Editorial

The present number of The Mentor is the last of the calendar year—not that of The Mentor year, for that will end in February next. The turn of the calendar year, however, brings with it the inevitable moment of retrospection. This is merely a habit of the human mind, for the New Year is only a human establishment. In a sense it may be said that every day is the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old year. The real new year for a human being, it seems to us, begins with his birthday, for that is the beginning of all things for him. Our new year will begin with the number of The Mentor on which we print for the first time Volume II—and that will be next February. But, indulging for a moment in the mood of retrospection that the season brings, we look back to that day last February when we sent out the first number of The Mentor to our readers. We had readers even then, for the mere announcement of the publication brought a gratifying response. Many thousands, attracted by the plan, invited The Mentor to their homes before the first number had been printed.

We thank these early readers, for they showed us that there was a public ready for The Mentor. These first friends have stayed by us from the beginning, and we hope that during the months gone by we have gained in their esteem. Their number has been many times doubled since our first number appeared, but our hearts are warm toward them, for they took our word for the plan before we had any publication to show. And it means a great deal to us to note that they have stayed with us through the weeks of our growth.

It means, too, a great deal in a practical way to us, for it shows that the interest in The Mentor plan is an enduring one. There has been so much enthusiasm over some of the beautiful gravure pictures that it was only natural to speculate at times as to the motive that impelled some to subscribe. We know now to our own great satisfaction that it is not simply a picture-loving public that takes The Mentor. The serious interest in the subjects that we have published, the earnest desire to know what subjects would be forthcoming, the intelligent suggestions that we receive concerning various subjects that might be included in The Mentor plan—all these, and then the numerous evidences in our mail that The Mentor is bringing something new into the home life, convince us that when we shaped our plans on the broad lines of a comprehensive, popular education we builded well.

This is the season for resolutions. We registered our resolution when we founded The Mentor Association. We could only re-affirm it now. So, at the turn of the year, instead of a resolution, we offer a promise. We will give during the year of 1914 a full measure of the interesting matter that has made friends for The Mentor in the past—and we will give more. We will add to the wealth of information that we have supplied in the fields of history, art, literature, travel, and science,—and we will broaden our scope so as to include articles that will be helpful as well as instructive.

We mean to make every number count in value and in interest. Our wish is that each member of our Association shall say, on laying down a number of The Mentor, that he is richer in the knowledge that cultivates or in the information that is helpful, and that he has at all times been interested and entertained.

May the year of 1914 be one of pleasure, profit and progress to the members of The Mentor Association!

THE CAMPAGNA, ROME