EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
289 
tions of all within its sphere, but in establishing amongst its 
votaries a degree of intellectual greatness, of scientific knowledge, 
of practical information, and of moral sway that must ever com- 
mand from other members of the community that attention and 
that respect which are eminently and unequivocally their due. 
Whether I regard the science of agriculture in one or all these 
points — whether I take them singly or collectively, alone or alto- 
gether, they are fully and justly entitled to our notice and to our 
well wishes. 
God speed the plough ! are common and familiar words ; but 
words no less common and familiar than ever seasonable and 
naturally important. 
The rapid strides which agriculture has of late years made, and 
is at this moment making, despite of the few dark streaks in the 
horizon, cannot have escaped the observation of any of you. 
In its increase and onward progress it has cast a piteous eye 
upon and lent a helping hand to a science that bears closely and 
importantly on its welfare and prosperity — a science to which I 
am proud to say that I, in common with many here, have the 
honour to belong. I need not comment on the interest which 
the agricultural societies almost everywhere, and especially the 
Highland Society of Scotland as the parent of them all, have 
taken in favour, and for the promotion of the veterinary science, 
and chiefly in the school over which our talented and respected 
Professor presides. 
I am quite aware, in bringing the subject of agriculture at 
all under notice, of the great and wide field open before me. It 
were easy to picture to you the face of one country lying in 
waste and unproductiveness, and its inhabitants sunk in poverty 
and degradation, and to turn to the state of another teeming with 
verdure and fertility, and tenanted with people intellectual, moral, 
and prosperous, and to shew the bearing which an extended degree 
of civilization has upon the progress and high standing of agricul- 
ture. This, however, you will agree with me, is neither the time 
nor the place for any such purpose. I would only, in conclusion, 
mention the name of one whose labours and talents have given 
so much interest to, and conferred so much benefit upon the sci- 
ence — one to whom the agriculturists generally, and through 
them the great body of the people at large, and I may add, 
in no slight degree from the privilege and opportunity we have 
had of attending and profiting by his lectures — one whose name 
stands high in the agricultural and veterinary world, and one whose 
efforts for their advancement are honourable and unremitted. 
You already anticipate me, when I give you, “ Professor Low, 
and Prosperity to Agriculture.” At the same time, let this 
VOL. xv. q q 
