EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
301 
Would there were more of this amongst us, then should we 
have no apprehension as to the ultimate standing and estima- 
tion of our profession. We write in no censorious spirit — it 
does not become us — but we profess to have an earnest 
desire to see the profession advance, and to take and 
maintain its proper position in the scientific world; and 
we are sure this can never be done without co-operation, 
unity of purpose, and determination on the part of its 
members. Laxity and indifference among ourselves will 
beget the like feelings in others; and until we show to 
the public that we are really a united body, they will not 
place confidence in us, nor estimate us according to our 
worth. Many may, perhaps, plead exemption on the grounds 
of distance and full occupancy of their time. Still, when it 
is borne in mind that railroads have nearly “ annihilated time 
and space,” and that these reunions take place only once a year, 
surely an effort might be made to remove the seeming diffi- 
culty. Extraordinary occasions demand extraordinary efforts. 
We could, however, name some for whom these excuses 
would not avail, fortune having favoured them, and being able ? 
through the exercise of their talents, to retire from the duties 
of the profession and its cares, and living not far off, it would 
have been very gratifying to have seen them with us on this 
occasion. If another opportunity of the kind should offer 
itself, we hope our friends will take the hint, accepting it in 
the spirit it is meant. We ought to remember that it is for 
our especial delectation and profit that these associations are 
brought about, and the expense and labour attendant on 
getting them up — not to say a word about the anxiety there- 
with connected, lest all should not be in accordance with the 
expectations of the invited — are great ; yet the one is most 
liberally met by the President, and the other as cheerfully 
performed by the Committee ; but both necessarily feel dis- 
appointed if so be those for whom the meeting has been 
arranged do not come to it. 
What if royalty were not with us, as was anticipated, there 
was that present which royalty merely cannot impart— the pro- 
ducts of industry and talent, and the results of the applica- 
xxix. 39 
