EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
671 
Messrs. Editors, — Since the period I graduated at Alma 
M ater I have rarely missed being present at the introductory 
lecture given at the opening of the Royal Veterinary Col¬ 
lege. But seldom have 1 been so much gratified as I 
was when at that delivered in the earlier part of the pre¬ 
sent month. To see the theatre more than crowded, for 
I observed that some of the professors could not obtain 
seats therein, or they gave them up to others, and the pas¬ 
sages leading thereto filled with attentive listeners, was to 
me extremely gratifying, and I could not help saying, “ This 
looks well; it is a proof of progress, and must do good.” 
Intimately connected with the practice of veterinary science 
as I have now been for many years, I have longed to see its 
advancement; and casting my eyes around upon the pupils 
assembled, I thought I saw in their faces that intelligence 
and zeal which could not fail to be productive of all that 
I have so long wished to witness. There were none of 
those—at least, I could not recognise any such—which 
were once stated “ always to make the best veterinary sur¬ 
geons,” by one whose memory I shall ever respect, for I 
was his pupil; and his instructions were not thrown away 
upon me, I hope. But I have learned that talents are to 
be employed, or they become worse than useless. The per¬ 
sons I refer to are the groom and stableman. Not that 
I would discard these, but then the groom and stableman 
should possess the necessary prerequisites for study, or the 
profession will not be advanced by them. This was an error 
in his judgment, and where or who is he who never errs ? 
Instead thereof were before me young men of good educa¬ 
tion apparently, and unquestionably of respectability of ap¬ 
pearance. These are they, I mentally exclaimed, we have 
to look to ! On these our onward progress depends; and, 
“ as the twig is bent, the tree^s inclined,” so, I trust, they 
will, from the admonitions given them by their teachers, 
derive profit, and make them their guides and safeguards 
for life. Tis a momentous period for many of them, for on 
their conduct while at College hinges their future well or ill 
doing hereafter. Difficulties they will have to contend with, 
and for a time these may seem formidable; but what will not 
perseverance and industry accomplish? Thus I reflected 
from the stand-point I had taken. Nor was I inattentive 
to what was being enunciated. Much that I heard I con¬ 
curred with, but not all. For instance, when the existence 
of the “ New Army Warrant” was announced, I confess I 
wished that the lecturer could have added, and these ap¬ 
pointments are alone to be hereafter conferred on the graduates 
