32 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
It, is therefore, both wise and profitable to take a retro¬ 
spect of the past, pregnant as it is with resolves and elo¬ 
quent with thought. From this stand-point we can discern 
what advance has been made^ and whether all has been 
done that might and ought to have been, and if not, to 
arrange for its future performance, humbly and hopefully, 
but seriously and earnestly; since, if it be commendable to 
improve the time present, it is equally so to provide for 
that which is to come. Our period of probation is over ; a 
septennary test has been ours, and we are well known to 
those with whom we have to do, albeit they may expect 
from us more now than erst was the case. We have, 
however, no fresh propositions to make; we are only 
anxious satisfactorily to perform what we have promised, for 
we would not “ keep the promise to the ear and break it to 
the sense.” The profession will accept what has been done 
as an earnest of what will be done. We are, we confess, 
extremely solicitous to render the Journal worthy of its 
position, and to make it the independent exponent of the 
wishes and feelings of our professional brethren, which 
cannot be accomplished without a continuance of their 
co-operation, and this we shall ever strive to merit. We are 
willing to give to it our mental labour in thought and energy 
and what few talents we may possess, believing the cause 
is worthy of it; although we know “ the race is not always 
to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” But 
“ The merit lies 
In the struggle, not the prize.” 
Life and truth alone are everlasting. The similitudes of 
this life are many. By some it has been compared to a 
battle, in which there is a place in the ranks for all; by 
others to a field, which requires cultivation ere it yields any 
fruit. 
“ Let us, then, rise to nobler toil, 
For life has truths that wait our learning, 
And hath a hidden precious spoil 
Worth the whole cost of life for earning.” 
