A love of the country in which we were born and brought up, is one of the affections of our nature. It is felt by the natives of almost every land, however rude they may be, or however worthless the country may appear to other people. This affection is not with-out its use when it is kept within rational bounds. It gives the people of each country an interest in their common soil, prompting them to defend it from the attacks of other nations, to promote its general interests, and to feel kindly towards all who belong to it.

But the love of country, while thus good in moderation, becomes absurd and mischievous when carried. to excess, or not governed by reason. We must not allow it to blind us to our defects as a nation, or to errors calling for correction in our social policy. We must not, because we love our own country, hate or despise other countries and their inhabitants; that would be as bad as if every man were to think so highly of himself, as to believe that no other person had equal honour or virtue. While ready, also, to defend our country from unjust aggression, we must take care lest a disposition arise in us to take up arms without sufficient provocation against neighbouring countries; for war is a tremendous evil, which should never be resorted to but under the strongest necessity. While seeking to promote the interests of our country in its manufactures and commerce, we must not allow ourselves to suppose that by injuring other countries in these matters, our own coun-try will be benefited. Every country has, on the con-trary, an interest in the prosperity of all other countries; for when a country is prosperous, it becomes able to buy from others what those others have to sell. In short, all the rules for the conduct of individuals apply equally to nations. We are to love ourselves so far as to seek by

all fair means, to advance our own interests, but we are also to love our fellow-creatures, and do them all the good in our power. So a nation may love itself so far as to seek, by all fair means, to advance its own interests; but it is also to love its own neighbours, and to do them all possible good, but certainly no evil. Such conduct is good for both parties; for the more comfortable, happy and good our neighbours are, the pleasanter and more profitable it is for us to live in the midst of them and the more prosperous, contented and peaceful other countries are, the better it is for the prosperity and tranquility of our own.

*

In love of home the love of country has its rise.

• From The Moral Class-Book.

31. COURAGE-BRAVERY-BOLDNESS &c.

We generally denote by courage a disposition to face danger of any kind without shrinking. It is a quality which excites general admiration, whether it is shown in self-defence, or in aiding others, or even when we do. not see any benefit resulting from the particular exhibition of it.*

Courage consists in being resolute in a good cause.
-MORAL MAXIM.

Courage is generosity of the highest order, for the

brave are prodigal of the most blood is nearer and dearer to us our life than our estate.

precious things. Our than our money, and

-COLTON.

A great deal of talent is lost in the world for the want of a little courage. Every day sends to the grave a number of obscure men, who have only remained in obscurity because their timidity has prevented them from making a first effort, and who, if they could have been induced to begin, would in all probability have gone great lengths in fame.

-SYDNEY SMITH.

The man of true courage feels no fear.†

* From Sidgwick's Methods of Ethics.

From Marshman's Works of Confucius.

-CONFUCIUS.

Courage that grows with constitution, often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty, acts in a uniform manner. -ADDISON.

Self-control is only courage under another name.

Necessity does the work of courage.'

Rashness borrows the name of courage, but it is of another race and nothing allied to that virtue, the one descends in a direct line from prudence, the other from folly and presumption.

man.

The most perilous hour of a person's life is when he is tempted to despond. The man who loses his courage, loses all; there is no more hope for him than of a dead But it matters not how poor he may be, how much pushed by circumstances, how much deserted by friends, how much lost to the world; if he only keeps his courage, holds up his head, works on with his hands, and with unconquerable will determines to be and do what becomes a man, all will be well. It is nothing outside of him, that kills, but what is within, that makes or unmakes.

It is moral courage that characterises the highest order of manhood and womanhood-the courage to seek and speak the truth; the courage to be just; the courage to be honest; the courage to resist temptation; the courage to do one's duty. If men and women do not

• From Sayings from the Works of George Eliot, selected by Alexander Main.

possess this virtue, they have no security whatever for the preservation of any other.

-SMILES.

The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational ;

But he, whose noble soul its fear subdues,

And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.
-J. BAILLIE.

It is the character of a brave and resolute man not to be ruffled in adversities and not to be in such confusion as to desert his post, as we say, but to preserve presence of mind and the exercise of reason without departing from his purpose.

-CICERO.

Life every man holds dear; but the brave man
Holds honour far more precious-dear than life.
-SHAKESPEARE.

The brave man seeks not popular applause,
Nor overpower'd with arms, deserts his cause;
Unsham'd, though foil'd, he does the best he can,
Force is of brutes, but honour is of man.

-DRYDEN.

Fortitude without wisdom is but rashness.

The man who has got fortitude brings his misfortunes to an end,

Becomes famous among the people, and again makes a fortune for himself.

A Gujarati poet.

–DALPATRÂM.* *