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ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
theless I carried on my investigations as well as I could, although not to 
the extent [ had intended and wished. 
I might also be permitted to add. that as far as chemistry was applicable 
to vet erinary medicine, here another field presented itself, one also in which 
110 one had preceded me, so that mine may be said to have been almost an 
entirely new and untrodden path, one in which I needed all assistance at 
the very commencement, and instead of which I met with that calculated 
to deter me from going onwards in it rather than otherwise. Yet I perse¬ 
vered, being supported by many friends in the profession, among whom was 
your chairman ; and although I have not done what I purposed to do, and 
now never shall, yet “ through evil and through good report’ 5 I continue to 
this day. I have sown, others will reap; nor will they have so much to 
contend against as I have had. I do unhesitatingly say, that had it not been 
for the kindnesses I have always received from the students as a class, that 
long ere this I should have directed my attention to some other pursuit. 
I rejoice, however, that I have been permitted to see this day, as it crowns 
my labours at their close, and is the reward of my feeble perseverance; 
whilst 1 have succeeded in gaining that for which I both fought and laboured 
hard. Nor do I now regret that some opposition was manifested, since 
there is no glory in an unfought conquest ; no proof of either endurance or of 
speed in walking over the course; no triumph nor honour when no difficulty 
lias been surmounted; a crown uncontested for is a crown unwon; whilst 
in proportion to the severity of the battle will be the triumph of victory. 
It is too often the case that those who initiate a good often fail in their 
attempt to accomplish it; or if they do not, they leave to those who may 
succeed them the fruit of their toil. “A friend to progress necessitates 
reform.’ 5 1 have therefore endeavoured to clear away some of the ruins of 
the past, and have collected together a few materials for the temple of science 
for the future. Alas ! they are but few. 
It is with pleasure I can attest that not only in my department, but in 
others of your curriculum, the means possessed by the student for the ob- 
tainment of information are far, very far, superior to those that once existed. 
The same desire to concentrate information within the walls of this estab¬ 
lishment has been shared equally by my colleagues, and by co-operation the 
object has been attained. 
It has been said by some persons that the education, as now given here, 
is far in advance of the profession, and it ought not to be so. Now, this I 
hold to be a very great error. Those who have the conduction of schools 
should, both by their position and experience, and the benefits derived from 
long study, be able to move far in advance of the body; and they are morally 
worthless if they are not able to take the lead in all things that tend to 
the benefit of the general community. The standard of education can 
rarely be set too high. The present age is remarkable for mind-progress, 
and we must move onwards with it, or we shall be left in the background, 
and become laggards in the race. 
On such an occasion as this, the last time that I can expect to address you 
upon these topics, I would be honest with you, and tell you that I believe 
my retirement will be of great advantage to the school, by my giving place 
to one abler than myself to fulfil the duties of the station I have so long 
attempted to perform. I have all confidence in the governors of this institu¬ 
tion, who, being rightly advised, and of this I have no doubt, will appoint 
a person more intimately conversant with the science of chemistry than I 
ever professed to be. 
As I have been the first-appointed teacher in these divisions of science, 
so L am the first of your teachers to retire into private life. I do so not a 
rich man, but 1 hope a grateful and coutented one, a kind Providence having 
