ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
297 
given me enough for my wants. I am in the “ sere and yellow leaf of 
autumn;” many of your fathers I knew as pupils; my energies are not 
what they were, whatever may be my desires'; it is time, therefore, that I 
give place to a younger and better man; still I shall ever feel an interest in 
the onward progress of the profession, and rejoice to know of the prosperity 
of a school with which I have been so long and iutimately connected. 
In 1842 I was appointed a public lecturer here; the former part of my 
time I was only a private instructor of the pupils, and the latter part of it 
was in concert with my colleague, Professor Spooner, both of us having 
been teachers out before we were appointed teachers within the College. 
Thus have you heard the beginning of that which you have witnessed 
nearly the ending. Soon I shall have to' say to you the parting word, 
“ farewell.” I shall feel the separation, though not regret it, for reasons 
already assigned. 
And thus I have given you the history of more than half my life. If it 
has appeared somewhat egotistical, it has arisen from necessity. I have 
no self-love to foster, no fancied superiority to claim. I know I have often 
failed to do what I ought to have done, for imperfection is the lot of man. 
Now, we are told that those who are putting on the armour are not to 
rejoice as he who puts it off. You, gentlemen, are about to embark in life. 
The world is all before you, where and what to choose, and Providence your 
guide. Suffer, therefore, the word of admonition from a friend. Improve 
the present opportunity to acquire knowledge. It cannot recur, for time 
once lost can never be regained. The dial of Aliaz is not ours, nor will the 
shadow on it go back for us. The present period alone belongs to us; the 
past is gone; the future we know not of. Nor delay to perform your duty; 
for you know the poet has said— 
“ Procrastination is the thief of time; 
Year after year it steals, till all are fled.” 
Be early and late at your studies, and seize every opportunity to acquire 
knowledge. Yours is the spring-time of life, and “if the spring put forth 
no blossom, in summer therejwill be no beauty "and in autumn no fruit. So, 
if youth be trifled away without improvement, manhood will be contemptible 
and old age miserable.” Spare moments have been compared to the gold- 
dust of time. Therefore waste them not. Poor Richard asks, “Dost thou 
love life? Then waste not time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” 
Much, very much, may be done if time only be economised, and each 
section of study have given to it its allotted portion. Be assured that you 
will have to contend with difficulties hereafter. Pain would we have our 
pathway strewn with flowers, yielding perfume, joy; too frequently, how¬ 
ever, we find the primeval curse is there—thorns and briars, causing both 
care and sorrow. Yet may all be surmounted by honesty of purpose joined 
to industry, the true philosopher’s stone. We all have our cares, especially 
in early life, and he is a coward who is frightened at imaginary ills, and 
dares not face them through fear. Be bold, then, conscious of the justness 
of your cause, and strong from a conviction of your powers; and this will 
supplant presumption, which is only a proof of ignorance. Though diffi¬ 
culties as high as the Alps should arise, or barriers like the chains of the 
everlasting hills present themselves, yet I say, “ Try again,” for surmount 
them in the end you assuredly will by persevering. 
Let science with practice be not only your motto, but your governing 
principle. It is this that will lift you above the pretending charlatan; it is 
this that will render your services of worth; it is this that will raise the 
profession you have chosen in the estimation of the public. And now, in 
drawing to a conclusion, I would borrow the eloquent language lately de- 
