To Our Readers. 



TT has been the custom of former Editors of Science-Gossip to address the readers 



at the end of each volume. Perhaps it is a good custom, for there are times when 

 an editor may desire to say words which would not be in place in the ordinary columns 

 of a magazine. 



First permit me to thank the numerous contributors who, during the year past, have 

 helped to make our pages bright and readable. A reference to the accompanying list 

 of their names will show as goodly a company as might be expected in the first volume 

 of what was a moribund publication, when we all pulled together to make the vehicle 

 start again and put energy into its motive power. Looking back over the year, and 

 on past difficulties, it is a source of satisfaction to see how varied, and generally good, 

 have been the articles contributed. We wish we could say the same about the short 

 notes. Many people, who are glad enough to read and comment on the notes of others, 

 seem to have an innate objection to writing even a dozen or two words about some- 

 thing which they must know would be of general interest. After all, a magazine 

 of this character is a co-operative adventure for our mutual instruction and enter- 

 tainment. Let me appeal, therefore, to all our readers to share with their fellows 

 some of their own observations. Especially does this apply to those who think 

 they "are not sufficiently advanced" to write of what they have seen. We would 

 remind them there is the recognised " beginners' luck," which may not seem much to 

 them, though be of importance to others. Science-Gossip is eminently a beginner's 

 and amateur's journal, so we hope to hear more frequently from them, than has been 

 the case during the year now closing. 



Before the volume ended I lost the assistance of Mr. Step, who has now left 

 London. He, unfortunately, very soon found he was not able to give such material 

 assistance as was expected ; therefore, I must be held responsible for the greater 

 part of the year's editorial duties. 



As announced in the last number of this volume, in reply to an almost unanimous 

 vote of the readers, the coming number will commence what it is to be hoped will be 

 a greatly improved journal. We must ask our readers to suspend their judgment on 

 this change until we meet them again at the end of another year. The growth 

 will be necessarily gradual ; it will depend upon the literary and practical 

 support we receive from their hands. As this growth develops, more drawings and 

 more pages will be added. Considering that there is no other journal of the same 

 character as Science-Gossip, we cannot find any reason why, if we again for another 

 year all use our best endeavours, our magazine should not reach the success of its 

 earliest days. 



JOHN T. CARRINGTON, 



Editor. 



