i^S THE MICROSCOPE. 



J:diJ0riEl ^tpnxinunt 



THE November number of the American Monthly Microscopical 

 Journal is before us, and on page 216 we are honored with an- 

 othe." heavy editorial. 



In our opinion, Mr. Hitchcock made a mistake in condemning 

 us in his July issue, when he had seen but one number of our jour- 

 nal. 



Had his opinion, as then expressed, been given after he had 

 seen several of our numbers, we would have said nothing, for every- 

 one has a right to thus express himself; but just as soon as he sees 

 us he tries to decapitate us, and that too when he knew that it was 

 our first attempt at journalism, and that we were going to try and 

 put our journal before a class needing a journal, but having none. 



Mr. Hitchcock knows that we never intended to publish a theo- 

 retical and purely scientific microscopical journal, for we have re- 

 peatedly announced our purpose of giving to physicians and phar- 

 macists simple, practical hints in microscopical work. Such a journal 

 as Mr. Hitchcock's does not fill, neither does it enter our field, and 

 neither has it entered our minds to become a competitor with his 

 journal. Knowing this, we unhesitatingly declare his conduct any- 

 thing but "journalistic courtesy." It is — what he declares it is not 

 — " discourteous and unfriendly." 



As Mr. Hitchcock furnishes his readers with some ''correspond- 

 ence," so will we do the same. He has made the initiative; we are 

 obliged to take the defensive. 



These letters were in our possession at the time of the writing 

 of our October editorial, and they were given at first in that article^ 

 and afterwards stricken out. 



" Have you seen Hitchcock's editorial on Dignity ? Pretty fel- 

 low he, to talk of dignity, when he is the biggest scold outside of 

 Billingsgate." 



"Mr. H. may be what they call a 'scientist,' but on page 138 

 he shows he has a spirit not necessary for it." 



".Mr. Hitchcock's editorial was not called for, and shows too 

 plainly the spirit that prompted it." 



After the October issue was mailed, we received a number of 

 letters after the following: 



