ADVICE TO VETERINARY STUDENTS. 
3 
may vainly hope for the desired result of our labours, — a sound 
mind in a sound body. 
The infant mind is as a blank page, on which time and circum- 
stances will infallibly transcribe some characters either of good or 
evil, or of both. It is then “ without form and void,” as clay in 
the hands of the potter ; but if, trusting to the future concurrence of 
time and events to mould into form its primitive chaos, we refuse, 
says Coleridge, “ to prejudice the soil towards bearing the fruits 
of knowledge, it will spontaneously bring forth the weeds and 
thistles of ignorance.” 
No greater fallacy can possibly exist than the assertion that ge- 
neral knowledge enfeebles its possessor, or renders him less qualified 
for discharging the active duties of life. There has been some 
radical defect in the moral or mental training, which is the real 
cause of this evil. Some indolent habit has been allowed, un- 
checked; some favorite propensity has never been curbed; the 
due balance has not been preserved between the moral and intel- 
lectual powers. There is no kind of knowledge which, in the 
hands of the diligent and skilful, will not turn to account. “Honey 
exudes from all flowers, the bitter not excepted; and the bee knows 
how to extract it.” 
But I must distinctly impress on all the necessity of upholding 
a sound condition of the moral feelings. Forgetting this, we are 
raising the arch without the key-stone. Let us be mindful, that the 
highest state of man consists in his purity as a moral being, and in 
the habitual culture and full operation of those principles by which 
he looks forth to other scenes and other times. Cold and contracted 
indeed is that view of man which regards his understanding alone; 
and barren is that system, however wide its range, which rests on 
the mere attainment of truth. 
Presuming the moral foundation to be first laid, and without 
which, I must repeat, we are but “ daubing the wall with untem- 
pered mortar,” I would strongly urge that young men, before they 
enter upon their apprenticeships, should be well grounded in the 
higher branches of arithmetic, general history, and classical attain- 
ments ; and that they be directed to seize every opportunity of 
gaining information in natural philosophy, by reading, reflecting, 
and attending lectures. They will then commence their studies 
with great advantage, with their faculties expanded and strength- 
ened, and well qualified to apply their powers with greater effect 
to the acquisition of the various branches of knowledge which are 
immediately auxiliary to their own profession. Are not natural 
history, chemistry, botany, and geology serviceable in a profession, 
the very aim and object of which is to relieve the sufferings of the 
animal creation? He should seek every opportunity of intercourse 
