178 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
and is the curse of our existence, and will continue to work against 
our elevation so long as we exist as a profession. I mean the 
association with “ lioss men,” the “ talking hoss,” loafing around 
* livery stables, having offices or seats or desks, yes, order boxes in 
such places; knowing the horse we meet, but that does not mean 
we shall swallow him and sleep with him, it does not mean we 
must select for associates “ horsey-blackguards ” of every descrip¬ 
tion. No one need feel anxious that the writer does not intend a 
practical education as well as scientific. Many a person who 
reads this knows well enough he has paid dearly for his whitling, 
and knows of what he speaks. These so-called “ horse-men ” are 
unwittingly the enemies more than they are the friends of our 
profession ; they are self-conceited, ignorant, and bigoted ; they 
will quack it until their horses are as good as dead, then send for 
us, and because we cannot do more than a God, will condemn us 
and our profession on every side. Beware of them, I say, 
treat them with dignity and respect, serve them only when called 
by them, and be sure they will equally well respect you, and be 
far more likely to call you in, as they learn to respect you, than 
they have in times past. There is the sharpest distinction be¬ 
tween the “ horse-man ” and the intelligent lover of the horse 
aiyid other animals, the educated breeder or the educated or intel¬ 
ligent farmer. Seek the latter; shun the former. 
From my writings it is self-evident that I shall not advise any 
one to try the schools of Britain; they are poor, except practi¬ 
cally, and give a man no scientific foundation, or other collateral 
education and stimulus by which he will be enabled to rise in the 
world. In plain English, they make Routiners—nothing more. 
These schools are fully as expensive as those in America, and the 
student is overloaded with examination fees, and has to find the 
animals for his anatomical studies at his own expense; further, 
the expense of living at the capital of England is certainly not 
much less than in other large cities. Of the American schools, 
the aspirant can inform himself. I should certainly not recom¬ 
mend either of them to any one who has means and will enough 
to undertake the course at one of the best continental schools. 
One thing, however, I will not pass by without notice ; in certain 
