246 Editorial Comment. 
has not in all cases, been a young man. Whatever the field and 
whatever the condition in life of the person engaging his services 
for hire, the ethical principles involved are the same. They are 
the common principles of ethics; they are very obvious, and dis- 
entangled from their environment, are very simple. 
The case is so simple that we venture to state elemental prin- 
ciples which must regulate correct action. 
Every agreement made is binding, according to its terms, 
against both ,the parties; and neither party has the right to 
terminate it or alter its provisions during the period specified in 
the agreement. If no period is specified, the agreement may 
be terminated at the will of either party; and if neither party 
signifies his desire to terminate the agreement, both continue to 
be bound by it. The agreement may prove onerous to one of 
the parties. It may become Increasingly onerous; but unless the 
stipulated period of its continuance has been completed, he has 
no remedy but an appeal to the generosity of the other party. 
This supposes, of course, that the other party continues to ex- 
ecute faithfully all the stipulations to which he agreed. 
In an agreement to render scientific service for a money con- 
sideration, accessory conditions come into view, which constitute 
a distinct class of contracts; but these conditions do not qualify 
the ethical principles involved in all contracts. They become, 
rather, an occasion for the introduction of special stipulations in 
the form of the contract. Whether introduced or not, the moral 
and legal obligations created by it exist under the simple prin- 
ciples just stated. 
The most important accessory condition in a contract for 
scientific service is the usual knowledge and intelligence re- 
quired, and the increased valvie of their service with increase of 
knowledge and experience. Plainly, if the stipulations of the 
contract do not provide for special compensation in some form, 
in addition to the pecuniary consideration, the employ^ has no 
claim on his employer, beyond the stipulations. If they do not 
provide for increase of compensation, either in money or repu- 
tation or some other form, as the value of the employe's services 
increases with his experience, the latter still, has no claim be- 
yond his agreement. The employer has discharged his duty, if 
