COLLEGE CLOSING EXERCISES. 
83 
MONTREAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
The examinations of this institution, which have been in progress for the 
at two weeks, were concluded Tuesday, March 23. 
Out of six final students four were awarded the diploma, viz: T. A. 
roughton, J. D. Wythe, C. C. Dyer and George Slaughter. 
Sir William Dawson said that though the number of those receiving diplomas 
is not large, those who had received them might be congratulated on having 
ne through a very thorough course, for which they were greatly indebted to 
r-fir instructors. It was a most fallacious method to judge a school by the num- 
r of its graduates. He hoped the time would come when, through Government 
1, this school would cease to be a burden to its Principal. 
S Mr. Blackwood, representing the Quebec Council of Agriculture, said that 
had occasion during the year to examine into the condition of the men who had 
en educated at this college, and he was gratified to learn that every one whom 
[ had been able to trace had been successful. This was a remarkable record 
d an encouraging outlook to the men now leaving the college, to whom, as an 
I man, he might be allowed to give one or two bits of advice. Certain tempta- 
>ns peculiarly surrounded men of their profession. Let it be said of each of 
ein, as he had once heard it remarked of their Principal, that no money 
uld affect his opinion of a horse, and let them be careful about drink, which it 
Duld be hard for them to avoid. He had himself, in England, in 1836, come to 
e conclusion that his only safe course was to let it entirely alone, and he had 
>t since departed from that position. 
Mr. Billings, of Nebraska, one of the examiners, had one thing to add to 
hat had just been said, and that was that if there was one thing worse than rum 
was the horseman. The veterinary surgeon who had his office in a stable, and 
ho spent his spare time talking horse slang and soiling the floor with his tobacco, 
igraded his profession. The man that courted his clients in this way would get 
t e worst of it, while he who took the place where he belonged, at a respectable 
stance from them, would be respected by them and would get their money 
stead of their getting his. Mr. Billings ascribed to Dr. McEachran the very 
jrst place on the continent as a veterinarian educator, and denounced the diploma 
dlls and cheap subscription societies that passed for colleges all over the conti- 
mt. With the exception of four, such was the character of those in the United 
fates. He hoped yet to give his frieud here a tussle for the first place. The 
nited States was going to be the first country with a State in it intelligent 
lough to see that if specialists forswear professional gain to give themselves to 
taching and investigation the State should pay them. That State was Nebraska. 
; was original investigation which gave Rudolph Virchow the first place in their 
;gard, and it was that which gave Dr. McEachran so high a place on this conti- 
ent. 
Dr. Hingston, in adding his quota of advice to the young men, said that it 
as their duty to take the position of gentlemen in society and to uphold the 
ink of their profession by their demeanor as well as by their requirements. He 
noted some eminent examples of veterinary men who took the highest social 
laces. 
