TESTIMONIAL TO MR. PRITCHARD. 
upon advanced age disqualifies our worthy present principal 
for the discharge of his honorable obligations, you may 
creditably rise step by step, and at last reach that noble posi¬ 
tion which he now so ably occupies.” 
The presentation being made, Mr. Pritchard in accepting it 
spoke as follows :— . • 
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—I cannot but feel proud 
of the very honorable position which you have placed me 
in this evening ; but, at the same time, my inability to thank 
you for that honour stands palpably before you. I have often 
thought, if a person wffien about to make a speech labours 
under any difficulty, that embarrassment must be owing to one 
of two causes—he either must be in want of sentiments, or of 
language to give expression to those sentiments. Now, it is the 
latter of these two obstacles that I shall labour under this 
evening; but I hope and trust, should I not succeed in as 
fully giving vent to my thanks as I could wish, and you have 
a right to expect, you will kindly excuse my failings—in a 
word to accept the will for the deed. I was appointed 
demonstrator to this institution in September, 1860, and 
have held the office from that date to the present time. 
During that period my efforts to perform its duties have 
always been encouraged both by the kindness and assistance 
of the professors, and by the support of the students gene¬ 
rally. I fully estimate this kindness and support, and wish 
now to bear testimony of my complete appreciation of both. 
But, gentlemen, it affords me a great amount of pleasure to 
find that my efforts to do my duty have so far succeeded as 
to stimulate the present class to make me the recipient of a 
testimonial during this the fourth session of my office. In 
carrying out the instructions of my employers, the governors 
of the College, I have met with little or no difficulty on the part 
of the pupils; indeed, I am very glad to be able to say the 
reverse has been the case. I doubt not a few have thought 
me rather too particular—perhaps severe ; but I am inclined 
to think such severity has not been had recourse to until 
milder measures have been tried and have failed. Such 
instances I know, and am proud to know, are few; and 
those who entertain such views should bear in mind that in 
the performance of my duties I have no more right to 
neglect the one of preserving orderly and gentlemanly con¬ 
duct in the dissecting-room, than I have to refuse to grant the 
request of any one of you when desired to demonstrate any 
portion of the animal you may wish. Not only is this so, 
but the study of an intricate science like anatomy requires a 
considerable amount of steady attention and perseverance; 
