818 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
from such an advanced position as this, it was felt that the 
only safe and reliable mode of approaching it was by cau¬ 
tious and gradual steps; hence it was that the first year the 
tests to which the candidate was submitted were not severe, 
and the proofs required were not exacting. From that 
session, however, the examination has been gradually added 
to and rendered more critical. And although some persons 
have thought to throw cold water, to use a common phrase, on 
what has been done, to sneer and hint that such examination 
is simply a farce, I can this morning with much pleasure assert 
that, so far as this institution is concerned, the matriculation 
movement has been the means of shutting out of the profes¬ 
sion more than one ignoramus, and my colleagues and myself 
have noticed an unmistakable improvement in the members 
of our class generally. At present, it is the intention to ad¬ 
vance still further, and ultimately to render the test suffi¬ 
ciently exacting to insure that the pupil has received such a 
scholastic preparation as will enable him to readily cope with 
his studies at the college, and to assume a creditable profes¬ 
sional position afterwards. The next step which will be 
taken, and the lime is nigh at hand, is a most important one, 
and, to my mind, a most necessary one; this examination 
hitherto has been conducted by the teachers of the college; 
now, for more reasons than one, this is objectionable, and it 
has been suggested, nay, I should say well nigh decided, 
that the examination should be hereafter conducted by an in¬ 
dependent body, and that body the College of Preceptors. 
Advantages, as you will see, must accrue from such an ar¬ 
rangement as this; for instance, it will remove from the 
shoulders of the teachers a most unpleasant responsibility; 
it will insure a regular standard of proficiency for each pupil, 
and it will be a guarantee to the profession and the public 
that the benefits arising from scholastic training are not being 
overlooked by us. This, I repeat, is a very important and 
necessary step to take, and I have the utmost confidence in 
the results. 
In bringing this matter before you this morning, I have 
mainly in view two objects : Firstly, I am desirous that by 
every possible source, even by my feeble voice, the world 
should know that we are up and doing, that we are endea¬ 
vouring to remove one of the obstacles that stand in the Way 
and retard the advance of our calling, a want of education 
(for the vainest of us, however painful it may be, must admit 
this), and to show to those whose intention it is hereafter t 
join our ranks that they must be up and doing too. An 
secondly, 1 have thought that by bringing before you wh 
