EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
55 
to the exigencies of the present generation, will be referred 
to by succeeding ones with equal advantage and gratification. 
We feel that we are but a small section indeed of what has 
been designated the i£ Fourth Estate,” but we are, never- 
theless, desirous of making our pages worthy of those to 
whose interests they are devoted, and solicitous that it never 
may be said of us w 7 e have proved si a sham, a delusion, and a 
snare.” 
Turn we now to a less pleasing, but not less important 
theme. During the past year our obituary has been large. 
Many with whom we once held intercourse have passed from 
time to eternity. 
These records may prove useful as so many cc memento 
mori.” Here is not the place of our continuance. The old 
and the young that have gone before us we must soon follow. 
How soon we know 7 not. 
“ Each can see that he grows older. 
And can note it day by day.” 
The grave may have no charms to allure us, the charnel- 
house nothing to attract us ; yet is it wise and profitable at 
times to survey the place where erelong w r e shall take up 
our abode. It w r ili at least serve to allay the ferment and 
excitement in wdnch we are continually kept by things tem- 
poral, and perhaps induce us to reflect a little on things 
eternal, remembering that cc death is but the waiting-room 
wdiere w 7 e robe ourselves for eternity, and that the tomb of 
the Eternal has made earth the cathedral of God.” 
We beg to call the attention of our readers to a proposi- 
tion made by Mr. Varnell, in the present number, for the 
formation of a society for the protection of the members of 
the profession in cases of accidents occurring to animals 
while under their immediate care or attendance. We cannot 
but think that such an association would be accompanied 
