Life and Literature Part 34

--_Longfellow._

455

True delicacy, that most beautiful heart-leaf of humanity, exhibits itself most significantly in little things.

456

Nothing prevents our being natural so much as the desire to appear so.

--_Rochefoucauld._

457

Remember that your dependents have seldom a full power of replying to you; and let the recollection of that make you especially considerate in your dealings with them.

--_Sir Arthur Helps._

458

Honorable descent is in all nations greatly esteemed; besides, it is to be expected that the children of men of worth will be like their fathers.

--_Aristotle._

459

When any great design thou dost intend, Think on the means, the manner, and the end.

--_Sir J. Denham._

460

The desires of man increase with his acquisitions.

--_Dr. Johnson._

461

DESTINY.

s.h.i.+ps that pa.s.s at night, and speak each other in pa.s.sing, Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness: So on the ocean of life we pa.s.s and speak one another, Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.

--_Longfellow._

462

INSCRIPTION FOR A SUN-DIAL.

The shadow by my finger cast Divides the future from the past: Before it sleeps the unborn hour In darkness, and beyond thy power: Behind its unreturning line, The vanished hour, no longer thine: One hour alone is in thy hands-- The Now on which the shadow stands.

--_Henry Van d.y.k.e._

463

RISE ABOVE YOUR DIFFICULTIES.

Not till after the death of a member of Parliament, a prominent county magistrate, the owner of large estates, and an active, public-spirited man in all local and national matters, was it known by those who had not seen him, that it was but the misshapen block of a man that had lived this active, manly life.

He was born with neither legs nor arms. After his death his story was told: how he resolved, when but a boy, to act and live as did other boys, without regard to his horrible misfortune; how he persisted in studying every book, in learning every game, in joining in every amus.e.m.e.nt possible to him, with his companions. How, to the last year of his life, he held himself to be as responsible as other men, and bravely paid every t.i.the of duty to G.o.d and to his fellows.

Even in lesser matters in life he pressed to the front. He was the most genial, witty guest at social dinner tables. Strapped to his horse, he hunted foxes in Yorks.h.i.+re, or tigers in India, and with his brothers made long journeys in other parts of the world. Everywhere his cheerfulness and gaiety gave new life to duller souls.

Is there no lesson for us all in the life of this gallant gentleman?

--_Youth's Companion._

464

Dr. Roux, the celebrated French physician, said: "The greater part of preparation for the digestion of food takes place in the mouth."

465

True dignity exists independent of-- "Studied gestures or well-practiced smiles."

466

We have all met with a great many disappointments, and if we live much longer, shall likely meet with many more.

467

_Discontented People._--You have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness.

468

'Tis not my talent to conceal my thoughts, Or carry smiles and suns.h.i.+ne in my face, When discontent sits heavy at my heart.