THE EDITOR. 
481 
the pretensions of the uneducated farrier, and are also the easiest 
to manage, provided they are dealt with candidly and straight- 
forwardly ; and it is generally found that they who would wish 
to undervalue the profession are the conceitedly ignorant , who , 
having no pretension to knowledge themselves , are anxious to under- 
rate its importance in others. 
I hope that I shall not be considered egotistical in remarking, 
that, having no fear of the spread of veterinary knowledge before 
my eyes, I have recommended many of my agricultural friends to 
procure those valuable works written by Mr. Youatt for the 
“ Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge” — the “ Horse,” 
“Cattle” - “ Sheep,” and instead of being deprived of practice by 
so doing, I am sure that many cases, particularly of cattle, have 
been submitted to my treatment that otherwise would not. Seve- 
ral friends have told me they were not at all aware of the nature and 
treatment of cattle till they had read that book ; that they were 
quite convinced the cowleech knew nothing about them ; and that, 
if I would attend their cattle they would employ me. The 
result is, that I am now called to attend several large stocks of 
cattle, while a few years ago I scarcely prescribed for a horned 
beast once in a quarter of a year. 
I am sorry to find from the last number of The V eterinarian 
that there is a dissension amongst the members of the Veterinary 
Medical Association. Of course I am not in a position to give an 
opinion of the circumstances which led to such a state of affairs ; 
but if it is a jealousy that the essays and debates are pub- 
lished in The Veterinarian, they will excuse me for saying — 
without the slightest intention to give offence — that they are 
acting unjustly towards themselves and the Association. They 
have no occasion to fear injury from the dissemination of know- 
ledge; and for myself, I gratefully admit, that I have derived much 
pleasure and instruction from reading the published reports of 
their proceedings. I care not who reads our books, if we could 
but keep up a cordial and friendly compact amongst each other. 
“No power on earth could make us rue. 
If to ourselves we were but true”. 
I must apologize for the length of this letter, but it is a subject 
upon which I was desirous to express my sentiments at the 
present time. 
3 R 
VOL. XIV. 
