EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
673 
We, too, once were young, and then the world to us a more 
inviting aspect bore than now. While its smiles were not 
uncourted by us, its frow ns were but little heeded, for w T e rose 
above them. There were also the sweets of social friendship 
enjoyed ; and much more than these, there w 7 as the desire to 
be conversant with whatever w 7 as new and useful, not even now 7 
altogether lost ; and although unquestionably there is a high 
gratification in social intercourse, from the heaven-born in- 
fluence of friendship being to those who have “ found a 
friend” of inestimable worth, still the truest pleasure is 
doubtless that of which knowledge is the fruit. “The soul 
of man,” says Heber, “ is not only delighted with knowledge, 
but if she be in a healthy and natural condition, she is also 
delighted with the act of learning. But that this act should 
be either agreeable or efficacious, it is necessary that w T e 
should do it for ourselves.” 
Feelings akin to those we have thus expressed came over 
our minds when we attended the inauguratory lecture of 
Professor Spooner, at the Royal Veterinary College, on the 
16th ult. It was gratifying to see the theatre filled with a 
large and an intelligent-looking class of pupils, but this 
gratification was considerably heightened by the attendance 
of so many eminent members of the profession. This is an 
encouragement that he alone can estimate on v 7 hom the duty 
has devolved of opening the session, which, while it is one of 
honour, has, nevertheless, that which counterbalances it. 
Still it* is a stimulus that works for good, and being thus 
opportunely applied, it always produces its desired end. 
“ Esto perpetua ” w r e w 7 ould say. 
As w T e have been favoured with the notes of the lecture, 
w r hich has been inserted nearly in full, to it with pleasure 
we refer our readers. No comments of ours are called for : 
it speaks for itself. The professor delivered it with his 
wonted energy ; and it was listened to throughout 
with marked approval. Its salient feature was, doubtless, 
the new law r s that have been formed for the guidance of the 
pupils during their attendance at the College. The spirit of 
these laws may have existed in the archives of the institution 
