EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
3 7 
present age is one of excitement. Every one is seeking, 
like the Athenians of old, for something new. It would 
seem to be the beginning of the end, and it has been asked 
Is the world growing old ? And in reply it has been said, 
“ Judging from the time that has elapsed since its creation, it 
might seem so. But, indeed, it never was so young. It 
might have come out of that mythological cauldron which 
imparted to bodies a wonderful rejuvenescence. It is pro¬ 
fuse of energy. It is eminently self-assertive. It looks 
with contempt on all accustomed trains of thought. It 
must have originality; at least it must believe it has. It 
not only despises all crutches, but would fain altogether 
dispense with a centre of gravity. It is like the youth just 
set free from school, wild, reckless, impulsive, daring; ac¬ 
knowledging no subjection, seeking to rule all, not by his 
wisdom, but by his strong will. It has great powers and 
great passions.We live in a day of unusual craving 
after amusement, a day of enormous excitement; when 
men live fast, travel fast, write fast, read fast, think fast, get 
rich fast, and do every thing but hold fast.” It must be 
conceded that the principles of the present day are, in the 
language of Mr. Cobden, expansive, and that we are touch¬ 
ing upon a cosmopolitan age and wider sympathies. The 
revolutions that are taking place around us prove the ad¬ 
vantages which result from the powers of mind-culture and 
aesthetic study; and these cannot fail to augment the bene¬ 
fits we derive from the changes brought about, since by 
them the general interests of mankind are advanced. It 
would, therefore, be equally a matter of regret as of sur¬ 
prise, if veterinary science did not participate in the ad¬ 
vancement ; and we are satisfied we carry with us the feelings 
of every friend of our art when we assert this. 
We have before remarked that we would not have 
“ Mens conscia recti,” a mere idle phrase with us, nor one 
lightly esteemed : nevertheless, while to those who have 
endeavoured to perform their duty well, the approval of 
their consciences will be a high and permanent reward, 
this feeling will be heightened very considerably by the ex¬ 
pression of satisfaction on the part of those for whom they 
