EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
113 
In the present number of our Journal will be found an 
account of the presentation of a testimonial to another mem- 
ber of our profession, Mr. Lucas, of Lutterworth ; the value 
of which is perhaps unprecedented with us. Surely that 
man must be highly respected when an appeal of this 
kind is responded to by the whole of the district in which 
he resides, as we are told this w T as ; and highly gratifying to 
him must have been this expression of the feelings of his 
friends. 
And what is there, we would ask, in the conduct of one 
that may not be emulated by others? We do not say that 
all w ill be alike successful, but we feel convinced that if all 
were alike , desirous of meriting the esteem and confidence 
of their employers by a conscientious discharge of the duties 
of their calling, and consistency of conduct, those instances 
w 7 ould be less rare than they are, and not “ like angels’ visits, 
few and far between.” 
We make these remarks more especially for the benefit of 
the younger members of our profession ; convinced as we arc 
that an earnestness of purpose, coupled w 7 ith a determination 
to excel and actively to fulfil the duties thereof, will not fail 
ultimately to ensure its reward. 
Fain w r ould w r e hope that some observations w 7 hich fell 
from the chairman after the dinner, about “ a youthful sprig 
of a student, fresh from the college,” &c., were intended as 
facetious; for there w r as a period in his life when Mr. Lucas 
w r as that ; but time has given to him what it does to all 
who make a proper use of it, consolidation of thought and 
judgment, the exercise of which has called forth the esteem 
of those wffio have required his professional services. Or it 
may be that these remarks w 7 ere intended to check the dis- 
position, a little too prevalent we fear w r ith some, at the pre- 
sent day, to display their abilities. Is not self-sufficiency 
in the rising generation, we w T ould ask, characteristic of the 
age in which w 7 e live ? So profound is the knowledge of 
many that they seem to contemn the wisdom which results 
from experience. Such persons, perhaps, w 7 ould do well to 
remember the distinction the poet has drawm : 
XXIX. 
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