THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXV, 
No. 300. 
DECEMBER, 1852. 
Third Series, 
No. 60. 
THE 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS, 
DELIVERED AT THE- - 
ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE, 
At the Opening of the Session 1852-3, 
BY PROFESSOR SIMONDS. 
Gentlemen, —In accordance with established custom, we 
are assembled here this day to mark the commencement of 
another sessional course of instruction, by the delivery of an 
Introductory Address. Once more within these walls the 
teachers meet the pupils to enter on their duties in investi¬ 
gating a special branch of Medical Science, applicable to the 
structure and diseases of all domesticated Animals. 
The time has not long gone by, when one animal alone 
(the horse) was deemed worthy of the employment of the 
talents of the man of science,—that period, however, has 
happily passed, never more to return ; and now it may be said 
that this Institution occupies the position which its original 
founders intended. 
The commencement of each new Session is doubtless a 
time of much anxiety and care, affecting alike those that im¬ 
part and those that receive instruction. Desirous as may be 
the teacher, he still questions his pow r er of so arranging and 
disposing his matter, as to encourage the younger pupil in 
the pursuit of his studies, while he instructs and advances the 
elder. And of the pupil it may likewise be said, that he has 
his misgivings, as to whether he will be enabled to gain that 
amount of knowledge necessary to secure his entrance into 
the profession he has chosen. 
The excitement, however, of the occasion generally enables 
both to enter the lists w r ith alacrity; but when this has 
passed, then the responsibility of their relative positions is 
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