642 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
views which we of this institution consider to be all important 
to the success of our art, both to raise its position in the scale 
of society, to accomplish the cordial co-operation of the schools 
with the body corporate, and to join in oneness of action as 
well as sentiment all its members. Suffice to say, that I still 
hold the opinion that all these, and more than these, depend 
on a firm union being preserved between the Royal College 
of Veterinary Surgeons, the Royal Agricultural Society, and 
the Royal Veterinary College. As a profession, there are but 
few honours or emoluments that we can look forward to as 
a reward for well-spent services. Some appointments, how- 
ever, await those of you who, in addition to a practical 
acquaintance with your profession, possess industry, talents, 
and circumspection of conduct. These are chiefly to be 
found in the army, the artillery, yeomanry-cavalry, and East 
India Company’s Service. Agricultural societies, too, have, 
some of them, their veterinary referee or inspector, whose duties 
are of the first importance both to the success and durability 
of these societies. Much responsibility, therefore, rests on 
the shoulders of the inspector in the assistance he gives to 
the judges at the annual exhibitions of cattle. The decisions 
on the correctness of the certificates with regard to the ages 
only of the animals are of the first consequence. Great 
frauds have been committed here, which this system of exami- 
nation has well nigh prevented. Besides which, the inspector 
has to look to the freedom from hereditary disease in the 
several animals sent for competition, and to take care, in so 
far as he is concerned, that no prize is given to an animal 
which will hand down a constitutional defect to its offspring. 
Other duties no less responsible rest upon him in each of the 
departments I have named. Integrity and judgment are re- 
quired in all. These appointments ought to be the sole right 
of the legitimate members of the profession. Therefore, 
those who have passed the examination of the body corporate, 
as constituted by Her Majesty’s charter, should alone be 
eligible to possess them ; and every difficulty should be 
removed which now stands in the way of this being accom- 
plished. Break the triune union I have spoken of, and you 
crush to atoms the only pedestal on which you can rear 
your rightful position, independence, and success. 
Time warns me to conclude, and I pass on to other matter, 
remembering that the chief object of an introductory address 
should be to encourage the younger pupils, point out the 
road of honour, and clear away some of the difficulties which 
beset his path. It is right then for me to name some of the 
books which you will find the most useful in the prosecu- 
