A NATIONAL VETERINARY SCHOOL. 433 



of the candidates before the teachers as a body, and some representa- 

 tive members of the board of trustees. It must never be forgotten 

 that genius for research united to great knowledge is not sufficient 

 to constitute a man a teacher suitable to the young (or old). Genius 

 for teaching, enthusiasm in teaching, and ability to apply one's 

 knowledge practically, is an absolute necessity. Without this ability 

 the most gifted genius is useless to a school as a teacher, however 

 valuable he may be to the country at large as an original investi- 

 gator. "We must endeavor, to the best of our ability, to obtain men 

 uniting these three qualifications to a high degree. 



The Students. 



On account of the great extent of this country, and the variation 

 existing in the different States with regard to the standard of differ- 

 ent schools bearing similar names, a matriculatory examination will 

 be an absolute necessity. This should extend to a thorough exami- 

 nation in all English branches, which a graduate of a high-school 

 should have perfected himself in, as well as a knowledge of Latin 

 grammar, and ordinary translations. As to Continental languages, 

 there is no doubt that a knowledge of German, especially, and 

 French, is more indispensable to the veterinarian than to the medi- 

 cal practitioner. While much of the best foreign literature is soon 

 translated for the benefit of the latter, the veterinarian has to wait 

 years, and loses much of it altogether. It is impossible for the Ameri- 

 can veterinarian who does not read these two languages to estimate 

 the great difference which exists between the German and French 

 reviews and those of England. As to the American, they are scarcely 

 worthy of the name. Again, a good rudimentary knowledge oi 

 zoology, chemistry, physics, and botany is absolutely necessary to 

 the young student entering upon the study of medicine ; without 

 this he is constantly feeling his way in the dark. Each applicant 

 must be at least eighteen and not over twenty-five years of age. 

 Not every youth is fitted either to become a veterinary or medical 

 practitioner. 



As I am now drawing my " Buchlein" to a close, I may be al- 

 lowed the liberty of ending it with a few remarks upon the general 

 principles of education, which I hope will not be without interest, 

 and perhaps benefit, to the reader. 



The ground covered by the word education is covered by but 

 one other, and that is life. From the day of birth until we pass 

 away beyond earthly scenes we are in a constant process of educa- 

 tion. The history of the rise, progress, and development of educa- 



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