EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
721 
it be by you applied to a far nobler purpose. Remember, 
too, that each has his gift, although all cannot be great. 
Yet the poet has told us— 
“ Some must be great. Great offices will have 
Great talents. And God gives to everv man 
The virtue, temper, understanding, taste, 
That lifts him into life, and lets him fall 
Just in the niche he was ordained to fill.” 
Each, therefore, has his duties to perform. These may and 
do vary. It is a law in mechanics that no two bodies can 
occupy the same space at one and the same time. Now, 
although the less ponderable body will give way to the one 
possessing greater might, still room must be found for 
both, since matter is not indefinitely compressible. Nor is 
that which is the most noisy or clamorous the most effec¬ 
tive. The physical forces, though silent and unseen, are 
the most powerful. The light which comes from the sun 
and gems with beauty all nature, is more effective than the 
brilliant flash of the meteor, or the forked lightning; and 
the deeply flowing stream in its course proves productive of 
more good than the rushing mighty waterfall. 
Likewise, do not ever forget that it is only by diligence 
and perseverance you can hope to excel. Shakspere 
has said— 
<c Perseverance 
Keeps honour bright. To have done , is to hang 
Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail 
In monumental mockery.” 
By patient labour and research alone men of the most 
transcendent genius have succeeded in making great dis¬ 
coveries, and arrived at a knowledge of those fundamental 
truths which lie at the foundation of all true science. Be 
it yours, then, not so much to have your names enrolled in 
the annals of fame and mighty achievements, as of useful¬ 
ness to your fellow-men, by honestly labouring in the sphere 
that Providence has placed you. The knowledge we acquire 
in after life is, without doubt, that which is most important. 
In youth we have to sow the seed, and in mature years to 
