77 4 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
session with a dignity not otherwise belonging to it, and to 
stimulate the students—the future members of the profes¬ 
sion—to increased exertions in the obtainment of knowledge. 
We may here ask a question, which w'e have asked before, 
viz., whether these annual gatherings should not be turned 
to some other useful account? Every event which brings 
the scattered members of a profession like ours together 
should be seized upon for the accomplishment of good. As 
things are at present, they are in great measure lost. 
Heartily would we give our support to an attempt to in¬ 
augurate the opening of the session by an evening meeting, 
at which some practical paper, in connection with veterinary 
science, should be read and discussed. Nor would we end 
here, but rather crown the whole by the good old English 
custom of assembling around the festive board, as Governors, 
Council, Examiners, Professors, Practitioners and Pupils, of 
a rising and important profession. Much real good would 
result from such a reunion —more, in reality, than many 
among us are inclined to believe. It requires only for 
some one to take the initiative, when all will be found easy 
indeed of accomplishment. Here is work for the Council. 
Let the question be mooted there. 
To return. In another part of our Journal we have in¬ 
serted the introductory address in extenso, which renders it 
unnecessary for us to speak of its general merits, or its special 
adaptation to the occasion. One announcement, however, 
which it contains will give universal satisfaction. Rightly 
carried out, it will do more to enhance the profession in 
public estimation than the obtainment of all the legislative 
measures ever devised by those who are so solicitous for 
Parliamentary recognition beyond what we now possess. It 
is that, for the future, no student shall enter the College 
unless he be subjected to a preliminary examination which 
must be passed to the satisfaction of the Governors and 
Professors. The standard at present is not placed very 
high, but still high enough to secure men of fair English 
education alone becoming members of the profession. The 
Royal Veterinary College deserves well of the country for 
having taken this step, in the face of open and cheaper 
