Content can only be purchased by a virtuous life. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Better half a loaf than no bread. -PROVERB.. It is better to have an egg to-day than a hen to-morrow. The circle of enjoyment comprehends Wife, children, books, a few warm-hearted friends : If we take a liberal survey of human life we shall see that the virtue of contentment is only to be exercised in those cases where nature has assigned an insuperable and ascertained barrier to our wishes, or where we have been visited with evils absolutely irremediable. If in these cases, we can soothe our minds down into patience, we do the very best thing, that can be done in the circumstances and deserve applause for it. But in our ordinary condition, a disposition to be contented with whatever is in our possession or within our reach, would be equivalent to a call of Halt!' to the progress of the whole social world. -R. CHAMBERS. If we could take life's blessings, as we find them, I will not sigh for vast domains, For festive halls and homes of pleasure, Nor do I seek redundant gains To heap my huge and hoarded treasure; But this I dare to ask,-a placid mind In every pulse of thought to heaven resign'd. -R. MONTGOMERY. Oh let us not murmur, though clouds should arise, Be our murmurs repress'd, our vexation untold. Around which love and charity closely entwine. Let the dove of content from our breasts never roam, But gladden and cheer both our path and our home. I WOULD I WERE. The weary-grown labourer envies the lot Of his wealthy and indolent neighbour; The scholar yearns wildly for muscular powers It's strange, but it's true; in this queer world. of ours, We are all sempiternally crying "I would I were" this, and "I would I were " that, And "I would I were"-goodness knows what! If, perchance, some odd mortal should tell you that he With his lot is completely contented, Described in the "book of your brain" he would be And, happen what may, the strange fact will remain, We should still be heard fiercely to mumble, "I would I were " this, and "I would I were " that, And "I would I were "-goodness knows what! " PICK-ME-UP." MY CONSCIENCE IS MY CROWN. My conscience is my crown; Contented thoughts my rest; Enough, I reckon wealth; A mean, the surest lot; My wishes are but few, All easy to fulfil I make the limits of my power, The bounds unto my will. I have no hopes but one, Effects attained, or not desired, I feel no care of coin; I wrestle not with rage While fury's flame doth burn; But when the flame is out, And taught with open proof, No change of fortune's calms And when froward mood, She movWOU angry foe, Small gain n labod to let her come, Less loss alet her go.* From Chambers's Poems for Young People. -SOUTHWELl. 29. CONVERSATION. One of the greatest pleasures of life is conversation;— and the pleasures of conversation are of course enhanced by every increase of knowledge. —THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace. Society and conversation are the most powerful remedies for restoring the mind to its tranquility, if, at any time, it has unfortunately lost it: as well as the best preservatives of that equal and happy temper, which is so necessary to self-satisfaction and enjoyment. -ADAM SMITH. Conversation makes one what he is. -PROVERB. The first ingredient in conversation is truth, the next good sense, the third good humour, and the fourth wit. -SIR W. TEMPLE. It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. -ADDISON. In conversation, a wise man may be at a loss where to begin, but a fool never knows where to stop. |