604 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
tion of causes too numerous to be here mentioned; and it 
is the possession and application of this knowledge which 
renders his services so valuable to the public generally. 
Those who thus argue know little, very little indeed, 
of the difficulty that is connected with the obtaining from 
the powers which be ” any alterations, even so as to secure 
that which may be considered a right. Much circumspec¬ 
tion and unwearied perseverance are called for to effect 
this, and in proportion to the difficulties encountered, so are 
the obligations increased to him who undertakes the laborious 
task. From the first we confess that we entertained no fears 
whatever as to the result, knowing as we did the great 
interest possessed by the principal veterinary surgeon to the 
army, and the motives by which he was actuated. 
In every sense we view the document as an important one. 
It inaugurates an era in the profession, for the whole body 
must be beneficially influenced by it, since it will tend to 
raise it in respectability and estimation, by giving a higher 
tone to the professional education of those who are anxious 
to obtain appointments in the army. Young men of educa¬ 
tion have always sought, and always will seek, those situations 
in life that are consonant with feelings which have been 
early inculcated, as well as those that offer some return for 
the outlay made in the acquirement of scientific knowledge. 
There may have taken place some delay, and this has 
been misconstrued into indifference or neglect, or even a 
failure. It was better, surely, cautiously and deliberately 
to act, and thus in the end possess that which should be 
of real and permanent value, rather than hurriedly to 
accept a proposal that would in the end fail in giving 
general satisfaction, and lead to disappointment. 
We trust that the expectations of those more imme¬ 
diately to be benefited by this warrant will be fully rea¬ 
lised. We have carefully perused the document, and believe 
that there is in it much of real worth. The alterations 
effected by it are on a liberal scale, and incentives to emula¬ 
tion are held forth by the instituting of grades. This we 
approve of. All men love honour and distinction; but 
