ON VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCAXiON, 403 
strength of your memory, and the rapidity of your writing. On 
the whole I should say, Yes. Mere hints, catch-words, to remind 
you of the subjects, the arguments and the illustrations, and the 
order in which they occurred. At the earliest opportunity fill up 
the chasms. By no means let the day close without this. Let 
it be, at least, an accurate sketch; and, as far as you can, the 
condensed substance of the lecture. 
. After this enquire how far the doctrines of your tutor coincide 
with your preconceived notions. Argue the matter fairly and 
soberly with him. Consult the best authors ; and endeavour, as 
you go on, fully to understand the lecturer, and to form your own 
opinion on the subject. 
To the habit of taking copious notes I should decidedly object; 
for, while you are writing, many important arguments and illus¬ 
trations will necessarily be lost, and the connexion of the whole 
lecture will be broken. 
While you are in the theatre be respectful and attentive. Com¬ 
mon courtesy requires this; and your improvement will be mate¬ 
rially connected with it. You know not the magic of attention. 
It will not only imprint the lecture more deeply on your memory, 
but it will make the lecture doubly valuable. Your propriety of 
behaviour, and evident wish to improve, will cause your teacher 
to identify himself with the matter before him, and to throw him¬ 
self heart and soul into the business. Inattention, listlessness, 
and rudeness, will annoy and perplex him; and the subject will 
necessarily be imperfectly treated. 
As to your general conduct towards him : Be unifoimly respect¬ 
ful. Endeavour to create in your mind an unfeigned esteem for 
him. He is your elder, and your superior; and his interest, and 
duty, and best feelings are, or ought to be, connected with your 
improvement. There is more in this, perhaps, than is dreamed 
of in your philosophy. If you dislike or despise him, you will 
not improve under his tuition; and if you openly manifest that 
dislike, I will not say how deeply you wound him, but I will tell 
you that it will not be in human nature for him to exert his best 
energies in effecting your improvement: it will be a matter of 
mere indifference or mercenary calculation. 
I am no advocate for blind deference to any teacher, or unmanly 
submission to any authority; but attention and respect are due 
to your instructors, and will be repaid by increased zeal, warm 
friendship, and useful service. 
As opportunity serves, endeavour to draw your teachers into 
conversation with you on some recent lecture, some case in the 
infirmary, or any matter which you do not fairly comprehend ; 
but do not ask twenty questions in a breath on twenty different 
subjects, to save yourself the trouble of dissection or study. . Do 
