EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS, 
401 
THE ELECTION OE J. WILKINSON, ESQ., PRINCIPAL VETE¬ 
RINARY SURGEON TO THE ARMY, AS PRESIDENT OF 
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
“ Honour to whom honour is due / 5 is the injunction. The 
unanimous election of Mr. Wilkinson, principal veterinary 
surgeon to the army, to the office of president, by the Council 
of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons at their last 
meeting, is an act which is alike honorable to both parties. 
Very lately, Mr. Wilkinson has given proof of his desire to 
promote the interests of the profession by the earnestness 
with which he laboured to advance the position of the vete¬ 
rinary surgeon holding a commission in her Majesty’s ser¬ 
vice, and to augment his pay; and happily success has 
crowned his efforts. 
Few know the difficulties attendant on effecting changes 
connected with government arrangements. Not only have 
long usages to be contended against, but it is imperative that 
the “ needs be” should be shown, and the corresponding 
advantages pointed out, before any disturbance of them is 
allowed to take place. The routine of official authority can 
be departed from only when necessit}^ compels. Many ob¬ 
jections are raised, and numerous obstacles, real or ima¬ 
ginary, have to be grappled with. ’Tis like a ponderous 
machine which has got into deep ruts; it requires long and 
steadily continued traction to move it out. It, too, generally, 
is a work of time, and he is fortunate who lives to see the 
accomplishment of his wishes. 
There yet, however, remains more to be done; and we 
shall be disappointed if the year of office of one we have so 
long known in the profession, and esteemed, closes without 
his taking not only some steps towards the attainment of 
it, but making a great advance in it. We are not unac¬ 
quainted with his interests and his influence ; but we also 
know that he is a cautious man. He acts warily; being- 
conscious that much circumspection is necessary, and that 
bv one false move made at the beginning, the game is often 
xxx ii i. 48 
