EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
35 
be unassociated with the exercise of discretion, lest we err, 
and mar the work in hand, or fail in the attainment of the 
object we have in view. 
It has been said,The age in which we live is distin¬ 
guished above those which have preceded it, by the exten¬ 
sion of our commerce, the increase of our national wealth, 
and the vast additions that have been made by the improve¬ 
ments of science to the substantial comforts and enjoyment 
of mankind. So far as our own country is concerned, it is 
an age also of the highest political liberty, and of the 
greatest religious privileges. Without any hesitation it 
might be affirmed that there never was a period in the 
history of the world when the elements of social happiness 
w r ere so widely diffused, or brought so completely within the 
grasp of all who are disposed to conduct themselves with 
ordinary prudence.” 
And all this calls upon us to aid in the advancement that 
is taking place—to add our efforts, feeble though they be, 
to bring about those results which shall culminate in the 
general well-being of mankind. 
It may be thought by some that our position in the scale 
of science is a subordinate one. Be it so; nevertheless, it 
has its worth, and few will be bold enough to gainsay its 
usefulness, since by ministering to the wants and necessities 
of the lower animals we very considerably enhance the 
happiness of the nobler animal—man. 
We would refrain from boasting, which has been termed 
the fool’s amusement and the wise man’s horror ; yet we 
dare not profess ourselves to be indifferent to the appre¬ 
ciation that has been evinced of our labours; contrariwise, 
we esteem it highly. It will be conceded that there is a 
pleasure in the performance of a duty ; nevertheless, this 
becomes considerably enhanced when an assurance is given 
of attendant success. If, as it has been observed, general 
literature is the pledge and security against the retrogradation 
of humanity, the effectual breakwater against barbarism, the 
ratchet in the great wheel of the world, which, even when it 
stands still, prevents it slipping back—surely something 
