wrack behind." Well, and what wrack is left behind by that musical strain which just now "Came o'er my ear like the sweet South, That breathes upon a bank of violets,

Stealing and giving odour ?"

And shall sound be accounted more valuable than thought? True, the rude breeze of actual life often enough disperses in a moment the last fleecy cloud of marble of our castellated palace in the air, but Imagination lives on, to delight from time to time the most ignoble and unfortunate of mankind with visions of heaven, to relieve the gloom of darkest night like a star on the eastern horizon, and to construct more enchanting romances for pleasure than were ever sold for profit.

SUDDENLY BEGOT AFFECTION.

Suddenly begot affection, though often spurious, has ere now proved more sterling than attachment matured by long intercourse. Distrust only violent demonstrations love at first sight, if it is worth anything, is not boisterous. It need not take years to form a compact of friendship: the

magnet and the steel cling to each other at the first meeting. Expect delicacy and diffidence in a new found friend, for when they are wanting the magnet may turn out to be a galvanized horse-shoe; but do not repel the love of a stranger.

A POOR SACRIFICE.

A sacrifice grumblingly made is only a sacri`fice of one's mental composure. If you give up an enjoyment or an advantage for the sake of other persons, give it up cheerfully, as if you knew very well-what, indeed, the humblest moral philosopher does know, that the wise giver is the greatest gainer by the gift. Churlish self-denial is a miserable virtue. Better glut on a fast day than eat fish and behave like a starved bear.

ILL-TREATMENT OF DUMB ANIMALS.

Ill-treatment of dumb animals is the sign of a cowardly and tyrannical disposition. Deliberate cruelty to any living creature is incompatible with nobility of mind. A person who would wantonly torment a dog or

cat would not shrink from inflicting pain on the human heart. You may tell whether the rough unhandsome overcoat which some characters wear really covers an unamiable spirit by observing how the brute creation is treated. Mere uncouthness of manners which never ceases to mark a man in his communion with his fellows disappears when he has to do with a creature that does not possess the faculties to meet him on his own ground. I should not like to have for an intimate friend a man who could tear off the wing of a fly for fun, though he were the most fair-spoken and companionable person I knew.

THE BALANCE OF EVILS.

What a remarkable provision of nature is it that in no age or part of the world there shall be fools without knaves, or knaves without fools! How beautifully does it illustrate the principle of equality which prevails throughout the whole animal and vegetable kingdoms! Given, a fool—there is a knave to meet him; place anywhere a knave-there is a fool to feed him. Some men are born to tell

lies, and others are born to believe them. Some are bound to cheat, and others are bound to be cheated. Sharpers and simpletons are made for each other. A gullible public evokes to activity a race of quacks. Ignorance is not only the mother of superstition, but the foster-parent of knavery. You know several thorough rogues: just consider what a multitude of asses there must be to carry such fellows through life!

THE FORCE OF HABIT.

The force of habit is a power that depends upon its obscurity for its strength. Almost every one is a little more-some persons are a great deal more-governed by it than they can be made to believe. Many a strong mind bends to the sceptre of Custom mischievously swayed, and that principally because the sceptre is unseen and practically disbelieved in.

TALKING ABOUT ONE'SSELF.

A man who would condescend to puff himself would slander his best friend if it would answer his purpose. Egotism is least dan

gerous when most ridiculous. Recount your adventures to your neighbours, your disappointments to your relatives, but your triumphs only to your closest friends. You may know a thorough charlatan by this sign-he loses no opportunity of applauding himself.

WHAT HAPPY PEOPLE WE ARE !

Depend on it half the grumbling in the world is mere pretence. We are vastly more contented with our lot in life than we choose to have it believed. Notwithstanding we are such inveterate railers at Fate on account of all the mischief that happens to us, there are but few of even the most miserableminded folks who would like to change places with any one else ;-I don't say simply there are few who would be satisfied with such a change if it were made, but there are few who would consent to make it, if they had seriously to consider the thing. Of all the matrimonial engagements that are broken, in ninety-nine out of a hundred cases both parties concerned congratulate themselves for the rest of their lives as having by the capitalest piece