278 Tue MIcROscoPE. 
Critorial Department, 
OUR JOURNAL FOR 1885. 
We have no particular promises to make for the coming 
year. Weare very glad not to be forced into the mortifying 
confession that some articles promised for this year have not 
yet been published. We have only to say that as we have more 
than fulfilled our promises in the past, so in the future we pro- 
pose to maintain this reputation by keeping our pages full of 
such interesting matter as will enable our Journal to maintain 
its position as the leading microscopical journal in the country, 
and, we may repeat, the only one devoted solely to the encour- 
agement and advancement of scientific study with the micro- 
scope, and published independently of any considerations of 
personal gain or business interest. 
We have written the above editorial with some outside 
help. It is true, only “we are obliged to admit” that we do 
work for personal gain and business interest. We would not 
publish our journal a month unless it brought us a net income. 
Our journal is founded on a strict business basis. Our printers 
can certify that our bills are settled monthly. We believe that 
only in this way can our readers be assured they are sub- 
scribing for a journal that “ has come to stay.” 
How many men are there in this active country who Jove 
microscopy enough to deliberately engage in publishing such a 
bright journal as was Zhe Lens, only to find themselves about 
three thousand dollars out of pocket at the end of two years 
service? How many stand ready to resurrect three or four 
other microscopical journals that might be mentioned, with the 
distinct understanding that there shall be no personal gain or 
business? Charity is one thing. Business is another. But 
microscopy is not charity. While many criticisms may be made 
about this journal and while many emergencies may arise to 
cause its suspension, yet one thing goes on record as an indis- 
putable fact: Jt is a journal that pays all of its bills and leaves 
a handsome surplus in the treasury at the end of the year. 
