259 
VALEDICTORY. 
this number the present Editor terminates his 
connection with Nature Notes, with which he has 
been associated — save for a few months — during the 
“ eight years of its existence, and of which he has been 
for six years the sole responsible Editor, 
It is unnecessary to enter into the circumstances which have 
induced him to take this step ; but he cannot lay down his pen 
without a few words of thanks to those who have so generously 
supported him with their contributions, their counsel, and their 
encouragement during the whole of this period. That he has 
satisfied every one he is not foolish enough to suppose ; that 
he has pleased many he has every reason for knowing ; and 
the occasional criticisms he has received, complaining now of 
his want of sympathy, now of his sentimentalism, have been 
the best evidence that on the whole he has held the balance 
evenly between two dangerous extremes. 
The Editor has especially to thank those who, from their 
position, are entitled to speak with authority on matters per- 
taining to their own studies, and who have done much to render 
the notices of books of the special value which they have been 
recognized as possessing. The reviews may not always have 
been complimentary, but they have invariably been honest and 
competent ; and this in these days is not always the case. Nor 
must he forget to acknowledge the help he has received from 
his colleagues in the Natural History Museum, nor the en- 
couragement which Nature Notes has always met with from 
the press. 
The work entailed by the monthly issue has been consider- 
able, especially to one already much occupied ; but to counter- 
balance this the Editor has the satisfaction of knowing that he 
has done something to encourage and develop that intelligent 
study and appreciation of Nature which has made the little 
village of Selborne a household word wherever English is read. 
And so, farewell ! 
