770 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
something from it, or at least may refresh your memory by 
endeavouring to teach those about you who may not, per- 
chance, be so well informed as yourself. 
Such are the means which will be held out to enable you 
to study effectively the profession you have chosen. It may 
he that to some of you the path described by me appears to 
possess but few charms to lure you on, and you are, perhaps, 
thinking your College life will be anything but a very plea- 
surable one. If you do as I have advised you this morning, 
you will find that your way will he paved with interest, and 
the farther you pursue it, the more gratifying will that 
pursuit become. 
I would pointedly suggest to you that, while you are here 
studying your profession, you should endeavour to attain all 
else which is calculated to lead on to a successful career. 
You are arrived at a critical period of your life, and the 
habits which you now form will most probably remain with 
you to the end ; if they be vicious habits I am sure they will ; 
seek, therefore, to do all that raises the man, and shun that 
which is calculated to debase him. It is no mean attainment 
to be able to address an audience, and it is one which gene- 
rally raises a person considerably in the estimation of the 
public. Although comparatively few possess this accom- 
plishment, there are not many who cannot acquire it by careful 
practice. The veterinary Medical Association is a good school 
for exercise. I would advise you to attempt to train your- 
selves. Should you only moderately succeed, it will repay 
you for the little perseverance it will at first require. 
While here let all your deportment indicate a con- 
siderate feeling for your fellow-labourers, and never lose 
sight of it in after life. Be peaceable, candid, and conde- 
scending; be kind, generous, and sympathising. Enter into 
the concerns of your friends with ardour, and always be 
obliging. A man is much to be pitied who wraps himself up 
in his own narrow interests, gazes with an evil eye and 
envious temper upon the successes of his fellows, or with an 
unnatural satisfaction gloats over the disappointment of 
those around him. 5 Tis little he knows of the true happi- 
ness of life, for man should be attached to man by inter- 
course of good offices and kind affections. Select with 
prudence and propriety those with whom you choose to asso- 
ciate ; but be not alwaj^s with your companions ; you must 
allot to yourself a due share of your time for retirement and 
reflection. Keep a careful watch over your amusemerfts ; 
life cannot go on without some measure of relaxation and 
entertainment ; too intense application enfeebles nature’s 
