122 



THE BIRDS OF lONA AND MULL. 



as here is March begun, and the winter actually past, before we 

 were aware of its having more than just set in. I begin to 

 observe that every successive year passes quicker and quicker 

 than its predecessor. They used to go something cannie-like, but 

 now they go by steam, and threaten as one advances in years to 

 outstrip even this, revolving, like the fly-wheel of a high-pressure 



-t^;<-^ 



c^..^^ 



engine, round and round with dizzying velocity, flying with 

 increase of impetus at every turn ; or bounding like a mill-stone 

 down a steep brae-side, and leaving as little trace of their course 

 — till the crisis comes — the boiler bursts, the engine sticks at 

 " dead-point," and the mill-stone plunges with a splash into the 

 black tarn, and is seen no more. 



