EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
53 
they courteously acknowledge it, even to the returning of 
the salutation, and then tender them excellent advice, leaving 
them with their best wishes, “be ye filled, be ye clothed;” 
but they give not the unfortunate wretch the means where- 
with he can accomplish either the one or the other. 
We will, for the nonce, confess our faults, and acknowledge 
that we are both ambitious and somewhat tinctured with a 
feeling of pride. We are ambitious that our Journal should 
take its stand in juxtaposition with those of the other pro- 
fessions ; and proud, indeed, shall we be when this is attained. 
A spirit of emulation has been awakened in us, and we are 
resolved not to desist until all we have determined on is 
gained. To the members of our profession we must continue 
to look for support in furnishing us with the more useful or 
practical matter; but as practice without theory is like a ship 
without a rudder or a compass, so we, as pilots and steers- 
men, will endeavour to supply a little in this division, and 
thus contribute to the perfecting of one harmonious whole; 
which we trust will be equally honorable to all who take 
part therein, and from which all may derive a corresponding 
benefit. 
It is quite possible that in some of our decisions there have 
been errors committed, arising from over- cautiousness, since 
many communications received by us we have laid aside. 
This discretionary power we claim a right to, but are anxious 
only to use it for the general good. To be faultless we never 
hope to be. At times, too, our animadversal vision may have 
been impaired. 
“ Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit.” 
Should any of our readers, therefore, feel themselves ag- 
grieved, from a seeming slight thrown on them by their articles 
not having been admitted into our Journal, they will accept 
this as our reason. To others it may have appeared that our 
pages, during the past year, have contained more political 
matter than they had anticipated. If so we can only say we 
have never courted it, and fain would we eschew it altogether. 
Yet have we felt it to be our duty, from time to time, to give 
