7 32 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
can aspire to or can be placed in as a veterinary surgeon. On my 
left hand I am honoured by the presence of another president, the 
President of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society, a gentle¬ 
man deservedly respected and beloved by all who know him ; we 
have also many others amongst us who are distinguished ornaments to 
the profession to which they belong. But, gentlemen, great as is 
this occasion, it does not surpass that memorable meeting in New¬ 
castle, on the 21st of July last, when the worthy President of the 
North of England Veterinary Medical Association was supported by 
three professors, three presidents, and thirty members of the 
profession. Professors Simonds, Gamgee, and Varnell, spoke on 
that occasion ; the first two alluded to provincial veterinary medical 
associations in the most flattering and encouraging manner; now 
we have Professors Spooner’s and Dick’s most gratifying letters. So 
it will be perceived that, although we are not named in the Act of the 
Royal Charter, nor do we meet under the auspices of the corporate 
body, still we do assemble in this room under the banner of pro¬ 
fessors, and under the banner of the colleges. I call your attention 
to that meeting chiefly to give me an opportunity to refer to that 
magnanimous speech of their most excellent and highly respected 
secretary, Mr. Armatage. He says : “ I look upon these provincial 
veterinary medical associations, gentlemen, as one of those great 
beacons which have been ignited and now indicating, by its power¬ 
ful flame, that eminence to which we as a body are wending our 
way, and a distinguishing mark by which our profession may be 
known.” Again, he remarks of Manchester : “ I have often heard it 
said, if you get one of the Vets, there to make a proposition, depend 
upon it, not only will it be on the strongest reasonable foundation, 
but to a man will they carry it out. Again he says: “ This is the sort 
of union we want, unity of heart, unity of purpose and design, not 
unity of opinion merely, but unity of principle; its tendency is to 
show up a man in his true colours; to cause him to extend the 
right hand of fellowship, and no longer go on hating or envying 
his neighbour without knowing why.” Now, gentlemen, I have 
perused these pithy sentences, and am of opinion it is next to im¬ 
possible to improve upon them; these sentiments are an honour 
to human nature, and they reflect infinite credit on Mr. Armatage, 
and I feel assured you will not blame me for taking up your time 
in reproducing them here. I maintain that a higher compliment or 
a more honorable testimony could not be paid to anybody of men. 
I congratulate you veterinary surgeons of Manchester upon the 
high and honorable position you have acquired for yourselves. I 
feel it the proudest act of my life to preside over a body of men so 
much respected by their veterinary brethren far and wide; I ask 
you, let us do all we can to merit and maintain this good opinion ; 
as by doing so we may not only be useful in our day and generation, 
but our children’s children will bless us, and sometimes look back 
upon our memory in silence, it may be, but with feelings of pro¬ 
found respect and satisfaction. But to the business of this evening. 
I am sure it must be a source of great satisfaction to you all, as it is to 
