Foreword. 83 
articles by our younger citizens will form a prominent feature of coming 
numbers of the magazine. Mr, A. A. Thorne, F.R., has been kind enough 
to give ushis views on the subject of Education on which he is an 
undoubted authority. It is hardly necessary to say that the object of the 
editors is to encourage full and intelliigent discussion and that they take 
no responsibility for controversial opinions expressed in signed articles. 
Mr. E. A. V. Abraham, one of our leading philatelists and connoisseurs, 
has given us an article and has promised contributions for future issues. 
We publish Mr. McTurk’s account of his captivity in Venezuela at the 
time of the Boundary dispute which has already been read before the 
Society. His Honour Mr. Justice Hewick relates an incident in his earlier 
career in the Straits Settlements, where he took part in the Perak War. The 
learned Judge will read a paper on the Straits Settlements at the next General 
Meeting which we hope to publish in our Christmas issue along with some local 
sketches from his clever pen. Dr. Wallbridge’s Reminiscences will appear in 
that number along with contributions from the Brazilian and Venezuelan Consuls 
(Senhor Alves and Colonel Monagas) on the subject of possible trade relations 
and communications of the colony with their respective countries. A narrative 
of the history of the Boundary dispute has been promised by Mr. Rodway for 
the next issue. Dr. Cramer, of Surinam, has promised a lecture on rubber 
illustrated by slides. This also will be included. We are also glad to 
announce a promise of contributions from ovr learned visitors Professor 
Crampton of Columbia University and Dr. Lutz of the American Museum 
who are at present in the colony en route for Kaieteur and Roraima. Their 
researches should result in valuable additions to the zoology, entomology 
and botany of the colony. 
The Presidential address of this year has been included in the number, 
partly on the ground that the remarks it contains as to the continued retention 
of Roman Dutch Law may prove of more than ephemeral interest. Discussions 
in the Press and elsewhere followed the delivery of the address which revealed 
the fact that all the leading solicitors and nearly all the leading barristers were 
in favour of the introduction of English law with such statutory reservations 
from the Roman Dutch system as might be found advisable. The mercantile 
community appears in favour of a change. The Commercial Committee is 
about to consider it, and it will probably come before the Chamber of 
Commerce. The question will no doubt be dealt with in some practical fo m 
by the Legislature at an early date when ‘he attitude of th community as 
a whole will be finally determined towards this important subject. 
JosepH J. NUNAN. 
