make what

you

have to make, at once. Avoid trying to give to additions the appearance of afterthoughts. It is in matters such as these that real honesty of character is shown.

*

AFFECTATION in society would be more shunned than it is, if it were known how often it prevents friendships, and even marriages between those who would like each other if both parties appeared in their proper colours. To put on an air of more or less gravity, more or less giddiness, more or less wisdom, more or less religion, than we really have, destroys all power of judgment. We are conscious of our own assumptions, but not always aware of those of others, and thus, mistaken and mistaking, we are led, sometimes to avoid what would be congenial unions, and sometimes to make ill-assorted ones.

Do not allow a child to be perpetually attending to his bodily sensations; or, at any rate, do not allow him to be perpetually making remarks upon them— the niceness of this dish, the ugliness of that object, that the day is too hot, the walk too long, &c. With proper care you may increase his hardihood, without endangering his health. I fancy our ancestors managed this part of education far better than we do. Something may be done by direct discipline, but more by making endurance a point of honour with children, otherwise they will indemnify themselves

at the first opportunity: however, in almost every thing we do there is a danger, and the danger here is, that, in making them despise their own sensations, we often make them indifferent to those of others; however, this danger is not so great as that of selfpreference, fomented by indulgence.

MANY who would not for the world utter a falsehood, are yet eternally scheming to produce false impressions on the minds of others, respecting facts, characters, and opinions.

THE phrase" timidus Plutus" is a good one: avarice is generally fearful; yet, amongst nations, the greediest of gain have often been the most courageous: take, as examples, the Dutch, Scotch, and Swiss. But, to make their gain, adventure has been necessary, and there can be no adventure without courage; and again, acquisition is necessary for independence, and with the love of independence is necessarily linked the love of liberty, which requires courage to defend it.

Rousseau makes greediness for gain not altogether voluntary; he is speaking of the people of Geneva; but of course what he says applies to the Swiss generally: "Il aime trop l'argent, défaut que j'attribue à sa situation, que lui rend nécessaire, car le territoire ne suffisait pas pour nourrir les habitants."-HELOISE.

Perhaps the same excuse might with propriety be offered for the other two nations.

WE form a general opinion of the character of people, and then often treat them or judge of them with a species of uniformity, making little or no allowance for their varying moods or circumstances. A man would bear on one day what would almost crush him on another. There is a little fish in Canada which when frozen may be broken to pieces almost with a touch; but if left till the thaw comes on, he recovers his elasticity and will swim about in the most lively style, if you give him the opportunity.

THERE are many men who, from sheer stupidity, and want of sensibility, will say most painful things, and yet, will be more ready to exert themselves to do kind ones, than men of more sensitiveness. This latter quality is necessary for perfect politeness, yet, as it makes our own feelings more exquisite, its adjunct often is a certain measure of selfishness. Observe the character of Count D'Erfeuil in Madame de Stael's Corinne, as contrasted with that of Oswald: "Le Comte d'Erfeuil . . . ne disait rien qui fût précisément inconvenable, mais, il froissait toujours les sentiments délicats d'Oswald, en parlant trop fort, ou trop légèrement, sur ce qui l'intéressait. Il y a des ménagements que l'esprit même et l'usage du monde n'apprennent pas il croyait qu'on pouvait tout dire, pourvu que ce fût avec grâce, et il s'imaginait que l'impolitesse consistait dans la forme, et non dans le fond." (B. III.) But "Le Comte

d'Erfeuil suivait Corinne, et pendant huit jours que l'infortunée eût la fièvre, et le délire il ne la quitta point; ainsi c'était l'homme frivole qui la soignait, et l'homme sensible qui lui percait le cœur." (B. XVIII.) But in one point I cannot help thinking that Madame de Stael is wrong: "L'amour propre

si susceptible pour lui même ne devine presque jamais la susceptibilité des autres." (B. VIII.) My belief is that too often we see clearly enough the susceptibility of others, but give our own the preference.

THE excessive dislike which some people have to the introduction of italics has something of collegiate prudery about it. We should be much obliged to a painter who would show us what he considered the best touches in his picture, helping us quickly to see merit, appreciate labour, and notice a subtle touch, or unobtrusive expression; and why not in writing? If a thing is good I am obliged to a man for directing my notice to what I might possibly overlook; and if a Silius Italicus calls my attention, in five or six instances, to what is evidently worthless, I am still thankful, for he justifies me in withdrawing it from his entire work as soon as I can do so decently. A great diplomatist, mentioned, I think, by the" Roving Englishman," expressed a wish that there were some means of diminishing the force of language instead of increasing it. One would think that language could enfeeble itself enough at any time.

Un papato composto di rispetti,
Di considerazioni, e di discorsi,
Di piu, di poi, di ma, di si, di forsi,
Di pur di assai parole senza effeti,
Di pensier, di consigli, di concetti,
Di conghietture magre per apporsi,
D' intrattenerti, pur che non si sborsi;
Con audienze, risposte e bei dette,
Di pie di piombo, e di neutralità,
Di pazienza, di dimostrazione,
Di fede, di speranza, e carità,
D' innocenza, di buona intenzione,
Ch' è quasi come dir, semplicità,

Per non le dare altra interpretazione.

BERNI.

I might add a passage from Montaigne, but the above list contains items enough for any diplomatist.

THERE is a certain amount of indelicacy and want of consideration in crowding material and external happiness on those who have emerged from a sombre condition, to which we know they are destined certainly to return. Sometimes the bright spot cheers the memory, but more often destroys content by

contrast.

WHERE the greater malady is fixed

The lesser is scarce felt;

When the mind's free

The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else,

Save what beats there.

Lear.