EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
31 
activity, leading to invention, the highest faculty of the 
human mind. The future seems big with events and 
replete with undiminished interest to our profession. At 
such a period to stand still and become stagnant would be 
fatal to us as a body, nor do we for a moment apprehend 
that this can or will take place. 
Another year has passed into eternity since our last 
address. By these recurring periods we note the swift 
passing of time, which is so rapid that even while hailing 
its coming it is gone, leaving only the reflection it cannot 
be recalled. “ It flies like the shadow’s fleeting form, that 
mocks the gazer's eye." Its pulses beat quick and in¬ 
cessant, intermitting not. “ Time," says a modern writer, 
“ seems to go as the winged arrow flies through space when 
urged from the elastic bow by the muscular arms of an 
athlete ; or like some shooting star, that sweeps the sky, 
and is again lost to sight ere you are aware. Day follows 
day in quick succession; morning gives place to noon, 
and noon to night; and night again disappears before the 
rising sun. The seasons, too, march on w r ith hasty steps; 
spring appears in her welcome livery of leaves, and buds, 
and fragrant flowers, but she soon yields up the reins to her 
fair sister summer, who in her turn spreads out her verdant 
carpet on the floor of nature, and fills the boughs of goodly 
trees with fairest summer fruit. But, scarcely have we had 
time to welcome her arrival, when lo ! she turns away, 
and autumn spreads her fields of smiling grain, whose 
golden ears, in graceful undulations, repeat the annual story 
of the great Creator's goodness; whilst under the moving 
influence of the winds of heaven they simultaneously bow, 
in mute acknowledgment of the Almighty’s care, a tribute 
oft refused by the senseless creature, man. Then comes 
stern winter, with its icy manacles and snowy garments, to 
put a new complexion on the scene, reigns its appointed 
time, and then departs. Thus ever-moving time goes on 
apace with rapid steps, and leaves the footprints of age upon 
our brows; the periods of infancy, youth, and early man¬ 
hood pass away as a dream, and f we spend our years as a 
tale that is told.' " 
