EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
109 
Entertaining, as we do, these views, we hail with much 
satisfaction the prospect which is afforded of the re- 
moval of the difficulties which hitherto have stood in the 
way of professional unity and co-operation. The dimi- 
nution of the examination fee may in itself be insufficient 
to effect all the changes which are needed, but, never- 
theless, it is the first difficulty to be removed ; for, like 
the now extinct and restrictive corn-laws, it forms the key- 
stone of the arch of injustice and monopoly. Take this 
away, and soon all those things which it has helped to support, 
and which experience has shewn must be rearranged, will fall. 
Then a new basis can be laid, and a new superstructure 
erected, more fitted for the altered circumstances in which 
we are placed. Let there be, therefore, no more divided 
councils, and, above all, let false philosophy and antiquated 
dogmas be excluded both from our future discussions as well 
as enactments. 
Some, perhaps, may still be found, who believe that 
the arch of monopoly can yet serve to conduct us across 
that current which they probably view as the stream of 
independence ; but vain is their imagination, if they con- 
sider that duration and permanency are integral portions of 
its structure. Long have we seen that it was in truth the 
river of destruction which ran between its piles, and was 
daily undermining its foundation. Late events, it must 
be remembered, have also materially tended to the increase of 
this ever powerful stream, and now its rising waters are be- 
ginning to overflow its banks, thus requiring bold and deci- 
sive measures quickly to be adopted to prevent it submerg- 
ing all the materials which have been either built up or 
brought together for future use. 
To drop figurative lauguage, we are enabled to appropriately 
quote the sentiments of the mighty Times , when commenting 
lately on the French alliance, as expressive of our own upon 
the subject on which we now write. “ We are then,” says 
the thunderer, 
“ Heartily and sincerely in favour of the alliance, and anxious that it 
should continue to be a real alliance, a union between equals, with equal 
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