The hydraulic press., 1858-11-27
COMMUNICATED.
THE PRESENT AGE.
NEVADA COUNTY,
NouemJer 10, 1858.

INEN Aba
NouemJer 10, 1858.
Ed. Hydraulic Press DO you think
the age in which we live superior toany
since the dawning of human mind upon
earth? Does it contain more wisdom
more goodness-mor talent-nore ge-
MUS? Is man morally, spiritually, and
intellectually greater?
Look not out of your window into the
street before you answer; there is no
field for judgment there. Close the
shutter, and send your spirit to gather
truth and falsehood from the crowding :
millions; then, it is very like, you will
answer thus: off presumption canim-
body wisdom, goodness, talent, genius
and greatness, our age is far superior to
any past"
You know what nc have accomplished,
but we know but little of what has been {
thought and done before us. Historyis
to us but as faint dream, full of great
and little shadows, acts and actors, suit
ed to the times; and our judgment Of
them is like the school-boy's, who says
to his fellow, "my jack-knife is better
than yours, and I will not trade with
you" g
And he will say too, "my father is a
better man than yours, tho he be a cob
bier, and yours king" sl-
There is pride in every man which
makes him think himself more perfect
than his fellows; but his greatness is
developed by the accidents of to-day or
tomorrow.
The future is a store-house full Of
gold, and fame, and toys for every fancy,
to which hope gives ambition the key.
One man justly or falsely praised,
kindles emulation in thousand; and
to this we owe the greatness of the
Christian world so boasted of to-day.
To-day, to-day; our all is comprised
in to-day; and what is yesterday to any
man? A time perhaps mis-spent; :
time he cannot touch again, OF fillagain
with hope. If happiness was in it, it
is to-day but as asweet shadow lingering
on his heart; if it brought him shame
or sorrow, he would forget it, and in to-
morrow look with stronger hope for
pleasure and for profit. Il
So far as it is possible for us to know, !;
we are in all scientific arts far, far in adj ,
vance of all the ages past combined; but
that we are morally better, or intellectu-
ally greater is a lie-an insult to the God
to whom we say we owe our being
When we take into consideration the ia
cilities which have been afforded man
since the days of type, to communicate
his thoughts and ideas, good or bad, to
the world, great allowance should be
made for the many enlightened genera
tions of days gone by.
Since the art of printing the whole
sphere upon which we live has been ex-
plored, and re-explored, and made visible
to the quick eye of thought, bringing
light to the mind, words to the tongue,
and subjects to the pen.
Before, man to man was comparatively
unknown; now, they shake hands In
thought from pole to pole, from horizon
to horizon. E.v
Now, the mind is quicker from exer-
else, the tongue more elegant from use.
But they have both grown less pure;
excitement makes the blood run quick
and hot, and passion overruns honesty.
This is great age truly; but it is not
the greatest. But when it is said that
this is fast age, the truth is told. But
who shall say that it is the happiest age
No man whose thoughts can go beyond
his own door-yard.
When the blood runs cool and calm,
man can be great and happy, and reason
like od;-then only. But the day
is not now SHALLwRITE.