658 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
own opinion respecting it, but we should be depriving our- 
selves of a pleasure did we not express our entire agree- 
ment with the principles therein enunciated. 
There cannot be a question that our profession is differently 
estimated according as those who follow it are either examples 
of rectitude of conduct and scientific attainments, or the 
opposite of these. Every profession, unfortunately, has 
those among its members who do it wrong, and we are but 
the exponents of them all when we say, that we could desire 
it were otherwise. 
It often happens that a young practitioner labours for the 
first few years without obtaining a sufficiency of public 
support so as to maintain his proper position in society, and 
finding this, and still actuated by right and proper princi- 
ples, he either betakes himself to some other association 
to gain his end, or connects himself with some other calling. 
Here very generally is the first fatal mistake, and one false 
step leads onwards and downwards too. Much determina- 
tion to persevere from month to month, or even from year to 
year, is requisite ; and we can often regard with pity, rather 
than censure, him who has shown his lack of a sufficiency of 
this virtue. Still it must not be . concealed that many hew 
out for themselves cisterns that will hold no water,” and to 
such we would say, stop and reflect, and retrace the steps 
you have taken, ere it be too late. 
Throughout, the lecture was replete with good advice and 
sound counsel, and being such, we earnestly recommend its 
perusal to our readers. With these few comments, we shall 
close our remarks upon it, lest we should detract from its 
value and importance. It was, what it really ought to be, 
an admonitory exhortation to the pupil, and an expression 
of affectionate regard for his interests, and for the general 
good of our common profession. 
