11 
THE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE TO 
MR. MORTON’S COURSE ON MEDICAL CHEMISTRY. 
The mind of that man cannot be rightly constituted, who, having 
chosen the vocation of an instructor, does not feel the weight of the 
responsibility which attaches itself to that situation. 
It will be readily believed that I am not a stranger to the duties 
that devolve on me, yet, oftentimes, when I review the vast field 
that lies before me, the amount of labour required for its cultiva- 
tion, and the little time I can devote to it, I am tempted to turn my 
back upon the plough, and to withhold my hand from scattering the 
seed over the fruitful, although as yet nearly unbroken, soil. There 
are, however, two incentives that urge me to continue my labours, 
and which indeed offer an almost irresistible impulse to perse- 
verance. The first is a settled conviction — every year more 
deeply impressed upon my mind — that the student of veterinary 
medicine requires instruction in those divisions of science which 
I have selected as the groundwork of my lectures. The second 
is the kind encouragement which I have uniformly received from 
my pupils. I should do injustice to them, and violence to my 
own feelings and principles, did I not publicly and honestly confess 
that this has often buoyed me up, when many other circumstances 
have tended to depress me ; it has at once scattered all my fears to 
the winds, and I have determined still to press onwards. It has 
doubly armed me for the contest, and, thus panoplied, I am re- 
solved to persevere in my endeavours, feeble although they are, 
hoping that victory may ultimately crown my efforts ; and I shall 
become of some little use to the veterinary student by imparting to 
him such information, in a very important branch of his profession, 
as in after-life he will find of value. I will venture to express a 
hope, that “ every attempt, however feeble, that leads to another, 
may be considered both a step and an advancement.” 
That I may not be accused of attempting to deceive, let me 
frankly tell you at this the commencement of my lectures, that as 
yet, at the College, no instructor has been appointed in those divi- 
sions of science to which I am about to direct your attention. 
The time, however, will come, when such an appointment must 
take place ; and then gladly — if need be — will I resign all preten- 
sions to be a teacher : but, until that period arrives, I will continue 
my efforts, assured of this, that I shall receive from you the same 
kindness I have from others. 
On another point I would be equally explicit. It is not my inten- 
