EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
167 
In what has been advanced, it may be said, and truly said, 
that very much is demanded of the teacher, and perhaps 
more than time and opportunity will permit his carrying out, 
whatever may be his inclination. This we believe to be very 
often the case, and on that account it is we incline to the 
opinion, that rarely is it that the student derives from an 
apprenticeship so great an amount of good as he had antici- 
pated or that it is capable of furnishing. 
In the above view of the subject it must be also confessed 
that we have taken a high standing, and supposed the pre- 
ceptor and his pupil alike solicitous, the one to impart, and 
the other to acquire knowledge. 
But let us now, for the sake of the argument, suppose the 
opposite exists of what has been advanced, and that too on the 
part of either the one or the other — the teacher or the taught, 
and we fear this is sometimes the case — then what are the 
consequences ? and where are the benefits resulting from an 
apprenticeship ? 
We have written thus far freely, and without restraint, just 
as the thoughts have arisen in our minds ; and we have said 
nothing of those divisions of science not yet recognised 
amongst us, as likely hereafter to constitute a part of the 
education of the veterinary surgeon : w*e refer to natural 
philosophy, botany, and agriculture ; sciences the elements of 
which, associated as he is, demand from him some acquain- 
tance with their principles. 
Unquestionably, the responsibility is very great which 
attaches to a preceptor, but he often reaps his reward in after 
life by the gratitude of those he has been instrumental 
in directing in the right course. But should this not be 
evinced, or even the reverse obtain, still he has within himself 
the pleasing consciousness that he has performed his part of 
the moral compact ; and this, to a rightly constituted mind, 
will prove a sufficient recompense. 
At the present day, w T e hear too much of the senseless cry, 
“ Give us practical knowledge.” The expression, indeed, 
seems to be almost stereotyped amongst us ; and those who 
employ it most commonly contemn theory ; but they forget 
