ANNUAL ADDEESS. 157 



ricli agricultural country, does not admit of a single doubt. The 

 city of Janesville, with her seven thousand inhabitants, in our 

 centre ; the beautiful village of Beloit not far behind in size and 

 importance, and other considerable towns within our borders, tell 

 fall well what Eock county now is, and what she is to be in future. 



We said the farmers are enjoying the good time. All the in- 

 dustrial classes are enjoying the same good. The fulfilment of 

 that modest prediction is being realized most gloriously. For- 

 tune and plenty is vouchsafed to them all — stacks of grain 

 crowning the ample fields of every farmer — granaries filled to 

 overflowing — money plenty — old mortgages drawing from 12 

 to 50 per cent, interest, cancelled and discharged of record — 

 surplus fands deposited with gentlemanly bankers of our own 

 county, in banks that never dream of failing — some small change 

 in the wallet — old store debts paid up and receipted, and the 

 cash system triumphant. 



Our merchants are polite and always on hand to wait on cus- 

 tomers, m these days of prosperity, and certainly they seem to 

 enjoy the good things equally well. 



The lawyers — what shall I say of them ? They are always 

 ready for good times. They have increased their fee bill about 

 fifty per cent, already. Since people are good natured and liti- 

 gation less fashionable, they do less and charge the more for 

 their professional services. We say success to them, and promise 

 them all the business we cannot avoid, and all the aid we can 

 give them, with a clear conscience. 



Our Physicians too, are up with the times, and enjoy life in 

 these days of health and prosperity. They know well how to 

 meet every case where professional skill can be of any avail, 

 and will attend to every call ; people are well able to pay, and 

 they willing to prescribe. Their patients have time to indulge 

 a little in sickness, though not very ill, for the benefit of our 

 good physicians, to keep them in good spirits. But though they 

 do come by times, like ministering angels for the purpose of 

 doing good, we would rather dispense with their professional 

 visits, (if they will not take it unkindly,) except where stern 

 necessity leaves us no option on the subject. 



