INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
701 
artists, thinkers, and workers of all sorts, owe their success, 
in a great measure, to their indefatigable industry and appli¬ 
cation. They were men who turned all things to gold, even 
time itself. Disraeli the elder held that the secret of all 
success consisted in being master of your subject, such 
mastery being attainable only through continuous application 
and study. Hence it happens that the men who have most 
moved the world have not been so much men of genius, 
strictly so called, as men of intense mediocre abilities, un¬ 
tiring workers, persevering, self-reliant, and indefatigable. 
Not so often the gifted or naturally bright and shining 
qualities as those who apply themselves diligently to their 
work, in whatever line they may be. ‘Alas!' said a widow, 
speaking of her brilliant but careless son, ( he has not the 
gift of continuance.' 
“ Wanting in perseverance, such volatile natures are out¬ 
stripped in the race of life by the diligent, and even the dull. 
“ Hence a great point to be arrived at is to get the working 
quality well trained. When that is done, the race will be 
found comparatively easy. We must repeat and again repeat, 
facility will come with labour. Not even the simplest act 
can be accomplished without it, and what difficulties it is 
found capable of achieving !...." 
I need not add anything, 1 think, to enforce the suggestions 
for your guidance contained in the foregoing quotations. I 
would, however, commend Mr. Smiles's most instructive 
little work to your notice. Read it, and from its pages you 
will learn invaluable lessons, which may prompt you to the 
best and most economical use of your time, not only here, 
but throughout life. 
I may next observe, with reference to your studies within 
this institution, that Professor Spooner will induct you into a 
knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the 
horse ; that Professor Varnell will aid you in the study of 
descriptive anatomy, and also of hospital practice ; that Pro¬ 
fessor Tuson will unravel the mysteries of chemistry, and guide 
you in the obtainment of a knowledge of materia medica; 
that Mr. Pritchard will teach you practical anatomy ; and 
that to my lot it will fall to help you, in the best manner I 
can, to acquire a knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, 
and pathology of other domesticated animals. 1 shall leave 
it to my colleagues to point out, at the commencement of 
their respective courses of lectures, such works as are most 
fitted to be of use to you as manuals of the different subjects 
to be studied, and such special requirements as may best 
enable vou to profit by their teachings. I shall adopt a 
