685 
ANNUAL ORATION, BY MR. T. TURNER. 
however, you will give me your attention from time to time, when 
I shall need to receive your support and encouragement, this 
will act as a powerful incentive to my exertions, and make what 
w'ould otherwise be a labour, a great and continued pleasure. I, 
therefore, throw myself on your kind indulgence, being fully as- 
sured that it will not be withheld from me. 
On each succeeding Wednesday and Saturday you will find 
me at my post, ready to impart to you such information as I am 
capable of ; and 1 fervently hope that the time occupied by us 
upon such subjects -as our future lectures will embrace, will be 
spent to our mutual improvement, and tend for the advancement 
of veterinary knowledge. It now. Gentlemen, only remains for 
me to thank you for the kind attention which has been given me 
in this my first effort to appear before a public audience. This 
1 do most sincerely ; and while I announce that Mr. Morton will 
at twelve o’clock to morrow meet you in this place, and commence 
his course of valuable lectures, be pleased again to accept my best 
thanks. 
ON THE PRESENT STATE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THE 
VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By Mr. Thomas Turner. 
% 
When I reflect on the distinguished individuals that have 
preceded me in these orations on veterinary science, and which 
reflect so much lasting honour upon them, the task that I am 
about to undertake this evening, rest assured, almost unnerves me. 
Never was it in hands more unfitted for the task, than in those 
of the humble individual who now addresses you. Believe me, that 
were it not from the circumstance of my holding an official and 
highly responsible situation, in conjunction with a considerable 
portion of the veterinary body, no solicitation, however pressing, 
would or could have induced me to enter the list in the character 
which I now sustain ; but, Gentlemen, trusting to your kind for- 
bearance and to my own natural courage, I shall venture some- 
thing, at least, if not for a far better purpose, yet for your amuse- 
ment. 
The attempt at attaining high honour or wealth and station in 
society 1 conceive to be a laudable object of ambition in every 
well-educated and industrious man, to whatever class of the profes- 
sion it may be his destiny to belong ; and, among the acknow- 
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