INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
615 
this, all the instructions are now given within the walls of 
the institution, which was not the case when I first came 
here. All of this I hold to be gratifying proofs of 
onward progress. Still, I repeat, we must not stop here, for 
much yet remains to be done. Your curriculum must be 
extended, if so be the profession is to partake of the spirit of 
the age ; but if unfortunately it should not, if it lag behind, 
it will assuredly sink, and be irrecoverably lost as a science; 
although as a mere art it might struggle on. This, however, 
would be going back to the dark ages of farriery. More- 
over, I am decidedly of opinion that a school should not be 
the nominal head of a profession, but the actual one. With 
it all the members should be inseparably connected, and 
co-operate. From it, from time to time, should issue facts, 
the publication of which would prove useful to the body ; its 
especial duty being the inculcation of sound principles, which 
being properly instilled into the mind of the aspirant, we 
are contented to leave them there, since surely his practice 
cannot greatly err whose principles are correct. What is called 
practical knowledge can, of course, only result from time 
and experience. We should not forget that we are not born 
with beards : it is by age we acquire them. 
But methinks I hear some one ask, Is not our time already 
fully occupied? Are not three and four lectures a-day, 
besides infirmary practice and dissections, quite enough for 
us to attend to ? I unequivocally answer. Yes ; and I would 
not impose upon you any more. There must be time allowed 
for thought and reflection, and for relaxation too ; and this 
leads me more fully to explain my views. It is possible that 
this is the last introductory address I may be privileged to 
give ; life is very uncertain, and it is with me as the season 
of the year — 
The sere and yellow leaf of autumn . 55 
Besides which, I am not ignorant of certain indications that 
operate as premonitions, and I shall be quite contented when 
the time arrives to yield my place up to a younger and a 
more energetic man. I shall take leave then, plainly and 
boldly to state my opinions, not disguising or cloaking them, 
being conscious that only one motive actuates me. 
I have said the curriculum of your studies must be ex- 
tended, and that its basis is science. Science has been 
defined to be “ man’s conception of God’s universe.” As 
such it must be ever progressive. Its cultivation gives to 
the whole man a new impulse. He knows more, feels more, 
thinks more, achieves more, and becomes both a greater and 
