6 16 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
taught farriers of older times, has been attended with much 
success, and with real practical results. At all events, all 
departments of the army are necessarily, in the great events 
which are happening, put seriously upon their trial. Re- 
collect then, my younger friends, that you are not entering 
a mere stagnant art — one in v r hich it will be sufficient for 
you to follow 7 the routine of your fathers, but that you are 
stepping into the triumphal car of an advancing profession, 
and that all your talents, in their full energy, will be required 
to be exercised by you, if so be you are just to yourselves 
and your country. 
Already, as you are v T ell aware, the events of the last 
twelve months have given rise to several new 7 phrases w 7 hich 
are passing current among us. There is such a thing now' 
very commonly spoken of, as “ Administrative Reform 
and although this is no easy thing to bring about, or even 
to suggest the best way of obtaining, yet the familiar manner 
in which all men discuss it, forcibly show s that a great w T ant 
is recognised by the country. There is also the [rigid [exa- 
mination for places that used to be given aw 7 ay to nephews, 
friends, dependents, and other connections; but' which are 
now 7 being bestow ed only on those w ho have proficiency and 
worth ; and which has obtained the familiar name of the 
“ Merit Service.” These are ominous signs for laziness and 
incompetency ! “The right man in the right place,” is also 
something new 7 . This will put every man upon his mettle, 
and compel him to ask himself w hat he is really fit for ? 
This progressive movement, how 7 ever, brought to a climax 
by the terrible w ar in wdiich we are engaged, has been really, 
though quietly, going on ever since the oldest of us was 
born. In proof of this, look at the improved curriculum of 
studies w r hich all institutions have been gradually demanding 
of the student. We could no more avoid this, than w 7 e 
could arrest the progress of knowledge itself, or bid the 
railway spare “ the old stage coach.” As science and in- 
vention progress, and as the education of the public is ex- 
tended, so the pupil of veterinary medicine must increase his 
studies and hours of labour, or he will fall below 7 the 
standard of the age. Observe also the augmented difficulty 
which is connected with the obtainment of a diploma. The 
profession sternly demands the conquering of this difficulty 
by you, because the progressive state of society demands it of 
the profession. We can no more prevent this claim upon 
your powers, had we even the wish to do so, than the in- 
habitants of two great towns could now-a-days dispense with 
the electric telegraph to carry on commercial intercouse 
