THE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 225 
.those who do come, could they not kindly enter the lists some- 
what sooner, and delight their younger brethren by breaking a 
harmless lance with them ? They shall still be permitted to bear 
the honours of the later portion of the day ; but when they con- 
tent themselves with being mere spectators until the sun is nearly 
going down, there is not time for them to delight us with the feats 
of arms of which they are capable. 
Our younger friends — they have not once interrupted the pro- 
ceedings of the meeting by improper or indecorous behaviour — 
they have sometimes added to the effect of the exhibition by 
the judicious applause which they have bestowed on the com- 
batants. Was this all that they could have done? might they 
not have devoted one half hour to the previous consideration of 
the subject that was to be discussed ? Could they not have 
questioned themselves on what particular points they felt hesita- 
tion and doubt, or where they were conscious of almost total 
ignorance ? Were they afraid to ask for information, or occa- 
sionally to add their mite to the general stock of knowledge ? 
The defender is bound to answer them to the best of his power; 
and in no instance have they received a reluctant or cold reply 
from an elder brother student, or from a practitioner of the long- 
est standing. 
Our country members ! are their consciences quite at ease? 
Have they altogether forgotten the law which states that u any 
communication that they may be pleased to make in or connected 
with veterinary science will be gladly received by the Associa- 
tion, which will, in return, debate on any disputed point on 
which they may wish to have its opinion, and which opinion 
shall be transmitted to them by the secretary ?” Circumstances 
will occur in the practice of every man in which a right of ap- 
peal like this cannot fail of being highly desireable and advan- 
tageous ; and these intercommunications, while they will give 
variety to the proceedings of the Association, will necessarily 
unite together the members of the profession for every pleasing 
honourable purpose — for every purpose, in fact, connected with 
our individual welfare, and the improvement of our art. 
One of our country members, Mr. Mayer, jun., of Newcastle- 
VOLi X. , G g 
