672 THE PRESENT STATE OF VETERINARY AFFAIRS. 
been actuated by correct principles of honour and a strict sense of 
justice. Holding, as they do, the high position of teachers in an 
establishment to which we ought to be enabled to look with pride 
and satisfaction in a country like our own, they should have been 
prepared to make some little concession, as far as their private 
feelings and pecuniary interests are concerned (had they been 
required), and have considered that the interests of the many should 
never be sacrificed for the benefit of the few. I need scarcely point 
out the fallacy of their supposition, that the Apprenticeship clause, 
in our recently obtained Charter, for instance, will operate to reduce 
the number of their students : it may possibly for a time, but what 
will be the ultimate effects ? The public is not so short-sighted, but 
it will see, by these means, that, if possible, more efficient men will 
be sent out into the country to undertake the all-important duties 
that devolve upon veterinary surgeons, and thereby tend to its 
benefit, and will appreciate the motives : — this will operate as a 
stimulus to young men of capital and education to embark in the 
profession, and the numbers will increase instead of diminishing. 
But I am fearful there is a something else. Has not the love of 
power a too firm hold of these gentlemen ! They have held the 
reins of government so long, that it may not be so pleasant to give 
them up ; but, then, they have not been wrested from them by un- 
lawful means. Now, would it not be better for them to throw aside 
their weapons of warfare, and co-operate with the other members 
of the profession for its general welfare, and increase their efforts 
to educate their pupils, so as to keep pace with other scientific pur- 
suits, which we know are rapidly progressing ? By so doing they 
would win back that respect and confidence which they have 
forfeited ; but, if they continue the present agitation, it will avail 
them nothing. We cannot fall back again under an old and bad 
system of government : in these days we must go forward. 
To the Members of the Council T beg to offer my most unfeigned 
and heartfelt thanks for the untiring zeal, energy, and assiduity, 
which they have displayed in carrying out their views for the 
benefit of the profession. I feel I should be wanting in gratitude 
to them if I did not embrace this opportunity of expressing my 
sentiments; for I am convinced, if any of our members are more 
indebted to them than others, it is those who, like myself, are young 
men, and far removed, as it were, from the great centre of circula- 
tion. Who can view their actions but, through your Journal, as a 
person at a distance looks upon a battle field through a telescope T 
If they are firm, Messrs. Editors — and we can doubt them not — they 
must conquer, for they are struggling under the banner “ veritas et 
justitia .” Although the enemy has an army of reserve that does not 
legitimately belong to their ranks, let them not be dispirited: if 
they require another banner to fight under, let it be “ nil desper - 
