16 MR. percivall’s introductory lecture 
as the racing people, collectively, are denominated. So obsti¬ 
nate and bigotted were these people, that, some years ago, they 
would let neither a veterinary surgeon nor a puff of pure air into 
their stables. Affairs, however, are taking a turn even with 
them. They are beginning to discover that racers do better 
breathing pure than foul air; and will, sooner or later, 
find out that we know more about diseases and lamenesses 
than they do themselves. 
I cannot, gentlemen, let slip this opportunity of proclaiming, 
with a degree of exultation, that the Institution in which we 
are now seated has set an example to all other British Univer¬ 
sities, in being the first to introduce veterinary lectures within 
their walls ; a boon that will not fail to be recorded by the pro¬ 
fession, and one which (I think I feel myself warranted in 
adding), considering into whose hands those lectures have fallen, 
the Council have had no room to regret. When the connexion 
of veterinary science with general medicine—with the pleasures 
and habits and pursuits of the superior classes of society—with 
the interests of agriculture, and even the well-being of our 
country—come to be better understood than they are at present;— 
when the veterinary art shall be taught and cultivated with advan¬ 
tages equivalent to those under which medicine has so rapidly pro¬ 
gressed, and more encouragement shall be given to its improve¬ 
ment ; then, but not till then, will those who practise it, assert 
claims on society, and assume an importance, superior to any 
hitherto known to the profession. The University of London 
has taken a step towards such desired amelioration : let us hope 
that other institutions will follow its patriotic and praiseworthy 
example. 
To the Editors of “ The Veterinarian .” 
. t 
ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW YEAR. 
By Paul Pry. 
“Time rolls his ceaseless carand before this page shall have 
been opened, the year 1833, that was ushered in gilded by the 
New Series of your publication, will have set in darkness. But, 
before proceeding to its brief epitaph, I here beg leave to wish 
you, most kind and generous Editors (for I am led to understand 
that it is rather a losing than a profitable publication), a right 
happy, pleasant, and merry new year. 
