EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
55 
and, moreover, uncharitably judge us. We make no preten- 
sions to the claim of perfectibility or infallibility; and, in 
like manner, vve presume not to think that we possess superior 
intelligence or unlimited knowledge. Yea, we are ready to 
confess that we feel, at times, our insufficiency ; yet we have 
thought, and still think, that our position and our vocation 
have given to us some advantages ; and these we are desirous 
of availing ourselves of for the benefit of our professional 
brethren. We would not have any one “ in admiration 
because of advantage;” and we would fain be “ void of 
offence towards all men.” We make no pretension to 
prescience. 
“ Man’s foresight is only conditionally wise.” 
But we are fully convinced that there is yet in store a vast 
amount of matter wherewith to enrich the annals of veterinary 
medicine. 
We ground our assurance, firstly, on what has been 
already done ; and, secondly, on the fact, that many of our 
friends have not as yet fulfilled their promises ; but we know 
them so well, that we rest satisfied they will do so when the 
fitting opportunity arrives. Moreover, it may be that there 
are some who have been waiting to see what the result of the 
change would be ; and they, too, now may give in their 
adherence. This is what we hope they will do ; then shall 
we become trebly strong, and a threefold cord, we are told, 
cannot be broken. 
It might have been possible that, after a period of seven- 
and-twenty years had elapsed, a slumbrous spirit had crept 
over our periodical literature, from sheer exhaustion. That 
the originality and truthfulness of the recorded cases had 
ceased to interest; and dulness, instead of energy, had 
marked the varied contents of our periodical. But we believe 
that an examination of the past volume will convince our 
readers that such has not been the case. That equally as 
interesting and important matter, as heretofore, has crowded 
its pages, and that a large increase of contributors has been 
obtained. All this augurs well for the future ; for we have 
resolved not only not to slacken in our efforts to maintain 
