Foreword

FOREWORD SIR RoBERT FALCONER T HE appearance in Canada of another review under university auspices, should not be taken as an indication that the University of Toronto intends to enter into competition with those who have for a number of years, with much success and at no small cost to themselves, ministered through their publications to the cultural life of the Dominion. They have provided well for wide and diversified interests. The demands of history, also, are well met by the Canadian Historical Review, which now for many years has been published by the University of Toronto, under the supervision of a committee of the leading historians of the Dominion. But those who have been responsible for inaugurating this venture are of the opinion that there is an unoccupied place in the fields of literature and of scientific and philosophic thought. These fields are difficult to cultivate; for in not driving the critical ploughshare too deep, it is hard to avoid being superficial. Nor must quality be sacrificed by too strict observance of geographical boundaries. . While we fertilise our fields to produce finer home-grown literature and clear thinking, we shall not scorn the seed which has proved its quality in older civilisations. Over-enthusiasm for and depreciation of one's own are alike to be avoided. But there is a fair appeal to interest in what belongs to us. Therefore it is believed that this QuARTERLY will be welcomed by the graduates of the University of Toronto, and by others who are most naturally associated with its constituency. The right-minded graduate does not forget to value his share in the corporate life of his university; and we may hope that this QuARTERLY , in wruch an effort will be made to give expression to many phases of the intellectual life of the University, of Canada as a whole, and of the wide world of letters, will be received by him with favour, as well as by many others who are interested in its aims and ideals. ...