EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
59 
extent it may become enlarged, as increased impetus is 
acquired, nor what its consequences may be. It is better, 
therefore, to prevent its intrusion than to have to restore the 
broken down embankments, and to repair the mischief it has 
done. As we have commenced, so it is our determination to 
continue to act; nevertheless, as we said in our initiatory 
address, “fair discussion, a just criticism, and a temperate 
statement when an injury has been done, so as to elicit either 
an apology or an explanation, or both, are not only ad- 
missible but called for, and to these our pages must not be 
closed.” 
Should we, in this our retrospect of the past year be 
charged with a little self gratulation, we almost fear we shall 
be compelled to plead guilty. We cannot look back on what 
has been done but with some degree of satisfaction. We 
knew we had ventured on a bold undertaking. Those who 
had gone before us we were desirous of emulating. We felt 
the responsibilityof our position, and we were aware that many 
eyes were on us. Nor were we unconscious of our feeble 
abilities ; but we also knew we were strong in the support of 
our friends. 
In confirmation of this, we have only to refer to the list of 
our contributors. It is true that we yet miss many names to 
us “ familiar as household words,” but these we hope to have 
the privilege of adding ere long. Even the present number 
contains communications from many who had not so favoured 
us before. 
Since it has been ours to edit this Journal, how many of 
our number have departed hence; gone to — 
“ That undiscovered country, 
From whose bourn no traveller returns, 
To tell what’s doing on its distant shores.” 
Our obituary has been large. Alike the old and the young 
are there : he on whom the snows of the winter of life had 
long rested, and he with whom spring-time had only just 
ended. Truly has this world been compared to a charnel- 
house, and life to a vapour that soon passeth away. Yet we 
are not called upon to become anchorites, nor to give way to 
gloomy asceticism. Rather is it our duty cheerfully to per- 
