INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
821 
off and shun this apathy respecting this source of knowledge, 
and, mark you, it is a source which always presents itself for 
you to avail yourself of. A familiarity with the natural 
habits of the animal, the indications of health, and the 
symptoms of disease, is only to be attained in the stable, 
while to become acquainted with the normal action of horses’ 
limbs, and to be expert in detecting defective action and the 
causes giving rise to it, require a good amount of careful and 
penetrating observation. Such, gentlemen, are the studies 
which we have to inculcate and you have to become familiar 
with; and such are the facilities, so far as the college is con¬ 
cerned, Avhich you can and should to the utmost avail your¬ 
selves of. Make good use of all of them, and when in the 
pursuance of your studies the difficulties seem insurmountable, 
avail yourselves of the assistance of those who have trod the 
path before you—I mean your teachers. It is always a plea¬ 
sure to them to help those who work for themselves; and 
if you will only make known to them the problem you cannot 
solve, rely on it you will meet with the assistance and encou¬ 
ragement you need. Let your attendance in this theatre be 
marked by regular punctuality, unimpeachable conduct, and 
strict attention to every effort of your teachers; any deviation 
from this interrupts and is an insult to the professor who is 
labouring for your advantage; diverts the attention of and so 
injures your fellow pupil; and, besides these evils, it is shame¬ 
fully cutting to waste your own valuable time. In the in¬ 
firmary, attending the clinical instruction ; in the yard, wit¬ 
nessing the examination of horses; pursuing your investiga¬ 
tions in the dissecting-room; indeed, at all times, and under 
all circumstances, endeavour to curb that hilarity of youth 
which, unchecked, leads on to practical joking. Be men, 
and so strive that your deportment may be exemplary and 
beyond suspicion. Think no portion of your curriculum of 
little worth, or make any branch of it a favorite to the 
neglect of another, but with equal avidity seek information 
respecting each division of the science. 
Weigh well the end, deem nothing small or mean, 
Tor habits liave a strange vitality, 
And many a ponderous and massive gate 
Hangs on a little hinge.” 
Let me advise you all to keep strict watch over the hours 
you are not required to spend at college, your Sabbaths and 
your evenings. These are the times when students are way¬ 
laid with numerous and strong temptations to go astray ; 
