EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 283 
attained by entering betimes into even the lowest drudgery, 
the most repulsive labours of the profession.A young 
man whose mind has once been well imbued with general 
learning, and has acquired classical propensities, will never 
sink into a mere drudge. He will ahvays save himself harm¬ 
less from the dull atmosphere he must live and work in, and 
the sooner he will emerge from it and arrive at eminence.” 
This was the counsel of the greatest man of the age, and 
as its adoption proved effectual in accomplishing great results 
in the late Lord Macaulay, so will it' be equally productive 
of good to those who choose to labour—and labour they 
must—to acquire professional knowledge. 
It has been observed that, to the ignorant ignorance is 
pleasant; but when the mind has once tasted of knowledge 
and found it agreeable, it will be sure to desire more. It is 
the business of education to produce the effect of olives at a 
feast, and thus to create a thirst for knowledge, and we have 
been told that “knowledge is easy to him that under- 
standeth.” 
We have arrived at a period in which haphazard and con¬ 
jecture no longer find a place. Explanations that once 
passed current are not now received unless they are 
based on truth. Medicine is being deprived of its mysteries, 
and scientific principles are alone the guide of the educated 
man. 
We think it will be conceded, that greater researches are 
now made and closer inquiries instituted than heretofore, 
the beneficial effects of which cannot be foretold. As far as 
our own section of the community is concerned, we perceive 
some of the consequences in the greater desire manifested by 
the public only to give support to those whose treatment of 
disease is founded upon right principles. The ignorant pre¬ 
tender no longer meets with the encouragement that was 
once blindly accorded him. The why and wherefore ” are 
asked of him, and unless a satisfactory answer be given, he 
ceases to inspire confidence. Of course we speak generally. 
There are, however, few places that science has not reached, 
and wheresoever she finds a locus standi her light at once 
