The Profession in England. [Volume: 2, Issue: 9, April, 1861, pp. 486-488]

THE PROFESSION IN ENGLAND.

48T

sent; and he repeats his very stale, though not entirely original joke,
about many of the originators of professional reform being "unknown to
fame" prior to the establishment of the College of Dentists. What all
this twaddle has to do with the real question at issue one would be at a
loss to imagine, if the said twaddle did not render this one thing apparent,
namely, that the PRINCIPLE of independent action, as represented by the
college, is a wholesome principle which must sooner or later prevail, and
that therefore if it cannot be attacked by any means in a straightforward
way, there only remains the alternative of abusing those who are honestly
bent on carrying it into practical effect.
In America you see the two journals published here monthly. You
have also the testimony of good judges who have been among us, such as
Dr. Blandy and others. Thus you can estimate impartially our doings,
without being in anywise dependent on the opinions I occasionally scribble
down for the DENTAL COSMOS. What I say is mere matter of opinion.
The correctness of my views must be estimated from other available
sources, friendly and the reverse. I make this observation because the
venom of the article in the journal has extended in its aim to the humble
individual who now addresses you, although, having missed its mark,
without serious effect at present.
The annual meetings of the College of Dentists, and of the Odontological Society, have passed off satisfactorily.
At the college, the report of the treasurer, Mr. Robinson, showed that
the receipts from all sources had been ~547 2 9, and the expenses
~487 9 9.
At the Odontological Society, Mr. Saunder's report showed the receipts
to have been ~254 2 0, and the expenses ~161 14 3; but as the balance
of the previous year's accounts is not included in the receipts, as with the
college, there remains the large balance in hand, ~407 17 6. As is well
known the society has always opposed the college, and it is therefore the
more pleasing to record that at the annual meeting, Mr. Harrison, the
president, took occasion to observe that although he differed with the
college on many points, he could not but acknowledge the value of the
school it had brought into operation.
This offers a marked and pleasing contrast between the journal which
represents the society and the president of the society; the first is a vulgar
servant, the second a sensible master.
As to the estimation in which the dental certificates of the College of
Surgeons are held, it may be sufficient to tell that a whole year has now
nearly elapsed since they were first issued, and that notwithstanding the
wise charming of the opponents of the College of Dentists, not over one
hundred and thirty practitioners have been charmed toward throwing ten
guineas into the coffers of the College of Surgeons.
Those who have the certificates are at a loss to know what to call them