Awful August?

The fourth issue of the 1981 volume of this journal, to judge from the extensive, and occasionally passionate, outpourings it inspired from several faithful readers, was indeed a star-crossed venture. One letter, in point of fact, inquired about the possibility that the editor's family might be held hostage by some authors. Since the book was assembled before we lost the services of our first and only Submissions Editor, we cannot plead short-handedness. Perceived errors, in judgement as well as typesetting, are bound to slip through into any nonrefereed, quick-turnaround publication, and for these, apologies to all. At the risk of some repetition, we would like to share with all of our readers something of the flavor, variety, and richness of these letters, which make running even a less-than-perfect journal so gratifying.