INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
681 
But whilst I am anxious that you should possess know- 
ledge, 1 would not have you to be contented with a mere 
superficial acquaintance with your studies. Knowledge, to 
be of any real worth, should be solid in itself, and the mind 
thoroughly imbued with it. I fear the little impression it 
makes on many now-a-days arises from the greater facilities 
afforded for its acquirement as compared with those which 
existed only a few years since. When the mind is thus tho- 
roughly imbued, supplies may be drawn from it as they are 
needed, without any fear of exhaustion, since every act of 
withdrawal increases instead of diminishes the mental stock. 
Yours is pre-eminently the period of mental and bodily 
vigour. Let it not be abused. Your young blood courses 
freely through your veins, invigorating the system, and 
every limb and muscle rejoices in action. The cankering 
cares of life have not yet corroded the energies of your 
minds, lessening their capabilities; nor has disappointment 
chilled them with its paralysing touch. Your characters are 
susceptible of being moulded, and will readily receive the 
impress of either evil or good. You can now treat lightly 
those things which in afterlife may press more heavily upon 
you, and will do so, if the intellectual faculties are not 
properly trained in expectation of this. It has been said 
that, for the production of great characters and noble ac- 
tions, there is wanted an early adoption of some object 
worthy of the pursuit. This is before you. You have de- 
liberately chosen your profession, and some of you are 
looking forward to fill the places of those w'ho have borne 
the heat and burthen of the day. Many eyes are upon you, 
and more is expected of you than of those who have pre- 
ceded you, since your advantages are greater than theirs 
ever were. They may be said to have devoted their lives to 
the laying of the foundation-stones of the temple of veteri- 
nary science. It is yours to raise the superstructure thereon, 
and according to the value of the materials employed by 
you, and the judgment exercised in laying them, so will be 
the worth and durability of the temple. And we would that 
the building of this temple should have its prototype in that 
of old; in which there was no noise of hammer, nor axe, 
nor any tool of iron heard. There should be no discord, nor 
jealousy, which, like the bite of the serpent, leaves a poison in 
the wound; but each should know and do his work, giving 
and receiving support. Then remember the ’vantage ground 
on which you stand ! You start with the information others 
have gathered. Firmly resolve, then, to make your profes- 
sion your untiring study. With singleness of purpose devote 
