NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 677 
Mr. Hunting, in reply, stated that nothing inspired him with greater 
delight, than to meet his friends in the profession; he had a great desire 
for the mutual good of the body, and entertained a high respect and 
admiration for all who had the courage to make sacrifices for it. (Hear, 
hear.) He had the greatest satisfaction in being able to recognise in his 
immediate professional neighbours friends of upright, honest, firm princi¬ 
ples ; men of unflinching zeal, hard workers in their professional avoca¬ 
tions ; men of determined purpose and scientific ability. He had known 
some of them for a considerable period, and felt that in Wilkinson, Scott, 
Thompson, and others, he was as well positioned for sincere attachment 
as man could boast of. (Cheers.) 
He had always been a hard worker himself, and his paramount, object 
was to make himself generally useful to all in the profession, and render 
himself worthy of his employers’ notice and esteem. He had met with 
many friends, and had very great reason to value their assistance, and 
hoped never to forfeit their good opinions. 
As for the post he occupied of President of the Society, no one knew 
his own failings better than himself, and he felt convinced that others more 
qualified (No, no,) could have been found to fulfil those important 
duties. However feeble his efforts may have been, they cannot have been 
exceeded in sincerity. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hunting begged to thank 
all present for the honour which had been conferred upon him, and he 
assured the Society that during the tenure of his office, and in whatever 
other capacity he might stand in relation to it, so impressed had he been 
of its real value to the profession, that it would always receive his first 
and most important consideration. (Cheers.) 
Professor Varnell next proposed “ The Vice-Presidents,” whom he stated 
to be men of well-known ability and usefulness in their professional 
capacity, and in their private sphere possessed of the confidence of all who 
had the pleasure of their acquaintance. They did honour to the Society to 
which they are connected. (Loud applause.) 
Mr. Thompson said he felt at a loss how to shape his course of reply 
under such flattering eulogisms which had fallen from Professor Varnell. 
If he was useful in his profession, he felt he was pursuing a path of duty 
which should be the first thought of the veterinary surgeon towards his 
employer. If his private worth was such as to merit for him the good 
feelings and opinions of those around him, he might say he had accom¬ 
plished much, of which he might be proud. So far as his humble 
assistance was concerned, and as one of the Vice-Presidents of the 
Society, he should never be found wanting when the call of duty 
sounded on behalf of his brother practitioners. (Cheers, and hear, 
hear.) 
Mr. H. E. Wilkinson , with much brevity and neatness of speech, 
said he felt the proudest satisfaction in being one of the vice-presidents 
of such a useful Society, and that, in countenancing the efforts of the 
general body, a noble result must be expected. (Loud cheering.) As 
an inhabitant of Newcastle, he begged to offer a cordial welcome to all 
who had been induced to visit that town by the meeting of the Royal 
Agricultural Society. Probably they would not find the district 
equal to theirs of the South, or the mannerisms of the Northerners so 
easy and refined ; but under all there is a cordial hospitality which flows 
from hearts sincere, enveloped as they are in such a rough exterior. He 
begged that when his friends were tired of the sun and heat of the 
South, they would again pay a visit to the pitmen of the North. (Loud 
laughter and cheers.) 
The President said he should feel he was neglecting an important duty if 
