society. Gentlemen, there was some little legal 
difficulty respecting the late Mr. Field’s, junr., legacy to our 
Society, and the matter was referred to a court of law, and 
decided in our favour. We are much indebted to Matthew 
Harpley, Esq., F.B.C.V.S., and Veterinary Surgeon to the Boyal 
Horse Guards, for the very kind and courteous manner he 
watched over our interest and advocated our claim; for these 
services our warmest thanks are due to him. We have assisted 
for the last eight years two orphan girls, affectionate and kind 
children of the late George Brown, veterinary surgeon, of Pendle¬ 
ton. It affords me much pleasure to be able to state that the 
large amount, £902 13s. Id., is placed to our credit at the bank 
on behalf of the Benevolent Fund. We have also in hand the 
cheque of £52, besides some annular subscriptions, and en¬ 
trance fees. This Fund, as you are w r ell aware, is held in hand 
for the special purpose of rendering assistance to those of our 
Society who are in need. You will have seen a case in the 
November number of the Veterinary Journal of last year, wherein 
the editor kindly said the Benevolent Society might show her 
